Free Resources

Tools to actually learn this stuff

Cheat sheets, guides, checklists, and roadmaps built from 15+ years of doing this for real. No email gate. Open what you need and get back to work.

GUIDES AND CHECKLISTS

PDF downloads, no newsletter signup required

CareerGuide

Home Lab Starter Guide

Physical and virtual lab paths with switch and router model examples, topology diagrams, and projects that teach real networking skills.

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CareerRoadmap

IT Career Roadmap

How to get started in IT, target the first job, write stronger resume bullets, build proof, interview, and move toward networking.

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Wi-FiGuide

Wi-Fi Best Practices Guide

Design-focused Wi-Fi advice for channel planning, placement, security settings, and avoiding common default-config mistakes.

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NetworkingChecklist

Network Troubleshooting Checklist

A troubleshooting flow you can follow when something breaks, without random command roulette.

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CertificationsStudy Plan

CCNA 200-301 Study Guide

A current study plan aligned to Cisco's 2026 v2.0 topic structure, with lab targets, readiness checks, and no passing-score folklore.

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NetworkingGuide

Firewall Basics Guide

A beginner-friendly walkthrough of ports, protocols, firewall rule anatomy, stateful filtering, and how to test reachability.

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CiscoReference

Cisco IOS Command Reference

Field-useful IOS and IOS XE commands with safer defaults, verification-first workflow, and clear warnings around risky commands.

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CareerChecklist

First IT Job Checklist

A tactical checklist for entry-level job targeting, resumes, interview prep, lab proof, and realistic salary expectations.

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NetworkingGuide

Wireshark Troubleshooting Guide

Capture setup, interface selection, colorization, TCP handshake analysis, and diagnosing retransmissions, resets, DNS issues, and MTU problems.

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CHEAT SHEETS

23 modern references, open in browser

Modern network cheat sheets

Canonical quick references for current network operations, with Cisco examples where they help.

CoreHTML

IPv4 Subnetting

CIDR, masks, host counts, binary shortcuts, and field checks.

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RoutingHTML

BGP

Sessions, path selection, policy, communities, route filtering, and checks.

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ToolsHTML

Wireshark Display Filters

Modern display filters for TCP, DNS, HTTP, TLS, IP, VLANs, and wireless.

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PhysicalHTML

Physical Terminations

Real photos of cables, connectors, optics, patch panels, and rack-room hardware.

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Core

4 sheets

IPv4 SubnettingCIDR, masks, host counts, binary shortcuts, and field checks.Open →IPv6Address types, compression, SLAAC, neighbor discovery, and operational checks.Open →VLANsAccess, trunks, native VLANs, tagging, segmentation, and verification.Open →Spanning TreeRoot bridge design, port states, protections, and troubleshooting.Open →

Routing

5 sheets

OSPFAreas, LSAs, neighbors, metrics, authentication, and Cisco IOS examples.Open →BGPSessions, path selection, policy, communities, route filtering, and checks.Open →EIGRPDUAL, successors, stubs, named mode, and brownfield operation.Open →IS-ISLevels, NETs, TLVs, wide metrics, IPv6, and segment routing context.Open →MPLSLabels, LDP, SR-MPLS, LFIB checks, MTU, and service troubleshooting.Open →

Tools

4 sheets

Common PortsPorts, protocols, transport behavior, and firewall testing notes.Open →tcpdumpCapture syntax, filters, interface selection, and packet capture workflow.Open →Wireshark Display FiltersModern display filters for TCP, DNS, HTTP, TLS, IP, VLANs, and wireless.Open →ScapyPython packet crafting, sending, sniffing, safety notes, and lab patterns.Open →

Security

4 sheets

802.1XSupplicants, authenticators, RADIUS, EAP, MAB, and fail-open behavior.Open →IPsecIKEv2, ESP, NAT-T, VTIs, selectors, crypto choices, and Cisco examples.Open →NATPAT, static NAT, NAT exemption, cloud NAT, CGNAT, and troubleshooting.Open →ACLs And PolicyACL types, match logic, control-plane use, NAT matching, and safe changes.Open →

Edge

2 sheets

First-Hop RedundancyHSRP, VRRPv3, GLBP, anycast gateway, tracking, and failure modes.Open →QoSDSCP, CoS, WMM, queuing, shaping, policing, and trust boundaries.Open →

Wireless

1 sheets

IEEE 802.11 WLANWi-Fi bands, channels, roaming, security, 6 GHz, and controller checks.Open →

Specialized

2 sheets

IPv4 MulticastIGMP, PIM sparse mode, SSM, RPF, RPs, and routed multicast checks.Open →VoIP BasicsSIP, RTP, codecs, PoE, voice VLANs, QoS, SBCs, and cloud calling checks.Open →

Physical

1 sheets

Physical TerminationsReal photos of cables, connectors, optics, patch panels, and rack-room hardware.Open →

COMING SOON

CertificationsStudy Plan

Network+ Study Guide

A study plan, domain breakdown, resources, and a realistic timeline for someone breaking into IT.