CCNA Self-Study: CCNA Basics (CCNAB)

Cisco Press

1 Excellent for other Certifications too.
Although the CCNA has now changed to #640-801 or the two exam track #640-811 and #640-821 this book is still a valid study aid. Much of the syllabus in #640-821 is in this book offering also much of the Network+ and Convergence Technology Professonal syllabus as well. A worthwhile read which as has already been said actually attempts to "teach" rather than just get you through the exam. Recommended to the serious about certification. Also look out for the CBT version of this book which is now out of publication but is a great study aid as well.

2 This book is well worth the money
Excellent book for CCNAB. Covers all the material in depth and very well. Cisco Press also includes a version of NetSim from [website]with is awesome.

The depth of this book is probably more that what will be needed to pass the CCNAB, but I think that is great. To many books focus on passing the test instead of teaching the material. This is noteworthy exception to that trend.

The diagrams are clear and accurate and the labs are surprisingly challenging, unlike other simplistic labs on the markets.

Overall, this book gets a strong recommendation from me.

3 Working for the self study of CCNA.
I work as a technical trainer and have been doing it for over 5 years. What I have seen if a shift from the classroom to the self study due to rising costs of classes. What Cisco Press has done has taken this idea and put together the first book you need if you are new to Cisco and the certification arena.

This self study book will get you started towards the CCNA certification as well as the CCDA certification. In fact this book should become part of the CCNA preparation library.

Within this book you will go over the entire exam set of objectives, what you find is that the book is not as in depth as the CCNA certification guide or the Cisco Press ICND book. What you will notice is that this book does is break down the concepts in easy to follow chapters.

For the person just getting started this is an excellent place to begin. Since this a self study book there should have been a router simulator included as well as a set of practice exams, which would make nice additions to the next edition.

One thing I noticed is that the end of chapters has Review Exercises, which should be relabeled review questions. The answers are located in the back of the book, I also found the book to technically accurate and up to date with the latest CCNA exam.

Finally the book is listed as a comprehensive reference for students, and I think might be a little overstated. Overall this is a very good book to have around and with a few improvements Cisco would have a winner.