Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: Although I am not studying for the CCIE exam, I have been using this book as a reference guild, and it has been awesome! Some technical manuals are written so convoluted that getting to the real information is nearly impossible, but Mr. Payne and Mr. Manweiler have eliminated that and produced a real working publication! Thanks gentlemen!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Field and Classroom Reference
Review: As a network engineer by day and IT graduate professor by night, it is imperative that I have the most contemporary and accurate reference available for technical solution development in the field and lecture material in the classroom. The CCIE Study Guide is my choice for such a reference. Payne and Manweiler have done an exceptional job of providing a mile-wide and foot-deep network reference that satisfies my practical and theoretical knowledge needs. Although I'm not pursuing the lofty CCIE certification, their study guide accompanies me wherever I go. The layout of the book is extraordinarily well organized. The information builds gradually from the all-important OSI model to a crescendo of emerging technologies and convergence based services - all the while providing insight to the Cisco platforms necessary to deploy them. The Real-World-Scenario boxes throughout the book do a nice job illustrating actual field application of protocols and services. I've used the book in the field many times over the course of several months; specifically, I've used the catalyst references in chapter six and the ATM configurations in chapter four. In my estimation, the top three subject matter areas from the book include the very thorough routing sections, (Interior Gateway Protocols and BGP), the network security chapter, and the chapter 18 Quality of Service discourse. I've employed QoS parameters in the field while deploying VoIP solutions. Payne and Manweiler do a nice job of clearing up the mystery of QoS and clarifying its implementation strategy. Finally, I've found a new classroom reference for those hard-hitting classroom subnetting and supernetting calculations! I've recommended the CCIE Study Guide to my graduate students as well as my peers in the industry. This book is a must-have reference for anyone in the telecommunications and networking field - not just those professionals pursuing the revered CCIE credential.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Reference
Review: Great reference material to have around when you need some answers or examples to resolve that problem which jogs the memory. This book is well laid out and it is obvious that the authors have a lot of experience under their belts. The book is easy reading and the examples are well documented and relevant to day to day workings. I would say buy it, even if you are like me, not taking exams but want a good solid reference around. Good job Rob and Kevin.
Rating: 
Summary: Taking you to the exams - all you have do is pass them.
Review: Having worked in the IT industry for over 14 years, and having worked in the classroom for over 5 years I am always looking for new material for the students. Sybex has made a reputation for releasing first rate material in the Cisco certification arena and this book is no exception to that rule. In over 1000 pages every CCIE Routing and Switching Exam objective is covered and explained. I found the authors to be not thorough but also very detailed. I also found that the material, while complex and highly technical, to written to a level that is intermediate rather to than advanced or expert level. One thing I notice was the book covers the written and lab exams, this is the first book I have seen like this. As it comes with several labs to practice with and hundreds of practice questions you have what appears to be a complete study guide. I found that Chapter 8, especially the CIDR and VLSM, explanations were very well explained and it cleared up a couple of questions for me. The cd, as with other Sybex books, has the e-book and practice exams included. Overall I think this a one to look at for those going or the CCIE R&S certification.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent CCIE Lab resource and Overall Reference
Review: I found this book extremely useful and relevant for my lab preparation and continue to use it as a reference book for the various technologies. Specific chapters that standout and that I found particularly useful include: ATM; IS-IS; Protocol Redistribution and NAT; Multicast; Bridging and DLSW+ and BGP - the BGP chapter was excellent and extremely helpful! I also read the other reviews and would like to add that yes, unfortunately, there are errors/typos (...) Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone studying for the CCIE Written Exam or the Lab! Great work and thank you very much, Rob and Kevin.
Rating: 
Summary: Dont use it as the sole study for the CCIE Written...
Review: I just finished reading this book and I must say I was pretty disappointed with it...
You will not pass your written if you use only this book to study. The book covers all topics, but not in enough depth and practice test on the CD is MUCH easier than the real thing.
Rating:
Summary: Not just a study guide
Review: I personally need good reference books on examples of how to set up different types of networks in my everyday job. I have no desire at this time to study for a CCIE certification but am constantly on the lookout for detailed examples on how to set up and configure cisco equipment. This book is loaded with real life examples that can be used as a baseline for any network design type. I recommend this book as a "must have" for your personal library. Well written in easy to understand language and detailed examples that deal with any type network configuration every day.
Rating: 
Summary: Not good for written preparation
Review: I recently purchased this book for my recertification. It was recommended by my co-worker and the reviews here seemed pretty good especially comparing to other alternatives. However, after reading it for some time, I have to say that it is not a ideal book for written exam preparation. It mixs the written and lab preparation, making it hard to concentrate for just the written portion. Cisco recommends that written and lab be prepared separately. I re-read the reviews here. It seems that all good reviews come from people who don't really use this to prepare for the written exams. This may be an a good book for work resource, but it is not ideal for the written preparation.
Rating:
Summary: Could be better
Review: I wanted a tool to review this topics I forgot since I passed my Lab such as DLSW, Bridging, Token Ring, MultiCast, WAN... I failed on a first passed 69% instead of 70%! and then got it on the second pass 3 days later and one day before the end of my certif validation with 76%.
In this book the topics are fairly well covered and offered a good synthesis. However the review questions are too light not of the level of the exam which also include some simple questions (but coverage is so large !). For someone preparing the lab exam as well, I would recommend to use on the Cisco Web site: 1) the Configuration guides and 2) the "Overview", "Implementation and Configuration" and "Verification and Troubleshooting" pages that you access with www.cisco.com -> Technical Support -> Technology support -> Topic of your choice (e.g. IP Multicast). They are really good and covered usual and sophisticated config and known problems and solutions.
CCIE # 9285
Rating:
Summary: Could be better
Review: I wanted a tool to review this topics I forgot since I passed my Lab such as DLSW, Bridging, Token Ring, MultiCast, WAN... I failed on a first passed 69% instead of 70%! and then got it on the second pass 3 days later and one day before the end of my certif validation with 76%.
In this book the topics are fairly well covered and offered a good synthesis. However the review questions are too light not of the level of the exam which also include some simple questions (but coverage is so large !). For someone preparing the lab exam as well, I would recommend to use on the Cisco Web site: 1) the Configuration guides and 2) the "Overview", "Implementation and Configuration" and "Verification and Troubleshooting" pages that you access with www.cisco.com -> Technical Support -> Technology support -> Topic of your choice (e.g. IP Multicast). They are really good and covered usual and sophisticated config and known problems and solutions.
CCIE # 9285
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