Richard Deal
1 Quizz questions and simulations on the CD are very helpful
This book is very thorough on the content of the CCNA exam. Sometime even a little too much. For example, you won't see any questions on the 1900 switch, although the topic is covered in the book. I took a CCNA boot camp class which had Cisco press reviewed material and the Deal's book seemed to be a little better as far as depth and explanations. Although, make sure you get the errata from the editor's web site. The book does contain quite a bit of mistakes (not all of them are in the errata though)which sometimes are misleading - although from what I read, all the CNNA books do! So...
One aspect of the book that I thought really helped me on getting ready for the exam was the simulation exercises. They are by far the best switches/routers simulations I worked on to prepare for what I had to achieve during the exam. Although the best, I still found the exam simulations harder in the sense that they would have you work on more than one topic at a time - like design IP addressing for a network while also configuring for a couple of different things. The simulations of the book concentrate on one aspect of configuration. Let's say a routing protocol for example. The troubleshooting exercices on the CD are also very useful to get ready for the exam.
Overall, this book has a good contents relative to the CCNA objectives although sometimes too in depth in a few instances - but the more you know, probably the better on the job! Good simulation material and very helpful quiz on the CD (multiple choices, free entry, simulations). I saw a few discrepancies with other books on the contents or explanation of certain things, so I think this book should probably be reviewed to eliminate the last few mistakes and remove the 1900 switches topics. But overall, I would recommend this book to anybody preparing for the CCNA exam.
2 Good book as long as it's not your only study tool
I used this book along with 2 others (sybex and ccna fast pass for review) as study material to take 640-801. Overall I'd have to say this one was the most in depth of the three. The concepts are generally covered fairly well, more so than the test requires but you will know the material in the end. I passed my CCNA on the first try with a 945.
That said, this book was obviously rushed to press. There seemed to be an error every other page while I was reading. This comes up a lot during the practice tests since half the time the trick questions were really just errors. So, as long as you don't use this as your only study material you should pass just fine.
3 Passed CCNA with 950 Score Review
For CCNA 640-801, i used sybex and passed in the 1st try with 950 score, so i gave that book 5 stars. and i used to recommend that book for exam preparasion in the past, but now, not any more.
i found this 10 stars McGraw-Hill book on CCNA title, OMG, it is even better than what i already impress from sybex. if i can choose only one CCNA study guide it will be this one (in the past few months, it would be sybex). I highly recommend this book for both (especialy !) educational purpose and exam preparasion.
i already passed CCNA with 950, i can really tell u this is the best book on CCNA title, even better than CCNA from Sybex (i used sybex befor). This book come with very good learning packet: video clip, router simmulation, flash card, exam prep software, e-book. The book is easy to read, beginer can read this book without problem (unlike sybex book, which i don't recommmend for beginner in my review).
The best parts i like most from this book are (beside hard copy):
-" Interactive Video clips" that show you how to perfom each excercise in the book, i really like this, it fell like i am sitting just beside the author and look at how he perform a task.
-"Router sims tool" that allow you to practice and get yourself familair with router and switch (sybex won't give this); these are the things i gave this book more stars than sybex book.
Beleive me, you can't find a better book than this one, this packet will educate and entertain you in the netwoking world.
I realy hope that McGraw-Hill/Osborne continue produce the same quality product in CCNP, surely i will buy them.
4 Great book, recommended.
This book is one of the best technical books I've ever read.
It helped me to make some complicated issues simple & clear.
Actually, I purchased this book after I read an official Cisco preparation guide, and found it much more comprehensive.
5 Misleading
I just got through reading the first 3 chapters and I cannot go on any further. Reading this book will lead you on the wrong path. There are just some fundamental concepts that are just plain misleading. I will give 2 examples from chapter 3 on IP Addressing.
1) The author explains that the TCP/IP stack has 5 layers - Application, Transport, Internet, Data Link, and Physical. Maybe initially when TCP/IP came out it was 5 layers, but from at least 3 other books I've referenced (one of them being from Cisco Press) they all state that it's a 4 layer model. There is a correction for this in the errata; however, the naming of the layers was not corrected. The consensus is that the 4 layers are Application, Transport (or Host to Host), Internet (or Internetwork) and Network Interface.
2) In the subnetting section, all his examples assume that you can use all subnets. Again, as referenced in at least 3 other books, the commonly used formula is: Number of subnets = 2^number of subnet bits - 2. The author fails to add the -2 part. He does explain that some networking equipment cannot process the first and last subnet, but he goes on to use all available subnets in all his examples, so this is just plain misleading and will probably confuse the heck out of someone who sits for the exam.
I actually liked the author's writing style, but these fundamental oversights are just scary. I'm rather disappointed. The rest of the book might be right-on, but I'm not going to waste my time and risk failing the exam. I think I will read the Sybex CCNA book for the rest of my exam preparation.
Note: I've learned TCP/IP from many sources: computer school, CNE and MCSE exams, and over 6 years in the IT profession, so I'm pretty familiar with networking and TCP/IP, that's why when I started to read chapter 3 I was like "wait a minute, this doesn't look like anything I've read before." Maybe technically the author could be right, but his explanations are not ones that are considered to be de facto, so I doubt that the exams will cover them the way he does.
6 Great Read!!!
I am cureently studying for the CCNA. Being that I work full time and needed a book that was easy to read, concise, and full of examples to follow, I chose this one. One of the best choices I had ever made! I really like his style and the book is put together well. Do get the errata, though. It will help on a few points. The extras on the CD are great too. This book is worth the price.
7 A cut above
I used this book to pass the cisco exam. It's the only book besides the Cisco ICND books that covers the depth of knowledge necessary to succeed in the test.
Unless you prefer dry and boring study materials, like Cisco Press products, this book is for you. Sybex and the other books just won't cut it. This book is practical, and explains all the concepts very well. As you read this book, you may wonder about things or ask yourself questions, only to find the answers clearly explained moments later.
Some effort, this book, and the Boson or Cisco lab sim, and you are guaranteed to pass.
8 Great book, easy to understand
I'm not sure why some people don't like this book. I used this book and the Wendell Odom book and liked this book better--it was more concise, had more questions/answers, and had MUCH better labs. Actually, Richard's questions/answers and lab simulations where much closer to the real thing than Wendell's. When I took my CCNA exam, I scored 948. If you already have a basic networking background, then I would definitely recommend this book. If you don't have much of a networking background, then I would use Wendell's books and supplement Wendell's books with Richard's.
9 some error but is a good CCNA book
I bought this book and read through, pass CCNA. some errors on Cisco IOS command, but concepts are good and precise. you need other sources too.
10 Review- Revisited
I honestly had to come back and re-do the review on this book. I believe I was a bit too harsh on this book based on the errors in the book ""with no errata" available. I am already a CCNA so this was a book for another individual that works with routers and switches daily but needed a good book to pass the new 801 test. It is important for anyone that is using a book as a study guide, to have their confidence reinforced by a book that has few errors or errata immediately available.
I contacted the author (so he will know who is writing this review) and he immediately placed a copy of the errata on his personal web site. He also contacted his publisher who stated they would have the errata on that following Monday. Big kudos to the author and he certainly gained my respect by his reply emails and follow ups to the publisher.
With errata in hand, careful and purposeful study with Richard Deal's book will most assuredly quarantee a pass on the 640-807. If you want to take the smaller sub tests, the book will work perfectly as well to one's success. To all students: do all the examples, and exercises, questions and labs and you will have the confidence needed to pass this test. This book has a load of all the above mentioned so one cannot go away not understanding it if they put forth the effort. Do not skip anything and complete the book, learning what the author is teaching. Don't just complete the book to say you finished it. PS - Know your subnetting inside and out and be able to subnet in your head for CLass A, B, and C subnets.
Thanks Richard Deal. I have re-evaluated your book. I took a second reading of your book with errata in hand at Barnes and Noble as well as look over the rest of the book and I am thoroughly confident in stating this is the 640-801 and subtest book for everyone. Excellent job and thanks for the assistance!
11 Best Networking Book Ever
I thought I was ready to take the 640-801 exam having studied other books for a little while and having taken and passed the original CCNA exam back in 1999, but I swear I learned something new on almost every page. You think you know something very well, but then you see a book like this that tells you little tidbits of in-depth information.
This has to be the greatest foundational networking volume ever written. It is an absolutely amazing book.
There may be errors (are you perfect?) and the videos may be very boring (very!), but perfect is based on something fulfilling its purpose. This book does that and is therefore perfect. It is absolutely amazing, it needs 6 stars.
12 I don't think it is well written and there are errors. Lots!
Too many reviews that don't seem real to me. They all say what I can't find anywhere in this book.
I don't find this easy to read, nor do I like the way he presents material. Especially subnetting.
Simple typos, to glaring errors abound in this book, and if you are a new in the Cisco world, this is not a recommended book because you won't be able to tell which is right or wrong.
The CD is nothing to consider when trying to find a study guide. Worthless simulation that makes you call a long distance call to register before it will open, then when it does open, you find it wasn't worth your call, because to perform any needed labs, you need to enter your credit card! YUP, you read that right, you must pay to use any labs that are worth while.
I thought I spent enough on this book already, but nope, you need to pay more.
Stick with Cisco press and Sybex. This just proves to me why I always stick to the orginals.
13 OK But too many mistakes
It is clear to see that Richard knows his stuff and certain topics he has presented in a very simple but effective way. However it is also equally clear that this book was rushed to market. It is riddled with errors, some that only a keen eye can detect and others that are more obvious especially in diagrams. Example (Pg 583 refers to a Web server with an ip address that is different to that in the command example as well as the diagram).
The audio for the CertCam videos are recorded too low and though some of them are helpful, others are really meaningless. Richard also needs to speak with a little more excitement or just get someone else to do the recording. The worst parts of the package, however, are the Labs. Though they are a noble idea in terms of giving you hands-on practice, but they were obviously not thoroughly reviewed. Those at the beginning and towards the end are already resolved when you load them so that there is nothing to learn. Example (Exercise 15-2) - You are given this troubleshooting Lab and told that there are three configuration problems between the routers which you have to resolve in order to achieve connectivity between them. This Lab is supposed to test mainly ppp authentication problems however changing the state of the serial interface by issuing the "no shut" command on one of the routers, completely resolves the connectivity issues and the authentication aspect is never tested. I think that this book should be used more as a supplement for other material. I would not advise anyone to totally rely on this book unless you are experienced enough to sift through the mistakes and have a lot of patience.
Anyone who gives this book a five star rating is obviously related to the author.
14 I am going to be a CCNA soon!
Richard Deal's book is right on. I compared the books table of contents to the objectives on Cisco's website before I purchased and they matched. After the book came in the mail I loaded the included software the Boson Practice Test and Boson NetSim. WOW! To think if you purchase this book for $34.95 you get a practice test written by the author, along with the learning edition of the Boson NetSim. That is a $289.95 value!!! Anyone who is intrested in their CCNA is crazy to not buy this book. The author covers the material in a very easy to understand approach. I have only made it to chapter 4, but I am sure I will actually finish this book.
15 A well thought out study guide
I purchased this book with the hopes that I would not only learn to pass the test but learn to configure routers as well.
The book is well written each subject area is thought out and as lab exists in each chapter that can be completed with Boson's NetSIM LE. I upgraded to the full version and it was well worth it.
The test engine used in the book is the industry standard and the questions are well written.
Overall, this is one of the best certification books that I have used.
16 The real DEAL for CCNA!
About 3 years ago I was teaching a CCNA Class when I discovered Richard Deal had practice test at Boson.COM. I have been a true fan ever since and was eagerly awaiting this release for the new CCNA exams.
One thing that has always impressed me about Deal is that he goes far beyond the exam requirements giving you the best chance to pass the exam on the first shot. This 800 plus page book covers all 3 CCNA exams and the book and the add-on cd you have a first rate study tool.
Seeing how the new exams now covers even more topics than previous exams and can be taken in 2 sperate exams, it is good to see that this book shows you the best way to make excellent use of the material based of the exam you are planning to take.
The cd has a limited edition of the Boson NetSim and there are a number of labs in the book that coincide with the simulator. I think that if you need more labs than you should go to Boson.COM and purchase the full version.
There are also practice question ont he cd, coupled with what is in the book you have over 750 questions. Knowing Richard Deal, I am sure that there will be more practice exams for sale at Boson.com, which would add even greater value tothis book.
2 utilites that come with the book, the subnet calculator and the config register, will be highly useful in real life. While they are not allowed in the exam, they will be extremely handy to have around when you begin working on your network(s). A couple of things to add to the next edition, first a few more labs, since I think more is always better. Second the NetSim be a full version allowing to study beyond the exam.
Overall if you are serious about the new CCNA exam, than here's a good place to start your training.
