CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate, Deluxe Edition (640-801) [SPECIAL EDITION] (Hardcover)

by Todd Lammle (Author) "Welcome to the exciting world of internetworking..." (more)
Key Phrases: Written Lab, Fast Ethernet, Internet Protocol (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Todd Lammle strikes gold again with a new edition of CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide which, in point of fact, isn't hugely different from earlier versions but nonetheless dominates its competitors. This is the best book on the market for bottom-up CCNA preparation, due in equal part to Lammle's thorough coverage (the CCNA test covers many tiny details), his skill in explaining concepts in prose and illustrations, and his care in designing exercises and practice questions. All the exam-prep elements are handled competently, as well, with annotations supplementing answer keys and plenty of comments about what Cisco expects its test-takers to say, as opposed to what may actually be true.

What's special about the Deluxe Edition? Its companion CD-ROM is somewhat better than before, since it now includes a browser-based tool that simulates a Cisco router's administrative interface (it can be hard to set up, though). The practice exam software on the CD-ROM is okay, though its questions are identical to those in the book. It would also be nice if the software kept track of your performance on exams over time, allowing you to identify and practice weaker subject areas. The book itself now features a larger and more detailed glossary, and a nice command reference. There's no need to upgrade if you have one of this book's predecessors, but count on a treat if this is the first Lammle CCNA book you buy. --David Wall

Topics covered: All of the material Cisco Systems says you have to understand in order to pass Exam 640-507 [new version: Exam 640-607] and earn its Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) professional rating, including the seven-layer network model, the essentials of Internet Protocol and its routing, the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS), and wide area network (WAN) technologies. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
If you're serious about getting your CCNA certification and advancing your career in the field of internetworking, then here's the book you need.

This Deluxe Edition of the best-selling CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide was developed to meet the exacting requirements of today's Cisco certification candidates. In addition to the engaging and accessible instructional approach that has earned author Todd Lammle the "Best Study Guide Author" award in CertCities Readers Choice Awards for two consecutive years, this updated fourth edition provides:
* In-depth coverage of every CCNA exam objective
* Expanded IP addressing and subnetting coverage
* More detailed information on EIGRP and OSPF
* Leading-edge exam preparation software, including the CCNA Virtual Lab, Gold Edition, as well as Sybex's custom test engine, electronic flashcards, and the entire book in PDF
Authoritative coverage of all exam objectives, including:
* Network planning & designing
* Implementation & operation
* LAN and WAN troubleshooting
* Communications technology

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 720 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 4 edition (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078214392X
• ISBN-13: 978-0782143928
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,365 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Certification Central > Cisco
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lammle is once again at the top of his game., December 9, 2001

By	Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, Deluxe Edition (Hardcover)

When I passed the CCNA exam a year ago I used the CCNA Study Guide by Todd Lammle and passed the exam with a 924. Had I had this book I am positive I would have done even better. Lammle is the first name in Cisco Certification exam material and judging from the content of the book there is no doubt why.

Lammle approach to the exam is by far the best I know of and studying the book in the order presented gives you the best chance of passing the exam on the first try. With Internetworking basics like the OSI model and topologies like Ethernet are the very beginning to the CCNA certification.

From there Lammle has you working with switching, which I like because switching should come before routing. Then you move to the internet protocols, IOS, IP routing VLANs and router management. Lammle again makes sure that far more information than the exam requires is included.

After that you then start working with IPX, Access lists and then WAN protocols like HDLC, PPP, Frame Relay and ISDN. Each section has review questions, the new thing I am very happy to see is both written and hands-on labs.

The cd included has over 400 practice questions, over 300 flash cards for both the PC and the palm devices and entire e-book. Lammle again takes the opening and adds not 2 but 4 additional bonus exams.

Finally as part of the study process is the use of an actual router and since this can be an expensive investment, Lammle has given you a Router Fundamental Simulator and practice labs. All this in one book and at a price that should make everyone happy. Whether certified or not, whether looking to refresh you skills this book is a must have for every router technician.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The unquestioned leader in CCNA study materials, March 7, 2005

By	Richard Bejtlich "TaoSecurity.com" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Last week I attended Todd Lammle's CCNA class, where I received a free copy of his 'CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate, Deluxe Edition (640-801), 4th Ed' (CCNADE4E). Todd's class was excellent, and his book is almost literally Todd in written form. There is hardly a wasted word in this book. If Todd mentions a detail concerning a protocol or a certain default value in a configuration parameter, it's important. If he calls out that same item in a 'Note', it's definitely important. This is not 'teaching to the test' -- it's ensuring students and readers are familiar with material Cisco considers relevant. Cisco started its certification program to ensure administrators could properly configure and deploy its gear. By reading CCNADE4E, you will gain that knowledge.

Prior to attending Todd's class and reading his book, I was familiar with networking and related topics. I did not realize that successfully passing the CCNA meant being able to answer questions rapidly, not just accurately. This is especially important when IP subnetting and Variable Length Subnet Masks are involved. Todd teaches a method based on 'block sizes,' or the ranges of IP addresses associated with various subnet masks. This technique is incredibly powerful. I used to need pencil, paper, and at least a minute to answer subnetting questions before I learned Todd's block size method. Now I can answer the same questions in ten seconds or less (honestly). This is not a trick; it's a different way of looking at the problem, combined with memorizing certain key information.

Beyond innovative approaches to learning certain topics, Todd's book is also exceptionally clear. I did not find myself wondering what he meant by a sentence, or questioning my understanding of his explanations. This is in stark contrast to a book on TCP/IP I read and reviewed five years ago. CCNADE4E is chock full of good diagrams, tables, and configuration and syntax examples.

You could read only the book's text, but you would do yourself a disservice if you seek CCNA certification. CCNADE4E provides readers with questions and labs to test their understanding. These help CCNA candidates understand Cisco's approach to certain issues. Some of these questions really test the reader's comprehension of internetworking.

I found the material to be overwhelmingly accurate. I found a few typos that I expect to see on the Sybex errata page shortly.

If you're looking for a reference book to guide you through the CCNA testing process, look no further than CCNADE4E. If you work through the examples, you'll also find yourself able to perform simple to moderate configuration of Cisco routers and switches. I blew away the configurations on the gear in my lab, then rebuilt and improved them, using the knowledge I gained from this book and Todd's class. Isn't that what certification should be about?

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but many errors/discrepancies and no NAT coverage, March 12, 2005

By	Christopher S. Michaelson (Lake Forest, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hi all. I would give this book 3.5 stars but I decided to round down. For a 5th edition book, I was shocked with the number of discrepencies and errors! Check the errata on the Sybex Web site for updates - it will save you a lot of frustration. I found many more errors than are listed in the errata, but I am sure that they will keep updating it as people start complaining.

Some of the examples from CLI output are completely wrong as well. VLAN creation on the 1900 comes to mind. I wonder who edited this book?

Also, there is virtually NO coverage of NAT and PAT ... and you should definitely be familiar with these topics! I was fortunate enough to have the NAT section from an ICND course I took two years ago.

The included CCNA CertSim evaluation is awesome, and I recommend upgrading to the full version. The sim questions are very similar to what you will find on the exam.

All that aside, the book does a good job of preparing you for the exam. I used it - along with RouterSim and the aforementioned ICND NAT section - and passed the CCNA exam this morning with over 30 minutes to spare. If I had just used this book, I would have failed. As a matter of fact, no book alone is enough to pass the exam. You need hardware or a good simulator to practice with, or you will be toast when it comes to the exam's sim questions.

Check out the CCNA site on Cisco's Web site for additional exam resources.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you all! :)