MCSE 2000 Jumpstart: Computer Network Basics

For those who would complain that this book is not truly an MCSE study guide, I would suggest reading the whole title: "MCSE 2000 JumpStart: Computer and Networking Basics". This is not a book for boot camp students or anyone cramming for an exam. This is a book for the novice - mind you, a fast-learning, computer literate novice - who has read the magazine ads that promise riches and glory for certified IT professionals and has decided to go for his or her MCSE. And it may very well be the best book ever written for that purpose.In her opening words, the author writes that "the first step in Microsoft certification is a good understanding of the prerequisite information. Microsoft... assumes you will acquire this information on your own". By the time you finish this book, you will have gained that understanding. Let's look inside:Chapters 1-4 discuss computer hardware. They read like notes from a PC repair class, so A+ certified techs should probably skip ahead a bit.Chapters 5-7 cover client operating systems, with a well-written DOS tutorial and a good overview of the Explorer.exe GUI. This is important stuff, as I've actually met an MCSE who didn't know how to FDISK.Chapters 8-12 provide a good introduction to networking theory, with a brief summary of the OSI model, information on topologies and protocols, and an evaluation of the leading network operating systems.Chapters 13-17 justify the "MCSE" on the cover, with basic details on domains, trusts, Active Directory, and resource management on NT and 2000 networks.The appendices are perhaps the most valuable parts of the book for absolute beginners, with accurate answers to the review questions and comprehensive glossaries of industry terms and acronyms.The bottom line: those new to the networking field NEED this book. Their instructors might also want to pick up a copy as well, because it contains excellent tables and diagrams and the physical design of the book makes it easy to scan and photocopy (just contact the publisher first). I would also highly recommend any other JumpStart books to beginners (such as ISBN 0782126448, on TCP/IP); Sybex has set a new standard with this series.

I was thinking about beginning work an a Windows 2000 MCSE when I bought and read this book. I had a lot of computing experience, but very little of it was in networking, and none of it was in Windows NT. With the help of this book, I got up to speed on some basics I needed for my MCSE curriculum. This book will NOT help you prepare for the certification tests, but it will help you prepare for a good preparation course (I would recommend a school where you get lots of hands-on experience, not a "boot camp" formula if you needed this book). All in all, a great book for those who are considering Microsoft certification. If you can't handle this book, find something else to do. If you know this book well, you should do fine in a good prep course.

I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE VERY HELPFUL TO ME SINCE I HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE WITH MCSE. I REVIEWED HUNDREDS OF BOOKS BEFORE I FOUND THIS ONE, AND NONE OF THE OTHERS EVEN COME CLOSE TO THIS BOOK. VERY EASY TO FOLLOW AND UNDERSTAND. IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT A CAREER IN THE NETWORKING FIELD THIS BOOK IS THE PLACE TO START.

This book is NOT a MCSE study guide. It is an excellent introduction into the principals that will be learned if you decide to pursue education toward an MCSE. A person with virtually no PC experience will appreciate an overall view of PC hardware basics, networking basics, software principals from DOS thru Windows 200 Server. You will also get information about the testing process, and what MCSE's are. Nice Glossary! Limited abbreviation list, though. If you can FULLY understand everything in this book, and get nearly 100% correct answers in the Review Questions areas in this book, MCSE might be the way to go (You just got your jumpstart). This book is basic, yet written so clearly that if you do not understand EVERYTHING in this book, perhaps A+ or Network+ certifications is the way you should go at this time. Let your computer skills grow in other areas first.If you are Windows NT 4.0 MCSE, this is not the book to get for Windows 2000 upgrade knowledge.If you want an overview (Jumpstart) to what MCSEism is all about, this is an excellent book, with a great price!

Not just for the MCSE; the content is definitely good for other similar Networking Certifications. (It gives a solid grounding for people with next to ZERO knowledge of Computers & Networking but feel an MCSE-or similar-is something they can do.) If you're not sure enough to make those up-front payments for expensive courses & huge sets of textbooks, make this little book your first stopover to possible (or probable!) success. It's not written in professorial language, and is a good tool to measure your potential. (Or rather, to help you decide whether you like Computers & Networking enough to *want* to have the potential.) Treat this book as a kind of litmus test. Here's what worked for me :1. Study each chapter thoroughly without peeking at the end-of-chapter questions;2. Do the test at the end of each chapter without looking back into the text. (Be strict about this. Also, it's a very good idea *not* to peek at the questions while (or before) studying the chapter. Reason? You want to get yourself used to being able to handle the uncertainty. When tackling an end of chapter test, magine you're doing an actual exam. Another idea is to do each end of chapter test in an *unfamiliar* environment-to simulate the unfamiliarity of the exam centre where you'd be taking the final (real) exam.