Patrick Ciccarelli | Christina Faulkner
1 This book does what it's designed for - getting started.
A jumpstart is defined as a start by use of an external source of power and that's what this book is, an external source of knowledge power. This updated book is setup for and tailored to those who are beginning the journey to the CCNA certification.
I like the way the book is broken down in simple terms but with enough technical jargon to make the newcomers feel at ease with the subject matter. The book covers an overview of each domain and provides the reader with practice questions at the end of each chapter.
The authors have an excellent grasp of the subject matter and attempt to give the reader just what they need to get started. The material, while not heavy into the certification, does make for easy reading and comprehension.
The material seems to technically accurate and does in fact cover the 640-607 exam topics. I like the way the authors have put tips and notes throughout the entire book as well as definitions along the side of the pages.
I think that the book should have included some sort of test engine, once to get the reader started thinking about the exam, but that could be included in the next update. Overall if you are ready to take the first step to CCNA or CCDA then your jumpstart is right here.
2 Excellent Highschool Book / Technical School Into
This book is written at a Highscool level. The authors so clearly explain the material in a logical and foundation building approach that the reader barely notices the learning process. If you read this book carefully it can be an excellent introduction. I'm an experienced network administrator and have some certifications; and yet found some of the information helpful. Did I actually learn anything, not much, but I was looking to review and mentally prepare myself for the next step the CCNA exam. This is definately not a college text, but it's an excellent primer as advertised.
3 Excellent book if you are new to networking.
If you do not know much about networks, this would prove to be a great book for you. This book explains even the most complex networking concepts in plain and simple english, which makes it easier for a beginner to understand. This book will help you build a strong networking foundation, upon which you can build your networking career. If you are planning to take the CCNA exam, it would be a good idea to read this book before you go onto the mainstream CCNA prep books like Sybex's CCNA prep book by Todd Lamelle. If you are a beginner, the mainstream CCNA books would not make much sense. This book was a great help to me and can be to you also. Good luck on your CCNA exam!!!
4 Excellent book for people new to networking.
If you are a beginner and dont know much about networks, this is the right book for you. The book uses plain english to make even complex concepts sound simple. It will help you build a sound networking foundation, which will help you throughout your networking career. If you are planning to go for CCNA and dont know much about networks, i would not advise you to go straight to mainstream CCNA books such as Sybex's CCNA prep book by Todd Lamelle. Those books will not make much sense without the basic knowledge of networking/internetworking provided in this book. This book was a great help to me and could be to you also. Good luck on your CCNA!!!
5 Disagreeing with my fellow reviewers on this one
This very nice book is getting some undeserving reviews here for the simple reason that I believe the others are wanting it to be something that it was not intended to be.
WHAT IT IS NOT is a preparatory book for the CCNA exam. And if one reads the cover carefully, no such claims for it are made.
WHAT IT IS is an introduction to networking and internetworking for those who are planning to go on and study for the CCNA exam. In other words, the book is intended to provide a broad grasp of networking for those who have not already been working in a network. For instance, perhaps someone has been working primarily in desktop support, but wants to move into networking. This book will provide an overview for them of what is involved in a WAN.
On these grounds, the book is a great success. In the past year I have had numerous occasions to try to bring individuals who were not familiar with internetworking (specifically, managers and sales staff) up to speed. I would have loved to have had this book available at that time.
I do think that the publishers have perhaps limited the market for this book by emphasizing the CCNA connection. While it is a good introduction to networking for less experienced individuals planning to go for their CCNA, the book is one of the very best introductions to networking that I have seen, and is of great value to a wide range of potential users, most of whom would never go on to become a CCNA.
6 Do not get for preparation of exam
If you are going for you CCNA and have no idea about networking, get this book. But only to give you a BASIC understanding of networking. The book has nothing to do with the objectives and what it takes to pass the CCNA, and from the title, most people would would buy this book. It is very easy reading, but if you want to get straight to the point of what the CCNA covers, I would go elsewhere. Somewhere maybe like Todd Lammle. Best of luck with your studies.
7 A jumpstart
Don't let the other reviews fool you, this is what the title says: jumpstart.
This book will do for you what jump starting your car does for your car. When you have little to no knowledge of computer internetworking, this book will help build a solid foundation and get you on your way to Cisco certification. it has been written in easy to understand english and there are tons of illustrations to help you visualize network architecture and how data flows across the wire and between network devices.
Bottom line: if you don't know much about computer internetworking this will definately help you out!
8 Pretty basic
This is a real basic book designed for someone who is brand new to networking. If you've been to school or been in the field a while head towards the Lamalle books or Odoms Exam Certification Guide.
9 a littel to general, but very easy to understand
This book could have went a little deeper in content. What subjects it did cover it coverd in a very easy to understand maner, and I loved the explanations. I just wish there was more explanations to read. Well onto the big book I won't really know if this book helped till I see if I can understand the big book.
10 If you are new to networking buy this book!
This is a great book that lies the foundation for any networking certification. If you are new to networking I suggest you get this. This is not a CCNA study guide as it title suggests "CCNA Jumpstart- Networking and Internetworking Basics". Once you build your foundation with this book you can go on to the CCNA study guide. This book is an excellent reference for load of network concepts. You will find yourself going back (when you hear a term later) for its easy to understand explanations. You can't get all the info from Study Guides alone. This is an excellent supplement to any network certification.
11 Good Reference If You're New to Networking
It's a good reference if you're new to networking, or perhaps if you'd prefer a clear & layman explanation (with the help of diagrams) of the various network jargons. It feels pretty much like browsing through a 'Network' story book 'cept its targeted for the adults . There isnt much material (in fact, hardly) if you want to depend this book soley for the CCNA exams...you'll probably do way much better with the other CCNA study guides.
Hence, get this guide if its your 1st foray to the world of networking.
12 Ok if studying for MS NetEss but not CCNA.
Only covers basics, full of mistakes and very basic networking concepts. Maybe says the word Enable three times in the book. spend your money on a Todd Lammle book, you'll be happy you did.
13 A great resource for students learning to be an CCNA
As a Cisco Academy instructor, this book is a great supplement to the Cisco CCNA Academy course. The way the vocabulary and terms are arranged can be very helpful. The illustrations are also well done! I particulary like the way the "tips" and "notes" are arranged throughout the book in a well planned manner. Overall, a book you can't do without if trying to understand networking basics.
