Customer Reviews

Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS): (CCNA Security exam 640-553) (Authorized Self-Study Guide)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let me start off by saying I passed the CCNA Security exam with a 977 and I know what mistakes I made on it,
primarily because of reading this book and doing extensive labs in SDM and the command line. This book will
give you more than you need to pass the exam, but I would strongly recommend doing many labs for each topic
and also using cisco.com's free documentation as an additional resource on some of the topics. HOWEVER,
I would also recommend anyone going to read this book to skim through chapter 1 at first and find the
technical sections in it. They're encapsulated in some extensive, dull corporate policy and statistical
information that will either put you to sleep or make you put the book down. Skim through chapter 1 and then
chapter 2 will get you right where you want to be and read the book that way. After you've gone through the book
the first time, then go through chapter 1 more thoroughly. I tried reading this book many times and could never
get through the first chapter because most of it was so boring and ended up by just putting it down and walking
away. One more CON for the book is that it doesn't come with a CD like most other Cisco Press books do.

The book is an authoritative way to learn how to configure and control various Cisco routers and switches. Perhaps most importantly from the standpoint of security, you see how routers can be used to maintain a firewall. For most companies that are connected to the Internet, a firewall is often a necessity.

Some background in understanding the basics of TCP/IP is needed. But the book explains the relevant details. If you are wondering how to configure your internal network behind a firewall, the text has common setup examples that you can copy.

There are also candid discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of various filtering methods. For example, firewalls that do packet filtering are often used. This involves maintaining a policy table with conditions for allowing or denying traffic based on parameters like source IP address, destination IP address and the port numbers. The Cisco routers that do this are very fast, because inspecting the packet headers is simple to do in silicon. But the book also explains the limitations. Notably, the analysis is stateless, so a connection that uses a multipacket handshake cannot be checked, assuming it passes the above tests. Still, packet filtering is so simple and fast that you should probably do it.

The book also delves into how to make a VPN across the Internet. A powerful and popular way to have more secure communications.

The questions at the end of each chapter are fairly straightforward. Nothing that is too complicated.

Strictly, the book is meant for those studying for a Cisco network certificate. But potentially, the scope is broader. It's a good overall explanation of routing and switching, and especially about setting up firewalls and VPNs. Not necessarily restricted to Cisco hardware. But even for the latter, the book might read better than a typical manual for a specific device.

While preparing for the ISCW exam, I also read this - and it was great! It helped me pass both my ISCW and CCNA Security exams. Apparently, there's a lot of overlapping topics in both exams. Read the ISCW book and read BCMSN's topics on switch security then go for the CCNA Security - just awesome!

This book is full of great information that will help you pass the CCNA Security exam. It is very well written, and extremely thorough. I have a few gripes with it though. The first one being is that many parts of the book are just a big Cisco sales pitch. I know every Cisco Press book can have that problem, but I think this sticks out much more in this book than other Cisco Press books I've read. My second problem is with the first chapter. The vast majority of the first chapter (which is 100+ pages long!) covers general security policy, and is non-technical. Most of this information is outside of the scope of the exam. This makes about 1/5th of the book pure, non-technical filler.

This book is a great resource, and I'd recommended it but it's not perfect.

I read through this book to help me pass the IINS exam. It covered all of the topics pretty well, even though in the beginning it was somewhat hard to follow. I used this in conjunction with a little bit of the Sybex book, as well as the CCNA Security Lab manual. The lab manual is a definite requirement for anyone trying to pass this. It gives a lot of diagrams and steps for tackling all of the labs in the book. I wish Cisco would provide lab manuals for the CCNP Security as well.

I've read many Cisco Press books in my day, and have been greatly impressed in the past. Having said that, this book is so analytical on dubious topics that it is a pain to read. I would not recommend this book if you are going for your CCNA Security exam. I should have read what is included in this book also, because almost every Cisco Press book I've gotten also came with a disk or two with different study materials enclosed. However, this book comes with no enclosed CD. This book is about as dry and dull as it gets, and it seems as if the author was focusing on topics that are least important for exam study.

I would recommend the CCNA Security Official Exam Certification Guide (Exam 640-553) by Michael Watkins and Kevin Wallace. It comes with a CD that has great information enclosed and is a great compliment to the already complete information in the book. It is an easier read by far, the book by Michael and Kevin is informative without drowning you in a tediously drawn out task that in the "real world" would take less than 5 minutes, but are explained across 3 pages in the book.

There is a reason most Cisco Press books usually have co-authors, and this book is a prime example of that need.

PROS:
Informative

CONS:
Over analyzed most procedures. (everyone should have at least a CCNA with this book... it's an exam requirement)
Writing could have been less clinical.
No CD with a digital copy of the book, practice exams from Boson, troubleshooting, additional appendixes, usage videos...
Hard to get motivated with, it's pretty bad when you DON'T want to study because the author bores you.

-BOTTOM LINE-
Don't get this book, get the other one I mentioned. That book is cheaper, and is more informative and has a CD with additional goodness.

the book came the next day and in a perfect condition! No complaints! Great customer service! Thank you! Thank you!

I passed today the exam, my main study material was this book, it covers every topic of the exam, and the instructor has a perfect way to make you get understand the explaination. I advice everyone is preparing for Cisco exams to use Cisco press books, I had read a lot of them for other studies, and I have to say that I am realy satisfied of them.

First off, I did not intent on reading this to pursue the IINS exam. This was just to read about Cisco's recommendations of security as well as learning about implementing options that I may not have been informed of. The book is quite readable and a good reference on its own. Not that I would say that this is a page turner, there aren't many technical books that can be read in one sitting from cover to cover. Some of the recommendations are really quite basic, but the References at the end of the chapters usually include some great references for finding out further information when necessary. It is great then when discussing particular security features, the appliances that can utilize the technology are mentioned, it isn't always a complete list - and as this book ages it will become less accurate. However, if you're not familiar with Cisco products or need to know what family of Cisco products can also utilize certain technology, this can be useful.

I used this book to study for the CCNA Security exam and passed it last week 3-9-11. This book was pretty much my best friend for 2 months. This book has alot of information and touches on every topic on the CCNA Security blue print. You will definitely enjoy reading this book, because you will learn a lot!

The only not so good thing about this book, is that it has looooong chapters and it does not come with a Companion DVD like some other Cisco Press books come with. I'm not going to deduct any stars for that. The book is great!!! Highly recommended!