CCNA Books

[bearvalley]

Hi all.

I am looking at studing for my CCNA and was hoping that someone could recommend a good book that would teach me all i need to pass this exam.I am thinking of the cisco press books but any advise most welcome.

thanks

 

[CiscoGuy33]

bearvalley,

Welcome to the forum!

I always feel you should study 2 different books for the CCNA - one Cisco Press which tends to have EVERYTHING you need to do the job and the one from Sybex tends to help you with just what you need for the exam.


From -

http://www.bookpool.com

CCNA Official Exam Certification Library, 2nd Edition (Exams 640-801, 640-811, 640-821)
By Wendell Odom
Cisco Press, 2nd Bk&CD edition,
Published May 2006, 1000 pages,
ISBN 1587201690
List Price: $59.95
Our Price: $32.95
You Save: $27.00 (45% Off)

or

CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, 5th Edition (640-801)
By Todd Lammle
Sybex, Paperback, 5th Bk&CD edition,
Published January 2005, 720 pages,
ISBN 0782143911
List Price: $49.99
Our Price: $30.95
You Save: $19.04 (38% Off)

You also need practice and a sim will help if you do not want to get a few routers and switches from eBay.

http://www.boson.com

also has a GREAT router sim for the CCNA and they have a FREE trial.

I also have always liked CBT Nuggets which are videos - for when you are tired of reading and just want to watch and listen. They have a bunch of FREE full length videos that you can try before you buy!! Even if you never buy - the FREE videos are worth the visit.

http://www.cbtnuggets.com

Hope this helps!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[lerdalt]

I used the Cisco press library for the ccna and it was a nice bundle. Books, practice test software, even a router simulator (I think there was one, didn't use it). But the book that filled in some of the gaps for me was another Todd Lammle book from Sybex:

CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate FastPass (Paperback)
Product Details:
ISBN: 0782143091
Format: Paperback, 398pp
Pub. Date: October 2003
Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated

The part I liked the best is how he explained VLSM. I'm guessing its probably the same as in his other book, but with this book the lightbulb definitely came on for me.

I wouldn't expect to find just one book that is going to have everything you need to pass the test. A co-worker and I were both studying and discovered that you just can't get your hands on enough information for these tests. Fortuneatly there is a lot of information out there for the CCNA.

Check out my FAQ for a list of hopefully helpful sites:

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=6313

Good Luck
TL

 

[techkiwi]

As CiscoGuy33 points out, DON'T make the mistake of thinking that a book (or even two or three) will teach you all you need to know to pass the exam. I have seen a couple of guys make this mistake to their cost...

Cisco is pushing hard nowadays to try to ensure there are no "paper" CCNAs or CCNPs out there. You need the theory from the books but you also need hands-on.

As far as the books go, one guy I know used the Wendell Odom books and scored 960, so that's gotta be worth thinking about

 

[bearvalley]

Thanks for all your help. I will take your advise and buy a selection of the recommended books.

Thanks again.