CCNA For Dummies, Second Edition [Paperback]

Ron Gilster (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764541897 | ISBN-13: 978-0764541896 | Publication Date: November 7, 2003 | Edition: 2

* Helps students prepare for the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) exam, one of the most popular entry-level certifications for networking professionals and one that often translates into a salary increase
* According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, general networking/system administration jobs are expected to increase more than eighty percent by 2010
* This revision includes updates for the exam's new routing simulation, plus updated and more extensive information about WANs
* In addition to the Dummies Test Engine, an exclusive, fully customizable test-prep software package containing hundreds of sample questions based on the tone and content of the actual exam, the accompanying CD-ROM contains the Boson Routing Simulator to prepare students for this newest feature of the exam
* Author is the former director of a Cisco Regional Training Academy

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Discover how to:

Review the material, objective by objective

Use Cisco software tools

Assess what you know -- and don't

Spot and avoid test traps

Answer questions quickly

Hone your skills on top test-prep software

All this and a BONUS CD-ROM with:

Dummies Test Engine, our exclusive, fully customizable test-prep software featuring hundreds of sample questions

Demo versions of EtherPeek, TokenPeek, and AGNetTools for Windows from AG Group, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Review questions and practice tests after each chapter

The fun and easy way^® to study for the exam – all the rewards in half the time!

Here’s the CCNA test-prep guide you’ve been waiting for – a For Dummies book-and-software package that actually makes studying fun. Prepared by a Cisco-certified expert and packed with proven tips and practice exams, it’s all you need to get up to speed on Cisco^® networking hardware and software – and pass the test!

All this on the bonus CD-ROM

• Practice tests from Self Test Software, Specialized Solutions^TM, Inc. and more
• Boson Netsim^TM LE including Router Simulator^® and bonus lab
• Networking management tools, including demo versions of EtherPeek NX and iNetTools for Windows^®

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (November 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764541897
• ISBN-13: 978-0764541896
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ron Gilster was born in Vallejo, California in 1947. Which is the last time he actually lived in any one place for very long at all. Ron began his computing and technology career in 1965 in the Air Force, in which he took refuge from the draft, but ended up a Vietnam vet anyway. Over the years, he has been a punch-card machine operator, a computer programmer, a systems analyst, a database manager, a manufacturing production manager, a consultant for what was then a Big 8 accounting firm, an executive in the audio/visual and telecommunications industry, a college instructor and administrator, and, oh yes, a writer.

Ron has had a number of best-selling books, including his first "A+ Certification for Dummies," "CCNA For Dummies," "Cisco Networking For Dummies," and a dozen more. He lives in Spokane, WA and continues to write at least four books per year; the latest being "MCAS: Exam Guide."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for Test 640-507, September 27, 2000

By 

dan mayberry (san diego ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CCNA For Dummies (Paperback)

Words of caution. Test #640-507 was released in Aug of 2000. This book came out in April of 2000. I found out "AFTER " I read the book, took the test, didn't pass, and searched for new study material. The book cover says that it is for test 640-507 but it misses the mark. I found the book to be generally useful. Lots of good info. Everything was explained clearly. Good book to have on your desk. For test preperation, look for a newer book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only a start, March 3, 2005

By 

SRB (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CCNA For Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

First of all, I would tell anyone studying for their CCNA exams to read this book first. Most of the other books on the subject are written by nerds for nerds. This book (as is true of most of the "for Dummies" series) demystifies a lot of the technology by describing it in clear language. But don't use it as your only study guide. It is NOT the only reference you're going to need to pass the exam. I also used Wendell Odom's books (published by Cisco Press). I recommend them for content but I found some of the explanations a little difficult and had to reread passages several times to get what he was saying. Also, the CCNA flash cards book (also published by Cisco Press) is a good resource. I used CCNA for Dummies, Wendell Odom's CCNA Intro and CCNA ICND, and the flash cards books to study for a recertification and did very well. If you are studying for a first time certification, I would add one more source (publsihed by Sybex or McGraw Hill--take your pick) because each author is going to emphasize different things and this is the only way to get the big picture. Regarding the quality of the practice testing software supplied with CCNA for Dummies, I ran into this with Boson (who supplied the practice tests for CCNA for Dummies and the practice tests and NetSim software to Cisco Press)--yes, some of the practice questions do have wrong answers. The QC, though, is the responsibility of the authors of the tests, not IDG, Cisco Press or Boson. The tests are buggy but the publisher is standing between you and the author. You'll beat up the publisher for selling you an inferior product but the actual responsibility lies with the author of the practice test. The only thing you can do here is know your subject so well that you know when the answers to the practice tests are wrong. As far as the practice simulators are concerned, go to Cisco's website to see what the test simulator is REALLY like. So, the bottom line on CCNA for Dummies is that this should definitely be in your arsenal but should not be the only book you use to study for the test(s). You're definitely going to need several books to do well on the exam.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This book is incomplete and a disappointment, August 21, 2000

By 

Jonathan W. Sygiel "Jonny B" (denver, co USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CCNA For Dummies (Paperback)

I am a big fan of the "Dummies" series, as I couldn't have passed my half dozen MCSE tests without their help. I was able to get some information from it, but if I had made it my primary study guide, I don't think I could have bested 55-60% on the exam. I have noticed that everyone else that reviewed this book took the 640-407 exam. This book is supposed to be for the new 507, which is the one I took. This book falls far short in covering the switching and Wan protocols on the new exam. Also, the outpost game on the CD does not function properly. I know two other people that purchase it, and none of us was able to load it. This book will help as a companion, but it should be only a minor player in your study efforts.