MCSE Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Exam 70-293 Study Guide and DVD Training System

Understanding IP Routing

• You must understand the concepts underlying IP addressing in order to understand how IP routing works. Understand the three IP address formats: hexadecimal, binary, and dotted-decimal. Have a firm grasp of how IP addresses are structured and how the network and node information is contained in the various address classes.

• Know that an IP address is a software address, not a hardware address.

• Know how to view the routing tables of your servers.

• Understand the differences between static and dynamic routing. Make sure you are familiar with the various configurations that enable and disable both static and dynamic routing, as well as which protocols are associated with each type of routing.

• Know the differences between RIP and OSPF. Understand why RIP is best used for smaller networks and OSPF is best for large networks.

• Know how to use the netsh utility and why.

Security Considerations for Routing

• Remember that IP has no default security mechanisms. In order to add security, you must add other protocols.

• Secure your IP packets with IPSec or other encryption protocols, depending on the routing strategy you choose.

• Set up a perimeter network to defend your inner network.

• Minimize the number of network interfaces.

• Minimize the number of routes.

• Minimize the number of routing protocols.

Troubleshooting IP Routing

• Understand how to use the available troubleshooting tools, including Network Monitor, the Routing and Remote Access console, and the netsh utility.

• Know the most common routing problems and their solutions.

• The pathping command and Tracert are excellent ways to troubleshoot your network.

• Know how to use logging and where to change the parameters.