Customer Reviews

CIM Router Basics Simulator (Cisco Career Certifications)

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I must have been using a completely different product, because I have to say that I found that the CIM Router Basics Simulator is probably the most robust simulator product out there. And I believe I actually underpaid what this product should truly be worth. I had tried another simulator on the market, or what I had originally thought to be similiar. After working with collegues here at US West (now Qwest) who are actually using this to train for the CCNA, I've found that this to be anything but similiar. It's light-years ahead. First of all, this is the only simulator that can operate as a standalone product. I had bought the Sybex book and eTrainer (which both must be bought together to form one complete package) and found them to be riddled with mistakes and incomplete areas. I also have a different learning style (which may be perfect for others).

I've found the CIM Router basics product is self contained and I understand why Cisco uses this product to teach their own people. The biggest assets here are the troubleshooting labs and quizzes. No other product I've found includes them or are as robust. We heard about this product in Packet Magazine from Cisco Systems. It's the 3rd Quarter 2000 issue. I'd take a look there if you get it and you'll see what I mean. If you are looking for help in learning the CCNA, this is the product that should become the standard.

Don't get me wrong. I have all the Cisco CIM products Cisco Press put out. This one is very shallow and brief. It only covers the RIP Protocol, and the rest is reading and how to type "en" or "conf t" to log into a router and configure it. I blew through this in less than an hour.

In my opinion, it is not worth the price. If you know nothing about Cisco routers, than I may say check it out. But if you learn quickly and know even a little about Cisco, spend your money on the next CIm series like Distance Vector Protocols, LAN switching or even the IP Expert Lab. Keep in mind that if you get stuck on a problem in the CIM, you can always view the answer, reflect on it for a couple days, and go back and do it again and try not looking at the answer the second time round. My point here is spend the money for a CIM that will challenge you, not one you'll finish in one evening and set on your shelf or resell on ebay.

I have my MCSE and CCNA and am working on my CCNP. If you buy this CIM, you will most likely feel as if you just blew $150 bucks and didn't get much out of it. In fact, you could probably learn more about routing and RIP just by reading the CCNA Exam Certification guide by Cisco Press (excellent book by the way) and come out spending only $40.

I value reader reviews so it's very important that I be as honest about this as possible to all individuals thinking of buying this product. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Good information but hardly in depth. Router Basics is more than "basic"...it amounts to information on how to change passwords and interface states. The TCP/IP and RIP section only has one lab configuring only RIP on one router.

For $150 I expected MUCH more material, more labs (maybe even a "topology creator"), and more testing. I would ask for a way to bookmark my progress but there is so little that I had no problem keeping track of where I was.

Save your money. This was the first resource I purchased from cisco and I am very disappoint. This program has more bugs then most beta software. The movies do not even work.

It's a real good tool for the beginners, it takes you step by step into the router enviroment and introduce the TCP/IP concepts and networks very well.It is a helpfully tool if you want to try a router before touch a real one, that was my case and it really worked but it is not a full simulated router, because it has limited commands just for the labs, but it is enough the prepare you for a real encounter.I'm not full english speaker but the voice instructions are excellent. Now i'll try the next step:CIM Routing IP Distance-Vector Protocols.

It's a real good tool for the beginners...i insist beginners, it takes you step by step into the router enviroment and introduce the TCP/IP concepts and networks very well.It is a helpfully tool if you want to try a router before touch a real one, that was my case and it really worked but it is not a full simulated router...i repeat it is not a full simulated router, because it has limited commands just for the labs, then you can not resolve real toubles with it...that's what cisco doesn't tell you.The TCP/IP section is not enough, but it is enough the prepare you for a real encounter.I'm not full english speaker but the voice instructions are excellent.I think this CIM is a good simulated router in the market, but it is too expensive. I'm preparing for the CCNA and it Worked for me just for the beginning, If you don't have any router the practice then It is a good and maybe the only one to try.