Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) (Authorized Self-Study Guide) (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Catherine Paquet (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Learn intermediate and advanced routing techniques with the only Cisco-authorized self-study book for CCNP routing foundation learning

• Learn intermediate and advance routing techniques from the newest edition of the best-selling CCNP BSCI foundational learning book
•  Rely on learning from the only Cisco-authorized book publisher
•  Master your learning with tools like self-assessment review questions, configuration exercises, chapter objectives and summaries, key term definitions, job aids and command summaries

CCNP Self-Study: Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) , Third Edition is a Cisco authorized, self-paced learning tool for CCNP preparation. This book teaches readers to design, configure, maintain, and scale routed networks that are growing in size and complexity. The book covers routing principles of both distance vector and link-state routing protocols; IP addressing techniques; the theory behind the IGP and EGP routing protocols; and configuration and troubleshooting information for each protocol. Upon completion readers will be able to select and implement the appropriate Cisco IOS Software services required to build scalable, routed networks.

The book provides early and comprehensive foundation learning for the CCNP BSCI exam. This revision to the popular second edition is updated to include complete coverage of all important routing topics, including advanced IP addressing, routing principles, manipulating routing updates, and EIGRP, OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP configuration. Chapters open with a list of objectives to focus the reader's study. Configuration exercises at the end of each chapter and a master lab exercise that ties all the topics together in the last chapter help illuminate theoretical concepts. Key terms are highlighted and defined, and each chapter concludes with a summary to help review key concepts.

 

What's new in the book? The book matches changes to the CCNP course and exam as per Cisco Systems.

 

About the Author

Diane Teare is a professional in the networking, training, and e-learning fields. She has more than 20 years of experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting network hardware and software and has also been involved in teaching, course design, and project management. She has extensive knowledge of network design and routing technologies and is an instructor with one of the largest authorized Cisco Learning Partners. She was recently the director of e-learning for the same company, where she was responsible for planning and supporting all the company’s e-learning offerings in Canada, including Cisco courses. Diane was part of the team that developed the latest version of the BSCI course. She has a bachelor’s degree in applied science in electrical engineering (BASc) and a master’s degree in applied science in management science (MASc). She is a certified Cisco Systems instructor and currently holds her CCNP and CCDP certifications. She coauthored the Cisco Press titlesCampus Network Design Fundamentals and the first two editions of this book; and edited CCDA Self-Study: Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (DESGN) and Designing Cisco Networks.

 

Catherine Paquet has in-depth knowledge of security systems, remote access, and routing technology. She is a CCSP, a CCNP, and a CCSI with one of the largest Cisco Learning Partners. She started her internetworking career as a LAN manager, moved to MAN manager, and eventually became the nationwide WAN manager with a federal agency. Prior to starting Netrisec Inc., a network security consultancy, Catherine was the director of technical resources for a Cisco Learning Partner. Catherine currently works on network design and implementation projects and lectures on topics related to security frameworks, regulations, and return on security investments. In 2002 and 2003, she volunteered with the U.N. mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, to train Afghan public servants in the area of networking. Catherine has a master’s degree in business administration with a major in management information systems (MBA [MIS]). She coauthored the Cisco Press titles Campus Network Design Fundamentals, The Business Case for Network Security: Advocacy, Governance, and ROI, and the first two editions of this book, and edited Building Cisco Remote Access Networks.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 864 pages
• Publisher: Cisco Press; 3 edition (January 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587052237
• ISBN-13: 978-1587052231
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.8 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,814 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Wait for the official certification guide, August 2, 2007

By	Coyote376 (Glendale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

I bought this book because it is (so far) the only one available from Cisco Press. I thought I'd be able to get a head start on passing the exam. It's not worth it. Wait for the official guide due out in a few weeks.

The author of this book is very fond of the acronyms, which is maddening to someone trying to learn IS-IS. Terms are not always clearly defined before being used in context, which also gets very frustrating. The correct answers that you need to learn for the test are often clouded with real world technicalities. These technicalities are usually minute enough you'd never actually run across it in practice, and they confused my studying more than once. This book also doesn't have enough detail to get you through the new test and will need to be supplemented by other studying. Without any kind of practice test, you are far better off waiting for the official book. I wish I had.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I used to pass BSCI 642-901 exam, May 4, 2007

By	James E. Runnels (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

To study for Cisco exams, I typically purchase a Cisco Press Exam Certification Guide vs. a Study Guide such as this book. The Exam Certification Guides tend to focus strictly on the exam vs. being a print version of the class, so they may be a bit more streamlined, have diagrams and tables to study, and include practice questions on a CD. However, when I needed to recertify my CCNP/CCDP in second quarter 2007, I chose to take the BSCI exam and the Exam Certification Guide was not yet shipping for exam 642-901. The only book available was this Teare/Paquet Study Guide (3rd edition). So I bought it and used it as the only study material for my BSCI exam. I passed, although it took me more than one attempt. I think the fact that I didn't pass on the first try is a reflection of the difficulty of the test vs. anything lacking in this book.

The material is well written and, as far as routing books go, an easy read. Lots of helpful sample router displays, including debugs so you can see how a process works. Being a third edition, most of the bugs have been worked out. I found very few typos.

The summaries at the end of each chapter are way too terse. They are typically less than a page in length and basically list the main topics of that chapter. When going back to review a chapter, you need to go through the chapter page by page rather than depending on the summary. Probably no big deal if you aren't using the book as an exam study guide. But for the exam, use a highlighter as you read so you can mark things to review/cram later. There are helpful "Key Points" listed from time to time in the chapters.

The review questions at the end of each chapter are pretty good. The format of the questions seems to change part way through the book - I'm guessing different authors wrote questions for different chapters.

There are also configuration exercises for each chapter. If you have access to a lab, you can use these exercises to configure and test the chapter material. If you don't have live equipment, you can still peruse the material to reinforce your learning. Router displays are included in the text.

The book has no CD, which means no portable electronic version of the book and no quiz software. You do have 45 day online access to an Internet version of the book, but it can't be downloaded to your hard drive. Since I spent my lunch hours studying away from my desk, and therefore away from Internet access, I ended up lugging an 800 page book in my laptop bag, carrying both the book and my laptop eight blocks a day between my parking lot and desk. After a month of this, I am two inches shorter.

But overall, I recommend this book for general reference and/or BSCI 642-901 exam study. For exam study, it might be nice to supplement the book with some testing software from another source when that becomes available.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Self Study Guide is better suited for a Course, June 24, 2007

By	usersearch - See all my reviews

It is not accurate for Cisco Press to deem this a self study guide as the labs provided (11 routers and a switch) are well beyond the means (or space) available for most people pursuing a self study option. It is also easier to gain a better understanding of IGP's from Routing TCP/IP Volume 1, which I has to do to supplement my studies. In hindsight I feel I should have waited for the BSCI Exam Guide to be published.