Rating: 
Summary: All you need to pass the exam (and some advice for 310-014)
Review: A great all-in-one resource for passing the Sun Certified System Administrator exams. This book was recommended to me by a friend after he used it to pass, and I have just passed. The information is condensed, which makes learning the basics and top-level concepts easier. The book does not bog you down with examples of every switch for each command. Very few printing errors. I would suggest that you do the following before taking the tests:Try the commands. Since the book lists many command switches in tables and does not bog you down with examples of each switch, you should try the commands and combinations of switches on a real machine. View the actual configuration files and scripts. The book makes reference to the important parts of configuration files and scripts. To supplement the book, you should view the whole files and be remotely familiar with them before taking the exam. Buy `Essential System Administration'. Although Exam Cram is all you need to pass the test, `Essential System Administration' filled in some areas that were not as detailed in Exam Cram. Read `Essential System Administration' for the format command and for a directory structure diagram (pg 69) (which would have been a great addition to the Exam Cram book). If you do not buy `Essential System Administration', play around with the format command and create your own directory structure diagram. Read ahead on the installation methods. The test (310-014) contained questions which made reference to installation methods not included in the first half of the Exam Cram book. Suggest reading this book several times.
Rating:
Summary: All you need to pass the exam (and some advice for 310-014)
Review: A great all-in-one resource for passing the Sun Certified System Administrator exams. This book was recommended to me by a friend after he used it to pass, and I have just passed. The information is condensed, which makes learning the basics and top-level concepts easier. The book does not bog you down with examples of every switch for each command. Very few printing errors. I would suggest that you do the following before taking the tests: Try the commands. Since the book lists many command switches in tables and does not bog you down with examples of each switch, you should try the commands and combinations of switches on a real machine. View the actual configuration files and scripts. The book makes reference to the important parts of configuration files and scripts. To supplement the book, you should view the whole files and be remotely familiar with them before taking the exam. Buy 'Essential System Administration'. Although Exam Cram is all you need to pass the test, 'Essential System Administration' filled in some areas that were not as detailed in Exam Cram. Read 'Essential System Administration' for the format command and for a directory structure diagram (pg 69) (which would have been a great addition to the Exam Cram book). If you do not buy 'Essential System Administration', play around with the format command and create your own directory structure diagram. Read ahead on the installation methods. The test (310-014) contained questions which made reference to installation methods not included in the first half of the Exam Cram book. Suggest reading this book several times.
Rating:
Summary: Empty Canteens make the most noise!
Review: Apart from the one, as per usual (were we reading the same book?), out of step review I have to agree with the rest of the reviews here. Best product for the cash.
Rating:
Summary: Empty Canteens make the most noise!
Review: Apart from the one, as per usual (were we reading the same book?), out of step review I have to agree with the rest of the reviews here. Best product for the cash.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for the Exam
Review: I have studied both the Solaris 9 System Administrator Certification and this book for the second test. The System Administrator Cert. book lacked coverage on my subjects. This book shows the topics in short and easy to understand sections. Lots of exercises with explanations on answers. If you want to pass the test, studying this book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Works for the Solaris 9 upgrade exam CX-310-016 too!
Review: I used this book to prepare for the recertification Solaris 9 exam (CX-310-016) and it worked out pretty well. I'm just back from the testing center with 92% score. The book is great, it has all material you need, plus it's relatively short for two exams. It's a sort of a reference+exam cram book, doesn't teach you much about Solaris basics and surprisingly some areas are haven't touched at all (like CDE) and some areas doesn't reflect the modern state of Solaris administration (extensive use of r-commands proved to be unsecure etc), but it's just because Sun makes up tests this way. The book is very well focused for the test preparation. Once again, don't expect it to be a Solaris tutorial. I'd skip some long reference tables in RBAC sections, they take many pages but I haven't seen them in the questions. Not a big deal at all. The practice tests are also good. The bottom line - you'll hardle get dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: This is what you need to pass... period.
Review: I've succesfully passed both exams on first try (91% and 84%). It's very well written, very few mistakes. No fuss, no filler. At the end of the book, there are 2 prep tests (1 for each exam part) which are really good at mesuring how well you know your stuff (for 310-015, I got 87 on sample test and 84 on the real thing. Same for part 1). Also included 2 different sample tests on a CD. I read the book once. Did some tests (the CD + freebies on the net). Then went back to the book once again. Did the sample test in the book, last minute checkup and bingo ! Although this book is focused on passing the exam, I really learned a lot of usefull stuff that I didn't know about (Jumpstart installation is one of them). Now something about me. I've been a Solaris 2.6 admin from some 3 years now. But I only deal with a few app servers (no Solaris end-users = no NIS, Jumpstart, Printing). So I had no experience with that part of Solaris Administration. So this one gets 5 stars. I you feel like you need another reference, I read some good stuff about the Calkins book. But whatever you do, don't go near the Osborne book (see my other review). Good luck to everybody and happy holidays !
Rating: 
Summary: Pass Exam - Not for Referance
Review: If you want to pass the exam and you have worked on Solaris for at least a year, this is the book. If you are looking for a referance book, look elsewhere. Condensed information for both exams into one book. The disk even has example questions.
Rating:
Summary: Pass Exam - Not for Referance
Review: If you want to pass the exam and you have worked on Solaris for at least a year, this is the book. If you are looking for a referance book, look elsewhere. Condensed information for both exams into one book. The disk even has example questions.
Rating: 
Summary: General unix overview - USELESS for the exam!
Review: It's a general overview of Solaris. If you want an intro to unix, great. If you want to pass the test, forget it. Not one of the practice questions was even remotely close to any of the exam questions. If you want the overview just buy a used copy of the v6, v7, or v8 version at your local used book store. If you know anything about solaris just goto [the website] and get their study guide. It's a little more expensive, but it at least has SOME of the real questions and it will give you a chance to pass.
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