Where to start learning

I'm wanting to start learning about networking and building networks.
I've seen books on the shelves, but I don't know exactly what ones are
best for me to start with. I've got quite a bit of experience in Win9x
(from an admin standpoint) as well as some practical Linux/Unix
experience (ie, I know enough to be dangerous if root on a system, but
know better than to try without being on a home-built system). I know
about software progs like telnet, ftp, and have even run some old
Win9x servers for such. I'm wanting to get some nuts and bolts, nitty
gritty facts now. Should I just pick up the certification books to
learn from? Or are there better ones to start with? Any help would be
useful.
Thanks.

You could grab some good books from ebay these days, since Cisco is
retiring the 640-607 exam. These 2 books are all you need to get
somewhat advanced in networking:
"Cisco Networking Academy Program, Course 1+2"
"Cisco Networking Academy Program, Course 3+4"
both from Cisco Press
With a bit more learning you could even try the new CCNA exam.

regards
André
matrixm_ DeleteThis @hotmail.com (Matrix Mole) wrote:

 >I'm wanting to start learning about networking and building networks.
 >I've seen books on the shelves, but I don't know exactly what ones are
 >best for me to start with. I've got quite a bit of experience in Win9x
 >(from an admin standpoint) as well as some practical Linux/Unix
 >experience (ie, I know enough to be dangerous if root on a system, but
 >know better than to try without being on a home-built system). I know
 >about software progs like telnet, ftp, and have even run some old
 >Win9x servers for such. I'm wanting to get some nuts and bolts, nitty
 >gritty facts now. Should I just pick up the certification books to
 >learn from? Or are there better ones to start with? Any help would be
 >useful.
 >Thanks.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->