Customer Reviews

Server+ Exam Prep (Exam: SK0-001)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a reference book, I'd give this book 4 stars. The information contained therein is good with only a few errors (the picture of the SCSI adapter on page 126 is upside down guys).

However, as a study guide I'd only give this book one star. The end of chapter questions are lame. The sample test is lame.

The biggest problem however is that the Server+ exam objectives are listed only on the inside front cover and in appendix B. To find information on a single exam objectives, you might have to read up to 7 chapters. There is not even an electronic copy of the book on the CD-ROM which comes with the book. An electronic copy of the book would at least make finding information on a particular topic easier (search). In fact the CD-ROM only has a little over 2MB of information (sample test) on it. The contents would easily fit on two floppy diskettes.

Having taken over 14 certification exams I can say that I have never seen one as odd as the Server+. Fortunately I passed and for that I was grateful. I really didnt want to take it again.

I was impressed with the Server+ Exam Prep and felt that it prepared me very well for the test. The content is spot on and I agree with the Amazon review that it is written by a couple of knowledgable techs. The casual style works well and the occassional joke reminds you that you can have laugh about certian aspects of IT at the same time as taking it seriously.

One last observation that has nothing to do with the book - Why do CompTIA have to charge so much for the exams? $190 for an exam from a not-for-profit organization seems steep. Just my 2 cents.

This is another solid Exam Prep title. Period.

There is alot (and I mean alot) of information in this book, not all of which is on the test but I guess thats why it is the prep and not the cram. There were also a couple of things which I thought that should not have been in here. Then I took my test and found out why they were included.

I notice that one of the other reviewers mentions 'lots of factual errors' I have not found them yet but I have seen numerous typos. i do agree with the comment on the organization, but if you look through the objectives they are pretty screwed up as well.

As for 'Rose Carter's ' review of this book, you had better check your objectives. Objective 2.3 is Install NOS. Last time I checked Red Hat Linux was a NOS. i didnt get any question on it in my test but thats not to say they are not there, but this is a PREP, not a CRAM. Also, check inside the front cover. There is an objective map in there. You dont need to donwload one. Do you even own this book or did you look through it in the bookshop?

I guess the reason that information like NOS installation is included is that this is the Prep and not the cram. If you are looking for a braindump, go to Brainbuzz cos this aint it. If you are looking for information on how to manage servers and pass Server+ it is.

As an aside I passed S+ last week with 83%. Used this, the Sybex and 10 years of experience.

When COMPTIA first announced the Server+ exam, many viewed it as the next equivalent to the immensely successful and coveted A+ certification.

The first book to provide study material for the Server+ was from Sybex, and I found the readings a bit too slanted to the obscure and sometimes irrelevant. Since then, there have been numerous other titles from other publishers, but none seem to stand out head and shoulders from the rest. Now, with the arrival of Coriolis' ExammPrep Server+ book, the wait for the standard is finally over.

The book is divided neatly into 17 chapters, 3 Appendices and a Glossary. Please note that the material is not mapped exactly as you would expect with the exam objectives. Instead, the authors have decided to arrange them in a more logical fashion (and they take pains to state so), but with the same body of knowledge still contained within its pages. Looking at the variety of Server+ books out there, this indeed makes more sense.

Within each chapter, you will find the twin Server+ certified authors to have the ability to present the material simply and to the point. Interspersed with illustrations, pictures and tables at the appropriate sections, the material neither overwhelms you nor bore you. At the end of each section, you will find Q&As similar to the exam and best of all, something unique to this particular book, a section entitled Real-World Projects that allows readers to hone in on what they have read.

Minor editorial slips aside, like on page 49 where (CSMA/CD) is called "Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Carrier Detection" instead of "Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection", the book on the whole will bring anyone up to speed on the latest on servers and server-related information, including discussions on the latest trends out in today's market.

A comprehensive Glossary, section on Study Resources and a CD-ROM complete this neat package, but the CD-ROM is nothing more than a rehash of the same questions in the book. Of course, you can download more questions as and when they are available on the website, but don't worry about it you don't, mastering the comprehensive material is sufficient to pass the exam, and pass with flying colors.

This book good at teaching you about server technologies, but
I found that it didn't really relate properly for the exam.
I thought the questions were poorly written and did not
follow the way the actual Server+ exam question are written.
I also found too much irrelevant information in this book that was not exam related. It's a good book for a reference but
I would not use this as your only study guide for the real exam

Struggled throgh two other books before getting this one. It may have come out later than the others but it shows. More information and more comprehensive. Lots of discussion of best practice which is what alot of the test is. The test on the CD was good for the test - which I passed, and I guess thats all you can ask from a certification book.

I think a lot of these Server+ books are missing the point. This one is a great book on network servers and network operating systems BUT just like a lot of the other Server+ books out there it is missing the point that these books are suppose to be the study guide for the CompTIA Server+ Certification and not just a Server hardware book. I find most Server+ study guides out there are great but not so great to use to pass the actual Server+ exam. I find there is not enough exam related information, sure there is tons of information on SCSI and RAID but it is missing the information on how it is presented on the exam. You will not see any question on the real exam that just asking you how many pins are on a specific SCSI cable or Storage device. The questions on the exam are scenario based, so you have to use some logic to figure out the correct answer and not just rely on remembering facts. The Server+ exam has a different approach
then the A+ or Network+ exams. I think this is a great book on Server related material but I wish it was
more exam focused.

I have used three different books to prepare for my exam. Two I bought and the other was loaned to me. Of the three, this is by far the best.

The information in this book is more complete and focus has been given to those areas that are of most import for the exam. I value this as the objectives from CompTIA tell you what you need to know but give little indication as to the depth of knowledge required.

The writing is clear, concise and of consistent quality throughout the book. There appears to be very few typos which is unusual for a technical book.

My main observations are as follows:.....

1. The coverage is consistent with the objectives and the exam. When I took my test, I had no surprises which is what I expect from a certification preperation book.

2. Supporting information adds great value. Other books I have used for certifications seem to take a stance of providing a fact becuase it relates to the exam without explaining how it fits into the real world. This book steers clear of this appraoch and instead explains 'why' as well as 'what'. Where appropriate it also includes 'how'. I like this as it helps me to understand specific technologies or principles

3. The sample test at the back of the book and the CD are excellent. They appear to be close enough to the real thing without giving the exact questions from the exam.

My only observations are as follows:

1. There are only a small number of diagrams. There are however quite a few photographs that are very useful as they show hardware that you would only see in certain environments.

2. The tests at the end of the chapters are very straight forward and could be more difficult.

Overall this is an excellent book to help you prepare for Server+. The most oustanding feauture, in my opinion, is that after you have finished reading it you really feel as thoughyou have learnt something and not just been prepared to regurgitate facts for an exam. This book is of as much value to someone managing servers who isnt going to take the test as someone who is.

I passed my Server+ today using this book as my main study tool. I was really pleased with the coverage the book gave and didn't detect any areas where it fell short. I am going to keep it close at hand as there is lots of useful info. Good Luck to all those taking Server+!

The Server+ test is already being touted as one of the hardest certification tests available. From a first hand perspective, I can add my backing to this.

I like this test becuase it really does test your knowledge as it applies to practical situations. I wish some of the other certification providers were as concerned as CompTIA seem to be about paper certifications.

The exam is very passable, but only with the right mix of skills and knowledge. If you have some experience then you are part way there, the The Coriolis Server+ Exam Prep will take you the rest of the way. It does a great job of explaining topics from a real world perspective and approaches difficult to understand subjects from a logical perspective. The sections on hardware SCSI (a major part of the test) and RAID are very good, as is the section on backups. The chapter on Server room environments is just about the most comprehenisve coverage of the topic I have seen anywhere.

The book does have more information than you need for the test, which I think is a real bonus. This book helps you to do the job of a Server admin as well as helping you nail the test. There is so much information in the book that's of value on a daily basis it is like getting two books for the price of one - a certification guide and a desktop reference.

There seems to be a great deal of discussion about which is the better book for the Server+ test, but this one gets my vote.