Customer Reviews

CCNA Virtual Lab e-trainer

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

I'm new to the IT world, and I've still never laid hands on a router, so I had to do a great deal of reading to pass the CCNA exam. Using the e-trainer supplemented my reading and familiarized me with IOS commands in a manner that just reading about them didn't. I really like the Network Visualizer feature. I passed the CCNA today, and one of my highest scores was on the IOS portion - that is due mainly to the e-trainer. After reading several books, I recommend this path to folks with limited experience who are pursuing the CCNA*: (1.) Myhre's book (CCNA Certification: Routing Basics...); (2a.) Lammle's study guide; (2b.) the e-trainer router simulator; (3.) Lammle's CCNA Exam Notes <* Note that this is in reference to CCNA1: 640-407. This test will be retired at the end of July 2000, so the new CCNA (640-507) may change this.> The e-trainer isn't perfect as I ran into some commands that weren't accepted, etc., but it does the job. I can comfortably give the e-trainer 5 stars. It's been invaluable to me as a person who doesn't have access to any network equipment.

E-trainer was instrumental in helping me pass my CCNA. The program presents a 3 router, 1900 switch environment. The labs range from basic ones such as configuring your routers with IP addresses to a little bit on frame relay. What is nice is you can use it in free form mode so that you can enter different configurations, however, I found there a are limitations to the program. It is not going to accommodate everything you want to do. But you will do just fine if you stay within the material from the labs. I also found out it is best to use Todd's study guide as reference instead of using e-trainer to go through the labs in his book. Everything in the book is not necessarily covered in e-trainer. The most important thing, even with its strengths and weaknesses, is that for the price you get more than adequate hands on experience to pass the CCNA exam; which I think this program was for the most part intended to help you do. If you have realistic expectations of the program, it will be very helpful. If you want something to be more elaborate and flexible than this product, buy real routers, but who has that kind of money.

I fully agree with William Smittle from Oklahoma after reading his review of this product. This product is good for someone who wants an introduction to the world of Cisco routing, yet cannot afford to pay $800 each for second-hand routers. I only have one compaint, but it's a major one:

They could have easily added more commands to the this product. I was trying to follow the course of Todd Lammle's book: CCNA Study Guide, and half the commands do NOT work. Simple little things, like trying to trace the path taken to another host using "TRACE 172.16.10.1" comes back with INVALID INPUT! Not to mention many other basic commands, which also produce the same result.

Todd Lammle was co-creator of this piece of software. So I can only wonder if he intentionally left out much of the funtionality from the Sybex version only to make his $300 ROUTERSIM program look better! Hmmmmmm...

OK, so maybe if you've never worked in the computer industry before this might be usefull. The context sensitive help dosen't work, most of the commands don't work, and the cute little '^' doesn't show up when you make a syntax error. I bought this product to learn how to configure a router. That's not what it's for. It seems to be designed for the singular goal of learning some of the commands tested on the CCNA. I haven't tried anything that's not in the study guide by Lammle, and most if it does not work. You can do basic interface config, and you can set some of the passwords. Most of the show commands work, that's about it. The equipment is setup in a fixed network that can not be modified. I appreciate the difficulty of setting a simulator like this up, but for seventy bucks, it should have been a whole lot better. Save your money and find a lab that will let you play with the real thing for a few hours. The frustration level from typing in commands directly from the book and getting a meaningless generic error message is quite hard to describe. But it did inspire me to write my first product review ever.

Delivers what it promises. While the interface itself is a bit quirky (e.g., you can't view the visual of the lab while you're entering commands, although you can print the lab prior to beginning), overall this is a good tool for novices. Of course, you don't get all router features and you can't watch real net traffic with this simulator, but for the price it provides decent hands-on IOS experience at the CCNA level. Beyond CCNA the value decreases, because you really don't have the flexibility to add new hosts, dial-up, etc. Provides three simulated routers, and includes ethernet, serial and token-ring interfaces. Also includes a Catalyst 1900 switch and two "hosts", pc units which can be pinged for communication test. Lab modules are provided for CCNA level (follows the Lammle study guide), but you can use the router free-form and configure your own scenarios.

I just picked up this software and I have to say that although the idea is a great one, the software is a little buggy and not 100% functional. I've had trouble with password verification and I end up having to restart the program which is a big hassle when you are in the middle of a lab. Since the program is holding me back from completing the labs I would have to say that the product is not quite there yet. Unless I can resolve the issue, I will most likely be returning it when I get the chance.

This is a feature packed simulated lab for those who need hands-on experiences with Cisco routers and switch. The e-trainer comes with a user's manual and a CD. The software contains a lab with 3 routers (Cisco IOS version 11.3) and 1 switch (1900 series). You can practice many Cisco commands, but not all. While it may limit your hands-on experience, it will force you to focus and also prevent accidental issuance of unnecessary commands... You can follow the suggested lab sessions--contains a few minor errors, such as typos and unforeseen results, or create your own custom lab session to focus on those areas you need most help on. What I don't like the fact about the e-trainer from Sybex is that the CD can not be duplicated and the software, once installed on your computer, requires the original CD to run. I don't know about you but I'm very forgetfull and I sometimes forget to eject the CD from my home computer before going to school/work. It would have been much better if Sybex provided a way for me to make at least one copy for my laptop. Also, if you lose your original disc or if it gets warped inside your car on a hot day (which has happened to me before--I live in southern California), you're toast. I'm sure Sybex will mail you a new CD if you let them know, but what a hassle, not to mention the wasted time on your part as you wait for its delivery.

Anyone familiar with Cisco knows that the commands are often cryptic. This makes practice essential for learning. Without spare Cisco routers and switches handy, it's nearly impossible to get that practice, even if your worksite has Cisco gear in operation. Todd Lammle's CCNA Virtual Lab e-Trainer provides this essential practice, as a complement to his book, CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide (for Exam 640-507). With no previous Cisco experience, I read his book, took sample tests, (from www.stsware.com), and then practiced with Mr. Lammle's e-trainer for a week --- and then passed the CCNA 2.0 test on my first try. I can't recommend the CCNA Virtual Lab e-trainer enough!

No doubt you need hands-on to prepare for Exam 640-407. Practicing with the Command Line Interface is almost a totally different thing than reading about them in books. For all those who don't have the luxury of access to real routers, this lab is the closest you can get to the real thing.

There are bugs and flaws in design. But if you want the real thing, you'll have to plunk down $2400 used or $4800 brand new. Unless you can be completely sure about your commitment to a CCNP pursuit, that's hardly justifiable. After all, commands are not very heavy in 640-407, and this book prepares you well for those that do show up. To prepare for 640-507, you may want to consider RouterSim 2.0, which is supposed to include more on switches, WAN setup, etc.

These are what I found not working in this lab: 1. Router hostnames behave erratically when you use telnet and cdp. 2. Access lists just don't work for me. 3. The IGRP administrative distance is wrong and probably just copied over from RIP because only one type of routes can be shown at a time, even if you enable both.

MCSE, MCP+I, CNA, CCNA

I have been going through Todd Lammle's CCNA Study Guide in preparation for my CCNA exam. There were some concepts that I was not clear on. I then came across the virtual lab e-trainer. This program has not only helped clarify concepts but has given me the hands on experience that I have needed! The program is easy to use and the labs, for the most part, are straight forward and very educational. I can experiment with different network configurations to see what works and what does not. My exam is coming up in April and I now feel much more confident going into my exam. I would highly recommend this product.