Rating: 
Summary: Horrid. Lots of errors, and it gets worse from there...
Review: I take it back. I just took the exam, and passed, but this book completely missed covering at least 25% of the exam objectives. In every single chapter I found at least 1 syntax example that was wrong and a minimum of 1 review question that was completely incorrect. To add insult to injury the practice exam keeps up the trend of having incorrect answers and isn't even worth installing. CiscoPress, Greg Bastien and Christian Degu should be embarrased for releasing such a horrible book. The authors are apparently a prime example of what is wrong with a lot of this industry - paper certified folks who lack the skills to pay the bills.Go find another, better, study reference than this. Personally, I'm going to contact CiscoPress and try to get a refund. ---original review below--- The book seems OK on content but what I am really disappointed in is how wrong the syntax examples and in particular the Q&A answers are. For example, they claim that the command ip address dhcp outside is how to renew an IP address, but the syntax is backwards. It's ip address outside dhcp. This is just a single example, but so far I have seen at least one incorrect syntax in every chapter I have read. This deficiency is compunded by the lack of a downloadable errata, etc. Due to the mistakes, the best I can give it is middle of the road - 3 out of 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent book, but many errors.
Review: I used to work for the Cisco TAC supporting the PIX Firewall and am in the process of getting my CCSP. This book has been OK, but I have seen some pretty blatant errors. ... I've been gone from TAC for 3 years now and much of the bad information in this book was wrong even then. It's not like they made mistakes on new technology. In any case, if you have experience with the PIX Firewalls, this will give you a good idea of what is going to be on the test. But don't use it as your sole resource. I've been using the Boson practice tests and they seem very solid so far. If you don't have any experience with the PIX, BE CAREFUL and find other resources in addition to this. I haven't read any other current books on the PIX, so you may want to read the official documentation on Cisco's web site instead. A couple of notes to add after taking the test. One big thing that is missing from this book and the exam outline from Cisco is that you will get questions about the PIX-specific CiscoWorks components. The PIX AUS and the PIX MC. Look for documentation on those on CCO and get the basics of what you can do with them before you take the exam.
Rating:
Summary: Too Many Errors
Review: I would have expected more coming from Cisco Press. This book is riddled with errors. What's worse yet is that the Boson practice test uses this book for reference; thereby making the Boson error prone as well. The practice software is bad too. I am very very disappointed with this material. I could have done a better job myself. If you are studying for the CCSP PIX exam, you're better off just using the material on Cisco's website. You can find everything you need there. Good luck!!
Rating:
Summary: I'm going to return this book and get my money back!
Review: I'm being polite here, but there is no way I can recommend this book. One other reviewer decided to list several reasons, but he only lists a few of the many mistakes this book makes. Once again, Cisco Press publishes another book that was not proof-read or properly edited for content. I wish Cisco Press would fire the marketeers who write this garbage and hire some adults to actually try out some of the stuff they offer as training and reference tools. Once again, Cisco Press proves to be an unreliable source for information.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a exam cetification guide not a reference manual
Review: I've been reading through all the comments about this book, but they all seem to have forgotten that this is a book that focuses on the exam 9E-111, and specially on the new features of the PIX firewall. So if anyone wants to learn more in detail I recomend any of the thick manuals that there are currently available. This book is only intended ,as the author said, to be a document for a fast review before taking the exam, because it touches the topics one by one. The errors are not that important if it's taken into account that this musn't be the only source for anyone to prepare the certification.
Rating: 
Summary: has to be a better one
Review: It seems that there was a hurry to get books out before the new tests arrived. And this can hurt if you dish out money for an exam. I am disappointed in the ccsp series from cisco press. The book gives a good overview about the PIX but thats about it.
Rating:
Summary: Should have left this one in the oven longer...
Review: Most of the other reviews that cite the inaccuracies and errors in this book are accurate. This book really reads like it was rushed through writing and editing. The new products and relatively new portions of the exam are discussed at a pretty supreficial level, but nowhere near enough to help you pass the exam or work with this stuff in the real world. This results in a book that is at best insufficient and at worst downright wrong in many instances. It really feels like at the last minute they included the new exam and product coverage.
Rating:
Summary: RTFM instead of this book
Review: stay away from this book if you want to pass the CSPFA. it doesn't map to the exam objectives, Cisco is aware of that and freely admits to it. I also have on good authority that the book was rushed to press so it wasn't reviewed very carefully. The exams on the included cd are pathetic. Save your money, read the documentation for the PIX.
Rating:
Summary: Incomplete and Replete with Errors
Review: The previous reviewer's comment that it's better than nothing is pretty accurate. The book is not organized with the exam objectives in mind, and it appears to have undergone no quality control checks whatsoever. To call some of these mistakes typographical errors is graciously optimistic. Even the accompanying practice exam was flawed. About 10 minutes into it I got a question whose "correct" answer logically contradicted the parameters of question itself. I'll never know how good or bad the remainder of the exam was, because I immediately uninstalled the program in disgust. My biggest complaint, however, is that too much material covered on the exam is missing from the book. Sure, the book will get you throught he basics of setting up a PIX firewall, but topics such as the Firewall Services Module, the CiscoWorks Firewall Management Console, and the Auto Update Server are conspicuously absent. And these topics were prevalent on the exam. With that said, I did pass the exam on the first attempt. But it was thanks to some of the other practice exams and source materials that I was able to make up for the deficiencies and errors in this book. Had I taken this book as gospel, I have no doubt that I would have failed. I need these study guide books to get me through the CCSP certification, but I am certainly going to avoid anything else by these two authors if possible. Frankly, I'm not sure they understand how some of these technologies (e.g., VPN protocols) really work. They certainly haven't explained them well to me.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth the money by a long shot
Review: The stated target audience of this book is the individual pursuing the CSPFA exam. Beyond the CSPFA exam, it is one of the CCSP Self-Study series titles suggested, by Cisco, to propel a person toward full CCSP certification. The text hits the bull's eye and fulfills its promise of test preparation. It addresses each topic of the exam at an in-depth level in a manner designed to empower the reader on exam day. Although it is a test preparation guide, the text also performs well as a practical guide. The authors provide several practical examples and even a sample firewall configuration for study and use. The reader will need at least a basic understanding of network routing concepts with a rudimentary network security knowledge base to fully utilize the text. The reader, who is seriously pursing a successful passing mark on the CSPFA exam, will find this book to be an invaluable resource.
As the authors, Greg Bastien and Christian Degu, build upon each paragraph and chapter, the configuration examples prove to be accurate and relevant. The illustrations enhance the learning experience, by conceptually cementing the topic through visual examples, where appropriate. As with any technical publication, a few examples may be worded incorrectly or even misapplied. However, even the typographical and editing mistakes will provide the reader with an opportunity to deepen knowledge, especially when the corrections necessary to give relevance are considered.
The Exam Certification Guide Companion CD-ROM includes the Exam Gear test, an electronic text of the book, and Internet links pulled directly from the text. Through the use of two separate modes for exam preparation, the Exam Gear test will prove to be very helpful to the reader. The PDF version of the book is convenient for study via workstation or PDA. Whether in written or electronic format, the authors perform wonderfully in their treatment of the subject. The reader should be on the look-out for other texts written by either author for both practical application and certification test study.
This title should be used to further the pursuit of the CCSP certification. The text plus exam preparation software will be most helpful in preparation for test day. Furthermore, this text has proven to aid in the field implementation of Cisco PIX units. A total of five successful PIX unit installations have been aided with the knowledge gleaned from the authors. The illustrations and practical applications are equally valuable both in the configuration of production Cisco PIX units and test preparation.
To either novice or expert, the printed text and companion CD will prove to be indispensable in CSPFA exam preparation and in practical implementation scenarios. The authors work is highly readable with an easy flowing writing style. The attention to technical detail is exacting with the written and electronic test review aids instructionally relevant. This title is strongly recommended for CSPF exam candidates and would rate a 5 of 5 score in value for the reader. The CCSP Cisco Secure PIX Firewall Advanced Exam Certification Guide is published by Cisco Press with ISBN number 1-58720-067-8. Tim Feathers
CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, MCSE
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