Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 1 (ICDN1)

Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices, Part 1 (ICND1). So I thought this book was a well laid out book for what I was trying to get out of it. I am trying to get my first Cisco Certification and wanted something from CiscoPress - as I feel that they have the best book to study from. I liked how the book was organized and how it progress through the information. I thought the clarity on subjects was excellent. I wanted the book to have current information for me to study from and I surely does. This is a book on Cisco routing and it reads as such. I will continue to purchase CiscoPress books as I progress through my certifications - In my opinion they are just better books to learn from.

I purchased this book towards preparation for the CCNA exam, and for my own learning purposes, to help me in configuring my own network set-ups and installations. I liked it so much, its clarity and detail, that I enrolled at SUNY Farmingdale, Cisco Networking Academy and Computer Science Dept. to learn even more, and prepare myself for a new trade or occupation as a computer net- working technician; with website programming, design and maintainence as a minor. I already am a hardware and electronic technician, and this would round out my skill set and enable me to achieve my goals. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the nuts and bolts of computer networking, exam or not. It will be money well-spent by you if you can apply the concepts in the real world, at home and/or elsewhere.

As a first step toward achieving the CCNA, the new Cisco certification CCENT tests basics (using Cisco equipment)expected of entry-level technicians entering the networking field. The title of the book states exactly what is: SELF-STUDY GUIDE TO INTERCONNECTING CISCO NETWORK DEVICES, PART 1, ICND1. This is the second edition; no CD was included. Even though this text is for the new entry-level CCENT exam, I think the candidate should have a solid computer background coming into this. Any self-study text will introduce the topics, but prior knowledge will be necessary to "integrate" this into practice. The text is up to date and well-organized in a logical forma. It is designed to be read in sequence to build the knowledge base for more advanced topics. It is not designed to be a reference manual, but covers troubleshooting throughout the chapters. It includes LANs, wireless, security, IP addressing, WANs, NAT, and router configurations. The IOS examples are current; sample IOS is helpful for someone using this to study for the test because for the most part each result shown in the example is explained. Graphics are well-done and representative of concepts. Reading level takes into consideration learner capability. Chapter summaries are skimpy. Chapter questions are all multiple-choice. A sample exam at the end would be nice. Understanding, rather than memorizing, should be the result of any self-study material. Acronyms are "fleeting" for some of us who need reminders of what they stand for and how they pertain to networking tasks. Most of these are spelled out in the Index with references to the pages, but I did notice some are not included. A glossary might be nice; or combine a glossary with the index for quick reference. I would recommend a student create their own glossary to help them study if using this book. The CCENT (ICND1)is for many the very first Cisco test they will take and a foundation in terminology as it applies to networking is essential. As an instructor for the Cisco Networking Academy at the CCNP level, I am always critical of "Self-Study" materials without simulators--which is the main fault with this book. End of chapter questions are good, but the certification exam has multiple format questions and simulations which are not mentioned in this book. Fill in the blank, click and drag, multiple answer, situational troubleshooting, topologies, and configurations using a simulator are how the test is delivered. The information in this book is complete, but I am not sure it prepares someone for the test.

Do you have one to three years of internetworking experience, are familiar with basic internetworking concepts, and have basic experience with TCP/IP? If you do, then this book is for you. Author Stephen McQuerry, has done an outstanding job of writing a self-study book for those who are pursuing the CCNA certification. McQuerry, begins by describing the principles on which basic networks operate. Then, the author explores the operation and configuration of LANs. The author also describes how to extend the boundaries of network connectivity through wireless connectivity. He continues by looking at how a router provides connectivity between the different networks in an internetwork. Then, the author discusses the connectivity required for sites that are across wide geographic areas. Finally, the author discusses how to use Cisco IOS commands to determine the layout of a Cisco network topology. This most excellent book is intended as a self-study resource that covers the subjects on the 640-822 (ICNDI) exam as well as the ICNDI material of the 640-802 (CCNA) exam. Perhaps more importantly, this book should help you become literate in the use of switches, routers, and the associated protocols and technologies.

Can't wait for it to arrive, pre-ordered, and pumped-up, because I fully expect that it will be like all his other books; you know you are learning from a battle tested CCIE, (Steve probably built part of the actual intenet), and he still makes the time to write books on the "first-ever" exams for many people; and yet he does not talk down to you, or dumb it down, this is no book for dummies, apparently based on both the official courseware, and also fully covers all the official exam published objectives, chapter by chapter, or objective by objective, hits it all, the way you want it; and not thin, not "just deep enough" to pass, of course you get that, and much more, you learn every possible command and configuration and definition and idea that you might see on the test, but you also get to see those same ideas drilled to a level actually being used by a ranking CCIE; bottom line, you want to learn, you also really want to pass the test, and you really really want to be able to put it all to work right away, if that is what you want, then BAM, scroll up, and order this book right now! You will be glad you did, I know I am.