Router
Definition: A device that connects different networks (LAN → WAN) and
forwards data packets based on IP address.
Purpose: Inter-network communication, path selection, traffic
management.
Mind Trick: Router = “Road map for data” → decides best route.
Router Types
Core Router: Handles internal network traffic (Data Center).
Edgouter: Connects LAN to WAN (Internet).
Virtual Router: Software-based routing.
Wireless Router: Wi-Fi connectivity + routing.
Trick: Core = inside, Edge = outside, Wireless = air.
Routing
Definition: Process of finding best path from source to destination.
Components:
Prefix Length: Number of bits in subnet mask (e.g., /24 = [Link])
Metric: Cost to reach destination (hop count, bandwidth, delay)
AD (Administrative Distance): Trustworthiness of routing source (lower is preferred)
Mind Trick: Metric = “how expensive?”, AD = “how trustworthy?”
Routing Types
Static Routing: Manually configured.
Dynamic Routing: Auto-learned via protocol.
Default Routing: Route all unknown traffic to one path.
Trick: Static = fixed, Dynamic = smart, Default = fallback.
Routing Protocols
RIP: Distance vector, hop count metric
OSPF: Link-state, cost metric
EIGRP: Hybrid, bandwidth + delay
BGP: External, path vector, used in ISPs
Mind Trick: RIP → simple, OSPF → map, EIGRP → combo, BGP → global.
HSRP & NAT
HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol): Redundant routers → failover
Active Router + Standby Router
NAT (Network Address Translation): Private ↔ Public IP mapping
Static NAT: 1:1 fixed mapping
Dynamic NAT: Private → Public dynamically
PAT (Overload): Many → 1 public IP (Port based)
Mind Trick: NAT = IP disguise, HSRP = backup hero.
ACL (Access Control List)
Purpose: Control traffic, permit/deny based on IP, port, protocol
Types:
Standard ACL: Source IP only
Extended ACL: Source + Destination + Port
Trick: Standard = simple, Extended = detailed.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
Connects different locations, long-distance, ISP-based.
Examples: MPLS, Internet VPN, Leased line
Leased Line & WAN Protocols
Leased Line: Dedicated point-to-point connection, always ON, expensive.
WAN Protocols:
PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol): Auth (CHAP/PAP), encapsulation
HDLC (High-Level Data Link Control): Default Cisco encapsulation
Trick: PPP = friendly + secure, HDLC = fast + simple.
VPN Types
Site-to-Site VPN: Network ↔ Network
Remote Access VPN: User ↔ Network
SSL VPN: Browser-based secure access
Trick: Site = office-office, Remote = work-from-home.
Switching & VLAN
Switching: Forward data at Layer 2 (MAC-based)
Types:
Store-and-Forward
Cut-Through
Fragment-Free
VLAN (Virtual LAN): Logical separation within switch
Trick: VLAN = Virtual walls.
VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol)
Automates VLAN config across switches
Modes: Server, Client, Transparent
Trick: Server = boss, Client = follower, Transparent = ignore.
DTP (Dynamic Trunking Protocol)
Negotiates trunk link between switches automatically
Trick: DTP = trunk handshake.
STP (Spanning Tree Protocol)
Prevents loop in LAN network
Elects Root Bridge, blocks redundant paths
Trick: Loops = disaster, STP = traffic cop.
SSH & Telnet
Telnet: Remote access, insecure (plaintext)
SSH: Secure remote access (encrypted)
Trick: SSH = safe, Telnet = risky.
Mind-Store Tricks for Interview
Abbreviations: Remember by first letters:
HSRP, NAT, ACL, VPN, VLAN, VTP, DTP, STP
“Hot NATs Always Verify VLANs Very Diligently, Seriously True”
AD vs Metric: AD = trust, Metric = cost
Dynamic/Static Routing: Static = fixed, Dynamic = smart
Protocols: RIP → OSPF → EIGRP → BGP = simple → local → hybrid → global
If you want, I can make a 1-page “cram sheet PDF / image” with all these
topics + mind tricks ready for interview last-minute revision.
Do you want me to do that?