Solaris 8 System Administration Training Guide Exams 310-011 and 310-012 [With CDROM]

This book was both easy to understand and detailed enough to cover the required subject matter. I don't think I've ever used a computer book with such detailed and accurate examples of how do different tasks. Usually a computer training guide gives you a only brief writeup of how to do a task and then leaves you to figure out why the task doesn't work for you on your computer. The examples in your book generally worked the first time with very little tweaking and often it even explained why something may not work and how to workaround the problem to ensure thatit does. The book starts from the begining and works through about 90% of what's on the exams. Very good sample questions. Was able to pass both exams using this book.

I studied the first 12 chapters, took the first test and scored a 96%. I studied the 2nd have of the book and got a 89% on the part 2 exam. Very well writen. I'm new to Solaris and the book was very easy to read. The examples were plenty and the end of chapter excercises gave me something to practice. Great book and a great future reference.

I passed 310-011 (87%) in April and just passed 310-012 (94%) using this book. The errata at the author's website was up to date and had any typos corrected. I emailed the author two times on name services and RBAC- he responded promptly both times, shared additional resources, and was very helpful. I found the CD-ROM exams to be a great self assessment tool to focus in on my weaknesses so I could go back and study those specific areas. Furthermore, the questions were right on for the real exam.Overall, a very well-written book, lots of examples, step by steps, screen shots, etc. Very easy to read even if you are not in front of a Sun system to practice the examples. It's the best book I've found on Solaris Admin.

I've used Calkins' Solaris 7 Training guide to get my Solaris 7 Certs and now used the Solaris 8 version to get my Solaris 8 certs. My tips for you: I practiced each example in every chapter and the excercises at the end of each chapter. If you are going for the exams, make sure you practice - it really makes the material sink in. Another tip: The book covers alot of ground (because topics are covered thoroughly). Each chapter outlines the objectives for the exam. If you don't want to go through the entire chapter, just make sure you understand each chapter objective that the author describes. One way I assessed myself was with the exams that came on the CD-ROM. If I scored 90%, I figured I knew the material good enough and went onto the next chapter.The chapter on RBAC was great- after digging through Sun's own documentation and other Solaris books, I finally found someone that can explain it clearlyI also have copies of the Sun Solaris 8 Training guides from courses I've taken and feel this book does a better job explaining the topics more thoroughly and completely. Lots of material here (if you need it), but it's very thorough and saved me a lot of digging.

I think where some people go wrong when they buy this book is they think it's only a cram guide for the Sun exams. These people are looking for a shortcut to become certified and there isn't one. You need to learn the material. They find a book packed with more information than they are willing to study. What they find is 1,000 pgs of training material. This book is an excellent "training guide" which presents everything you need to manage a Solaris system. In addition, it has end of chapter questions, excercises, and an exam test engine to assess your skills so you know if you're ready to go for your certification. I started out with little experience and used the book to self-teach myself about Solaris system administration. From what I see- it has everything the Sun 238 and 288 courses offer. It has saved me [money]in Sun training! The exams on CD-ROM and at the UnixEd.com website provide a great assessment tool if the reader decides to go onto take the certification exams. ( I used them and they were right on target). The forum at UnixEd answers any questions you may have as you go through the book- it offers great support for the reader. It was the best $$ I've spent.