CCDA Exam Certification Guide ((CP) CERTIFICATION)

Rating:
Summary: Just go buy Designing Cisco Networks
Review: This is not a bad book. The only problem is that it is basically just a study guide to DCN. So, if you are just getting into Internetworking, this book is going to be a bit over your head. It assumes a level of knowledge that just doesn't make sense for a entry level certification guide.

Rating:
Summary: very good for beginners but serves the goal
Review: This was the only book I used to prepare for CCDA exam. Does it have everything you need to pass? Probably it does, but will you be able to remember it? The exam requirements are very broad. It will be difficult to learn everything in a single shot. I started studiing DCN after completing CCNP and thus was able to skip several chapters, leaving me a managable amount to absorb. I would recommend this book for somebody in similar situation. Concentrate on topics not covered by CCNP, and you will pass. As for others, I would recommend a different way to study topics like OSPF, BGP, Frame Relay and ISDN. The inforamtion this book provides about them is too little to understand, but too much to memorize. Case studies are similar in size and style of descriptions to the ones found on the exam, however some answers are simply ridiculous. On page 327 authors recommend running EIGRP in a network that has only two routers with a single link between them. Besides the routers this network has 4 switches (no VLANs) and few IP phones. The book tells that this small network should be managed with nothing less then Cisco Works. I am sure Cisco marketing would like that, but who will buy an NMS that costs more then all other networknig equipment compbined? Fortunately, you don't have to deal with such choices on the exam. The bottom line: This books works, but don't count on easy passing if you are just starting with networking and Cisco.