sometimes I wonder how those guys thought.....

the_return_of_the_Ring

In configuring ISDN, you setup a "dialer-list" on global configuration level, defining the "interesting traffic". Then on interface level, you use "dialer-group" coupled with "dialer string" or "dialer map" to indicate that the action will "happen on this interface" if "interesting traffic" like defined on global level.
Why those guys invented such a mechanism? I mean, you can just use "dialer-list" on interface level and you make it.
And sometimes I think the IOS command abuse some words like "ip", "protocol". Like "sh ip nat translations", why can't we just use "sh nat translations"? are there any other "translations" in addition to "ip"?
Just some comfused thoughts, but I still gotta move on, I plan to take the exam the end of this month, or, the start of June.

pizzafart

IOS commands are horribly akward in many different respects. Perhaps this is the result of Cisco buying up so many different companies? It seems that there is plenty of opportunity to make commands uniform between related applications. Here's a simple example:

"cdp run" is the global config command used to turn cdp on or off.
"cdp enable" is the interface level command that accomplishes the same thing, but per interface.

Why not use the same command and have the config mode be the differentiator? This kind of nonesense is all over the place.

EdTheLad

If the IOS was tranparent and easy to use there would be less demand for Cisco experts.Having an IOS that is less user friendly benefits you and maybe Cisco.The obscure IOS ensures less people are proficient allowing the few to take a higer salary.Cisco make alot of money on training and certs.But saying this i dont feel the IOS is so difficult, Cisco was the first company to have this type of CLI and all the other companies have followed suit.

pizzafart

Basic economics would suggest that a better produt = better sales. If a company can purchase a device that requires an army of experts, versus a simpler device that does the same thing...

though, I'm no business wiz... I'm sure there are politics involved and whatever else.

EdTheLad

Very true,and this is why i said maybe
But it seems that the most money is made from maintenance contacts, this is what i have seen and heard during my career.I have heard many people say Juniper is a better router than Cisco but you cant beat Cisco's support.It's a grey area and for sure there is politics involved.