CCNA Routing and Switching 200-120 Official Cert Guide Library & CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide

Perfect self-study guide for the CCENT/CCNA! NOTE: You'll need to download the errata and updates from the Cisco Press website. Included software is not the best for practice exams. This is a perfect tool to add to your toolbox if you're going for the Cisco CCENT or CCNA. However, you'll probably need to supplement these books with additional study material. The books are very detailed and give a great explanation of the topics in the Cisco exams. You'll benefit from adding some additional training to supplement these books. I would suggest either a home lab with real equipment or a network simulator, this way you can fully experience IOS commands and configuration. I'd also suggest a video training course, such as CBT Nuggets. Be sure to go to the Cisco Press website and download the errata and updates for the books (mostly the ICND-2 book has many updates since being published.) This way you'll be getting the latest information and training. Specifically, the ICND-2 book is lacking in subjects such as Rapid Spanning Tree, First Hop Redundancy Protocols, and OSPF/EIGRP. The free download of the updated content from Cisco Press has these topics covered in more detail. Also the errata will help with the few minor typo's the books have. So be sure to download them!!! The included software leaves a lot to be desired. While it is handy having all of the book practice questions available on the computer, along with the chapter review quizzes, the included Practice Exams are not the greatest. I will say this, the practice exam and part-review quizzes are MUCH more difficult than the actual exam. Wendell Odom went out of his way to make the practice questions as literal as possible, so beware of several trick questions that you'll get wrong because you didn't pay attention to exactly how the answers are worded. This can be discouraging because you'll score low on the practice questions even though you think you know the content, in actuality it's a good thing. Once you can pass the practice questions with passing scores you should really know the content and be prepared for the real exam. I passed the CCENT exam using these books along with CBT Nuggets videos and equipment in my home lab. I'm almost ready to take the CCNA exam and feel confident that I'll do well. I decided to review these books now that I've read through both of them a few times and have already taken one exam. Just remember, unless you already have experience with Cisco IOS and networking, you'll probably want to supplement your training with study materials other than these books. It's doubtful that just reading these books alone will fully prepare you for the exams. Good luck!

After being certified several years ago and letting it lapse (bad idea, kids) I needed to re-start my certification track. Cisco has introduced the concept of technology trains into their certifications so all 3 levels - CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE - all now have technology specialization tracks. The CCNA Routing & Switching material here provides the training necessary to pass both of the "pre-cert" tests (which will wind up granting you the CCENT cert along the way, if you go that route) or to pass the 1 "combined" test that gets you straight to the CCNA R&S. These books are very well written with explanations about how the technology got to the point where it is today, lots of tips and techniques, and a full treatment of everything you would need to know to pass the exam. A study strategy of how to use the 2 books together to study in a coherent manner for the test is provided and I do recommend you follow it. I use these skills for my job and I held certifications previously, so this was more a matter of studying up on current approaches and reminding myself of technologies that I don't use daily than anything else, so I managed to get through all of this in about 4 days of serious study. That said, I think anyone with some basic understanding of the concepts of networking should be able to use this material to pass the certification test in 2-3 weeks if you put in the time to read it all. Cisco Press has released some serious dogs in their day but this set is definitely not one of those. It's worth the money and the time and I think you'll be well pleased.

First off, my books came with glue on the side of the pages in different sections of the books. As I went through the chapters I had to Individual peel apart each page and try not to tear them. I am currently a student studying Information Technology Network and Security and I am entering my Senior year. A lot of this material was review for me and relatively easy. But the authors make a great effort to thoroughly teach you the material even if you were to have no prior experience in networking. However I did learn a few important key concepts, techniques, and tips from these books that made it worth my while. I would recommend these books to anyone for they are a great starting point and review for networking in general and CCNA exam. I have taken off 1 star for the glue on the side of the pages. Otherwise 5 out of 5.

When you buy this library instead of each boot separately you get one book for free. I would highly recommend spending the money for the premium content. You well find the code you need to do this (purchase premium content) on the card inside the DVD sleeve in the back of the book. Do not skip the "contents" "introduction" and " Getting started" Mr. Odom uses these section to explain how to use both books and the premium content to study for the CCNA. Mr. Odom even provides a suggested Study Plan in appendix P. The Library (witch is both books) provides the purchaser with a way to prepare for the 2 test track or the 1 test track, Pearson IT Certification Practice Test Engine (Windows Only), Network Simulator Lite (Windows and MAC), Video Library, and the appendixes have more information on how to subnet and other areas of the CCNA. But, if you purchase the premium content you well receive Premium edition of the book in PDF, EPUB, Kindle format, Enhanced Practice Test Engine, two additional ICND1 practice test, and two additional full CCNA practice test and you get all this the premium content at a 70% discount off the list price of $39.99. I can honestly say that Wendell Odom and his team have out done themselves with this package deal, O one other thing you can also go to Wendell Odom website and access his blog and other features that accompany this truly great CCNA Certification package.

I've studied for the A+ exam, and had some good material. I studied for and passed the Network+ exam, with still pretty good material. When I decided to buy this in order to prepare for CCNA, I was a bit skeptical. But since the old exam isn't even retired, yet, there aren't a lot of study materials for the new exam out there. So I bought this...and WOW! I wish this guy had developed material for network+. I have a terrible memory, but he puts things in a way that somehow makes retaining them far easier than any other study material I've ever used. He also has a whole study system that makes taking everything all in a breeze. I now understanding things fully that were vague to me when reading about them while studying network+, and I'm only on the second section of the first book. I couldn't be happier that I bought this, as I doubt there is anything now, or anything in the future that will top this, as far as independent study goes. If you're going to take the exam, you'll be doing yourself a favor by picking this up! I would pay a lot more for it, if I had to!

I have been delivering Cisco training classes since 1996. I have seen many versions of this material. I believe this is the BEST handling of the ICND1/ICND2/CCNA self-study materials to date. And let me address some of the criticism I read in reviews before I bought my Kindle version. I saw complaints that "all the material was not available". IT IS! Some of it takes a little searching. And some of it DOES need to be downloaded. But the URL is provided. Now as t the new features, I think the organization is great. The new "Mind Maps" do a terrific job of gathering related terms, concepts or commands in ONE PLACE. Odom provides a great flow chart and a check-list to follow in preparing for the exam or exams. On the subject of exams let me say they are challenging. And I believe more challenging than the practice tests provided in the library. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security because you find the "Do I Know This" pre-tests easy. Even the review questions are not as difficult as the actual exams, in my opinion. But I would unhesitatingly recommend the current CCNA Routing and Switching Library to anyone seeking certification.

Excellent material for the CCNA composite test, by reading both of these books any individual with little to no knowledge of routing and switching will be able to competently pass their Cisco exam. Odom is a fantastic technical writer and presents the information is a fashion that is easily understandable and really applicable to technicians both new and seasoned. The software that comes with this book also helps prepare those who are not familiar with the testing style of this exam and gives a good benchmark for knowledge in the routing and switching field. Additionally the book helps you chart a course for taking either the ICND1 & ICND2 to get your CCNA or the composite exam resulting in the same certification. Bottom line, great book with a fair price that will prepare you for exam day.

I have been in college classes studying computer networking for over a year now. They usually used the Todd Lammel books. I decided it was finally time to get my CCNA so I bought this set after learning that the objectives changing in September. I also thought the price for the Cisco official cert guide here was pretty reasonable, so I went for it. Reading this book is doing incredible things for me. For example, before reading this, I was aware of the OSI Model but I couldnever remember the different parts or what their main differences were. That changed after just the first chapter or 2. I feel like I come away from each chapter with a great understanding of the content. Even if I start with the DIKTA (Do I Know This Already) pre-test and do poorly, at the end of the chapter I will try the DIKTA test again and always ace it easily the second time around. I highly recommend this set for anyone studying for their CCNA.