To get the most out of this book

You should have an understanding of basic network functions and technologies. TCP/IP and the OSI model are key concepts. You should also be familiar with firewall types and functions and have a basic understanding of web servers, web applications, and the security vulnerabilities they present. Familiarity with cryptography basics should also be established before attempting the CEH exam.

The only software you might want to consider would be some type of virtualization solution such as VMware, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V to create a network to practice some of the techniques discussed, but it's not required.