Rating: 
Summary: Planned obsolescence
Review: Copyrighted in 2001, the Cisco CCNP library has already been rendered obsolete by Cisco themselves. Not only exam revisions, but a fundamental structural change to the CCNP examination series has taken place in the short time since these books were put on the market. Unfortunately, I can see no other benefit to these books beyond providing a revenue stream to Cisco. There are better books available if one is looking for truly educational technical books rather than exam-specific guides.
Rating: 
Summary: Good books but ....
Review: I bought this set of books to refresh my memory, compare it against my experience and to see in which area I have to study to be able to pass the tests for CCNP. Overall I would normaly rate them higher, but all 4 books need extensive editing. I found many errors, even in areas I didn't have that much experience. More then once I would read something on one page and then on the next page it would opposite of what was just said. Very often the examples are wrong too. In the Routing book for example it talks about static routes and using passive-interface on a BRI interface, yet the example shows in the top BRI as physical interface, but the bottom of the example and the text after the example talks about Serial 0.The same goes for the included test software with study mode and test exam. There are many questions for which you should select more then one answer, but they set the answers to only one selectable. Or in one case at least the question had two possible answer choices, but none was marked as the right answer. I sent several times feedback to Cisco Press and checked their website if they have maybe an update for the books or software, but nothing so far. Nor has any of my feedbacks being answered. All in all the books did help me to prepare myself for the tests and pass all successfull on the first try, but I credit much to my general knowledge about networking and parallel reading other documentation...
Rating: 
Summary: is it claire or clare?
Review: I purchased this set last year and so far I have taken only Routing and Remote Access Exams, I'll be taking the Switching exam this coming Wednesday. These books are the only ones you need if you want to pass the difficult exams. Though you cannot expect that everything in the exam will be discussed here, you need a bit of common sense and work experience to get past through all of them. I passed the two exams in one try using these books as my sole study guide. These books cover more details of the exam topics than the Sybex one I think. I agree with the description above saying that Routing is the weakest among the books. Though Gough tried really hard to present the topics, something was still missing. I suggest you read the books cover to cover, answer all the test questions in the book and in the CDROM and if you could, get a BOSON software as well. That will surely help. Good luck!~
Rating: 
Summary: Good Enough to Pass the CCNP Exam.
Review: I purchased this set last year and so far I have taken only Routing and Remote Access Exams, I'll be taking the Switching exam this coming Wednesday. These books are the only ones you need if you want to pass the difficult exams. Though you cannot expect that everything in the exam will be discussed here, you need a bit of common sense and work experience to get past through all of them. I passed the two exams in one try using these books as my sole study guide. These books cover more details of the exam topics than the Sybex one I think. I agree with the description above saying that Routing is the weakest among the books. Though Gough tried really hard to present the topics, something was still missing. I suggest you read the books cover to cover, answer all the test questions in the book and in the CDROM and if you could, get a BOSON software as well. That will surely help. Good luck!~
Rating: 
Summary: Regarding the New Test
Review: I'm about to start studying and plan on purchasing this set of books as well as the CCNP preperation library. Cisco changed some of the format on one of the tests around and gave it a slightly different title. An additional chapter for each of the two relevant books can be downloaded from Cisco Press for free. Here's what Cisco Press says on their web page. September 2002: Cisco changes CCNP Routing Exam
On September 13, Cisco Systems introduced a new version to its professional level Routing exam, known as Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI). BSCI has an additional section on the IS-IS protocol not previously covered in the BSCN course or exam. This exam, already in existence as part of the CCIP certification program, replaces Building Scalable Cisco Networks (BSCN), one of the four exams required for both the CCNP and CCDP certifications. Free Chapters from Cisco Press!
Cisco Press published two titles originally created for BSCN preparation, Building Scalable Cisco Networks and CCNP Routing Exam Certification Guide. These titles are still excellent self-study tools in your overall preparation strategy for pursuit of CCNP or CCDP certifications. To assist candidates, Cisco Press is providing supplemental chapters on IS-IS. The BSCN and Routing Exam Certification Guide supplemental material can be downloaded by clicking the links below.
Rating:
Summary: Well... I've passed 'em all first time so far...
Review: just one left... You can go at Cisco Exams from a totally braindump mindset or you can go for the "just know everything so you'll be prepared" mindset. The latter approach is the one these books take. They will require some dedication, rereading, and scrounging on Cisco.com but if you diligently apply yourself, the exams are passable. This is the harder path, but ultimately this way the knowledge will be more useful. The books were inconsistent in their quality. The routing book was awful and full of glaring errors -- way too many. That's what's bringing the average down. Yes, the information was all there, but I'd rather use a book that didn't make me waste so much time parsing tortured grammar and figuring out what the examples really SHOULD be. The other three books were adequate. I found it odd that the switching book covered LANE but it was not on my exam. The support book was sadly lacking in scenarios -- a book like this screams for them, but I'll give it passing marks because it had very few errors, and I believe it tells you pretty much what you need to know. The practise exam CD's included with each book were useful. If they had about twice the number of questions each and got rid of the misconfigured questions, they'd be more useful. The previous reviewer is wrong about these books being outdated. With the exception of ISIS being added to the BSCI exam (and you can download it free) the material covered hasn't changed: Cisco has just updated their question banks and is constantly adding more sim-type questions, while weeding out the loser questions and getting away from the "memorize till your brain hurts" mentality...
Rating:
Summary: Well... I've passed 'em all first time so far...
Review: just one left... You can go at Cisco Exams from a totally braindump mindset or you can go for the "just know everything so you'll be prepared" mindset. The latter approach is the one these books take. They will require some dedication, rereading, and scrounging on Cisco.com but if you diligently apply yourself, the exams are passable. This is the harder path, but ultimately this way the knowledge will be more useful. The books were inconsistent in their quality. The routing book was awful and full of glaring errors -- way too many. That's what's bringing the average down. Yes, the information was all there, but I'd rather use a book that didn't make me waste so much time parsing tortured grammar and figuring out what the examples really SHOULD be. The other three books were adequate. I found it odd that the switching book covered LANE but it was not on my exam. The support book was sadly lacking in scenarios -- a book like this screams for them, but I'll give it passing marks because it had very few errors, and I believe it tells you pretty much what you need to know. The practise exam CD's included with each book were useful. If they had about twice the number of questions each and got rid of the misconfigured questions, they'd be more useful. The previous reviewer is wrong about these books being outdated. With the exception of ISIS being added to the BSCI exam (and you can download it free) the material covered hasn't changed: Cisco has just updated their question banks and is constantly adding more sim-type questions, while weeding out the loser questions and getting away from the "memorize till your brain hurts" mentality...
Rating:
Summary: With help you pass the exams, needs a few fixes.
Review: One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how often certification exams change, by this you have to update your certification and with that you have to find study material that covers the new exams. Cisco Press has put together four book that not only exceed the newest CCNP exams they also help you for the CCDP exams as well. Covering the Routing, Switching, Remote Access and Troubleshooting exams, this set of book can be used in the classroom but seems more for the self study. With over 100 hand-on labs, scenarios, which seem to be taken from real life situations, plus over 200 practice questions in each book you have a healthy assortment of test information right at your fingertips. Each book comes with a cdrom totaling over 800 questions to practice with plus practice exams and complete e-books. Written by CCIE's, whose knowledge of the subject matter is evident gives the reader detailed explanations that should give you a very good chance of passing the exam first time around. One thing I like about Cisco Press is that fact the books are more than just study guides they are also handy reference manuals for anyone working with Cisco equipment. Take this set of 4 and couple them with the 4 set of books in the Preparation library and you may just have an unbeatable combination. Overall Cisco Press has put together one of the, if not, the best set of manuals on the market today. Do not let the price sway your decision as the information and material presented more than make up for the cost.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Set, A great value
Review: So far using these books I've passed my Switching and Routing exams with ease. I especially like the Switching book as it covers Layer 3 switching and Multicasting in depth (which the test hit really hard by the way). I also like these books as they aren't so huge and they contain the info you need to pass the tests...period. I would buy this set first if you're going for the CCNP.
Rating:
Summary: Product outdated
Review: This book does not cover the new exams that have been revised as of September, 2002. Don't bother, wait for the next release.
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