Rating: 
Summary: All I have to say is 3 1/2 weeks worth of study = Network +
Review: (Not including my 2 1/2 years in the Networking field) No kidding I studied an average of 5 hours a week and was able to pass my Network + with a 826 out of 900. The test was very broad and a thorough review of each chapters questions more than prepared me for the Exam. - An extra 5 stars goes out to the author who filled the book with lots of detail but didn't make it boring to read -
Rating: 
Summary: Even with the Microsoft slant this book is still very good.
Review: Being that Microsoft has partnered with CompTia and allowed the Network+ exam to be used in the MSCA track, it is no surprise that they have updated the Network+ Training Guide to meet the new exam. However in this 700 page manual there is a definitive slant in the material to Microsoft. While every objective is covered and this is also a useful tool for the MCSA exams, be aware that the material is geared to the Microsoft environment. Overall you have over 45 exercises and a perfect tool for the classroom. What are missing are practice exams and for those not able to have equipment to work on, a simulator of some type would be a nice addition as well. It is well documented and the cd does have an e-book of the Encyclopedia of Networking and few improvements are needed in order to make this book a winner.
Rating: 
Summary: Average book
Review: CompTIA tests are vendor neutral, so I was interested to see what Microsoft Press would do with a non Microsoft title. Unfortunately they slip in a lot of subtle and not so subtle pro Microsoft PR fluff. Also, the book is very Microsoft centric, most of the examples in the book are from Windows. I realize this is a Microsoft Press book, but if they are going to publish books for vender neutral tests they should cut out some of the propaganda. ...The book itself is pretty well written, I didn't notice many mistakes. Its goes way more in depth that the info you need for the CompTIA Network+ test. Strangely enough, you cannot find MESH network topology anywhere in this book, even though it is a test topic, and I had 1 question on my test related to this. The CD contains the entire book plus their Network Encyclopedia, which was useful in studying for the test. It would be nice if the CD has some practice tests similar to the real test, this is not hard or expensive for them to do, every book in this price range that comes with a CD should have practice tests, IMO. I subtracted 1 star for all the pro MS fluff and 1 star for no practice tests on the CD, so its a average 3 star book in my opinion...
Rating:
Summary: Helpful to Pass
Review: Found the book helpful to pass the exam with a high score. The cd isn't all that valuable. Would have appreciated a simulated test on the cd. As with most cert books, you may want to look at multiple sources (test sites, other books, videos, etc.) to get a more complete grasp on the topic.
Rating:
Summary: Great book - informative!
Review: I am using this book to prepare for the Network + test and I must say that it is one of the best technical books I have read. MS Press has outdone themselves with this book, maybe it's even better than the stuff they write for their own products! This book is a good study tool as well as a reference.
Rating:
Summary: Great book - informative!
Review: I am using this book to prepare for the Network + test and I must say that it is one of the best technical books I have read. MS Press has outdone themselves with this book, maybe it's even better than the stuff they write for their own products! This book is a good study tool as well as a reference.
Rating:
Summary: Don't use this book for the new 2002 test
Review: I do not recommend this book for those who wish to pass the 2002 version of the Network+ test. The technologies covered on the new exam are not covered in this book (because this book was printed last year and the latest version of the Network + test was released this year). This book does not cover things like wireless networks, gigabit ethernet, fiber cabling, etc,--all required knowledge for the new exam. Do yourself a favor--if you want to pass, find a book that actually covers the new exam objectives.
Rating:
Summary: OK, but with significant gaps
Review: I'm about 40% through this book in my preparation, and it is giving me lots of useful material for the exam, especially in details on TCP and consistent references back to the OSI model. Clear gaps, however, include no coverage of the 2002 Network+ updates and a complete absence of discussion on AppleTalk. It was worth the price paid for a "used" copy, but clearly not sufficient as a sole study book.
Rating:
Summary: everything you need and then some
Review: Just like the previous reviewer I used this book and the Coriolis Exam Prep to study for the Network+ exam, which I passed yesterday with a score of 863. There were only a very few very minor points on the exam that this book did not cover. However this book goes into far more detail than you really need for the exam, so if you work your way through this somewhat ponderous book, understand everything in it, and can answer the practice questions in the book without cheating, then you should have no problem on the exam (exam N10-001 that is - they are coming out with a revised exam real soon, so make sure to study for the right one!!). There is a small amount of pro-Microsoft propaganda in this book, as well as a modicum of Novell-bashing, but considering that this is a book from Microsoft Press, that shouldn't be surprising.
Rating:
Summary: Good exam study guide
Review: Just passed my test 1-3-02 with a score of 850. I used this book as my main study guide in addition to the Coriolis Exam Prep. It has just about all the information you need by itself to pass the exam and seems to be superior to the Coriolis book. I would recommend checking the online braindumps and using a search engine of your choice to look up additional specific references on protocols and technologies(like fiber). Even though its Microsoft Press, its not loaded with MS propaganda and doesn't bore you to death like others. This book would help you pass the Network+ exam, good luck.
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