Rating: 
Summary: Easy to read, few complaints
Review: I'm on chapter 15 of the INTRO and 9 of the INCD.
The books are very easy to read and understand. However, if I had to find flaws, it wouldn't be that hard:
There are significant errors here and there; E.G. the section on Classful vs Classless routing uses the wrong term in one of the sentences. If you were paying attention in the earlier parts of the section, the error will cause you to stumble enough to where it should catch your eye. There are probably one or two other errors of this type elsewhere in the book. Nothing fatal for those studying to get their CCNA, though.
The only other complaint I've had so far is that I'm making my own flash cards while I read, and were I to arrange the books myself, I'd do it somewhat differently. As an example, early in your reading (if you switch between books using the suggestions in the introductions, *if* you're taking the single exam), you'll hit Chapter 4 (Fundamentals of WANS) in the INTRO book fairly early in your reading, and then see much of the same information later on in Chapter 9 of the ICND book (Point-to-Point Leased Line Implementation). So if you're making your own flash cards, you'll either end up duplicating information a bit or you'll end up reordering your flash cards here and there.
Don't get me wrong: Odom is a good writer, and there's a lot of material that an editor would have to go through, so a misprint or two can be forgiven. And the best way to get something straight is to hear it multiple times. I can see how these books would be useful as both study guides and references. If you're going to read these books at a quick or even moderate pace, though, you will experience some deja-vu. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.
Rating: 
Summary: Excelente recurso para obtener la certificacion
Review: Puedo recomendar ampliamente esta guía. Dos textos muy bien organizados, un voucher de descuento de $10, y un muy buen precio (comparado con otras guias de CiscoPress), me hacen ahora elegirlo como guia de referencia y estudio en mis clases de Networking Academy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Author but challenging methodology
Review: The CCNA Certification Library (ISBN: 1587200953) contains two volumes: the CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide and the CCNA ICND Exam Certification Guide. This review is made from the perspective of a CCNA Candidate with little to no knowledge or experience of Internetworking in a Cisco environment.The CCNA INTRO volume tries to prepare the reader for the CCNA ICND volume while addressing the content of the INTRO exam 640-821. With such a methodology, this textbook ends up raising more questions than answers in the mind of a candidate that will have to wait for the CCNA ICND volume to get clarifications on a great number of topics. This new edition of the CCNA Certification Library has the following characteristics: Pros:
- Odom makes the text accessible from the perspective of a CCNA candidate. Generally, topics are presented according to a progressive line of thought laid out in the introduction of any chapter. This plan usually presents what will be covered and what will not.
- The textbook is written in a conversational format and emphasizes on four things:
1. exam format
2. exam content
3. real world tasks. Odom presents not just how to configure network equipment but how to make effective configurations.
4. Practice, with the addition of the NETSIM LE simulator on the accompanying CD-Rom, along with a to-the-point guide about this software in Appendix C of the book. The author also presents:
- An excellent comparative analysis of routing protocols.
- Some key sample configurations with interesting considerations about "real world" behavior of the Cisco equipment they run on
- An excellent coverage of Frame Relay, ISDN and IP Access Control Lists.
- Some good Design Principles
- A good collection of web links and RFC references Cons:
Some chapters including "IP Addressing and Subnetting" and "RIP, IGRP, and Static Route Concepts and Configuration" (ICND volume) contain too many non technical illustrations and lack a precise conceptual framework. This makes it difficult for a CCNA candidate to find and retain key points. Overall, in this new edition of the CCNA self-study kit, a conscientious effort has been put forth by the author to make the content of the CCNA exam more accessible while still trying to provide a solid understanding of some key networking concepts and technologies. However, the degree to which the two volumes overlap along with the methodology adopted, sometimes make it very challenging for a CCNA candidate to get a clear and precise understanding of the technologies covered on the exam.
Rating:
Summary: This book is best study guide for aspiring CCNAs!
Review: This book is best off the shelf study guide for preparing to pass the CCNA exams. The CCIE author is very knowledgeable and thorough. This book also includes a CCNA exam discount voucher and network simulator software. I'm impressed by the list of technical reviewers who are all CCIE certified. What I found helpful within this book is the information presented in an easy to read, digestible format. Nothing is more frustrating than spending hours wading through printed or online documentation attempting to locate the answer to the simplest of questions! This book offers very useful "Do I Know This Already Quizzes" at the beginning of each chapter. Each chapter also includes questions and answers for reinforcement--there are two CDs with more practice questions, and Boson's NetSim LE network simulator software allowing you to practice for the simulator-based questions on the real exams! Most of the time, the author's words are clear and concise--the book's layout is comprehensive and flows from cover to cover. This certification library is split into to two books. This allows you to study for the single 640-821 or 640-811 exam in a digestible format. You can also use both books in combination to prepare to pass the single CCNA exam 640-801. The author's technical background and knowledge are impressive. He must have had a difficult time working within the constraints of 1200 pages. It's also very impressive that the publisher was able to find three other CCIEs to participate in the technical review of this book. Could there possibly be any more technically correct book on the shelf? I was only able to locate a few small technical inaccuracies in this book. I have never found a technical book without errors! The few errors I found were in defined acronyms and may have been a result of the book's copy edit process. Refreshingly, this book focuses not only on preparing you to pass the CCNA exams but really helps you to understand the technology involved! This book's author and technical reviewers have years of real world experience, and are probably more concerned with the reader's ability to understand the material more than anything else. For the self-study candidate on a limited budget, who really wants to understand what's required to be a successful CCNA, this book offers a well readable format. When you want to prepare to pass the new CCNA exams, this book, practice questions, and Boson network simulator are a must have!
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive but not perfect
Review: This is a good resource to prepare the following CCNA exams
640-801 or 640-811 and 640-821.
Although information is not 100% up-to-date and with some errors in the book, but good enough to get me pass CCNA in Jan 2005 in first try. I think these two books are very comprehensive, however if you need the latest information I guess you need to do some search in www.cisco.com
For Errata go to http://ciscopress.com/title/1587200953#
I found out the NetSim LE is very useful which is free come with the CCNA libary package. The full version NetSim go to www.boson.com to find out more detail information
Good luck on CCNA
Rating:
Summary: Great CCNA Study Aid
Review: When I was studying for my CCNA, many years ago, I didn't have a two part option. Now that Cisco has made available the option to take the CCNA certification exam in two parts, this is the set of books to use for studying. The first book in the library is CCNA Intro which is the exam prep for test 640-821. The other book in the set is CCNA ICND which prepares the reader for the 640-811 test. Each book also comes with a CD containing practice questions using the Boson test engine. It also has a customized copy of the Boson NetSim LE network simulation software. The CCNA Intro gives an overview of a broad range of topics, from the OSI model, fundamentals of TCP/IP and IP addressing. I was very impressed with the way the material was covered in this volume. It presents IP Fundamentals in a very easy to understand way. I really liked the "Do I Know This Already" quizzes presented at the beginning of each chapter. These pre-quizzes help the student gauge their knowledge of the subject matter and home in on where they need to study more. The CCNA ICND has the same layout and features of the Intro book but it covers more of the core Cisco technology with particular emphasis on routing and switching. This book progresses from LAN Switching thorough advanced IP Routing protocols and access lists. I was amazed at the depth the author went into concerning the routing protocols. As I remember, I wasn't required to know a whole lot about OSPF or EIGRP; I had to wait until I started preparing for my CCNP to delve into these subjects. The CD that comes with each volume was outstanding. The practice questions use the Boson test engine and were a very good representation of the actual CCNA exam. The test engine has multiple choice questions, fill in the blanks, and router simulation exercises. I know that the full version couldn't have been included, but the NetSim LE network simulator, that was included, was quite adequate. Personally I preferred the CCNA Certification Library over the study guide I used to prepare for my CCNA exam. To me it presented the information in a much easier to understand format and covered the topics in more depth. If this library had been available when I was studying for the CCNA, it would have made my studies much easier. This is a great study aid for those new to networking and those pursuing the CCNA.
Rating: 
Summary: Error! Error! Does Not Activate!!!
Review: When trying to install the CD-ROMs that come with these two books, I was told the serial numbers were invalid. Then when trying to use the web activation method all I got was an 'invalid parameter'message. Boson expects you to pay for a toll call to activate your disks!!! When finally activated there were so many errors in the questions and simulations that it wasn't an effective teaching tool. The books overall are good to learn from - the CD-ROMs from Boson aren't worth the price (free).
Rating:
Summary: Good Solid Start
Review: Yes there are a few typos etc but unfortunately not even the spell checkers can spell any longer. Taken with another source (Sybex CCNA Study Guide 4th Edition) and hands on or Simulator experience then you have a good start. On the whole recommended without reserve.
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