Resource for Learning about Switches etc?

[Galant]

Hi Guys,

My role at work is more and more sending me down a route that involves more than basic networking. That being the case I'd like to learn more about networks, and in particular right now, how multiple switches interact and the ideal way they should be set up for best performance. There's a client with a long-standing network which appears to be something of a mess. 3 24-port main switches, but then smaller switches chucked in here and there, and, ultimately, more devices than switch ports. Not sure if that matters but there have been some odd network drop-outs and although this project isn't my department I'd like to get my head around it if I can.

Can anyone recommend any resources?

Thanks,

G.

[Jay]

See if you can get hold of cisco packet tracer. Its pretty good for basic switching and routing. Strange dropouts and lots of daisy chained switches could be stp issues.

[Dooms]

http://www.gns3.com/ is meant to be good, the guys at work talk about it a lot. I've not used it tho.