Prepares the reader to pass the new CCNP Routing exam (640-503). Instructs the reader on ways to configure the Cisco IOS software for scalable operation in large or growing multiprotocol internetworks. Contains exclusive tear-out cram sheet with tips, acronyms, and memory-joggers (mnemonics) to improve recall immediately before the exam. Includes sections on proven test-taking strategies, warnings on trick questions, time-saving study tips, multiple-part question strategies, and shortcuts.
| |||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
As with most Exam Cram books, the obligatory warnings apply here, too:
- Exam Crams are not primary sources of reference by which to study.
- Exam Crams are not a place to start if this topic is new to you.
- Exam Crams are supposed to be refreshers; ideally, they're the heavily highlighted and dog-eared book that you bring into the exam waiting room to study while you await your turn to take the test.
There! Now that we've said that and feel better, let's ask the question: Does this particular Exam Cram serve as a good last-minute cram book?
The answer: Mostly. It's full of good, high-level overviews, explains most concepts well, and in general will serve quite nicely for anyone who's "got it" mostly, but needs that critical push to get over the hump. Unfortunately, the test questions are astonishingly weak for what normally is a series that sports some of the toughest questions around; the book offers little advice in the way of troubleshooting; and the explanation of one of the more commonly confused and commonly tested topics--BGP and EGP--is lacking.
First, let's go over the good news. The CCNP Routing Exam Cram sports some of the snappiest writing ever to grace an Exam Cram book--which is good, because routing concepts are tricky little devils that you just can't memorize. You need to internalize how each of the various protocols works, and not just snarf down some list of functions. The explanations for the reason that each protocol (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP) was developed and how it's implemented are well written and concise. The occasional spot illustration helps flesh out your knowledge of how routers share information under each protocol. If you've been a trifle unclear on what the precise differences are between the various routing approaches, this is where all will be revealed. Later sections of the book deal with traffic management and routing updates, and do it well, mixing a bit of real-world experience with lectures to give a well-rounded approach. Sadly, information on actual router configuration is fairly spotty, so probably you'll want to write down some additional cheat sheets for the actual configuration commands.
The bad news is twofold. First of all, the sample test questions are among the easiest we've ever encountered. Most of them can be answered correctly after merely skimming a chapter (and we tried this, just to make sure), or doped out from the context. If you're the sort of person who passes certification quizzes by taking sample exams over and over again, as many do, you're bound to be disappointed. Between that and a distinct lack of "Exam Alerts" to tell you what to watch out for, you might wind up wondering exactly what the core topics are that you absolutely must have down cold to pass.
The second problem is more serious. One of the more hotly tested topics, the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), is graced with a fairly confusing presentation. While it's possible to understand what the Exam Cram has to say about BGP after a couple of rereadings, the three BGP chapters lack the smartness and clarity of the rest of this book, which leads to needless confusion on the reader's end. Admittedly, BGP is a fairly hard subject for many CCNP candidates to comprehend, but that only compounds the problem; if BGP is the final hurdle that you must cross to get that passing exam score, the Cram could fail you as a last-minute refresher.
With these two drawbacks in mind, this is otherwise a fine book that does an excellent job of clearing away the mist of confusion that surrounds many routing concepts. And, at $29.99 (cheap by Cisco certification standards), it's a worthwhile addition to your library. --William Steinmetz
About the Author
Eric McMasters, (Overland Park, KS) CCNP, CCDP, CCNA, CCDA works as a Senior Network Systems Engineer for Sprint PCS in Lenexa, Kansas. Eric has been involved in communications over the past ten years and has spent the last four years focusing on Cisco products and solutions. Eric is an active member of a popular Internet Cisco study group.
Brian Morgan (Ft. Worth, TX) is a Senior Instructor with GeoTrain Corporation, Cisco's largest and highest-rated Training Partner. He has actively delivered Cisco Courses for the last 2 years. During that time he has been an active member of the ATM Forum, a standards body for ATM. Brian also spent a number of years with IBM designing, installing and troubleshooting large corporate internetworks. He holds certifications from Microsoft, Novell, IBM, and Cisco.
Mike Shroyer CCIE, CCP, CCI (Denver, CO), is president of J.M. Shroyer Associates, Inc. He has over 35 years experience at all levels in the computer field. Shroyer has lectured and consulted extensively in the United States, Europe, and Asia on Unix, C programming, data communications, SNA, the OSI Regerence Model, LANs, client server development strategies, network security, and audit of data networks. He has also taught for the University of Denver in its Masters in Computer Science program and for Metropolitan State College.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good last minute review,
By A Customer
This review is from: CCNP Routing Exam Cram (Exam: 640-503) (Paperback)
This book is a good last minute review for the test, but not a good study guide. It does not cover commands in detail and is weak in the BGP and route optimization parts. The book talks about various topics from a high level view. I'd recommend using CCO or another study guide as your primary study tool and use this book as last minute review for the test. Also, the study questions are no where near the actual test questions. Boson provides better practice questions/problems.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cisco + Exam Cram = Not worth it.,
By A Customer
This review is from: CCNP Routing Exam Cram (Exam: 640-503) (Paperback)
Do youself a favor, wait for the Cisco Press offering. Based on my experience, exam crams for Cisco generally miss the mark. The book was informative, but not what was needed for the test.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
OK, but not what is needed.,
By Rufus Barker, Jr. (Roy, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: CCNP Routing Exam Cram (Exam: 640-503) (Paperback)
The CD with this book has several errors and trying to registar it on line and get "free" updates just does not work. One would do much better to purchase BOSON practice tests from Geocerts.com. They are the way to go along with the Cisco Press book.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
