CCNP: Remote Access Study Guide

Rating:
Summary: Barely adequate
Review: After buying the Support and Switching books from Sybex, I was disappointed in their Remote Access book. It is not up to the same quality. The Authors have a tendency to repeat themselves from one sentence to the next. I found at least a dozen mistakes in both the text and the end-of-chapter quizzes. I did pass the Remote Access exam by using this book and on-the-job training. I can't believe anyone could pass the test by using this book alone. I have not read any other of the CCNP Remote Access books, but I would think there is something better available. I don't even recommend it as a reference book. There is just not enough detail nor is it clearly explained.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Poor Study Guide - Do not purchase for exam prep.
Review: Before I explain my evaluation of this text I would like to state that I have used the Sybex study guides, for the most part also authored in part or in total by Todd Lammle, to successfully complete the MCSE, CCNA, and the CCNP Router & Switching exams. I have consistently found the texts to be extremely helpful and in many cases they were the only references I used in preparation for the tests.

Unfortunately, as a study guide for a test something went horribly wrong with this text. The quality control is atrocious and this is, by a huge margin, the absolute worst Sybex study guide I have viewed to data. A study guide for a test is essentially an educational text so the technical quality of a book like this must meet a high standard to maintain credibility. If a study guide for a technical field does not maintain technical credibility, correctness, and accuracy it becomes useless as a study aid.

This text does not maintain a sufficiently high level of technical correctness, technical accuracy, or credibility. Explanations in several technical areas are imprecise and confusing. Even worse is the large number of typos, incorrect command syntax usage, and conflicting statements. To support my claims I've appended a partial listing of errors found in Ch 7 (see below). There were additional errors in this chapter; however, I did not begin maintaining a list for publication until I became frustrated with the text near the end of the chapter. After reading seven chapters I know longer feel that this study guide is usable or trustworthy enough to continue to use in preparation for the CCNP Remote Access test.

A. Text states "X.25 can support any legal configuration of SVCs and PVCs over the same circuit" (309) but never explained what the legal configurations are and how they are derived.

B. Example of the x25 map command usage (314-315)
1. Command statement on pg. 314 uses incorrect IP Address when compared to Fig 7.9 on pg. 315.
2. A 2d example of the command's usage is displayed at the bottom of pg. 315 in which a 2d router's IP and x.121 addresses are mapped; however, the hostname used for both examples are the same. Because the technique and reasoning behind the mapping command is never explained this hostname duplication leads to the incorrect implication that the x25 map command must be used to map all routers that SVCs might be created with to include the host router the programming is being done on. This is incorrect.

C. Normal example usage of commands includes italics and bracketed options to make the usage and syntax of the command under discussion clear. Ex:
X25 map protocol address x.121-address [option] (314)
Beginning on page 316 this technique is dropped, I doubt this was done intentionally, and the syntactical examples of the commands are demonstrated entirely in bold case. Ex:
x25 pvc circuit protocol address [protocol2 address2] x.121-address [options] (318)
This is not an entirely incomprehensible technique; however, it is much less helpful, descriptive, and is totally inconsistent with all preceding examples throughout the text.

D. Text refers to communication across an "X.256 link". It should refer to an "X.25 link". (316)

E. Review Questions
1. Question # 9
a. According to the text, pg. 299, the PTI field of a PLP packet header is used to identify "1 of the 17 individual packet types" and "whether the packet is for DTE or DCE interfaces".
b. Answer key indicates that the PTI filed does not indicate if the packet is headed for a DTE or DCE.
2. Question # 13
a. According to the text, pg. 299, the PLP packet header includes an LCI (Logical Channel Identifier).
b. Answer key indicates that the PLP packet header does not include an LCI.
3. Question # 16
a. According to the text, pg. 324, "To view X.25 mapping problems, use the show running-config command" which implies this technique should be used when troubleshooting x.25 mapping. No other techniques for troubleshooting this area are explained in the text in the chapter.
b. Answer key indicates that the commands "show running-config" and "debug x25 events" should be used to troubleshoot an X.25 map.

PJZ

Rating:
Summary: 3 outta 5 ain't bad....but it ain't great
Review: Honestly, this book seems to be a product of a hurried effort. I give much praise to Todd Lammle for being one of the best writers Sybex Publishers has, but this is rife with typos/inaccuracies which can easily trip a reader up. Repetition of subject matter can be annoying, but because of the numerous errors, it's almost critical - for correction! As for the exam, I passed it without too much hassle using this book ALMOST exclusively - which IS testament to the overall quality of the information in the text. However, I found fully 1/4+ of the subject matter on the test was UNRELATED to the question banks on the included CD, and that shakes me, Todd.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Poor Study Guide - Do not purchase for exam prep.
Review: This book could have been half as thick. Every chapter seems to re-hash the previous chapter. I do not blame the book since this test really should have been part of the routing test. There just isn't as much information to cover as the routing or the switching test.

Even still I am glad the authors overstated rather than understated. I passed the test the first time and that is what counts. Most importantly, I trust Sybex. Other books may or may not be good for a particular test, Sybex always seems to be good.

Rating:
Summary: Passed the Remote Access using this book.
Review: This book is informative, well written and just like Todd Lammle's other books. I recommend them all. I read the whole book twice, went through the written labs and review quesitons, as well as the extra quesitons on the CD and the flashcards. Whew! It was a lot of work, but it paid off because this book prepared me fully for the Remote Access exam. Study hard and you will pass the exam using this book.

Rating:
Summary: Not the only source for the CCNP 640-505 Exam
Review: This book is too wordy, even include topics which is not covered in the exam and keep repeating it every chapter, not to mention typos in the laboratory hands-on exercises. This book should be re-written and make it thinner. Using only this book makes the Remote Access Exam 640-505 difficult to pass.

Rating:
Summary: An Error Filled, Poorly Written, Inaccurate Mess
Review: This book stinks. I know that's not high-flown prose, but the book is terrible. Filled with inaccuracies, typos, confusing text and undefined terms, this book has proven to be as much of a stumbling block as it has a study aid. To be honest, I and the five colleagues I am studying with have found so many mistakes that we no longer have any confidence or trust in the accuracy of this book for test preparation. I'll be driving over to the bookstore this afternoon to pick up the Cisco version, simply to use as a cross-reference and fact-checker. I'm considering abandoning the Lammle book altogether. Buy and use at your own risk.

Rating:
Summary: Ok but not good enough...............
Review: Todd Lammle did wonders with the CCNA study guide, and if your studying for the CCNA his book is the only one you need. This one how ever needs proof reading and accuracy on his part. The included "simulated review questions" which we all are looking for are a JOKE. 8 questions are all you get (even though you get to do it on two separate simulated routers..oh joy!).The review questions on the CD are not in-line with what you read. Use this and something else if you really want to pass the exam...I plan too.
It may be DDDRRRYYY reading, but try a book from CISCO press

Rating:
Summary: too many errors
Review: ugh, i barely passed this test (796). this book had too many noticable errors, and really didn't prepare me for the exam like other lammle books. for my last ccnp test, i've decided to try cisco press instead of sybex because of this. contrast this with switching (clearly, an easier exam) where the lammle book was well focused and flowed well.