Customer Reviews

CCNA 640-802 Network Simulator

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I just installed this software, and so far - it's just what I was expecting. I have the unique position of having tried both Boson's NetSim and RouterSim's Network Visualizer simulation software packages, and although both are excellent products (and getting better) I find Wendell Odom's product to be more intuitive and easier to just jump right in. In my opinion, the design process that goes into designing any network simulation software, is similar to designing a game. Some games require you to learn the controls, before you can really get started, while others are so well thought out that you can well, just jump right in.

However, if anyone has any plans to progress beyond the CCNA (eg. CCNP, etc.), I would recommend taking a look at the other two simulators. When I first purchased RouterSim's Network Visualizer, it was still a buggy product and prone to crashes. Even so, it was the only worthwhile game in town, at the time (2004). I never got the opportunity to finish the labs, as I was called to active duty and served over seas for almost two years. RouterSim's Network Visualizer has a particularly strict software license. You only get one, and in order to install it on another machine, you have to send your activation key back to the company (online, via the software itself). Once the license is back with the company, you can then install the software again on another computer, and then activate the product by downloading activation key from them once again. Ever served in the military? Well when you get those orders, you go. There is not a lot of time. You may have a few days to settle any pending business, like saying goodbye to your family and friends, making sure your will is in order, arrange for your bills to be paid, and so on. So transferring a software license wasn't on the top of my list. My software was originally installed on a desktop and I was not about to lug that (and the monitor) with me in my ruck. By the time I came back, the CCNA exam had changed so much that my simulator was, yes - outdated. I tried explaining my situation to the nice folks at RouterSim, but I was informed nicely that I can just purchase the upgrade. Remembering my experiences with the software crashes, I declined and signed up to take a CCNA cram class instead. Big mistake.

For a newbie, cram courses don't work. Eight days (8 hours a day) of instruction will not teach you the operations of a network and how Routers and Switches come into play so much so that you can pass the CCNA. Much less, get you so familiar with the input commands that you can use on the job. In my class, I had an Egyptian instructor who may be very knowledgeable, but help me if I can understand a darn thing that he was saying. I just couldn't get pass the accent. The school did however, introduced me to Boson's NetSim, a far superior product than my older version of RouterSim's Network Visualizer. Oh yes, if you decide on taking a class, make sure that they give you access to ACTUAL Cisco equipment! They didn't technically lie to me however, the school did have Cisco equipment, but that was a very brief show and tell. We primarily were working with the NetSim software. There are several versions now - CCENT, CCNA, CCNP, etc. They also sell videos and mp3's, besides the simulation software. Cisco seems to be endorsing them, you can find links to Boson from the Cisco website. To briefly describe the product, you basically have a network simulation software package along with a couple of pdf lab manuals (they are compressed and will appear once you've installed the software). I would print out the manuals and follow through the lessons, chapter by chapter.

So why do I prefer Wendell Odom's Network Simulator over the others? One, you get 4 licenses. Yes, you can install your product on FOUR separate computers. Two, the price. Wendell Odom's Network Simulator is under $100 (Amazon price, retail is $149). RouterSim's CCNA Network Visualizer is $229.00. And Boson's NetSim for CCNA is $249. And third, the pdf step-by-step lessons on Wendell Odom's Network Simulator pops up as you activate the corresponding lesson simulation. Something that I can really appreciate, as I will be traveling a lot on my new job, and don't want to carry a hard copy lesson book with me, nor scroll through the pages to the lesson I want. Dual monitors would serve you well here. It really is just simpler to use. You are presented with a lesson menu on the right side. A diagram of your network is on the top left, and the command line section (where you type) is below that. Click on the computer icon on your virtual network, and on the command line section you're looking at the CLI interpretation of what you would see if you were logged on to that computer. The same goes for the switches and the routers. Neat.

Do bear in mind however, that network simulators are just that, they only simulate the network and is not the real thing. They are by no means a perfect substitution for actual equipment. The lessons on either of the packages mentioned, must be executed on the respective software packages themselves, in the specific manner that is described, or they may not work. This new test (640-802) has challenged even Network Engineers currently in the workforce. I know a couple of techs, currently going through the recertification process, and even they are intimidated. One of the reasons is increased focus on Switching, a previously intermediate (CCNP) level subject. And there is the current approval of Subnet Zeros for the CCNA, that's gotta throw some people off. It did for me, I was taught something else.

If you are going for your certification for the first time - I recommend signing up for a Cisco Network Academy class. It may take up to a year to graduate, but you will not be wasting your time. Another option, is to get your own equipment. But, if none of these are options for you - Wendell Odom's Network Simulator is by far the cheapest solution on the market. Whatever option you finally choose, designing networks and supporting network equipment is not a book learning exercise. You shouldn't read your books from cover to cover, and then do the exercises - let the exercises be your guide. Just remember, it is critical that you get some hands-on experience (simulators, or the real deal).

Unfortunately, I had to buy this product from an Amazon.com competitor. It was on my Shopping Cart, but when I went to pay for it, Amazon took it off, "for review". I waited a day or so, and it was still under "review", so I had no choice but to go elsewhere. I had to pay a little more, but I was already waiting a month or so for this simulator to come on the market and had put my studies on hold until it does, therefore, I just couldn't wait anymore. Sorry, Amazon.com.

I am still prepping for my CCNA exam and what I have been needing to do was actually 'apply' what I was learning. There are tons of sims out there in the market, some good, some bad but all are expensive and limited in one way or another. Obviously, I tend to agree with most posters that there is nothing that comes close to actually working on Cisco gear, but the problem usually comes down to 1) cost or 2) ability to have the equipment on site (small apartment, etc). I would think that having the equipment for the CCNP is a must, but for the CCNA all you need is something to drill you on the concepts that you are supposed to be learning.

Having said this, I think this product should not really be considered a 'simulator' but more of an instructional tool to reinforce whether or not you are grasping the CCNA concepts. Will it help you with the CCNA exam? This is tough to say. Personally, I think that 'yes, it will' because the exam has scenarios in which you have to troubleshoot in order to answer the question. In essence, this is what the product does. So, if you practice the scenarios over and over again, you should have a basic troubleshooting flow chart in your head that you can later apply to the exam and any future network admin job.

My only complaint about the product is that it didn't have more scenarios under the Troubleshooting sections but I guess that with all the Skill Builder and Configuration scenarios - you 'should' be well rounded to troubleshoot any eventual LAN scenario. I did note that each Troubleshooting section had a single 'Part 1', which makes me wonder whether subsequent upgrades will add additional content - fingers crossed.

I recently was promoted to a network engineering post working in a Cisco environment. This product has helped me to develop key troubleshooting skills that are hard to come by with just reading theory in dozens of CCNA books. Its not a 'cure all' by any means but its a good supplemental tool that you can add to your knowledge bag. I would recommend it to any aspiring network admin/engineer.

Good luck to all in their Cisco adventure!

Odom offers this network simulator to cater to those needing to understand routing and switching as presented in the Cisco CCNA exam. So this is all in the context of how Cisco wants you to use their products; no third parties! But then if you are studying for the Cisco certification you already know this. Specifically the book addresses readers who possibly do not have all the Cisco equipment available in order to test and debug various networking problems. It addresses a bootstrapping issue. You want to be certified as Cisco capable, perhaps to get a job using that certification. But without that job and Cisco hardware, how do you even get to first base? Seen in this context, the approximately $140 cost of the simulator is actually a bargain.

The problems given and the interactivity are nice in presenting typical issues encountered by a Cisco sysadmin. The numerous topology diagrams are the central aspect of the software. Get used to thinking about your network and possibly laying out a new network and modifying an existing one using such diagrams.

The simulator presents tasks in the form of what it terms labs, ie. lessons. A lot of work went into making 250 of these; enough to cover many possible network issues. For some readers, the breadth of these may be daunting. But you should regard studying all these as necessary. This is a very good way to get wide experience, and to make up for not actually having hardware to work with.

There is a lingering concern about the simulator. Anyone who has ever put together network hardware might know that low level problems can arise. Any simulator might not be able to fully convey experience in diagnosing such problems. So to this extent, the simulator cannot fully substitute for hands on experience on a network. But the CCNA exams can't fully test for knowledge of such low level issues anyway. So as a pragmatic matter, you can regard the simulator as simply designed for you to pass the exams.

If you come from an electrical engineering background and have used circuit layout and simulation programs like PSpice, then the network simulator will be an easy segue.

The simulator's requirements of your machine are also fairly minimal, which is good. Most of you should already have a computer with at least 1 GB RAM and faster than 500 MHz, and with more than 500 Mb of free disk space.

A hands on simulator at it's BEST ! ! Wendell Odom is the master at CCNA publications and this is no less than what you would expect from him. As simulators go there are a couple of others on the market that have been used to study for the CCNA. While the other product make an attempt to offer some hands on experience, this simulator covers more than the typical network incidents you encounter. This is truly designed for the exam and if you couple it with the ICND Books parts 1 & 2, you can't miss ! !

Not only do you have over 3000 hands -on tasks but 250 labs that cover every scenario you can imagine. The simulator is so complete that every topic is covered that one would use in every day networking life and also topics that are just a part of what Cisco offers that aren't used as readily. But again, it is for exam purposes so the information is necessary and appreciated that it is offered. This hands-on opportunity makes it so you can memorize the commands more easily. You are able to familiarize yourself with the most common issues which make you feel very comfortable when you do encounter the problem and very relieved knowing that this was included in the software when you get the correct answer when it is covered on the exam.

All of the labs demonstrate what is needed for configuring the Switch CLI process, IP Addresses and Switch security, just to name a few items. You get more than one opportunity to configure and learn about them. Actually, you have two to four different labs so you can practice repeatedly configuring almost everything ! ! The more difficult areas such as VLAN Configuration and VTP Configuration offer 5 labs. You will be allowed to save your work and come back to your study point. The graphics depicting the various topologies used for the lab configuration helps you to visualize the network. This makes relating to your issues a lot easier until you become adept to the inner workings of a network. You will be able to troubleshoot network devices right at your computer.

There are easy tabs available for you to review the instructions for each lab. You can lookup commands that are used by Cisco so you won't have to hesitate if you should get stuck with on a command. It is a timesaving way without going to the internet for a search. You cannot ask for a more complete way to study for an exam. So, as you will be able to see when you begin to embark on the long hours of studying, the experience of being comfortable at the keyboard in the exam room and at work will be well worth the price you pay for the simulator. This is a very thorough and well thought out simulator package.

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.

I have 2 Mac's running Snow Leopard and this product will not run on them and there is NO phone support to help. I have to say this looks like a great product, but what I have had to go though at this point, Pearson, the company that supports this product is the major problem. I will update this as my train wreck continues.
*Update* There is a "Cisco.jar" file that is created and you need to manually run this to register the product and then to relaunch it. This was the question put to 3 different people at Pearson Tech support and no one knew the answer. I am not sure what has changed and why this does not load automatically, but here is the fix.

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

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.

I would recommend you buy thousands of dollars worth of cisco equipment and practice, but for the rest of us poor people this is the second best thing.

The screen is really small when it comes up and there is no way to adjust it.
This is better than the 2008 or 2009 edition because it has additional lab excersises.
It is still good to have an actual hands on experience with a real connection.
Grasp the concept and then use it in real scenarios.
You can go through both ICND 1 and 2 on the simulator and come back and redo the exercises if you want to. It also allows folks to prepare for the actual class which is only a week for each class.
Another positive thing is the reinforcement of the concept.It does not leave you hanging as to what should be the next thing you need to work and review on.