CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide (CCNA Self-Study, 640-821, 640-801) [Hardcover]

Wendell Odom (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1587200945 | ISBN-13: 978-1587200946 | Publication Date: August 8, 2003

The official self-study test preparation guide for the Cisco CCNA INTRO exam 640-821

 

Master CCNA INTRO exam topics, including:

• TCP/IP and OSI networking models
• Operating Cisco routers and LAN switches
• LAN switching basics, VLANs, and Trunking
• IP addressing and subnetting
• Basic router configuration and operation
• Discovering information about an IP network
• Dynamic routing protocols
• Analog modems, PAP/CHAP, DSL and Cable

CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide is a best-of-breed Cisco® exam study guide that has been completely updated to focus specifically on the objectives for the CCNA INTRO exam. Senior instructor and best-selling author Wendell Odom shares preparation hints and test-taking tips to help you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual and hands-on knowledge. This new edition is organized in a modular fashion, segmenting larger chapters into smaller, more easily digestible components. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics.

 

CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. “Do I Know This Already?” quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Chapter subject lists and Foundation Summary tables make referencing easy and give you a quick refresher whenever you need it. Challenging chapter-ending review questions help you assess your knowledge and reinforce key concepts. Scenario-based exercises help you think about exam objectives in real-world situations, thus increasing recall during exam time.

 

The companion CD-ROM contains a powerful new testing engine that allows you to focus on individual topic areas or take complete, timed exams from INTRO or unified CCNA test banks. The assessment engine also tracks your performance and presents feedback on a module-by-module basis, providing question-by-question remediation to the text and laying out a complete study plan for review. The CD-ROM also includes a wealth of hands-on practice exercises and a copy of the Boson NetSim™ for CCNA INTRO, Learning Edition, network simulation software that allows you to practice your hands-on skills in a virtual lab environment that has been customized for the labs in the book. The supporting website keeps you fully informed of any exam changes.

 

Well-regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, and challenging review questions and hands-on exercises, this book helps you master the concepts and techniques that will enable you to succeed on the exam the first time.

 

CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide is part of a recommended study program from Cisco Systems® that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit www.cisco.com/go/authorizedtraining.

 

Companion CD-ROM

The CD-ROM contains more than 400 practice questions for the ICND, INTRO, and CCNA exams, including simulation-based questions. Also contains hands-on exercises and a customized copy of the NetSim LE network simulation software.

 

CD-ROM test engine powered by www.boson.com. Boson Software is a Cisco Learning Partner.

 

This volume is part of the Exam Certification Guide Series from Cisco Press®. Books in this series provide officially developed exam preparation materials that offer assessment, review, and practice to help Cisco Career Certification candidates identify weaknesses, concentrate their study efforts, and enhance their confidence as exam day nears.

 

 

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The official self-study test preparation guide for the Cisco CCNA INTRO exam 640-821

This best-selling study guide helps you master all the topics on the new CCNA INTRO exam, including:

* TCP/IP and OSI networking models
* Operating Cisco routers and LAN switches
* LAN switching basics, VLANs, and Trunking
* IP addressing and subnetting
* Basic router configuration and operation
* Discovering information about an IP network
* Dynamic routing protocols
* Analog modems, PAP/CHAP, DSL and Cable

CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide is a best-of-breed Cisco(r) exam study guide that has been completely updated to focus specifically on the objectives for the new CCNA INTRO exam. Senior instructor and best-selling author Wendell Odom shares preparation hints and test-taking tips to help you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual and hands-on knowledge. This new edition is organized in a modular fashion, segmenting larger chapters into smaller, more easily digestible components. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics.

CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. "Do I Know This Already?" quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Chapter subject lists and Foundation Summary tables make referencing easy and give you a quick refresher whenever you need it. Challenging chapter-ending review questions help you assess your knowledge and reinforce key concepts. Scenario-based exercises help you think about exam objectives in real-world situations, thus increasing recall during exam time. The companion CD-ROM contains a powerful new testing engine that allows you to focus on individual topic areas or take complete, timed exams from INTRO or unified CCNA test banks. The assessment engine also tracks your performance and presents feedback on a module-by-module basis, providing question-by-question remediation to the text and laying out a complete study plan for review. The CD-ROM also includes a wealth of hands-on practice exercises and a copy of the Boson NetSim(tm) for CCNA INTRO, Learning Edition, network simulation software that allows you to practice your hands-on skills in a virtual lab environment that has been customized for the labs in the book.

Well-regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, and challenging review questions and hands-on exercises, this book helps you master the concepts and techniques that will enable you to succeed on the exam the first time.

CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide is part of a recommended study program from Cisco Systems(r) that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners worldwide, please visit cisco/go/authorizedtraining.

Wendell Odom, CCIE(r) No. 1624, is a senior instructor with Skyline Computer, where he teaches courses on QoS, CCNA, and CCIE lab preparation. He has worked in the networking arena for 20 years, with jobs in pre- and post-sales technical consulting, teaching, and course development.

Companion CD-ROM
The CD-ROM contains more than 300 practice questions for the ICND, INTRO, and CCNA exams, including simulation-based questions. Also contains hands-on exercises and a customized copy of the NetSim LE network simulation software.This volume is part of the Exam Certification Guide Series from Cisco Press(r). Books in this series provide officially developed exam preparation materials that offer assessment, review, and practice to help Cisco Career Certification candidates identify weaknesses, concentrate their study efforts, and enhance their confidence as exam day nears.

About the Author

Wendell Odom, CCIE No. 1624, is a senior instructor with Skyline Computer, where he teaches courses on QoS, CCNA, and CCIE lab preparation. He has worked in the networking arena for 20 years, with jobs in pre- and post-sales technical consulting, teaching, and course development.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Cisco Press (August 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587200945
• ISBN-13: 978-1587200946
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

www.certskills.com (web)
www.certskills.com/blogs (all blogs)
FB: Wendell Odom (Author)
Wendell spends most days helping people become better prepared for Cisco certification exams. Sure, he writes books, records videos, helps design software, and blogs, but all with an eye towards finding ways to help people be better prepared for their Cisco certification exams. A typical work week includes posting on the blog, writing part of a book chapter, recording audio voiceover for a new video, and reviewing software designs. His products range from the Cisco entry level CCENT cert, through CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Painful., June 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide (CCNA Self-Study, 640-821, 640-801) (Hardcover)

After having taught Cisco classes out of the old book, I had high expectations for the updated one. Big mistake. The Odom books are scattershot, disorganized, and annoying. There are factual errors (RJ stands for Registered Jack, not Regulated Jack as claimed on p290). His Fred and Barney examples aren't cute, and his lecture-mode writing style gets old fast. Especially annoying is the introduction of topics with a question and then answering it with "Well, blah blah."

"Why would I buy this book? Well, if you want Cisco Press, you're kinda stuck with Odom."

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Refresher, October 27, 2004

By 

Rich Hill (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide (CCNA Self-Study, 640-821, 640-801) (Hardcover)

Every journey begins with a single step. The quote is trite but is most appropriate for someone who has decided to pursue a career in Cisco networking. In order to begin the Cisco journey, the first step real step is the CCNA exam. Unless they are extremely fortunate and have someone (an employer or educator) to offer guidance, chances are the beginning networker will be taking this first exam on their own. The CCNA exam certification guides from Cisco Press offer the guidance they need to take that first step. In recent years, Cisco has made it even easier on the novice by dividing the material into two separate exams. CCNA candidates also have the money-saving option of getting their CCNA the good old-fashioned way: as a single exam.

I chose the Cisco Press books because I'd learned that if you want to get the right material weighting for a Cisco exam, it's best to pick your apples right off of the tree. In my previous experience, Cisco Press books had a tendency to be somewhat dry but I quickly learned that this misconception is no longer true. I found that the author, Wendell Odom, brings a friendly approach to the material that makes it quite readable. His examples are handled very well and his explanations are good. He doesn't write in the "just-the-facts-ma'am" way that tends to be the norm in technical books, so I will definitely be looking for titles by him in the future.

As the name implies, the CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide covers the material required for the INTRO exam (640-821), which covers basic-yet-essential networking theory. The book, which is about 600 pages, is divided into 6 parts: Networking Fundamentals, Operating Cisco Devices, LAN Switching, TCP/IP, Wide-Area Networking and Final Preparation. The book approaches this material in a very shallow way. Without going into too much depth on most topics, it covers a very broad range of material. If you are studying for the single CCNA exam, you can bounce back and forth between this book and the ICND book, reading the basics in this book then going to the ICND book for the nitty-gritty details. The one exception to the rule is the topic of IP Addressing, which is covered entirely within this title. Probably the most important topic in this book, it is very well explained and there are plenty of practice IP addressing exercises on the CD. This book covers the material adequately for a beginner who is just learning the networking principals.

The CD included with the book has an excellent test bank. I found it to be very useful in preparing for the test and working through the book. There were a few answers that were just plain wrong, but I've come to expect a little inaccuracy with my test banks. The questions are not overly easy, but they're also not all that tricky. They're about the right level of difficulty for this exam. One especially cool feature is the "Study Saver" which makes the question bank your screen saver. Cisco has an affinity for simulation questions on their exams, so it's good that they also included the Boson Netsim LE on the CD. The bad news is that all the functions and labs are not unlocked unless you go through the "upgrade process" which consists of downgrading your wallet to the tune of $125, which is supposed to be a great deal compared to what they usually charge. I didn't want to spend a lot of time with what is essentially a simulator demo, but feel free to give it a try. However, if the interface doesn't really make you comfortable, try something else like the Cisco Interactive Mentor CD's or one of the many other simulator options out there before shelling out your hard-earned money. One option that I recommend is finding a few routers (nothing fancy) for a few hundred bucks. Sure, they're more expensive than buying a simulator, but they're also more powerful and you can use them as building blocks towards having a live CCNP lab and maybe even a CCIE lab much further down the road. In addition to the test banks and Netsim, the CD's also include PDF versions of the books and 25 IP subnetting practice exercises.

I read this book in preparation for my CCNA recertification. Since the book is intended for someone fairly new to networking, I experienced a bit of the "duh" factor. However, I was still able to learn a few interesting facts and reinforced a lot of what I already knew. I used this book in tandem with its ICND counterpart to prepare for the single CCNA exam (640-801). I was pleased to see that, although the CCNA has been split into 2 books, the author has included a reading plan that allows you to read the 2 books in a back-and-forth order that makes it easy to use the same set of books to study for the single test version. In closing, I found this book to be very well written and in invaluable tool in preparing for my CCNA recertification. On my 5 ping scale, I give it 4 pings.

!!!.!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are ready to become a CCNA - start here., August 22, 2003

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide (CCNA Self-Study, 640-821, 640-801) (Hardcover)

You know by now that you could take just one exam, 640-801 and become a CCNA. But what if you haven't enough experience or want to be able to break down the studying, well then taking one exam at a time maybe just the answer.

This book is the INTRO or 640-821 exam which covers the networking fundamentals all the way up to the actual router configuration, which is the other exam.

One thing about Wendell Odom is that he usually goes beyond the exam and this book is certainly no exception to that rule. In fact his coverage of switching from layer 2 through layer 7 is more than the exam, but then again isn't that what you really want.

As usual the practice question in the book are much harder than the exam, another plus for Odom. One thing that is new is the addition of a router simulator, albeit a scaled down version of the Boson NetSim.

Having spent some time on working with the full version, the LE Version should provide enough material to cover the exam and help you out. If you need the full version you can always go to Boson's website and purchase it.

Finally, while there is also over 300 practice questions, for the money being spent I think that there should be a more to work with. Overall it seems to be a very good book to work with.