Book Review - Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Certification Guide

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Author: alt.don PostPosted: Sun Oct 05, 2003 5:43 pm    Post subject: Book Review - Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Certification Guide
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Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Certification Guide
Author(s): Wendell Odom, CCIE (No. 1624)
Publisher: Pearson Education
Book Specifications:Hard-Cover, 1056 Pages with CD
Category: Cisco Certification Aide
User Level: Beginner
Suggested Publisher Price: $49.95 USA/ $77.99 CAN/ £45.81 Net UK (inc of VAT)
ISBN: 1-58720-055-4
Amazon.co.uk: Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Certification Guide
Amazon.com: Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Certification Guide




Info from Back: "Cisco CCNA Exams #640-607 Certification Guide is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco Systems that can include simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining"

Introduction

In today’s work environment the computer network professional not only has to worry about keeping up with current technology, but also faces the daunting task of attaining industry certifications. The most valued certification for the professional dealing with Cisco products, and specifically Cisco routers is the CCNA. This is the introductory certification that Cisco offers for Cisco routers, and allows one to build upon that knowledge with further Cisco certifications. Attaining the vaunted CCNA certification proves beyond doubt that one has mastery over the stipulated subject matter. This is of value to employers, and by extension someone seeking employment in this field.

Even if you are not seeking active employment as a computer network professional who will be maintaining Cisco routers this book will teach you about many key area's. It will show you how routers communicate not only with each other, but also actually how the routed protocols themselves are handled. For you must now begin to realize the differences between both routed, and routing protocols. This knowledge will give a far deeper understanding of how the world wide web lives, and breathes.

Details

As you may have noticed this book comes in at a hefty 1056 pages. It is broken down into 13 chapters, four appendixes, and one index. One should not feel overwhelmed by the sheer size of the book. This book is meant to cover all material required for one to write the CCNA #640-607 exam. Covered in this book is not only the material, and theory one needs to know before mounting a successful challenge of this certification, but also has many other very useful features.

One of the things which impressed me the most about this book is that at the beginning of each chapter there is a quick test, which allows you to see if you already have a grasp of that chapters material. This saves you valuable time in deciding whether or not you need to cover that chapter. Other excellent book features are a quick rundown of what exam topics are covered in each chapter before you actually start it. In turn this is followed by a quick discussion of what is actually covered in the chapter, and finishes up with tips on how to best use the knowledge covered in that particular part of the book.

The superb layout of the book makes for maximum use of one’s study time. At the end of each chapter there is first a “foundation summary” which reviews key material covered, followed by a “question and answer”, and wraps up with “scenario” based questions. The 3 tiered aproach to wrapping up the material is truly outstanding! Between all three variations of revision, and testing methods one realizes with certainty if one is ready to move on, or recover the material. Also in the four appendixes is another wealth of information for the reader. In Appendix A is the answers to the “Do you know this already” quizzes, as well as the answers to the Q&A sections. Appendix B contains a very handy chart table showing decimal, hexadecimal to binary conversions. A sub-netting practice area is contained within Appendix C, which is also very useful, and nicely laid out. Lastly in Appendix D are the solutions to the Hands-On lab exercises.

Not to be forgotten either is the cd, which is included with this book. The cd contains 300 practice questions in the new exam format. Having this allows you to see, and feel what the exam questions are like. Every little edge helps when writing a certification exam!

Style and Detail

One of the biggest selling points this book has is the truly superb layout of it. It begins with exam points covered before each chapter, and is followed by a quick quiz allowing the reader to determine for themselves if they truly need to cover that chapter. Further more a brief description is also there detailing briefly the contents to follow. You are then off to the actual contents themselves. Wrapping up each chapter also is a “foundation summary”, a Q&A, and scenario based questions. It is this meticulous attention to detail, and excellent instructional technique which separates this book from the pack of other offerings.

Conclusion

This book is truly the model that others should emulate when putting together a certification aide. The potential buyer, and reader of this book may be put off by the sheer size of it. Do not be put off though, as this is a one stop source. You will not need any other material, reference or otherwise to accomplish your goal of achieving the CCNA #640-607 certification.


It's gets an SFDC 10/10 from me, this book is nothing short of excellent.



Keywords for this post: Cisco CCNA Exam #640-607 Certification Guide

This review is copyright 2003 by the author and Security-Forums Dot Com, and may not be reproduced in any form in any media without the express permission of the author, or Security-Forums Dot Com.


Last edited by alt.don on Mon Oct 06, 2003 12:14 am; edited 1 time in total



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