InsideScoop to CCDA Certification: Cisco Certified Design Associate [Paperback]

Mark A. Poplar (Author)

Book Description

Series: InsideScoop | Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Part of the Inside Scoop Series, this new guide fills the gap existing in study material available for candidates preparing to sit for Cisco's CCDA exam. If covers the information associated with each exam topic in detail and includes units on the OSI model, hardware, network planning and implementation, network design, network management, documentation and testing, troubleshooting, and more.

Using the book will help readers determine if they're ready for the CCDA exam. Each unit in the guide includes a pre- and post-assessment quiz to measure comprehension of each topic. Within each unit are loads of author scoops describing each exam topic, along with additional exam-taking tips, tricks, hints, test traps, and pop quizzes. Unit summaries help wrap up each topic. The overall summary at the end of the book provides a review of essential exam-related terms and concepts that will prove invaluable just before taking the exam. Also included are helpful tips and time management techniques that will alleviate pre-exam jitters and put you in control.

Accompanying the book is our exclusive CD-ROM test engine that creates randomized simulated exams drawn from a database of 250 sample exam questions. Written to mimic the real exam, you also get complete answers and explanations plus a detailed scoring summery showing test results by exam topic.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

I found this CCDA book to be quite exceptional. It covered all of the areas that are on the Cisco CCDA Certification. The ideas, protocols and terminology are well explained and the scenario Case Studies at the end are simply AWESOME! The practice tests on CD are great too with a lot of the concepts found on the exam itself. I spent about three weeks reading and evaluating the book and CD. Get this book and get certified, it's that simple.

About the Author

Mark A. Poplar is an accomplished network engineer with extensive experience designing networks, installing and configuring routers, switches, servers, and other Cisco and Microsoft products. A senior engineer at an Irvine California Startup, he has provided technical support and troubleshooting services to more than a hundred mid-sized corporations. He holds eight professional certifications, including Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), and Certified Netware Administrator (CNA), among others. A graduate of California State University and Kent State University, he has published two books, Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching Exam Prep, and Compita's Network + Exam Prep for Certification Insider Press. He has also contributed to Microsoft Certified Professional magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 450 pages
• Publisher: TotalRecall Publications Inc (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970468407
• ISBN-13: 978-0970468406
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,711,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, November 30, 2000

By 

Kevin Teal (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: InsideScoop to CCDA Certification: Cisco Certified Design Associate (Paperback)

I bought each of the CCDA books figuring it was cheaper than the course. They all covered the same material but I liked the way this one was written. It covered the depth of the exam but was easier to understand than some of the others. I passed the test on the first try and I think having more than one source to study from was what did it. The real added value here was the Quizzer which alone was worth the price of the book. After I was able to get 95% on it I knew I was ready for the test.

I recommend at least 2-3 sources for study, and make sure this is one.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very good book with a few SERIOUS problems, April 16, 2001

By 

Michael W Crutcher (College Station, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: InsideScoop to CCDA Certification: Cisco Certified Design Associate (Paperback)

I recently took and passed CCNA. I then bought this book and started my study for CCDA. Today I took and passed CCDA but I don't think it would have been possible if I hadn't supplemented my studies with other books. This book has a great structure with pop quizes and chapter reviews that really make sure you are learning your stuff as you go through. However its coverage of certain areas is non-existant (cisco's product line) and its coverage of other areas is very brief considering their complexity (newtworking protocols). If you're weak in either of these two areas you NEED another book as well. CCNA will help with the protocols, but even with CCNA you need to research the cisco product line and understand when different products should be used (for case study questions). The other major problem with this book is its tests questions. Many questions on the quizzer are fill in the blank. If you enter a correct answer and fail to capitilze even one word correctly the quizzer counts it as wrong. Combined with the fact that is impossible to know what exact wording the quizzer is looking for makes the scoring of the quizzer absolutely useless. In conclusion I really liked this book and it really helped me quickly prepare for and pass CCDA. If you don't know the cisco product line, are weak in networking protocols, or need an accurate measure of your knowledge through quiz questions be prepared to get another book to supplement your knowledge.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Study Guide, September 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: InsideScoop to CCDA Certification: Cisco Certified Design Associate (Paperback)

This book was truly excellent. It flows well and I read it in only two weeks. I passed the exam the first time. I tried this before with the Sybex guide but found the book too long and boring. This one was short and to the point, whats more it had all I needed to pass and taught me a lot I took back to the job.
The practice exam CD is great too. If you can memorize those questions and answers then the exam won't be much different.
This is THE book for the CCDA exam.