CCDA Self-Study: Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (DESGN)
Reviewer: Andy Barkl, Business Owner
Reviewer Certification: CCNP
This book is very comprehensive and meets all the objectives of the Cisco CCDA 640-861 exam. The author is knowledgeable, thorough, and has the ability to help bring design technology into perspective. This book does not include additional test prep software typically found in most certification self-study guides.
What I found helpful within this book is the level of detail. Nothing is more frustrating than having to spend hours of time locating the right information on the Cisco web site to prepare for their exams and then actually prepare! This single book brings everything into perspective for the CCDA candidate. Each chapter includes questions and answers for reinforcement. The diagrams and design scenarios are also a big help. Perhaps in the next revision the author or publisher will invest in additional test prep software. Most of the time, this book’s printed text clear and concise--the book’s layout is comprehensive and flows from cover to cover.
This self-study guide is thorough! This allows you to study for the exam with one resource. Chapter 11 adds a nice touch with a single case study and how all the Cisco design technology covered in chapters 1-10 apply. The appendices add even more value to this book. There is everything from an appendix on IPv4 Addressing Job Aids to a summary of CCNA-level IOS commands every CCDA must know. With this book and popular exam prep software, you’ll be ready for the exam in no time!
I was only able to locate a few small technical inaccuracies in this book. I have never found a technical book without errors! The few errors I found were in defined acronyms and may have been a result of the book’s copy edit process. Refreshingly, this book focuses not only on preparing you to pass the CCDA exam but helps you to understand the technology involved. This book’s author and technical reviewers have done an excellent job at bringing all the obscure CCDA network design topics together in one location with technical accuracy.
For the self-study candidate on a limited budget, who really wants to understand what’s required to be a successful CCDA, this book offers a well readable format. When you want to prepare to pass the new CCDA exam, this book along with popular exam prep software is all you need!