ICND: Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (Book/CD-ROM package) (Cisco Technical Expert) [Hardcover]

This is a most EXCELLENT book for the CCNA exams because it adopts a PRACTICAL approach to the teaching of this important course. I can not stress enough, the practical aspects of this book. Afterall, what counts most is the ability to apply the knowledge gained, to practical situations.

The SEVEN AUTHORS have put the material together, very well, by bringing the wealth of their experience working with Cisco devices as well as preparing students for the CCNA exams. This is evidenced by the real-life CASE STUDIES at the end of most chapters. The book is full of practical examples, thus making it a lot easier for you to understand the material quickly, rather than merely giving you a handful of commands which you only learn to use in a chapter and not in later chapters. With this book, you will practice using all the commands you learnt in previous chapters when implementing the objectives in the Case Studies. By doing so, you are able to see how it all fits together in REAL-LIFE.

Once you start reading it, you wouldn't want to stop because it is so easy to read. You can easily finish four chapters within six hours of reading, as well as assimilating the material for the CCNA exams, coupled with an ability to APPLY the knowledge to practical scenarios.

So, if you want a book to prepare you for the EXAMS as well as the WORK PLACE, this is the one to go for. Remember, exams + application = success at work.

Finally, I would also advice you to buy the CCNA Study Guide, by Todd Lammle - Sybex, (a superb book but highly exam-focussed), RouterSim v.2.1 or CCNA Virtual Lab e-Trainer (for hands-on simulated Cisco router training), and CCNA Routing and Switching Cheat Sheet by Joe Habraken, ISBN 0-7897-2293-3, (this book is excellent for revision as it gives an objective-by-objective coverage of the official CCNA exam topics as set out by Cisco).

Good luck.

From the beginning with network concepts and cabling to LAN concepts and switching, this book makes short work of the subject matter. Topics like basic router configuration and operation with the IOS command as well as 1900 switch and commands are also included.

There are also chapters on network management, switching operations, VLANS, access lists, IPX, wan technologies, ISDN and frame relay. The authors pay very close attention in making sure the IP addressing and routing area is covered completely.

Finally there is an appendix covering the OSI Model, there is also review questions and a cd-rom included with the book. The cd-rom has practice tests with over 200 questions.

More important, in my opinion, is the book's "readability"! I'm sure there are numerous books that cover the exact same information as this book yet might not be written in a manner that is clear and simple to understand, especially for Cisco newbies like myself. This book is just a lot of fun to read.

Finally, I really enjoyed the "real world" tone of this title. It isn't written for someone who's bound for the testing center, but rather for someone who needs to apply the knowledge at work in the field. I'm certain that I'll constantly be using this book as a reference even after passing the exam. Very cool.

All in all, I'd like to recommend ICND to the Cisco neophyte who's looking for that great "First Book" to start off his or her Cisco library. I'm really glad I got this book and I'm sure you will be too.

Good luck on your CCNA!