Cisco Networking Academy Program CCNA 1 and 2 Companion Guide, Third Edition [Hardcover]

Inc., CISCO Cisco Systems (Author), Cisco Networking Academy Program (Author), Inc., ILSG Cisco Systems (Author), Aries Cisco Networking Academy Program (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2003 | ISBN-10: 1587131102 | ISBN-13: 978-1587131103 | Edition: 3

The only authorized textbook for use in the Cisco Networking Academy Program CCNA 1 and 2 courses

• Maps to revised 3.0 web-based curriculum
• Expanded chapters on difficult topics
• Expanded CD-ROM that includes CCNA practice questions, e-Labs, PhotoZooms, and more
• Additional chapters not included in the online course

For use within the CCNA 1 and 2 courses, this Companion Guide maps directly to the new curriculum and is considered the core textbook of the course. It presents the students with strong pedagogy and learning aids. In addition, the book goes beyond the web-based course with enhanced chapters on more difficult subjects, such as VLSM, cabling, and ripV2. The companion CD-ROM includes more than 300 CCNA practice questions, e-Lab Activities, PhotoZooms of equipment, and instructional videos.

The authors are the developers of the web-based Curriculum for the Cisco Networking Academy Program, have extensive teaching backgrounds, and are experts in the online learning environment.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Only authorized textbook of the Cisco Networking Academy Program CCNA curriculum

• Maps to revised 3.0 Web-based curriculum
• Expanded chapters on difficult topics
• Expanded CD-ROM that includes CCNA practice questions, e-Labs, PhotoZooms, and more

For use within the CCNA 1 and 2 courses within the Cisco Networking Academy Program. There are currently over 130,000 students enrolled in the CCNA program through the Networking Academy. The revised CCNA 3.0 will be available to the instructors in the spring 2003. This Companion Guide will map directly to the new curriculum and is considered the core textbook of the course. It presents the students with strong pedagogy and learning aids. In addition, the book goes beyond the Web-based course with enhanced chapters on more difficult subjects, such as VLSM, cabling, and ripV2. The companion CD-ROM includes over 300 CCNA practice questions to begin preparation for the CCNA exam, e-Lab Activities, PhotoZooms of equipment, and instructional videos.

The authors are the developers of the Web-based Curriculum for the Cisco Networking Academy Program. The developers and authors of this book have extensive teaching backgrounds and are experts in the online learning environment.

About the Author

The authors are the developers of the Web-based Curriculum for the Cisco Networking Academy Program. The developers and authors of this book have extensive teaching backgrounds and are experts in the online learning environment.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1120 pages
• Publisher: Cisco Press; 3 edition (June 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587131102
• ISBN-13: 978-1587131103
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.4 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #701,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't be talking about this book!, August 2, 2006

By 

A Name "Bokonon" (MI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CCNA 1 and 2 Companion Guide, Revised (Cisco Networking Academy Program) (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

I checked twice to make sure I was reading reviews of the book I am currently reading(now on Ch 8), because this is an excellent book. Before I begin - one caveat - I have the the Networking Basic, CCNA 1 Companion Guide (cc 2006) not the CCNA 1 & 2 Companion Guide. However, judging by the contents and excerpt it appears that Part I of this book is the same as the book I am reading.

This is perfect for self study as it is heavy in pedagogy and takes real pains to make sure key concepts are conveyed with special notation, graphics and some repetition. There are plenty of illustration and excercises you can do with the included network simulator to drive home concepts and practice some practical configuations of devices and experiment with topologies.

I can't understand how anyone would think this is too technical assuming they are interested in acheiving a working understanding of networking. At times I wished they would dive just a little deeper, but I appreciate that this is not an engineering text, but rather is written on what I would call a technician level.

I have had no trouble understanding any of the concepts and found it to be one of the more readable texts I have encountered. Good explanations and a logical flow to the text. Prior to this book I had read one book on the subject; it is non-technical (in as much as is appropriate when covering a technical topic) but covers a wide scope so that I would get an nice overview before delving into details - Sam's Teach Yourself Networking in 24 hours.

I have a BS in Electronic Engineering so I can appreciate that those without this kind of background might find the CCNA CG more challenging, but if you are attempting to be a professional networker then I suspect you may be in over your head if you find this book too difficult. I don't want to imply that my BS gave me an advantage in terms of knowledge of the material since I had no networkin courses, but rather I am just used to reading much more difficult texts and solving much more difficult problems. The only portion so far that my EE degree gave me an advantage in was the explanation of the physics of cable and fiber transmissions. The books explanation is written on a 9th grade level and would be simple reading for an arts major IMO.

As for preparation for the CNNA I can't speak with any authority since I have not taken the exam yet. Of course you will need other resources besides these books to prepare for the exam but I have to believe this provides a solid theoretical and to a some degree practical grounding in networking - assuming of course you also study CCNA 3& 4 CG's which I hope are as well written as this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible..., November 8, 2005

By 

P. posey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CCNA 1 and 2 Companion Guide, Revised (Cisco Networking Academy Program) (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my cisco academy class and consider it a waste of money.It is way too technical for someone just starting out such as myself.It very hard to read and very hard to understand.I bought Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, 5th Edition (640-801) by todd lammle to use for my class and i can tell you...it is a hundred times easier to read and understand.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Be warned, February 9, 2006

By 

Kevin Lindsey (Fairfax, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CCNA 1 and 2 Companion Guide, Revised (Cisco Networking Academy Program) (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

Don't buy this book unless your instructor specifically requires it. Terribly written with virtually no sign of editing, it's a struggle to read and, when covering extremely technical issues, virtually incomprehensible. Worse, the content does not exactly match the on-line curriculum, meaning that Cisco on-line tests typically ask questions about topics not covered in the relevant book chapter. Even worse, the answers to the tests in the book don't match the questions being asked. Buy the Sybex CCNA book instead; although it's not written to match the on-line course, it will help clarify networking, and not leave the reader frustrated and feeling cheated.

In short, this book is something of a disaster, and by no means should be used by someone who's simply looking for a textbook on computer networks. Much, much better would be "Computer Networking" by Kurose.

I hate writing negative reviews, but this book certainly calls for it.