If you just want to plug in some equipment and leave it in a pretty static configuration, you're best off hiring a consulting to set it up (like me!) - most simple cisco gear (ie: Cisco 2501's) are generally maintenance free. I've seen two die, one had the power supply go (the customer solder-ed a PC one on in place until the replacement came) and the other had one of the serial ports stop working. The remainder of my customers using 2501's just for internet access with a couple of exceptions have probably never even logged into the router. If you're running a mission critical operation, have an extra one preconfigured and ready to plug in sitting next to your inservice router.
If you're using bigger gear (ie: 7200's, 7500's) you're probably doing some important stuff with them, and should get SmartNet.
Regardless of what you're doing, hopefully the information here will help the curious poke around on their equipment. - the most usefull cisco command is always '?' which should list alot of the availible commands - note that not all commands are documented this way.