When I passed the CCNA exam a year ago I used the CCNA Study Guide by Todd Lammle and passed the exam with a 924. Had I had this book I am positive I would have done even better. Lammle is the first name in Cisco Certification exam material and judging from the content of the book there is no doubt why.

Lammle approach to the exam is by far the best I know of and studying the book in the order presented gives you the best chance of passing the exam on the first try. With Internetworking basics like the OSI model and topologies like Ethernet are the very beginning to the CCNA certification.

From there Lammle has you working with switching, which I like because switching should come before routing. Then you move to the internet protocols, IOS, IP routing VLANs and router management. Lammle again makes sure that far more information than the exam requires is included.

After that you then start working with IPX, Access lists and then WAN protocols like HDLC, PPP, Frame Relay and ISDN. Each section has review questions, the new thing I am very happy to see is both written and hands-on labs.

The cd included has over 400 practice questions, over 300 flash cards for both the PC and the palm devices and entire e-book. Lammle again takes the opening and adds not 2 but 4 additional bonus exams.

Finally as part of the study process is the use of an actual router and since this can be an expensive investment, Lammle has given you a Router Fundamental Simulator and practice labs. All this in one book and at a price that should make everyone happy. Whether certified or not, whether looking to refresh you skills this book is a must have for every router technician.

The CCNA study guide is solid, and accomplishes its stated purpose: prepare you to pass the exam. If you read this book, understand the material, and do the practice questions/labs, you've got a great shot at passing the CCNA the first time (I did).

There are errors, for sure, but you can check the sybex site for errata when things seem a little suspicious.

This book will get you ready to go hands-on with Cisco gear and master the basics. Starting from scratch, devote 1-2 hours a night to this text for 6 weeks, and you'll be ready to rock on the test.

Awesome book. I have moderate experience and a lot of this was childs play, but he goes further than what you need to know, which is good because it will help you with the trick questions which are probing you to see if you just memorized answers. I'm going for the gusto CCNP and CCIE for the next 6 months so i bought the simulator. it's cool, and is a cheap way to get a lot of hands on experience without your boss screaming at you for bringing the network down (I had that problem, jobless now though). If you just want the CCNA and are on a budget then you don't need the simulator if you can visualize doing the commands. but get it if you're going further than CCNA. my only beef with the book is that a CCIE obviously didn't proof read it, the author shouldn't proofread his own work because things slip and about 4-5 times i found myself stumped and going through the book to find some correlation only to found that it was a typo, not a misspelling but a false double negative statement (he must have changed his mind on how he was going to say it and didn't complete it), i found a couple of them, and a couple review questions with the answer being contrictory to his explanation. so if you're find a contradiction, look it up and write/scratch the sentence.
Good luck!

I would recommend this book to anyone with existing networking background who wants to get certified. I used this book along with Network+ Exam Prep to successfully pass the test (850/900). The practice questions are a little too simple and neither book covers Unix or encryption in sufficient detail as there were a couple of questions on the test I didn't know that kept me from getting a perfect score, darn it :) After studying the mateial in these books the exam seemed fairly easy and took me less than an hour to complete (and yes, I double checked my answers).

Guys, I used this book only to study for the Network+ Certification and Passed! This book is great. It covers about 90% of the exam and has a pullout cram sheet that is the best! The only downfall about this book is that it didn't cover really much unix questions. The test had at least 4-5 questions. Know lmhost? for Unix. But this book makes the material easy to read and easy to learn. If I had to do again, I would definitly go this route. Enjoy!

If your looking to pick up your Network+ Certification and you have some networking experience under your belt, you might give this book a try. I've always favored the Exam Cram series for subjects I have experience in and don't have the time to study a more in depth guide. This book didn't delve too deeply into subjects that were unrelated to the topics for the exam which is a blessing. I will buy from the Exam Cram series again.

Hello...where is the section on LAN switches/brides/hubs? Not in this book. ISDN is also a bit too brief. I just passed the CCNA exam and there is an entire section titled "LAN switching". This book is great for understanding IP addressing (which I had a total of about 3 q's) , access lists/network security and is huge for the OSI model. Do not rely on this book alone to pass the exam. Take a class for hands on routing, buy this book and Todd Lammle's Study Guide, (not the big fat book), and you will pass no problem.

I thought that this book gives great details of information on the subject, but if you are like me, you understand and learn more by seeing and doing. not just by reading and memorizing. That is why when I found this video library of the subject I purchased it right away. The video library gives you step by step instructions on how and what it takes to configure a Cisco Router from start to finish. The videos do expect you to know a little about protocols and other fine detail networking concepts, but if you know these already and you're ready to take the next step. These videos are great. (Especially if you can get a hold of two routers, three or more workstations and a MAU. You then can follow along with the videos.) I think that this book can elaborate on what you learn from the videos, though. So I would recommend you get this book, but also look for the videos. The title of the video library, I think, is: "CCNA Routing and Switching - video library" Look for it. You won't regret it.

I love this book. It doesn't have the errors the other Cisco books do. Packed with lots of information, and technical know how. Laura is pretty smart and you can tell she is very experienced. However, if you want to pass the test, you should also read the Sybex CCNA study guide. The ICRC book does not cover all the test objectives, nor was it meant to.

I am 18 years old and never studied in any computer course before. I bought this book and passed the exam in 1 and half months with a 847 score. There are some wrong anwsers with the practice exams in this book, but overall, it covered the real exam pretty well. I would recommend it.

I have never done programming before. This book helped me understand VB and I have passed the exam with a score of 85%. This book covers in great detail and you get a sense of mastery.Though I must admit that it is a huge book but once you have finished reading the book you can be sure that you have covered all the topics required for the exam.I used transcender also to prepare for the exam

This is a very comprehensive book for VB5. The only book I needed to pass the exam on the first try. Though I have years of experience in VB I still learned new things. Great reference book. Quizzes are weak compared to the real exam. Several typos. Best bet: This book plus Transcender exams.

This Book Follows the official course chapter for chapter, but adds more detail than the course material. There is no better way to learn the curricullum (except in conjuction with hands-on). The typos are relatively minor and there are no grossly misleading errors. The only element it lacks is more comprehensive end of chapter quizzes to prepare for the exam. A good supplement is the ACRC Exam Certification Guide by Cisco Press. For success on the exam and in your career, this book is a great asset.

I believe this is the best Cisco book on the market. It is readable, easy to understand and well written. The chapters follow on from one another while at the same time it is easy to go in and read and understand a specific chapter.

I have read about OSPF, for example, in a number of books. This book provides the best explanation and examples.

ACRC is the first exam I plan to sit and this book has given me a great deal of confidence. The only down point is that the tests at the end of each chapter are good, but in short supply. I would consider purchasing another test book as well as this, like the Syngress Practice Exams one which covers all CCNP exams.

Well i wonder how Laura writes good books, I used her ICRC book for my CCNA preparation and scored 92%. Now i am using her book again and hope to get good score again. This book covers all aspects of the ACRC exam, but a little less information about BGP. If u have Todd Lammle's ACRC book and Laura's ACRC book, then I think there is no way u are not going to pass this exam. Best of luck to all ACRC candidates :)

This is the only book I used to prepare for the exams. And I passed it on my first try. Although it has served it's purpose. I suggest that people using it should take the time mapping it out to the "COMPTIA A+ test objectives blueprint". (...especially now that a new version is on the works and will be live soon, or is it already ???)

I've taken the time to read the book from cover to cover and it definitely contains information beyond that of the test objectives, making it a good reference material as well.

Review questions and projects presented at the end of each chapter were invaluable training aids. Fairly detailed book that will give you a good working knowledge of all subjects reviewed. I used this book and Mike Meyers A+ book as primary references for the A+ Certification and scored 95% on the core and 91% on the Dos/Windows portions of the exams. This book does cover some items such as Windows NT that are not addressed on the A+ exam.

Right about now your saying I will be ready to take the A+ Exam in two months. You study for 2-70 question tests, you're reading the A+ Exam Prep book by Coriolis and you've got it down cold. Then we find out that the exam is changing and now what do you do?

If you're like me, you get a copy of the A+ Exam Prep adaptive edition. CompTIA is changing the A+ Exam to an adaptive format, removing DOS and Windows 3.X, adding NT Workstation, Windows 98, and Linux and this book will get you more than ready for the new format.

Over 1,100 pages of text you have been given tables, pictures, diagrams, screen shots, figures, 450+ review questions, projects, hands-on exercises and a practice test, and that's just the book. The book also includes appendices for error messages; hard drive types, troubleshooting guidelines and more.

Coriolis also included, not 1 but 2, cd-roms in their latest edition. CD 1 is the practice test questions in fixed length, adaptive, random and review formats. CD 2is a 1-hour audio review with questions and answers that further enhance the material covered in this book. Coriolis you have done it again - right in the nick of time!

The review refers to the HARDCOVER edition

I purchased this book in 1999, but only find time to read it recently, and thus unfortunately let go of a golden chance of passing CLSC 1.0 exam. This 700+ pages cram is a solid, systematic, and detail presentation of major switching topics - good enough that I carry it around as on-the-job reference, and also using it as an important part of my preparation for Swiching 2.0 exam, partly because (1) most BCMSN book for switching 2.0 exam is still not out (2) I couldn't see too many authors out there that can explain thing as well as Richard Deal's book. I have no complaint of the thick 700+ pages format - in fact I do hope that this book can expand in size and perhaps explain some tricky topics (tricky for guy like me who previously only work with the trickless ethernet hubs) like vtp, stp in a more graphic manner, with perhaps more examples. And perhaps add more examples on how big big switching network is built - like what I see in Kennedy Clarke's book.

Another excellent test-taking book! Although a little thick this book is the perfect companion for every CCNP candidate (including myself). The amount of information is right and very well fits the CLSC test. Sometimes it might seem that the author is going into too much detail for topics which are not that important but this impression will be totally wiped out by the test. Also, the book contains a lot of useful information which comes handy in your "real life" as network engineer. You just have to underline those perls of wisdom (yellow marker works good) and keep the book on your bookshelf.

If you have the knowledge of Catalyst family and need only a prep tool for the test this will be your only investment. If need deep insight on LAN switching, Catalyst family and network design this is not the right book for you! It barely scratches some of the "hot" and poorly understood topics like STP, VLANs and trunking but remember - this is an "exam cram" book.

Unfortunately Cisco is coming with a new test - CLSC 2.0 sometime this year and this book is not very adequate, but I hope that the author will come up with something at least as good as this one whenever the new test comes live.

In case you need deeper knowledge (not for the test) look at Cisco Press "Cisco LAN Switching" book and don't be scared by it's size (926 pages).

Good look on the exam!

For everyone who said this book does not prepare you for the test, it is obvious you are looking for a 50page quick way to memorize the test and pass it only to forget everything you learned after you are done.. Well, forget it, the only way to do that is the get a copy of the test, and no book will give you that....

Anyway, I know had a little experience with Catalyst switches, and this book was the very best way to prepare for the test. The sample questions were dead on, and the real test only had variations of them. so if you understand the subject matter of the questions in the cram book, that fact that the wording and answer choices are different on the test should not make the test any harder than the one in the cram book..

I recommend this to anyone who wants to pass the CLSC exam...

This is a well organized book, covering most of the topics listed on the CCO (it even covers apple talk, and mpls which by the way are not on the list) Good starter book, definitely not for pros or people with some Cisco exposure. I would recommend this book to people who are trying to setup small home labs with 3-4 routers, and trying to get some basic hands-on.

pros:
Small lab scenarios, easy to setup with 3-4 routers.
Good approach, takes you step by step (good for people who are used to spoon-feeding)

cons:
No complete CCIE lab scenario
Too easy, doesn't go into much details
Doesn't cover all the topics you'll see on the actual test

well, this book in my opinion is outstanding, the diagrams are great, explanations understandable and without the fat usually filling the pages on other books. However, there is a lot this book leaves out that is covered in the CCIE lab, and various things that you may wish to have material upon in great detail, in the case of readers using this for industry tips, many implementations that will come up every day the book skimps upon in my opinion. I feel this book is ideal for anyone studying towards CCNP/DP certifications in routing and switching and it will be without doubt of help towards CCIE certification, just don't rely upon it 100%. If this book had a different title or possibly 3 extra chapters it would be more than worthy of a 5th star.

I emphasise this book is the best hands-on guide I have come across. It just doesn't cover 100% of the material required for CCIE lab tests.

Exactly the kind of book I was looking for. Many of the other books I read did not even come close to the hands-on topics that are provided in this book. I also found the way it is structured to be ideal for CCIE study. Its also an extremly EASY READ.

DO NOT Buy this book to learn about routers or IP or any other routing protocols for that matter. Its not what the authors aimed for. They assume you have a pretty strong foundation dealing with cisco realted equipment and tell you how implement them effectively.

The book is also an excellent source of reference.

I used three books to help me prepare for the exam. The authors know their subject and reading it should help you. I also read "All in one CISSP Study Guide" by Shon Harris. Although studying with any material you can get you hands on is always a good idea, I likely could have simply used Shon Harris's masterpiece, one of the other books that I purchased and not any other books.

I found "The CISSP Prep Guide" lacking friendly examples and humor which made the book a dry, technical read. It kind of reminded me of the college text books about 16th Century music history. Sleepy and boring. And we all know computer security is more fun then that!

Read Harris's book first, Carl Endorf's book second and only this one if you have the time!

This book will not prepare you fully for the CISSP exam in and of itself as claimed. If you are looking for a single source to pass the CISSP exam, study the CISSP Examination Textbooks, vol. 1 & 2, 2nd edition from SRV Professional Publications. The first volume covers the material, while the second contains 1500 sample questions.

People criticize the CISSP Examination Textbooks as unwieldy and at times confusing, and they are, but all the important material is covered, and the sample exam questions are helpful in preparing for the test. So even though they read a bit like a VCR manual, they are very helpful. Knowing the information they cover should allow you to pass the test when combined with your three years of experience.

If you can read a second book, and I recommend that you do, read The Information Security Management Handbook, vol. 1, 4th edition compiled by Harold Tipton (often called "The Tipton Book"). It is a bit dated in its material, but puts you in the right mindset to think the way the test does.

All in all this book is a good introduction, and covers good information, but it doesn't dig deep enough into each of the domains to fulfill its goal as a one stop CISSP exam guide.

This is an excellent FIRST book for your CISSP study. Consider it required reading. Over 80% of the terms and concepts you need to learn are presented in an excellent framework. The organization is easy to follow and understand. It's like reading 500 pages of Cliff's notes. I give five stars for the organization, chapter review questions, and ease of reading. Chapter 3 does have errors - but, in my opinion, the rest of the book is the best organized "unofficial" tutorial and review I have seen on the subjects. It is not a techie's how-to manual. The author went above & beyond the call of duty when writing the Appendix sections. It includes full overview sections on the DOD rainbow books, IPSEC, BS-7799 and more. I suggest you then read "Information Security Management Handbook" by Krause & Tipton to round out your studies. These two books combined should give you a firm grasp of the basics. Several other good security books are available, but this one is a golden egg. Best of luck to you.

I read both DCN and this book to pass the CCDA exam. Both were good books for my exam preparation and education. Are you going to find the exact questions on the DCN exam in this book? No, but if that is what you are looking for then perhaps you should ask yourself why you are reading the book to begin with. Read the material in the book, understand it, then apply what you learned in the exam.

I would have given this book 5 stars if it hadn't been for weak coverage of ATM, X.25, VTP, and some minor errors (ISDN) on the practice CD.

Overall, I felt it was an excellent book and the CD was a nice surprise (even with a few errors).

This is all you need to get your CCDA! I just passed the DCN exam quite easily with flying color by refering to this book only.

The book has lots of case studies questions on all chapters, besides good and brief explanations on the Cisco internetworking technology material. It even dedicates the last chapter for several extra case studies. All I can say is that they are more than enough to prepare you answering case study questions on the exam day.

The CD has an electronic version of the book and more than 200 practice exams questions. Take and pass the practice exam several times and you are on your way to the CCDA!

WARNING:

- When you sit for the exam, make sure you read the case study questions VERY CAREFULLY and understand them before answering.

- Keep in mind that DCN exam IS NOT for a novice. You'd better have a good understanding of basic internetworking stuff, know Cisco products quite well, and have real-world experiences. This is not an ordinary 'paper exam', but it challenges your capability to implement internetworking on real-world scenarios. For the first two, make sure you read all the chapters and the Appendixes. It is also a good idea to visit the Cisco web site and read all related materials. For the experience thing, nothing is better than 'tasting the honey by yourself'.

(CCNA, CCDA, Network+, MCSE+I, MCDBA)

Let me explain how the book can help you to pass DCN 640-441 exam and what else you need to study out. The guide contains enough info about the STEPS that you should take to design someone's network, many case studies that I strongly advise to learn carefully. Appendixes are about 1/2 of the entire guide. They include Internetworking Overview, SMB Solutions and a Glossary. But in order to pass the exam (I have passed it on my first try in spite of the fact that English my second language) you need to have a broad knowledge of internetworks as a whole because there are different questions about any protocol that could be in a SMB network. The most difficult part of the test - case studies. It is really a Nightmare for someone who doesn't enough know English. I have been tested with 4 case studies and this is truly strain when I had to answer a question for one case study and then must read another one. Finally, I used some materials besides this guide - CBT from SmartForce and Boson Software Tests. But any guide or trial tests are easier than the exam. It isn't the similar test to the CCNA one. The CCNA is much more easier. Most likely I have passed it due to the fact that I already have CCNA and CCAI (Academy Instructor) certificates. The teaching practice is very helpful. It is recommended to develop attentiveness, decision logic and you will be able to pass it.