Book Review: ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, 2nd Edition

Book:  CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, 2nd Edition

Author:  Wendell Odom

Publisher:  Cisco Press, Hardcover, 2nd edition, Published August 2007, 725 pages

ISBN #:  1587201828

Exam #:  640-822

Book Features:

This book is a “best of breed” Cisco exam study guide that focuses specifically on the objectives for the CCENT and CCNA ICND1 exam

This updated edition presents complete reviews and a more challenging and realistic exam preparation experience

Presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques:

"Do I Know This Already?" quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section

Chapter-ending Exam Preparation Tasks sections help you drill on key concepts you must know thoroughly and help increase your speed in answering questions

A Final Preparation chapter guides you through tools and resources to help you craft your final study plan

Special troubleshooting sections help you master the complex scenarios you will face on the exam

The companion CD-ROM contains a powerful testing engine that allows you to focus on individual topic areas or take complete, timed exams. The assessment engine also tracks your performance and provides feedback on a chapter-by-chapter basis, presenting question-by-question remediation to the text.   The bonus DVD contains more than 60 minutes of personal video mentoring from the author focused mainly on bringing difficult subnetting concepts to life.

CCNT and CCNA ICND1 Exam Topics

The official study guide helps you master all the topics on the CCENT and CCNA ICND1 exam, including:

TCP/IP and OSI networking models

Operating Cisco routers and LAN switches

Ethernet switch configuration and troubleshooting

Wireless LANs

IP addressing and subnetting

Routing protocols

Router configuration and troubleshooting

Network Security

WAN concepts and configuration

Table of Contents:

Part I Networking Fundamentals 3

Chapter 1 Introduction to Computer Networking Concepts

Chapter 2 The TCP/IP and OSI Networking Models

Chapter 3 Fundamentals of LANs

Chapter 4 Fundamentals of WANs

Chapter 5 Fundamentals of IP Addressing and Routing

Chapter 6 Fundamentals of TCP/IP Transport, Applications, and Security

Part II LAN Switching

Chapter 7 Ethernet LAN Switching Concepts

Chapter 8 Operating Cisco LAN Switches

Chapter 9 Ethernet Switch Configuration

Chapter 10 Ethernet Switch Troubleshooting

Chapter 11 Wireless LANs

Part III IP Routing

Chapter 12 IP Addressing and Subnetting

Chapter 13 Operating Cisco Routers

Chapter 14 Routing Protocol Concepts and Configuration

Chapter 15 Troubleshooting IP Routing

Part IV WAN

Chapter 16 WAN Concepts

Chapter 17 WAN Configuration

Sarah’s Review     

Rating: 4 stars/5

Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (ICND1 640-822)

In June 2007, Cisco announced the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) certification to be the first entry-level Cisco certification that will be offered to computer professionals seeking Cisco credentials

In order to become a CCNA certified professional, the Cisco candidate will also have to pass the ICND2 test (640-816)

This study guide focuses on the CCENT / CCNA ICND1 content

Positives

This book offers the reader a comprehensive study guide to assist the candidate in preparing for the new CCENT (ICND1 640-822) exam

The objectives are clear and concise

The reader can skip chapters by taking the Do I Know This Already? Quiz

The CD in the book is one of the most comprehensive that I have seen so far and has the following contents:

Cisco Press Support, Registration and Updates

Exam engine with practice exams

Electronic version of the Cisco Press book in PDF format

Binary game that the student can play to enhance the readers knowledge

Negatives

The organization of this book leaves a bit to be desired.  For example, the author discusses WAN topics in the following modules:

Chapter 4 Fundamentals of WANs

Chapter 16 WAN Concepts

Chapter 17 WAN Configuration

From a training standpoint, I would rather have the like topics together

Overall, I found this certification guide one of the best that I have reviewed

I am planning to utilize this book for the ICND1 class offered by TEKsystems

The CCENT, as well as, the CCNA candidate will find these resources extremely useful to both prepare and utilize as a reference for years to come.  I would recommend utilizing this guide to conquer the new CCENT / CCNA ICND1 Exam!