Customer Reviews

CCDA for Dummies

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This book is bad, and I don't mean in a good way. The book is missing a lot of details, and if you have any knowledge the mistakes will jump out at you. For example, on page 44 it gives the OSI model (from 1-7) as Physical, Data Link, Transport, Network, Session, Presentation, Application. Then, it says make sure you know the correct order for the test. Why? The authors don't. On another question, the book says you should answer, "I don't know because you haven't taught me, yet." Try answering a question on the CCDA exam, as I don't know it's beyond the scope of the test. Also, the editor must have just used the spell check and not actually read the book. There are a lot of errors like "form" for "from" and "wit" for "with." You can figure out what they are trying to say, but it is annoying and makes you lose your focus on studying. I do not recommend this book.

I really like this book. It covers a lot of ground, but I never felt like I got lost. The material was direclty applicable to both the certification exam, though nothing is perfect. I also think it makes a good "general" networking reference.

Defintely a keeper!

I'm sure this was a pretty good book - but don't order it unless you want to study for the expired Cisco CCDA test. Their is some similarity but the tests are not the same!

Ron Gilster has done it again. I used his CCNA book to pass that exam and this book is every bit as good, if not better. The coverage on design concepts and Cisco hardware is excellent. There is so much to cover for the CCDA exam, yet Gilster and Dalan managed to get it all in the book with just the right amount of coverage. I also liked the CD and the excellent design software demos included. I would recommend this book to anyone getting ready for the CCDA exam and anyone just wanted to know a bit more about network design principles.

This book seems, from a half-hour examination, to be well worth buying. Although there is competition from heavier (Sybex) and deeper (Cisco) books, this one covers all the necessary topics in a very understandable way. The text is no-nonsense, even tho the section headings are "dumbie" puns, as always.

Aside form some of the flubs mentioned by rob (which were occasionally annoying at most) I found this text to be a solid resource for test preparation. You need all "everything and the kitchen sink" texts (such as the Cisco Press DCN book), and a book like the Dummies book that focuses on the environment and high percentage areas. Bottom line: I got my certification and this book helped me a lot.

No frills, but this was just what I needed for that last minute review before the test. I have plenty of experience, but sometimes it's good to brush up on the technical details, and that's what this book provided with a minimal time investment. Much appreciated, Mr. Gilster and Mr. Dalan!