Bits, Bytes, & Radio Waves

A Journey Through Discovery

  • Create and Change Hard and Symbolic Links

    Exam Objectives Covered: Create links Identify hard and/or soft links Copying versus linking files Use links to support system administration tasks Links in Linux are synonymous with shortcuts in the Windows world. They are not identical, but the idea is similar.  Specifically, the command ‘ln’, is used to make links between files. There are two…

  • Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS)

    I wanted to begin with the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) which is currently at version 3.0. The standard can be referenced below as well as at http://refspecs.linuxfoundation.org/fhs.shtml. Filesystem Hierarchy Standard 3.0 When I first began using Linux, I realized that all the files and directories were arranged in a particular way. I wondered why Linux…

  • CompTIA Linux+

    I am starting my journey to become CompTIA Linux+ certified! Technically, I started on February 1, but am just now writing this. I have always been curious about Linux and dabbled here and there; I just have never dived in deep enough to be proficient. I want to change that. As an end user, I…

  • Benefits of Switch Stacking and Chassis Aggregation

    Switch stacking, known as Cisco StackWise on Cisco products, is a technology that connects multiple switches into one logical switch. By using stacking technology you get a decrease in administrative overhead and less blocked ports from Spanning-tree Protocol (STP). You can add switches to gain port density and you can add them over time. This…

  • Using Local SPAN to Troubleshoot and Resolve Problems

    A Switched Port Analyzer, or SPAN, is a way that you can monitor traffic. Back when networks used hubs, all traffic was visible because a hub just repeated the traffic out every port except the one it came in on. When switches were introduced, SPAN functionality was introduced to accommodate. It is common to set…

  • ICMP Echo-Based IP SLA

    Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is a commonly used utility to test Layer 3 connectivity between devices. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a target that must be met; there is no set criteria for an SLA. ICMP echo-based IP SLA is a way to monitor end-to-end response time between Cisco devices using IPv4 or…

This is how it all started…

I started this site with the intent to aggregate as much information as possible in one place. I use this to record lessons learned or frustrating configurations I have experienced on the job or just tinkering (learning) and just couldn’t find a better resource available. I have tried to be as thorough and accurate as possible, but technology is rapidly evolving and every environment is different. I may miss things along the way and my setup most likely differs compared to yours.

I hope you find this site has some value to you.

Welcome to Bits, Bytes, and Radio Waves! 

If you have any questions or comments (or just want to give me a shout-out), please feel free to contact me!

Aaron Rombaut

Writer & Technologist