Cisco ASA CLI/ASDM for Dummies

Solution 1:

I understand your pain, research and practice are going to be your best friends. Here are some of my bookmarks for dealing with the Cisco devices:

• Demystifying the Cisco ASA:
  http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/469092836/m/447004091931
• 8 Basic commands for configuring your Cisco ASA:
  http://blog.soundtraining.net/2008/04/eight-basic-commands-to-configure-cisco.html
• Anatomy of an Access List:
  http://i.cmpnet.com/nc/907/graphics/access.pdf
• Cisco 'Hands-on Training' Podcasts: (Lot's of free video on Cisco CLI - Highly recommended!)
  http://ciscohandsontraining.com/

Best of luck!

Solution 2:

I'm the guy who wrote the previously mentioned article "8 Basic commands for configuring your Cisco ASA". When Cisco changed the PAT/NAT configuration in the spring of 2010, it made some of those commands obsolete. I've updated the article with a new blog post at http://blog.soundtraining.net/2010/11/understanding-eight-basic-commands-on.html. Hope that helps.