Product Description

The best fully integrated study system available

With hundreds of practice questions and hands-on exercises, CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide, Fourth Edition covers what you need to know-and shows you how to prepare-for this challenging exam.

• 100% complete coverage of all official objectives for the CompTIA Network+ exam
• CertCam video training by the author guides you through difficult topics and exercises
• Inside the Exam sections highlight key exam topics covered
• Two-Minute Drills provide quick review at the end of every chapter
• Simulated exam questions match the format, tone, topics, and difficulty of the real exam

Covers all the exam topics, including:

Basic Network Concepts * Network Protocols and Standards * Networking Components * Subnetting and Routing * TCP/IP Utilities * Wireless Networking * Remote Connectivity * Wide Area Network Technologies * Network Implementation * Network Maintenance and Support * Network Security * Network Troubleshooting

CD-ROM includes:

• Complete MasterExam practice testing engine, featuring: One full practice exam; Detailed answers with explanations; Score Report performance assessment tool
• CertCam video training
• Electronic book for studying on the go
• With free online registration: Bonus downloadable MasterExam practice test

Customer Reviews (7)

understandable
Firstly. I would like to thank and appraciate the author for this useful book. I am a master degree graduate from london in computer networking security.Although the most of the topics that are included in this book i did cover already in my study,I found the way of its presentation via this bookinteresting and attractive.
Many difficult titles could be covered in well done way. I also was able to obtain a new knowladge and information.

Lastly. I would recommend any one who is interested in computer and its related fields such as networking and security to read this book.

Best wishs
Isam

good book.used and passed exam.
Used only this book for studying and passed on the first try.Great reading, and I am the type that hates reading books.The only thing i wish was that the practice exam on the CDROM had more questions and chose them at random.

75%
This book is not on the latest 2009 CompTIA recommended reading list for a reason.It will give you about 75% of what you need to pass, which is just enough to fail the Network+ exam.It also provides you with too much material that is not even touched upon on the exam.I had to get Mike Meyer's "All In One" Network+ book after I got a 67% on the online practice exam to fill the holes.Still it wasn't enough, so I purchased additional questions from UCertify, which was extremely helpful and did the trick.Don't make my mistake; go to the CompTIA website find out what the latest recommended self-study material is.

Well written book
I'm using the book to facilitate a group that is studying for the certification exam.The book is well written and easy to understand.However, there is a lot of detail in the book that is a challenge for those indviduals who do not have a lot of networking experience to ingest. The self-test questions are very helpful, especially since explanations are provided that identify why the wrong answers are wrong and correct answers are correct.The "exam watch" hints are also a benefit, as they add emphasis to concepts that are important to know for the sake of passing the exam.Overall, it is a good study aid for the Network + certification.

Great book!Read it over 4 days, took test, and passed.
I don't like reading normally, but this book was really easy to follow.It has the facts you need, but it's not so techno-jargony that you fall asleep while you are reading it.I read it over a 4 day time period, took the test, and passed!!!I read each chapter and did the test questions at the end of each, and it more than prepared me for the exam.

Of course, I was well rested for the exam.And, before the exam, I read all of the chapter summaries for a quick refresher.

Good luck all!!!
... Read more

Product Description
Study, Practice, and Review for the updated CompTIA Network+ exam (N10-004) using this value-priced package that includes three Sybex products:

• CompTIA Network+ Study Guide
• CompTIA Network+ Review Guide
• Network Administrator Street Smarts: A Real World Guide to Essential Network+ Skills, 2nd Edition

You get all of the tools you need to prepare for the exam including complete coverage of all exam objectives, hands-on exercises, and a concise review guide. Also in this valuable package are two CD-ROMs featuring exam preparation software, a test engine, electronic flashcards, an interactive glossary of terms, as well as hundreds of review questions that all combine to give you the confidence you need to pass the exam. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent study material for the Network+ exam
As others have said before me, Todd Lammle's book gives you everything you need to pass the N10-004 exam, while giving you knowledge outside of the exam, which could surely come in handy in the professional world. I really like his style of writing, which was humorous at times, and explained things in an easy to understand manner. The chapter on subnetting was especially well done. I've read some other explanations of how to subnet, and his was by far the best. I also read Bill Ferguson's book, which really cemented the knowledge I needed to know for the exam. There were also some parts where I felt Bill did a better job of explaining things, like on the structure of MAC addresses. After I read Mr Furguson's book, I went back and reread Lammle's and was finally able to understand what he was he was trying to say. I haven't got into the street smarts book yet, but I intend to when I buy routers and switches to study for the CCNA cert. If you buy this book, and you take the time to learn it thoroughly you will definitely pass. I got a score of 829.

Good enough
This was the only material I used to study for the Network+ 2009 Certification and I passed on the first attempt.I would give it 5 Stars, but there were a handful of questions on the example exams that had incorrect answers.There is no need to read the Network Administrator Street Smarts book in order to take the test.I didn't even look at it.You only need the Study Guide and the Review Guide to pass the test.I will probably read the Street Smarts book if I ever get a job in the Networking field.

This Network+ set separates those who know, from those who don't.
When it comes to technical writing, I'm extremely impressed with Sybex. I have read books from other publishers such as Cram Exam, McGraw/Hill ect., but Sybex sets a new standard. If you work in the IT field, then you know troubleshooting and unique problem solving is a must have. Just puking out exam facts and terms may get you past the test, but it won't get you a better job or advance your career. The Sybex group will give you knowledge well beyond the scope of CompTIA's Network+ objectives, and this is what will set you apart from your co-workers when it comes time for a promotion or a pay raise. Not only will you pass the test, but it will provide skills that can be used NOW! You'll be able to SHOW your employer that you didn't just "pass" a test; rather, you actually learned something that can be used on the job, and this increases your "worth" to that company. We've all met people who boast about knowing something, that they really know little to nothing about. Don't be that person; use Sybex materials for your studies.

Excellent
I purchased this book in July 2009. After thoroughly reading it for a month, I took the exam in Nairobi (Kenya) and passed with a high score. I'm greatly satisfied with its content and recommend it for Network+ exam preparation. Thanks, Daniel Kisembo Semire. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Good Book For Quick Study
To best describe this book, I would classify it as a "Good Book for Quick Study". I would not use it to solely study for the 3 exams. It's the type of book you would pop out to read for a short study session during a work break, or the like. As mentioned, there are a couple technical inaccuracies in the A+ section - but I can attest that the Network+ section seems relatively solid. I have yet to go into the Sec+ section.

Bottom Line: Good book. Straight to the point. Good for quick study. Do not use it as the only study material for these exams.

Get it for the topics, not for the tests
O'Reilly books are known for their quality and this one (despite a few inaccuracies) is no exception. Anyone interested in adding entry-level networking and PC repair knowledge to their skill set should add this book to their library. That, however, is not the reason for this review.

At the time of this writing, the CompTIA exams referenced by this book either have been updated or are in the process of being updated. While students and shoppers hoping to purchase one book to pass four tests and earn three certifications are bound to be disappointed by this news, there is a silver lining: the information is still valuable, both on the revised exams and in the real world. As such, I still highly recommend the book.

O'Reilly Strikes Again with another Hit!!
While I've written about O'reilly "Nutshell" books before, and have had nothing but compliments, I offer a caveat with this one: make sure you know your stuff before getting this book and taking the CompTIA tests.I bought this book with about 10 years of computer knowledge behind me - I did reasonably well on the A+ portion, but blew the Network+ right out of the water...

This text hits all of the points with good categorization and logical flow... but it will not give you all of the "nuts and bolts" required by technical job knowledge. Make sure you have the recommended time and experience before you take the test - O'Reilly's "Nutshell" book will help you with the days leading up to the test, but it should not cover any "new" topics you've never seen.

For those with the appropriate background, this book is awesome.The review sections are clear and concise, and the coverage is amazing.I like how they packed three test subjects into one book (saving you valuable $$$!)

Great as a review/reference, not a "first-timers" instruction book.

Forget A+, Network+ material quite alright
Yes must agree with Brett. The A+ section of this book is woeful and extremely boring! Many Factual inaccuracies which make it impossible to use this book as a passing guide for the A+ exam. For instance the Power connectors to the MB in the A+ section are totally wrong! (it lists most of then as +1v connectors and does not list any 12V connectors) Also the 2nd A+ guide practically repeats the First section of the A+ guide. Don't bother reading it, my biggest mistake!

However the Networks+ guide seems to be far superior. I have not seen as many errors (yet still one or two). But the content is quite interesting. It is also on the ball in discussing IPSEC PAP, Chap, MS-Chap, Routing, etc. Most of what you want to know about in Network technology and communication. My recommendation if you know what you are doing forget A+ (saving you $600 in examination fees) go straight to Network+ and security+ Will update when I pass Network+

Decent guide, but some pretty terrible inaccuracies
I used this guide to study for my A+ exams.It was a decent guide, but there were some pretty large technical errors in the book.This wouldn't be such a big deal, if it weren't for the fact that the most glaring of the errors is in there *twice* (once for the A+ Essentials exam, and once for the A+ 602/603/604 exam), and the reader is advised to *memorize* specific voltages which are obviously wrong.Other errors include a few practice questions with wrong answers (including one that directly contradicts an earlier warning in the book), and a couple of errors with regards to inputs commonly found on the back of computers.

It's also worth mentioning that I haven't yet read the Security+ or Network+ portions of the book, and obviously, since I bought the book, I definitely am not intimately familiar with everything it covers, yet I have found 6 major technical errors.If this weren't a book written as a test prep guide, this wouldn't be such a big deal, but as it stands, I recommend against purchasing this book. ... Read more

Product Description
A complete preparation guide for the entry-level networking CCNA certification

If you're planning to advance your career by taking the all-important Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), this is the study guide you need! Seven minibooks cover all the concepts and topics on which you'll be tested, covering the latest version of the exam.

Each part of the exam is covered thoroughly in its own section, so you can readily find the information you want to study. Plenty of review questions help you prepare, and the companion CD-ROM includes the highly rated Dummies Test Engine so you can test your progress with questions based on exam content.

• The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is the entry-level certification for network professionals
• Seven minibooks in this guide cover Secure Device Manager, Virtual Private Networks, IPv6, 2960 Switches, Cisco Network Assistant, Advanced EIGRP and OSPF, and Introduction to Wireless Networks
• Covers the latest version of the exam, including the new voice, security and wireless components added in 2008
• Packed with review questions to help you prepare
• Includes more security and troubleshooting information
• CD-ROM includes the popular Dummies Test Engine, an exclusive, fully customizable test-prep software package that features twice as many sample questions as the previous version

CCNA Certification All-In-One For Dummies is the preparation guide you need to earn your CCNA certification.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Do not see how anyone could rate it 5 stars, but...
This book is full of great information.I have received a computer networking with Cisco emphasis certificate degree at a community college.This is more of a review for me before I take the CCNA.I must say I enjoy the way the author presents the information, but this book does have faults.I have read the 5 star reviews, and it is alarming to me that most people have not picked up on the mistakes in the book.I understand no one is perfect, but when preparing for an exam I do not want to see typos and misprints in my study guide.Although the mistakes were not major, it still alarmed me and made me question the reliability of some information.

Overall, everything was great, but we will see when I go to take the actual CCNA.If I pass this book will get a 5 star rating regardless of the flaws it has.The purpose of the book is to pass the CCNA and if I can do that with the help of this book, then who I am to rate it any less than perfect.

Excellent for studying CCNA
A very comprehensive and well organized CCNA study guide that answers all of the questions you will see on the CCNA test.Also comes with a CD with three separate practice test that you can take.The writing is fresh and interesting and the authors keep things moving along.If you are only going to read one book before taking your CCNA, get this book!

Do not buy this book!!!
A lot of mistakes and not just typos but misconceptions. For example, on page 372 3rd paragraph from the top: "All devices on the LAN see the ARP request, but the target device is not in the local network. So, it does not see the ARP request. However, the LAN gateway (that is , the router), like all devices in the LAN, does see the ARP request. It recognizes that the ARP request is for an IP address that is located in a remote network."

So, from this text we can get that a PC from which we want to send a request to a remote network doesn't need to know the default gateway IP address. Why? Because the router will recognize (by itself) through ARP broadcast that this request is for the remote network!!!

Great Study Guide and Desk Reference!
I have pretty much read through this exam guide cover-to-cover and must say this is a solid book for preparing for the CCNA exam. I have 10+ years experience in the IT field and I am using this guide to polish up my Cisco skills and earn my CCNA. This book also doubles as a nice desk reference when not studying for the test. At about 1000 pages (Holy Bible size and weight ;-), the book contains a wealth of Cisco and networking knowledge, lots of practice test questions as well.I recommend it for dummies and non-dummies alike!

Great book!!!
I've read a bit more than halfway through it so far. This book is very informative and well written. It's a perfect study guide for Cisco CCNA certification. It also contains a lot of information about Cisco products, networking best practices and advice, a lot of tips and tricks (this guy obviously knows what he's talking about).

I consider myself a beginner/intermediate in networking and so far, it's been quite easy to understand the concepts explained. Plus all this info will probably be useful as reference ongoing. It even covers newer stuff like those sexy Cisco IP phones that you see on all TV shows now.

I like the way the author explains things, for example I have heard my colleagues speak about EtherChannel and port trunks and VLANs... all this sounded like rocket science to me, until I read an example that compares EtherChannel and port trunks and VLANs to a freeway overpass in the VLAN chapter. Now I get it!!! Also, the diagrams in the book make it very easy to understand some of the more advanced stuff.

This book has been very helpful so far. It helps me understand networking stuff that felt intimidating before. I am quite confident about the CCNA test now. I'll probably use the tip and tricks and best practices ongoing as a reference. I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Starts with an easy introduction to networking basics including the layered OSI model every network professional must know, and the fundamentals of local and wide-area networks.Covers every CCNA exam objective. DLC: Electronic data processing personnel-Certification. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

CCNA prep mistake
This is a good book, but not great, I am an IT professional and use Cisco all day ansd live in the IOS was looking for a book to help me get ready for the CCNA this isnt it.... Look into the sybex book by Lammle

Good but lacking
This book is a good resource, however, I found that there were a number of problems with the practice questions.It would be helpful if the book included explanations on why particularanswers weren't right and more importantly that PH would publish errata to the book.It would also be helpful if people who didn't know that CCNA 2.0 is out that they should be buying the newer material.The original CCNA test expired in the summer of 2000.My test comes up in less than 7 days and I'm scrambling to find out what the differences are.Shame on you PH.

Good but lacking
This book is a good resource, however, I found that there were a number of problems with the practice questions.It would be helpful if the book included explanations on why particularanswers weren't right and more importantly that PH would publish errata to the book.It would also be helpful if people who didn't know that CCNA 2.0 is out that they should be buying the newer material.The original CCNA test expired in the summer of 2000.My test comes up in less than 7 days and I'm scrambling to find out what the differences are.Shame on you PH.

Don't miss the point!
I had taken ICRC and then took a class taught by Mr. Myhre based on thisbook.The 2 courses did not even compare.There were people that had beenthrough ACRC that did not have a good grasp of subnetting until thiscourse.I've seen some of the other reviews saying there are other outsidematerials needed to pass the CCNA exam.I think Mr. Myhre would agree. The point of this book is to enable you to understand the concepts and knowthe basics.It is up to the individual to apply them.And yes, I had acouple of questions on switching on my 640-507.The success rate for the15 person class taking the test and passing the first time was over 75%!

This book is essential to your success
I bought several books on Cisco and CCNA before taking and passing theexam with a score in the high 790's.With hindsight, I can say that Mr.Myhre's guide was by far the most instrumental in my success because it setthe foundation necessary to make other manuals more readable.

There aremany factors that make this guide essential to anyone preparing for theexam, but for the sake of time and space here are just a few: --All of theexam objectives are thoroughly covered. --I began my studies with only asuperficial knowledge of the subject matter, and found the material highlyreadable and very well thought out.Very rare for a technical manual.

Ihad no problem finding the page numbers, the reviewers who did should eatmore carrots.This book is ESSENTIAL to your success. ... Read more

Product Description

Learn, prepare, and practice for exam success

• Master every topic on the newest 2010 Network+ exam.
• Assess your knowledge and focus your learning.
• Get the practical workplace knowledge you need!

Start-to-finish Network+ preparation from top network administrator, consultant, and best-selling Network+ author Mike Harwood!

Master every Network+ topic!

• Networking components, devices, media, and connectors
• TCP/IP protocols, addressing, and routing
• Ethernet networking standards
• Wireless networks
• Wide area networks
• The OSI Model
• Network performance and optimization
• Troubleshooting procedures and best practices
• Command-line networking tools
• Network management tools
• Documentation procedures
• Network access security
• Security technologies and malicious software

Test your knowledge, build your confidence, and succeed!

• Packed with visuals to help you learn fast
• Dozens of troubleshooting scenarios
• Real-world Network+ prep advice from experts
• Easy-to-use exam preparation task lists

From Mike Harwood, professional network systems manager, consultant, and author of three best-selling books on the Network+ exam

CD Features 1 Complete Sample Exam

• Detailed explanations of correct and incorrect answers
• Multiple test modes
• Random questions and order of answers

Shelving Category: Network Certification

Customer Reviews (13)

Great for beginers
This book is great if you are just starting out or just want a refresher with up to date content. Every topic is well covered with easy to understand diagrams and tables. Great review questions at the end of each chapter and the practice exam on the CD.
Excellent coverage of the OSI model with a detailed table of the TCP/IP protocol suite.
None of the chapters are overly long easy to sit down and read without getting bored.

Aaron Haynes
A+, Network+, MCP, MCSA, MCTS

Good choice
Having worked on certification training for several years, I often have found myself selecting a book to be used in the classroom amongst several excellent prospects. The objective is to select a book that will effectively provide the required information to succeed in attaining a Network+ certification. This book would be my choice for a Network+ certification class. It covers the material in a clear and concise manner. The author provides plenty of diagrams which help explain the concepts presented. The chapters are well thought and go in enough depth to satisfy the CompTIA Network+ technical knowledge requirements.
A nice bonus with this book is the free access for 45 days to the online edition, which allows searching for a specific answer in a very fast manner. The book also includes a CD with a sample exam that is excellent preparation for the certification exam.
The book includes several tables that provide comparison charts that are very useful on the job. This makes it an excellent source of information and not just a training textbook. It is definitely a keeper.
Luther Marcena, PhD, MBA
MCT, MCSE+S, MCDBA, A+, N+, Security+, Server+

Mike got it right
Wither you are looking for a book for self study or teaching a class this book is ready to prepare you for not just a network + exam but real world. We have lots of choices out there to aid us in getting ready to take the test but for me I wish that my students have a book that they can refer back too on the job. Mike does that here; I recommend his book to those starting out and needing information for both.

I have taught many classes for CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft and really find that Mike and Pearson made a home run here. Having written many question for both CompTIA and Microsoft I believe these question deal with the real exam, I love the end of chapter Apply your knowledge exercises, where you get to apply what you have learn similar to the real world.

Each Chapter goes in-depth and has lot of diagrams showing the details that other books miss. The exams have many similar pictures as does the real world networking where you will be able to recognize them when you encounter it. I still like to use the books connectors picture when dealing with Fiber and Ethernet connection.

Mike really has done the home work allow you to walk into the exam feeling comfortable with the material as he does not go back the beginning of network details that you do need today. His use of tables provides a greater understanding in comparison that can be used on the job. Who would have considered Water and wood in wireless networking obstacles? I found these most helpful in explaining how a site survey might need to be done.

I highly recommend this book for any preparing for the Network+ exam and beginning out on a network for the first time. It is a good reference for network admin's today.

CompTIA Network+ N10-004 Cert Guide from Pearson a good choice!
Anytime a certification candidate decides that a book needs to be purchased, the candidate is usually overwhelmed by the number of titles available for studying for the exam. Choosing the right book can make the difference between passing and failing.

With that said, I have had a lot of experience in studying for certification exams, including exams from CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco. I have used many books over the past decade or so, and I can honestly say that I think Pearson got it right here.

This book does a good job of covering the content you need to understand to pass the exam. I know...because I have taken and passed the exam. I know how the questions are worded and understand the logic that CompTIA uses for their exam. It helps that I am also a practice test developer for Transcender.

With that said, I love the fact that Mike Harwood does not go into depth when it is not needed for the exam. I remember several years ago, I used a book to study for the old version of the Network+ exam, and I spent time learning about how the Internet was founded (and, no, the book did not mention Al Gore). When I finally took the exam, I realized that all that information was not needed to pass the exam. I was so frustrated!

But this book gets to the nuts and bolts of the Network+ exam. I particularly love a few things about this book:

1. When discussing similar technologies, the author provides comparison type material, such as advantages/disadvantages. Often understanding the subtle differences is the key to answering the questions on the live exam.

2. There are LOTS of pictures, screen shots, and diagrams. This will really help when you see similar pictures and diagrams on the live exam. (And make sure you can identify the different kind of cables, connectors, and so on. This is vital for the Network+ exam.)

3. I love the use of tables and bullet points for review purposes. These are easy to find and can be reviewed right before you walk into the test center.

4. The wireless networking chapter is particularly helpful. While this technology is not new, it is relatively new to the CompTIA certification world. The wireless obstruction table on page 265 was particularly helpful!

5. The Troubleshooting Procedures and Best Practices chapter was arranged in a manner that is easily understood. I have been involved in the development of study guides. Often, the troubleshooting section is the hardest to write because problems can be caused by so many factors.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone preparing for the Network+ exam. It is also a great general reference for those who are just starting in the computer networking industry.

Robin Abernathy
A+, Network+, Server+, Security+, Project+

Comptia Network+ N10-004 Cert Guide
As far as certification study guides are concerned I have to rate this higher for the simple fact that it also servers as an excellent overall Networking reference guide. I think some guides try to reduce the content to simply being a test dump guide which this does not. If you want to brush up on the concepts and facts around Networking so that you might not only pass the test but also actually have working knowledge on what you are being tested on, this is the book for you. I like the fact that is updated to include Networking topics such as P2P ( Peer 2 Peer) networking, Wireless, Wi-Fi and that it also deprecates older technologies that are not being used as much such as Banyan Vine and Token Ring.

In a nutshell I highly recommend this book as a study guide and as a general networking reference guide.It is written in a way that makes it accessible to both IT veterans and newbie's alike. ... Read more

Product Description
Announcing an all-new Self-Paced Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on 70-642, the required exam for the new Microsoft® Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Server 2008 Networking Infrastructure Configuration certification. This 2-in-1 kit includes the official Microsoft study guide, plus practice tests on CD to help you assess your skills. It comes packed with the tools and features exam candidates want most including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and customizable testing options. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Work at your own pace through the lessons and lab exercises. Focusing on Windows Server 2008 networking, this official study guide covers configuring remote access, Network Access Protection (NAP), network authentication, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, and Domain Name System (DNS) replication; capturing and deploying Microsoft Windows® Deployment Services images; creating virtual machines; and installing server core.

Then assess yourself using 300+ practice and review questions on the CD, featuring multiple, customizable testing options to meet your specific needs. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get an evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 and an exam discount voucher making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

Key Book Benefits

In-depth coverage of exam objectives and sub-objectives plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios to enhance your performance on the job

300+ practice and review questions

Test engine that enables customized testing, pre-assessment and post-assessment, and automated scoring and feedback

Complete objective-by-objective review section, plus a handy exam-mapping grid

Evaluation version of Windows Server 2008

15 percent exam discount voucher from Microsoft (limited-time offer)

Entire study guide in searchable eBook format ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Pretty Good
Overall a good intro to Server 08 networking. I learned a fair amount on various Windows related subjects and there weren't Too many editing errors, and only one of the answers to the quiz questions made no sense after the explanation in the back of the book. Pretty good record for this type of material.

Almost enough
I you are planning on taking the certification exam will get you MOST of the way there.

Do you want to be a virtual network superstar?
This book is not designed to teach you windows networking on Server 2008. After you've completed reading the book and doing all the exercises you'll probably be ready for an exam of some sort. But will you actually be ready to set up a network on some real machines (virtual machines don't count)? Anybody can set up a network between two or three virtual Server 2008 machines (I've done that on Win XP Home) and after following this book you'll be quite an expert in that sort of thing. But nothing more; you may even get a MCTS certificate. The authors (or Microsoft Press) have decided against any sort of skill building with a comprehensive framework and instead have chosen to offer discrete bits of learning without any coherence between the nuggets of learning found within the pages. Employers will soon find out that "paper" MCSEs haven't gone away; they've simply been replaced by virtual machine network "pros." Sometimes a little learning is a dangerous thing.

Does the job
This is a good book for learning Windows Server 2008 network infrastructure from the beginning, or brushing up what you already know from Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003. It is a long book, and yes, it is a bit dry (as one of the other reviewers said), but I wouldn't ding the authors for that. Let's face it, this material IS dry, and you can't really pump any sunshine into it to make it any thing else than that. Having said that, if you are really going to be a Windows networking professional, you MUST know this material thoroughly. I used this book as part of the material I studied to help me successfully pass the 70-649 Windows Server 2008 upgrade test, and it would be equally good to help you pass that, or the stand alone 70-642 Windows Server 2008 network infrastructure test. Make sure that you do the hands-on exercises. Set yourself up a training lab using either Virtual Server 2005 R2 or Hyper-V and play with this stuff until you know it well. You can read and read and read, but there is no substitute for getting actual hands-on experience, and with virtual machines, there is no reason not to get lots of hands-on experience. If you don't have a subscription to TechNet Plus (highly recommended for anyone who is a network professional), then download a free evaluation copy of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition from the Microsoft web site. There are a few mistakes and corrections that are cleaned up by an errata page located at: [...]Enjoy!

Good start, but it falls apart at the end
It seems to be a recurring theme among the Microsoft Press books I've been studying for the Windows Server 2008 exams: they get off to a great start with rich information and good detail, but then 1/2 to 2/3 through the book, it's like somebody flipped a switch and can't wait to get the book done.They hurry through what's left with pages of "recipe" step-by-step examples explaining how to do tasks, but not WHY you should do something this way instead of that way.As this book gets to the end, the coverage is sparse.No way do I feel near ready for the exam.Hands on is an essential ingredient in learning this material and being ready for the exam, and I'll do that on my own, but I still expect a better job than this book does for exam prep.Specifically, the chapters on NAP, Connecting to Networks, and Managing Files are very weak.

Interestingly, several of the authors in the MS Press series have contributed to portions of several of the books, and some of them have done books for earlier versions, like Windows 2003.Don't rest on your laurels guys!You gotta do better! ... Read more

Product Description

The CCNA Network Simulator helps you develop and enhance hands-on configuration and troubleshooting skills without the investment in expensive lab hardware. This state of the art simulation software allows you to practice your networking skills with more than 250 structured labs designed to reinforce CCNA and CCENT exam topics, including router and switch navigation and administration, LAN switching, IP addressing, routing, WANs, VLANs and trunking, IP routing protocols, scaling IP, and troubleshooting. You will experience realistic network device response as you work through each of the labs developed by best selling author and expert instructor Wendell Odom. The software comes complete with 250 structured labs, including more than 180 skill builder labs, 50 complex configuration scenarios, and 20 complex troubleshooting scenarios. All the labs are developed with the objective of gaining the hands-on skills necessary to successfully answer the simulation and scenario-based questions on the actual CCNA exam. Each lab includes detailed instructions, topology diagrams, full answers, and complete explanations. References to the author's best selling CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, and CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification Guide are included throughout the labs to help if you need to review foundation concepts.

The system requirements are:

• 500 MHz or higher processor

• 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)

• 500 MB hard drive space

• 32-bit true color monitor (1024x768 resolution)

• Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2, Microsoft Vista, or Mac OS X Version 10.4.11

• Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 1.5.0

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.0

Customer Reviews (13)

CCNA 640-802 Network Simulator
Very good network simulator. great software tool configuring routers & switches without the expensive cost of purchasing the hardware. Highly recommended.

First Impressions
I bought this mainly for the lab exercises, but I didn't know how tied together this simulator and Mr. Odom's books are. I read the ICND1 and started on the ICND2 book when this arrived. This makes much more sense than just reading the screen prints in the book. This worked out of the box with no registration problems. It does seem to be a little dated, because you can't pin it to the taskbar or re-size the window very large.

As a simulator this may not be perfect, but just like my other certifications, I don't depend on one source. I was planning on buying some rack time, there are several companies that offer this, but this little simulator works fine for playing around with until I get to that point. I've also seen on eBay where you can buy complete labs, 2 routers, 2 switches and cables for under $500. Hopefully this simulator, the exercises, my other source for exercises and some rack time on real equipment will be enough to get comfortable for the simulation portion of the exam.

Since it is so closely tied to the book, I have started doing the exercises while reading. This seems to help not only by doing the commands, but getting used to reading the complete responses of the commands.

The only real complaint I have right now, is that I can't maximize the windows to the full screen and you don't telnet or ssh into a piece of equipment to get in the habit of doing that, you choose what piece of equipment you want to talk to from a drop down menu.

It should really be labeled as a companion to Mr. Odom's books. The lab exercises are well explained and if you follow along in the book, they are really very well explained. But for what it is, it seems to work well.

Wrong activation code
I can't tell how good the software is because the activation code on the CD case won't work. You expect it to work when it costs ~$100. I've contacted the tech support. Guess I get to find out how good their service is.

Update: Thought it might be due to Windows 7, so tried installing on a XP machine. Still the same problem. No reply from customer service. Too bad I can't give negative star rating.

Update2: Got a new copy from Amazon. It still won't run. When I try to register, I still get the same invalid code/isbn combo message. Tech support never replied to my e-mails.

Will Not Install
I receive the error: SP Error[spnet_supplement_RegisterCiscoCode]:Procedure or function'spnet_supplement_RegisterCiscoCode'expects parameter'@installation_date',which was not supplied.

when I try register the product installed on my XP system with a valid Access Code.

passed ICND1 and ICND2 on first try with help from this
I paired this simulator with CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide: Exam 640-802, CCENT: Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician Study Guide: ICND1 (Exam 640-822) (Exam 640-822 With CD), CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, 2nd Edition to pass both ICND1 and ICND2 on first try. Great product ... Read more

Product Description

The Best Fully Integrated Study System Available for Exam 640-553

With hundreds of practice questions and network configuration examples, CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate Security Study Guide covers what you need to know--and shows you how to prepare--for this challenging exam.

• 100% complete coverage of all official objectives for exam 640-553
• Exam Watch notes call attention to information about, and potential pitfalls in, the exam
• Certification Summary at the end of each chapter-succinct chapter reviews and salient points regarding the exam
• Two-Minute Drills for quick review at the end of every chapter
• Simulated exam questions match the format, tone, topics, and difficulty of the real exam

Covers all the exam topics, including:

Security Threats and Attacks * Security Implementation * Restricting Administrative Access * Security Device Manager * Secure Management * IOS Security * AAA * Cisco Secure ACS * Endpoint Security * Layer 2 Security * Firewalls * Access Control Lists * Zone-Based Firewalls * Intrusion Detection and Prevention * IPS Configuration * Virtual Private Networks * IPSec * IPSec Site-to-Site, CLI, and SDM

CD-ROM includes:

• Complete MasterExam practice testing engine, featuring: One full practice exam: Detailed answers with explanations: Score Report performance assessment tool
• Electronic book for studying on the go
• Bonus downloadable MasterExam practice test with free online registration

Customer Reviews (2)

Ok
This book seemed to have decent coverage of the CCNAS objectives.But overall I don't think its the best.I read through the Cisco Press and Exam Cram books for this exam.Then as a final study tool I just used the end of chapter reviews and practice questions from this book.I found a few practice questions that were worded very strangely and didn't make a lot of sense, in fact one question didn't even provide enough information to be able to answer it.I recall reading other things in the end of chapter review sections that were worded very strangely too and more difficult to understand compared to what I read in the Exam Cram or Cisco Press books.On the upside, There was a section in this book on Cisco Secure ACS that I don't recall was covered much in the other two books I read.That and I do like how this books chapters are smaller and focus on one thing at a time.Overall the book did help me perpare for the exam, it just wasn't my MAIN source of studying.
Don't take my entire word for it because I didn't read the entire book, only the end of chapter reviews and questions.
If your going to study for the CCNAS, this book may be fine, but you should buy another book so you have two sources to study from, and more practice questions to use.

Not what the book was originally going to be.
When first advertised several months ago said it would have a IOS simulator. This book doesn't have the IOS simulator although McGraw-Hill in their description say it does. First it was to be out in May then June, July finally came out in August. The book by Richard Deal on McGraw-Hill for the CCNA did have a IOS simulator and was very helpful. Maybe they couldn't get a simulator from Boson. ... Read more

Product Description
Sybex is now the official publisher for CWNP, the certifying vendor for the CWNA program. This valuable guide covers all objectives for the newest version of the PW0-104 exam, including radio technologies; antenna concepts; wireless LAN hardware and software; network design, installation and management; wireless standards and organizations; 802.11 network architecture; wireless LAN security; performing site surveys; and troubleshooting. Also included are hands-on exercises, chapter review questions, a detailed glossary, and a pre-assessment test. The CD-ROM features two bonus exams, over 150 flashcards, and numerous White Papers and demo software.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Customer Reviews (13)

All you need for the CWNA
For any one seriously preparing for this exam, this guide is the only thing you need.Study it word for word.Don't gloss over any section, no matter how seemingly obscure it appears. Commit to memory all thecoaxial connector specs,max EIRP of all the bands (IEEE limits, not FCC), all the seemingly endless variants of EAP, and all the IEEE admendments (the so called alphabet soup).
Hope Amazon won't delete this, but buy it from CWNP with the whole CWNA package, and the book will be for practically free, considering all the valuable extras that come with it. The assesment and bonus exams are much too simple, and unless you get 90's the first time (not after the third), then you are probably not ready.
But the book is not flawless.Few times too many, the authors use networking slangs and lingo (the vernacular if you will), which makes for smooth writing, but the eager reader is hanging on every word, and can get frustrated easily if not stated in black and white. There are too many `this subject is beyond the scope of the the CWNA exam', which can soften up the candidate.There is a misprint (I'm sure) on page 460 Fig 13.8 where it shows that the VPN tunnelIP addrs are encrypted, while the SA and DA are in the clear. Should be the opposite. (That's not too bad for a 700 page text). And while the CD has many great auxiliary material, the all important protocol analyzer programs do not work, at least for this reviewer. They should have kept it a bit simpler. I'll stop here, in case I run into them at a CWNP bootcamp. CWNP or Bust!!!
Ronald Yu CWNP446813 [...]

CWNA book
I have no complains with this, you get exactly what is stated and i would recommend this to anyone

Foundations for a career in WiFi
This study guide provides the foundations of WiFi communications. The material is non-vendor specific, contains plenty of examples and contains all the info needed to write the CWNA with confidence.

Coleman is an excellent author, and knows his stuff! I highly recommend this book to any network engineer, or amateur WiFi enthusiast.

Very in depth and easy to understand.
This version of the CWNA study guide is the best yet.The authors have drawn on their years of experiences in both training and in the field and have poured their hearts out.

The section on 802.11n is a great foundation for anyone wishing to get a primer to begin understanding the massive changes that 802.11n has brought about.The RF principles are outstanding and some of the best I've seen yet in any 802.11 text of which I've read most.Never have I seen a book that actually explained the radiation diagrams (you might know these to be the e-plane or h-plan diagrams) that antenna and access point manufacturers provide.I had to look long and hard to find good info on that previously.Bottom line, the foundational topics important to just about every aspect of WiFi is contained in this book.

Without question, this book should be the WiFi bible for anyone dealing with WiFi for their organization whether wanting to achieve the CWNA certification or not.

Great job, gentlemen!

Material is on target for the test
Having just taken (and passed) the CWNA exam with this as my primary reference, I applaud the authors, both for their thorough coverage and readable style.This is one of the best exam prep books I've used.My advice: read it cover to cover, then read the last chapter (802.11n) at least one more time... there were more questions about HT than I was expecting.The test is quite up-to-date. ... Read more

Product Description
Expert coverage on every objective of the CCNA 2.0 certification exam 640-507. Shows how to set up, implement, integrate, master, and understand the Cisco techniques and products involved. The CD-ROM contains software for monitoring Cisco networks, so that students can practice what they learn before the exam. DLC: Electronic data processing personnel--Certification. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

After 3 books - this was the one.
This beats out any of the books (3) I've read about the subject. This book coupled with ICND from Cisco and some practice with a couple of real routers or simulated should definitely be enough. It was very easy reading - yet informative. Subnetting can be nasty but this guy makes it easy in my opinion. I passed the exam with flying colors as a result. I've lent the book out on three occasions and everyone was happy with it compared to other books out there. I think the secret is that it actually teaches you as opposed to memorizing what may be on the test. I hope this guy writes for advanced exams.
Good luck
Bob/CCNA

924 need I say more?
Ok here is the skinny, I did notice the errors in the book, some of the explanations I had to read over and over as well as check online sources ...This is the recommended procedure for doing anything, I feel for those who read books and expect authoritative definitions.Anyways I picked up this book with no knowledge of Cisco Infrastructure----thats right zippo, I work at a Helpdesk position reccomending products including cisco.This book in a month helped me get a 924 on the CCNA exam.In fact I thought the exam was rather simple. The book was easy reading and I never fell asleep once, unlike tood lammelle's books.So this is the answer, if you want CCNA read this book.Has some errors but that shouldn't hinder your progress any.I WILL be purchasing the BCSN by Mr. Myhre.

EXCELLENTBOOKFOR CCNA2
This is an EXCELLENT practical book for the CCNA 2 exams.

If there were a LAB EXAM on the CCNA 2 test, this book would be in the same category as that by Andrew Bruce Caslow for the CCIE Lab.

It is the only CCNA book I have come across that TRULY gives you the hands-on experience that you need on the job whilst preparing you for the CCNA exams.

It adopts the same approach recommended by Andrew Bruce Caslow, the author of the best-selling CCIE lab book - "Cisco Certification - Bridges, Routers, and Switchees For CCIE's"(Prentice Hall),through a THOROUGH and SYSTEMATIC APPROACH to configuring and troubleshooting Cisco devices, thereby helping you to understand the practical aspects of what you are learning.

This book would definitely make you feel as though you are in the workplace in view of the many PRACTICAL LAB SCENARIOS introduced in Chapter 5 and gradually built up through to 14.It is also packed full of robust diagrams that help you the learning process.

In my view, this is the BEST CCNA 2 book out there.A SUPERB book for those willing to put their Cisco skills into practice without simply cramming to pass the exams.

Well done Mr Myhre.

Wait until the next version
I'm the third person to post a review on this book.The first person said he hasn't read the book but the instructor was great in a classroom. And he posted a review on the book?

I have no doubt the author is a great instructor, however, the errors in this book may not be his fault at all.I understand mistakes will be made in printing, but there were mistakes in the PRACTICE TESTS ANSWERS!Mistakes IN the answers and then in spellings.There are many mistakes throughout the book that will hopefully be corrected when the next edition is published. I'm glad I understood some of these concepts before I read this book.Otherwise I'd be going into the CCNA Exam with the wrong knowledge.Again, I'm not taking digs at the author, but the book has too many mistakes printed in it in the wrong places! (un hem.....the practice test answers)

Also, I was hoping the CD was going to be an interactive test prep software.I was WRONG!It's only a Network Management Program.Why would anyone want one of these when they are PREPARING for a CCNA exam.The book would have been worth the money if it was a test prep CD.

Last thing, the Labs and Scenario's.....were we supposed to buy our own Routers to participate in these labs?How was one supposed to do the labs if we don't own routers, switches, cables, etc.....am I expecting too much from this book?For(this much)...I think not.If I'm not being fair...please someone...let me know. Give me another point of view! I don't think this edition is worth the money.If the included CD was something that would help for test preparations....then it might be worth the price.

A great instructor
While I have not read this particular book, I took the Cisco BSCN course taught by Robert Myhre. He is easily one of the best technical instructors I have ever had. If he writes anywhere near as well as he teaches, you can't go wrong with his books. ... Read more

Product Description
CompTIA, the A+, Network+, Server+, i-Net+ – and the vast array of other pluses – certification outfit has revised its certification program for the hard-working network technician with an excellent general knowledge of networks and internetworking technologies. However, unlike other networking certifications, such as MCSE, CNE, or CCNA, Network+ covers all kinds of general network technology knowledge and practices, instead of revolving around just the brand-specific stuff. Apple, Microsoft, Novell, and other manufacturers and their products are included on the Network+ test, making it the true measure of a networking technician's overall grasp of networking and internetworking technology.

Obviously, you're considering Network+ certification for one of the following reasons:

• You're planning to become Network+ certified no matter what, but you don't quite know how to achieve your goal.
• You know how valuable Network+ certification is to a network technician's career and advancement.
• You're wondering just what Network+ certification is all about.
• You think that reading a Dummies book on the topic would be a fun and entertaining way to learn about computer networks and their components.

If you fit into any of these categories, then Network+ Certification For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is the book for you!

This updated edition is a no-nonsense reference and study guide for the Network+ certification exam. It focuses on the areas likely to be on the exam, plus it gives you a little background information here and there to help you understand some of the more complex concepts and technologies. The focus is to prepare you for the Network+ exam – and not to give you a long and drawn-out dissertation on networking technologies.

Here's just a sampling of what you'll find covered in Network+ Certification For Dummies, 2nd Edition:

• An overview of the exam, with explanations of basic terminology you'll find on the exam
• Networking basics you'll need to know, including tools and hardware, operating systems, and client software
• The OSI model: Putting a network together and testing your network
• Understanding TCP/IP protocols: Addressing, configuration, and utilities
• Network security and administration
• Preventing network problems and troubleshooting problems when they arise
• Top Ten lists on test day tips and online resources

You'll also find a CD-ROM full of Dummies test prep tools, plus trial versions of shareware programs geared toward preparing you for the Network+ certification exam, including Network+ Prep and PREP! For Network+. There's also a sample test at the back of the book so that you can test your knowledge.

So if you're ready to take the Network+ plunge, Network+ Certification For Dummies, 2nd Edition, can help you become certified in no time – and you may even have a little fun along the way! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Network+ for Dummies
The actual product itself is extremely helpful. I am new to the IT world, so the information is preparing me to take the CompTIA Network+ Certification test. When the book arrived, the desk was broken in half due to unsufficient packaging. Contacted the seller, and I did receive a quick reply. But, when the replacement disk arrived, it would not play in my laptop. So, I will have to find other means to acquire study questions.

NetworkReview is Dated
I didn't title this review outdated because there is still a lot of good information here. At only $10 you get what you pay for. But much of the technology on the new Network+(N10-004) exam is not included in this book. There is no current Networkbook for dummies. For an up to date Networkstudy guide you will need something like Exam Cram.

Network+ Certification for Dummies (With CD-ROM)
it really explains everything you need to know really well look forward to reading the whole book and then passing the exam with the help of this book

If you want to pass the test, read this.
This book is the antidote to boring or overwhelming text books. In actuality, you need to learn and memorize the same facts and figures but the author's style makes it much less of a chore. In addition, the included CD allows you to get comfortable with the taking of the certification test. The book and the CD allowed me to confidently and successfully pass my certificationtest.

Not worth the paper it was written on and way overpriced.
The information in this book is worse than incomplete. The practice questions in the book and on the CD are nothing like those on the EXAM. There are many practice questions that are poorly worded, and have WRONG answers. There are also many questions with TYPO's. Example there was a question comparing DIMMS and RIMMS, but all the the answers referenced SIMMS. Stay away from this please!!!!

Jokes are not funny and if this book was written by an 30 year + IT professional... well frankly that is sad. He should have had to knowledge and resources to create a book that is accruately geared toward the exam. Like other for dummy books, this book was probably written by underpaid, barely expierenced kids, with a limited review process as to maximize publisher profits.

If you are taking this exam I suggest that you obtain study materials from Testking or Realexams. Stay away from this book, it will not help you pass. The information it concentrates on such as DMA/IRQ/BIOS settings/codes etc., can be found for free on the internet.

In retrospect, I would buy this book only if they didn't charge me, and shipped it for free. At least I have a coaster for my drinks at work. ... Read more

Product Description

The only official study guide for CWNA Exam PW0-100

Fully authorized by the exam developers at the CWNP program, this comprehensive study guide thoroughly covers all the topics on the CWNA certification exam. Work at your own pace through a system of lessons, scenarios, and review questions to learn the material quickly and easily.

CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide will help you prepare for the exam by showing you, step-by-step, how to implement, troubleshoot, and maintain wireless LANs. Get the only study guide endorsed by the creators of the CWNA exam and start your career as an expert wireless network administrator.

Maximize your performance on the exam by learning:

• Wireless Standards, Organizations, and Applications
• Radio Frequency and Antenna Fundamentals
• Spread Spectrum Technologies
• IEEE 802.11
• WLAN Design Models, Topologies, and Infrastructure
• Site Surveying and Network Planning
• Infrastructure and Client Hardware and Software
• Security
• Troubleshooting

Complete Exam Coverage

• Comprehensive details on all CWNA exam objectives
• Review questions modeled after the real exam
• Helpful chapter summaries and key term lists
• Vendor-neutral coverage of wireless technologies and equipment

Customer Reviews (6)

Thorough review of the basics
This text was probably my third book to cover 802.11 wireless and I was thoroughly impressed. The author covered the appropriate material at the appropriate level for the CWNA certification. I especially appreciated the explanations of 8021x authentication and the section on weaknesses in WEP authentication/encryption. I would certainly recommend this book for those seeking a foundation knowledge in 802.11 and the CWNA certification.

Great Resource, a little rough around the edges
I am sure like most other purchasers of this book, I utilized it to study for and pass the CWNA certification exam, it was a very helpful resource. I found the book very readable, un-like many other industry certification preparation texts. The information was presented in an organized manor, coinciding with the topics of the exam.

Unfortunately the book had quite a few errors, some were minor typos, but some were in sample calculations. These errors could have been very detrimental to the novice applicant had this been the applicant's sole source of preparation material. From the forward of the book, it was stated that this item was a complete re-write from the third edition, due to the dynamic nature of wireless and the recent changes to the IEEE 802.11. Effectively, this writing was a first edition and errors of this type are not unexpected in a textbook's first printing. At the time I was using the book it had been in print for about 9 months, and when I went tothe publisher's site the erratafor this book did not exist, the only available was still for the third edition.

I contacted both the author and the publisher at that time; I was disappointed with the lack of response from the publisher, as well as the continuing lack of updated errata.

The good news is that the author, Tom Carpenter, did reply and assure me that he had also contacted his publisher and that the corrections would be published, but that he had very little control over the time frame.

Several months later in July of 08, the publisher Osborne-McGraw-Hill provided updated errata for the fourth edition. I would recommend that anyone using the book for test preparation get the updated errata from the publisher's web site.

I would hope that future printings will be updated to correct these deficiencies.

Despite the typographical errors I found it to be a very useful study companion and plan on using Tom Carpenter's CWSP Certified Wireless Security Professional Official Study Guide (Exam PW0-200), Second Edition when I undertake preparations for my CWSP exam and certification.

Great Book!!
This is a great book for anyone wishing to study for and pass the CWNA exam.Tom goes to great lengths to communicate the information clearly and correctly in a very understandable manner.In the front of the book Tom mentions that readers can email him for additional info or clarification on certain subjects covered...and he really means it.He & I communicated many times as I studied (sometimes more deeply than was necessary) for the exam.Both the book...and Tom are a great resource for the serious IT professional.

-Robert Finley, CWNA, MCP, Network+, Security+

Tedious nd Disappointing
I looked forward to the publication of this 4th Edition of the CWNA Guide, however I was woefully disappointed with it. The author's writing style is extremely dull and he does not seem to have the ability to convey useful technical information in the accessible and interesting way that the other 2 sets of authors (Planet 3 wireless team), and the other CWNA book by David Coleman and David Westcott achieve. All in all compared to the 2 earlier books, this is a painful book to get through. It just does not flow very well. As a result I've decided to keep the 2 other CWNA books, and use this one just for reference for the newer topics. I sincerley hope that the next edition will be written by Devin Akin and the Planet 3 Wireless team.

Passed the CWNA!!
This book was a great tool for helping me pass the CWNA! Tom has covered the material in enough detail that it gives you a foundation of wireless knowledge to build on to pass the CWNA test. As Tom states in the book, you need to use other reference material, in addition to this book, to prepare for the test.

thanks Tom!

Bruce ... Read more

Product Description
Announcing an all-new MCSA/MCSE Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on Exam 70-291, a core exam for the new Windows Server 2003 certification. This kit packs the tools and features that exam candidates want most—including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Focusing on network infrastructure management for Windows Server 2003, this official study guide covers topics such as implementing, managing, and maintaining IP addressing, name resolution, network security measures, routing and remote access, and monitoring and troubleshooting network infrastructure.

Ace your exam preparation and ramp up quickly on Windows Server 2003 by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD features 300 practice questions and pre-assessment and post-assessment capabilities. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get a 120-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 and a 15 percent exam discount voucher—making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (54)

Great
Delivery was quicker than expected. Product was as described. Definitely would recommend to family and friends.

Sole Test Prep Material
I have alot of IT experience, but not with infrastructure, most everything in this book was new to me.I used it as my SOLE study guide, I did not use anything else.I studied *hard* for about a month and a half, reading the book twice (not part 2) and did most of the labs (I skipped some of the rras ones), and made many notecards that I always took with me to review while I had free time.Using the testing CD that comes with it, I only got ~70-80%.On 1/7/10 I got a 780, and was very happy to finish my MCSA.

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-291):
70-191 test is 48 questions. I spent a month reading the book and qoing over the test prep and failed by 4 points. ARG!The book is detailed and well put together. I would recommend reading this in conjunction with Test King's question and answer guide as well.
Happy Studying!

Covers the concepts needed to pass
I originally received this book from my company since they are requiring each tech in our company to pass both the 70-290 and the 70-291.Initially looking through the book I was scepticle that it would adequately prepare me.
After 1.5 months studying 2-3 hours daily and using this book as my primary source I passed with an 842.A coworker also used this book and passed with a 905.

Each section seemed to cover the topics adquately and even more the reading of it was not dry and difficult as I expected.Both of us especially focused on each Exam Tip which is frequently emphasized throughout the book.We typed these out into about 15 pages of single spaced notes we used to review serveral times a week.

A note about my work experience.Many of the topics in this book were mostly unfamiliar with me.Concepts such as TCP/IP Troubeshotting and DHCP I use regularly and the chapters about this were more of a review for me.However, I rarely if ever do anything with DNS, IPSEC, Shadow Copies, WSUS, Security Monitor, Replication Monitor, Network Monitor, Routing and Remote Access, etc as part of my normal job.I went into these sections with at best a novice understanding and at time no experience at all before studying.Yet by the time I took the test I scored well in all areas except Routing and Remote Access.
My recommended study steps is...

1.Read the book once through for a general overvue.Highlight anything that is not familiar to you.

2.Read through the book a 2nd time especially focusing on things you are unfamiliar with.Make notecards of every command line command with switches that are discussed in the book.These will be on the exam.

3.Read the Exam tips at least 5-7 times before taking the exam.

4.Google anything that does not seem to be clear from the book or that seems confusing.The only thing I had to do this on was for the NSlookup command.I found a few websites that were great expalining what to use this command for.

5.Set a realistic test date to push yourself as the test nears.Not setting a date (for me) can be a recipe for not being focused and taking it much later than I should.

Good luck with it!

Excellent Book!
I don't know if it's because I've studied IP subnetting in the past, but this book presented it in a way where I was able to make the most sense out of it.
I've used 3 books from Microsoft Press now and have made a decision to stay with these books for my MS certs.
... Read more

Product Description
Announcing an all-new MCSA/MCSE Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on Exam 70-299, one of two core exams for the MCSE: Security specialization and an elective for MCSA and MCSE. This kit packs the tools and features exam candidates want most—including in-depth, self-paced training based on exam content; exam tips from an expert, exam-certified author; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for the skills and expertise you can apply to the job.

Focusing on implementing and administering network security in a Windows Server 2003 environment, the official study guide covers implementing, managing, and troubleshooting security policies, patch management infrastructure, security features for network communications, and planning, configuring, and troubleshooting authentication, authorization, and PKI.

Ace your exam preparation by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class testing suite features a test engine on CD with 325 practice questions. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including a customized learning path to enhance further study. You also get a 180-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 software—making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Great resource on Win 2003 security (not just as a study guide)
This book is a great guide to Windows Server 2003 security for anyone responsible for managing Windows 2003 networks. The explanations are clear, concise, and thorough. Every key topic includes one or more real-world examples and recommended best practices, balanced with solid, common-sense advice that acknowledges the different needs for different types of implementations or environments.

I can't speak to its usefulness as a study guide, since that's not what I bought it for, but highly recommended for anyone who needs to learn how to implement security properly in a real-world Windows Server 2003 setting.

Just Amazing...
Wow is all I can say!

What a book. If you are wanting to prepare for either 70-298 and 70-299 this is the resource for you.

The book is loaded with invaluable information, but it is written in a way that you don't simply get lost amoungst the pages.

If only Tony Northrup would author all MS Press books.
I heard rave reviews about it, but reading it myself was very enjoyable (considering how enjoyable IT textbooks are to read)

The wealth of knowledge covers all components of Windows Security.

Would Highly Recommend.

The BEST TRAINING KIT.
People interested in buying this book must know it is out of date. It was released in the age of Windows Server 2003, without service pack one. So it does not cover WSUS, but SUS. It also does not contain information about SP1 improvements and now SP2, however, it is a book about planning and implementing security strategies, which makes it a book above the time.
If you have money and are interest in security, or if you are intended to pass the exam, buy this book.
The text is clear and comprehensive. The content is pretty amazing which demonstrates de knowledgement of the author about what he writes. Such knowledgement is provenient from his experience working with Windows in exposed environments.
This is not only a theoretical guide of security, but also a practical one. The excercises hep you to understand and record it in your mind.
Finally, buy this book.

A must...
I haven't read this yet. I'm still going through the XP book, but if this one is even close, this book is a must. An easy read and well laid out. The accompanying CDs are very beneficial also.

Excellent guide
Any book from Tony is probably going to be good. This book is no exception. It is very well written and organized. It covers all aspects of Windows Server 2003 security. It is not quite comprehensive as you'll need the earlier 2003 Server books (or know those topics well enough) to fully cover the test. It includes good chapter summaries and practice labs. This book will also be useful to you as a reference after you have passed the exam. ... Read more

Product Description
The Best Fully Integrated Study System Available

With hundreds of practice questions and hands-on exercises, CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide covers what you need to know-and shows you how to prepare-for this challenging exam.

• 100% complete coverage of all official objectives for exam 640-802
• Exam Readiness Checklist at the front and back of the book--you're ready for the exam when all objectives on the list are checked off
• Inside the Exam sections in every chapter highlight key exam topics covered
• Simulated exam questions match the format, tone, topics, and difficulty of the real exam

Covers all CCNA exam topics, including:

Network Topologies · OSI Reference Model · Layer-2 LAN Technologies · Bridges and Switches · WLAN · IP Addressing and Subnetting · VLSM · TCP/IP and the Transport Layer · Cisco IOS Software · Switch and Router Configuration · VLANs and Trunks · Switches and Redundancy · IOS Device Management · OSPF and EIGRP Routing · Access Control Lists · IPv6 · WAN  · Frame Relay

CD-ROM includes:

• Practice test engine, powered by Boson, featuring:
• Practice exam questions
• Detailed answers with explanations
• Chapter quizzes and real exam environment simulations
• Score Report performance assessment tool
• Interactive network simulation software, powered by Boson with 20 simulated lab exercises
• 100+ instructional video clips
• Electronic book for studying on the go

Customer Reviews (35)

The score tells the tale
This book and CD were my primary prep tools.

Took the 640-822 on Friday, needed 804 scored 862!

Prepping now for part II (640-816)

Note this book is primarily to take the 640-802 (the whole thing).

I have a shelf of Cisco books, and still found this very helpfull.

False Advertising Plain and Simple
I'm not going to flat out accuse Boson and McGraw Hill of lying but it's pretty darn close.They clearly advertise 20 simulated lab exercises and the lads do indeed come with the book but there's a catch.When its time to do the lab in chapter 16 (5th lab) you have to pay more money to Boson.Yep, when it's time to get in to the real meat and potatoes of router configuration you have to pay extra money.Where I come from we call that the bait and switch.The one and only reason I chose this book was because it came with a virtual lab.Now, I find out that I have has to sift through inaccurate information and typos only to find out that the one thing that made it worth while is a con job.This book is a sub par teaching tool at best.If I had it to do over I would probably go with Sybex and then buy some used routers online.This is the worst training tool I have ever used.

Good starting point for leaning CCNA material and test prep
Let me first start this off by saying that no 1 thing will prepare you for the CCNA exam (640-802). However, if you are just starting out this book is EXCELLENT for learning the core concepts and principles of netwroking and the things you need to know for the test.

The book does come with Boson simulator which does help, but to really get your feet wet you need Cisco's Packet Tracer or something equivalent that will allow you to actually interact with the hardware. And for test prep, you need to DEFINITELY invest in some proactice questions/dumps to prepare for the test.

But again, let me reitereate how much I have really enjoyed this book and MR. Deal has done a good job of explaianing the material and building your knowledge toward the more difficult concepts.

Many of the things mentioned here were completely new to me, but with his material I was able to figure it out. I would high recommend his book to those interested in getting their CCNA or a book that gives a good overview of networking topics.

PS: The CCNA exam is about to change so there may be some material that won't be on the new test.

Why are the reviews so old?
I do no understand why this book was published in 2008, but all of the reviews they have listed are for way before 2008. One of the main reviews was posted in 2003, five years before the book was even published. This does not make any sense to me. Does anyone have this book that can post an updated review? I would greatly appreciate it.

MUST HAVE!!!
Last year I finished my CCNA course and now I was looking forward to taking the certification. There are a lot of books for it out there, but personally I think that this is the best! It covers every possible angle for the exam and apart from it you have a hole CD with practice questions!

You could not ask for more!! ... Read more

Product Description
Completely Revised for the New 2007 Version of the CCNA Exam (#640-802)

Cisco networking authority Todd Lammle has completely updated this new edition to cover all of the exam objectives for the latest version of the CCNA exam. Todd’s straightforward style provides lively examples, easy-to-understand analogies, and real-world scenarios that will not only help you prepare for the exam, but also give you a solid foundation as a Cisco networking professional.

Packed with updated topics that have been added to the 2007 version of the CCNA exam, this updated study guide features expanded coverage of key topic areas plus new material on switching, network address translation, and OSPF. Inside, find the complete instruction you need, including:

• Full coverage of all exam objectives in a systematic approach, so you can be confident you’re getting the instruction you need for the exam
• Practical hands-on exercises and labs to reinforce critical skills,
• Real-world scenarios that put what you’ve learned in the context of actual job roles
• Challenging review questions in each chapter to prepare you for exam day
• Exam Essentials, a key feature in each chapter that identifies critical areas you must become proficient in before taking the exam

• CD-ROM Includes:
• Chapter Review Questions
• Four Full-Length Practice Exams
• 200 Electronic Flashcards
• Audio and Video Instruction from Todd Lammle
• Full book in searchable PDF format

For Instructors: Teaching supplements are available for this title.

Customer Reviews (102)

CCNA study guide review
This guide is exactly what I needed to study for certification. It fit my learning style and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to have detailed examples and hands on labs when studying. The book arrived in timely manner (although I'm overseas) and perfect condition. Great service.

CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide: Exam 640-802
It is a great book. I like the way Lammle wrote this book. My friend read the book in three weeks and he passed the CCNA.

Exactly as it was described!
I'm very satisfied with the item and the whole transaction. Well recommended seller and would purchase again!

Lammel's CCNA Study Guide, 6th edition, review
This book is a required text for a class in a master's program for Systems Engineering.The book is well written, easy to read, and the labs are very worth while.I have not yet scheduled my CCNA exam, but hope that the knowledge gained from this book will provide the knowledge I need to pass the exam.

Not good for learning Networking concepts
By reading this book you are NOT going to learn networking. It doesn't explain any concept well, I find it disappointing every time I try to understand a new concept, and open this book to find nothing but a very brief list of defintions. The Odom (Cisco Press) books are much better, even though they are two volumes, but they provide clear explanation of the concepts. ... Read more

Product Description

Authorized Self-Study Guide

Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS)

Foundation learning for CCNA Security IINS 640-553 exam

Catherine Paquet

Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS) is a Cisco-authorized, self-paced learning tool for CCNA® Security foundation learning. This book provides you with the knowledge needed to secure Cisco® routers and switches and their associated networks. By reading this book, you will gain a thorough understanding of how to troubleshoot and monitor network devices to maintain integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and devices, as well as the technologies that Cisco uses in its security infrastructure.

This book focuses on the necessity of a comprehensive security policy and how it affects the posture of the network. You will learn how to perform basic tasks to secure a small branch type office network using Cisco IOS® security features available through the Cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM) web-based graphical user interface (GUI) and through the command-line interface (CLI) on Cisco routers and switches. The author also provides, when appropriate, parallels with Cisco ASA appliances.

Whether you are preparing for CCNA Security certification or simply want to gain a better understanding of Cisco IOS security fundamentals, you will benefit from the information provided in this book.

Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS) is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.

Catherine Paquet is a practitioner in the field of internetworking, network security and security financials. Catherine has in-depth knowledge of security systems, remote access, and routing technology. She is CCSP®, CCNP®, and CompTIA Security+ certified. She is also a certified Cisco instructor with the largest training partner of Cisco. Catherine, who has her M.B.A. from York University, is the director of her consulting company, Netrisec, Inc., specializing in making the business case for network security. In 2002 and 2003, Catherine volunteered with the UN mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, to train Afghan public servants in the area of networking.

• Develop a comprehensive network security policy to counter threats against information security
• Configure routers on the network perimeter with Cisco IOS Software security features
• Configure firewall features including ACLs and Cisco IOS zone-based policy firewalls to perform basic security operations on a network
• Configure site-to-site VPNs using Cisco IOS features
• Configure IPS on Cisco network routers
• Configure LAN devices to control access, resist attacks, shield other network devices and systems, and protect the integrity and confidentiality of network traffic

This volume is in the Certification Self-Study Series offered by Cisco Press®. Books in this series provide officially developed self-study solutions to help networking professionals understand technology implementations and prepare for the Cisco Career Certifications examinations.

Category: Cisco Certification

Covers: IINS exam 640-553

Customer Reviews (6)

IPSec is difficult and the discussion rambles
I have not taken the test yet, so whether or not this book achieves a passing goal for me remains to be seen.But, the section on IPSec could use some TLC.For example, page 392 refers to diagram 5-14 and the "4 ipsec squares" and the diagram promptly shows 5 squares.Are there 4 or are there 5?There's a section on IPSec Framework, a section on IPSec Protocol Framework.What's the difference between the 2 sections? I'm a top down learner and need to start with the big picture and I didn't get that the first time through the discussion on IPSec.I found myself flipping back and forth.IKE seemed to pop up out of nowhere.I'll need to do my own outlining of this the IPSec material, which isn't what I was hoping for.I admit, I'm a newbie and the rest of the book, so far, seems pretty decent, but I don't think I'm going to get comfortable with IPSec based on this alone.

Spans multiple exams!
While preparing for the ISCW exam, I also read this - and it was great! It helped me pass both my ISCW and CCNA Security exams. Apparently, there's a lot of overlapping topics in both exams. Read the ISCW book and read BCMSN's topics on switch security then go for the CCNA Security - just awesome!

Comprehensive Study guide that goes beyond the exam topics!
When you're taking a Cisco exam, the basic requirements are: a)knowing the subject matter, b)knowing the test/exam taking strategies, c)and one of the most important, the hands on!

This book goes over all three topics. Subject matter is covered in detail, apparently beyond what is included in the exam itself. So, although the book is written for preparing for the CCNA Security exam, it will help you build your basic security toolkit for designing, configuring, maintaining, and auditing networks. I particularly liked the Review Questions at the end of each chapter, they may look simplistic but will surely be effective in order to pass the real exam!

"Key Topics" designation also come very handy to highlight an important concept for exam preparation. This should help you build your strategy on what to expect on the exam, both difficulty level and the subject matter.

Book contains a ton of full length configuration examples which can easily be used for the hands-on needed.

Overall, a very good effort once again by Catherine!

Good Reference for Self-Study
This book is a very good reference for those with the goal to sit for the CCNA Security Exam. The chapters are long, and could possibly have been broken down into more readable sections with better results. On the positive side, by reading this book, the reader will have a good foundation to build upon while preparing for this exam.

There are very detailed configuration examples included in the book, and the end-of-chapter review questions are most helpful in reinforcing the concepts introduced in the chapters. I would definitely recommend that the reader obtain some hands-on experience with the routers and switches before attempting to take the exam.

Perfect Study Guide
Perfect for the CCNA Security Exam. Don't forget to put in some hands-on lab time also for those tricky simulation questions. Overall great prep highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
This is the book to have if you’re considering the Network+ certification. Within its informative pages, best-selling author Mike Meyers provides easy-to-understand coverage of the latest exam objectives. Prepare for the exam with the most complete study guide available. Identify key concepts and tools using informative graphics, use the objectives map to quickly find specific review areas, practice with chapter questions, and obtain need-to-know information with exam tips. The bonus CD-ROM contains a testing engine with questions found only on the CD. Plus, the book makes a great on-the-job reference once you’ve become certified. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (36)

Great resource
This is a great resource.It is pretty well written considering how dry the subject matter is.I still have to take the exam though.

Much needed A+ reference
This book is well laid out and builds a strong foundation of knowledge. It is also well suited as a reference book for those, with the knowledge, who just need to access and refresh on certain subjects. It is updated frequently enough to keep up with current information, yet older versions still offer the relavent information.

Easy to read just like the A+ book.Mike Myers writes so that you can understand.
The title pretty much says it.Have not yet completed the book and not sure if it will be all that I need for the certification exam.However I would still recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn Networking.

Very Solid
This book was a cornerstone of my studying regimen & I passed with a 750 out of 900.Mike writes in a conversational tone & makes dry technical informationeasy to understand.I used Exam Cram to help focus me on the stuff that I'd likely encounter on the test.It was a winning combination.

Network + Exam Guide Review
The book was fascinating and informative for the first eight chapters then it was stolen from me while at work. I originally bought it to study before I took the exam. I refuse to purchase another one for fear of the same thing happening. I used the book to study at work and that is where it was stolen beneath my nose. I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in Network + and becoming certified. ... Read more

Product Description
By offering the new Service Routing Certification Program, Alcatel-Lucent is extending their reach and knowledge to networking professionals with a comprehensive demonstration of how to build smart, scalable networks. Serving as a “course in a book” from Alcatel-Lucent—the world leader in designing and developing scalable systems—this resource pinpoints the pitfalls to avoid when building scalable networks, examines the most successful techniques available for engineers who are building and operating IP networks, and provides overviews of the Internet, IP routing and the IP layer, and the practice of opening the shortest path first.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book on Alcatel-Lucent IPD products
This book is helping me to understand the application of Alcatel-Lucent IP Products in customer environments. Great reference to get up to speed on IP with a different perspective that 'Cisco' and their interpretation of the IP RFC's. ... Read more