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The IT Academy is a well-known training center--and at first you may think that you're saving money by buying the tapes, since a full CCNA course runs about $1,500, while all four tapes cost about $360 purchased individually. Be warned, however, that within the first five minutes the video blithely informs you that you'll also need to buy not one but two Cisco 2501 routers, two CSU/DSU connectors to simulate a WAN link, some cable, and a couple of connectors for your PC.
Last checked, the Cisco 2501s were currently auctioning for between $400 and $900 apiece. So not only will you need to spend $360 to buy the full four-video set, but you'll also need to shell out perhaps another thousand before you get the full benefit of the course. That's pretty pricey. To be fair, every CCNA book in existence will tell you that you will definitely need some hands-on router experience to pass the exam--but considering that most people buy books or videos because the instructor-led courses are too expensive, a $1,400 investment is only slightly less than the full course itself.
But that aside, how is the video? After all, networking is a very visual medium, and clever animations could explain some of the trickier concepts, like spanning-tree protocols, with ease--and this tape is meant to explain networking basics, like the OSI model and LAN protocols. Unfortunately, the entire video consists of precisely two shots, cutting back and forth as needed between the two views: a torso shot of Heather Osterloh explaining various networking concepts and screen shots of PowerPoint slide presentations, highlighted when necessary with an arrow.
This may be a benefit for those who want to duplicate the feel of sitting in a networking class, studiously taking notes, but considering there's so much that can be done with well-thought-out animations--and the $90 price point of the tape itself--there should have been something extra for the money.
As for the explanations of the networking concepts themselves, they are fairly clear and well presented, although some of the trickier parts will almost certainly go over the head of the novice networker the first time, necessitating numerous rewinds. However, the producers did anticipate this need and have, thoughtfully, put a subject letter in the upper-right-hand corner of every shot--so if you see "E1," you know you're currently rewinding through the "Repeaters and Hubs" section of the tape. It's a nice touch.
The depth of some of the topics is surprising, while the presentation of general concepts seemed a bit weak at times. The "how Ethernet works" overview isn't clear enough for the neophyte, yet Osterloh may teach you a couple of new tricks in her discussion of frame headers and the differences between ARPA, Snap, and Novell Ether. Walking into this tape without basic networking knowledge is possible, but it would a bit of a task.
The tape itself also helpfully stresses the points that are likely to come up on the Cisco exam and provides some tips that many books do not. For example, you may not realize that SQL (a database query language) is counted as a Session-level protocol on the CCNA, so it was good to have that brought up. This is a strength of the IT tapes--the instructors do want you to pass and gear their speeches for that goal alone.
To sum up, if you're looking for the next best thing to a teacher-led course, with all of its advantages (live humans explaining things) and disadvantages (price), then this course may be for you if you're willing to spend the money. But if you're looking for a cheap way to pass the exam, then you'll probably want to pass on this. --William Steinmetz
Topics covered: The OSI model, Session protocols, physical LAN technologies (repeaters, hubs, concentrators, gateways, bridges, switches, routers and brouters), VLANs, Ethernet and the various encapsulation types, token ring technologies, and a summary of FDDI.
Introduction/Overview OSI Model Connectionless and Connection-Oriented Protocols LAN Technologies Repeaters, Hubs & Concentrators Bridges & Switches VLANs Gateways LAN Protocols Ethernet/Fast Ethernet Encapsulation Types Token Ring FDDI
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top Notch Video Training for CCNA!,
By A Customer
This review is from: CCNA Video Training - Volume 1 of 4 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The CCNA Video Training Series gave me everything I needed to pass my CCNA Exam. Two thumbs up from this newly certified CCNA! END
1.0 out of 5 stars
Balance,
By
This review is from: CCNA Video Training - Volume 1 of 4 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Those reviews are obviously plants. These tapes did not help at all
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heather did a great job again...,
This review is from: CCNA Video Training - Volume 1 of 4 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Heather did a very good job again... I've viewed her tapes before and like her style of training. I read Sybex guide and it works very well with that guide.... ... the CCNA is more like a super "Network Essentials", and the heavy "Cisco- centric" stuff doesn't happen until more advanced exams (and I DO have Cisco experience!!!) END
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