Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat limited
Review: As you can expect from an "Official" book, this one is somewhat limited. It does provide a good intro to most of the commands and how to configure a pix for secure use. It is quick and concise. If that is what you need, then this will work.
However, some of the info is outdated and it does not cover the different versions/abilities of the PIX FOS. For example, it covers conduits but has no discussion of access-lists. Since Cisco is discontinuing conduit commands, this dates the book.However, it is a decent referrence for most commands, and I guess it contains the info it does due to it being a cuorse book for the CQS-I Exam it is ok.
But if you really want an in depth coverage of PIX and the FOS then I recommend "Cisco PIX Firewalls" by Deal.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat limited
Review: As you can expect from an "Official" book, this one is somewhat limited. It does provide a good intro to most of the commands and how to configure a pix for secure use. It is quick and concise. If that is what you need, then this will work.
However, some of the info is outdated and it does not cover the different versions/abilities of the PIX FOS. For example, it covers conduits but has no discussion of access-lists. Since Cisco is discontinuing conduit commands, this dates the book. However, it is a decent referrence for most commands, and I guess it contains the info it does due to it being a cuorse book for the CQS-I Exam it is ok.
But if you really want an in depth coverage of PIX and the FOS then I recommend "Cisco PIX Firewalls" by Deal.
Rating: 
Summary: Great reference ? but so is the PIX documentation
Review: Cisco Secure PIX Firewalls is an excellent book for those needing PIX technical reference. The book is not a definitive text on PIX firewalls, but is definitely a good starting point. The book provides a methodical overview of how to use a PIX. It has a brief introduction into various firewall architectures, and then dives into installing the software and hardware and software configuration. This version of the book is getting a bit dated and a new edition should be considered. On the downside, the truth is that the PIX documentation, and information from the Cisco web site, covers about 90% of the information in the book. For those that want to save $$$, they can simply print out the PIX documentation, and save their money. But for those that don't have an actual PIX appliance or access to the PIX documentation, Cisco Secure PIX Firewalls is a very good reference for learning the rudiments of the functionality of a PIX firewall.
Rating:
Summary: Great reference ¿ but so is the PIX documentation
Review: Cisco Secure PIX Firewalls is an excellent book for those needing PIX technical reference. The book is not a definitive text on PIX firewalls, but is definitely a good starting point. The book provides a methodical overview of how to use a PIX. It has a brief introduction into various firewall architectures, and then dives into installing the software and hardware and software configuration. This version of the book is getting a bit dated and a new edition should be considered. On the downside, the truth is that the PIX documentation, and information from the Cisco web site, covers about 90% of the information in the book. For those that want to save $$$, they can simply print out the PIX documentation, and save their money. But for those that don't have an actual PIX appliance or access to the PIX documentation, Cisco Secure PIX Firewalls is a very good reference for learning the rudiments of the functionality of a PIX firewall.
Rating:
Summary: Good Start
Review: Having never really done any config on the PIX before this was a really easy read and easy to understand. For a beginner it is pretty ideal, but further down the track there seem to be a few holes. For example we don't use conduits but access-lists for inbound. The only reference to this is that on newer OS's this can be done!!
Anyway nice easy read, recommended for new CCNAs and anyone who wants a basic knowledge of the PIX.
Rating:
Summary: Dont use it as the sole study guide for the 9E0-111 Pix test
Review: I came close to passing the 9E0-111 test today with just this book and some hands-on with a Pix 501 but alas; no cigar-o. The test is pretty tough and has changed a lot and although this book is fairly good, I would get a newer book for the studying for exam 9E0-111. It is now well outdated. Also, there are lots of mistakes with no errata for it on Cisco Press' web site. By now, after a year and a half (practically) you think that there would be. The new Cisco Press CSPFA course book is due out April 10, 2003 (a few weeks away) and I will wait and see how that one is by browsing it for free at the local Barnes & Noble before I order it for myself.
Rating:
Summary: Well written, but lacking in content
Review: I have not had the book long, but I have found one big negative against it. The author talks about the STATIC and CONDUIT commands, but he only briefly mentions the ACCESS-LIST and ACCESS-GROUP commands. These later two commands have replaced STATIC and CONDUIT. I was disappointed that he only devoted a paragraph to mention these two very important commands. On the positive, the book is well written for the average computer professional. You don't have to be a CCIE to read it, but it isn't 'PIX for Dummies' either.
Rating: 
Summary: Limited and outdated
Review: I just finished reading this book and I must say I was pretty disappointed with it. This might have been a decent book back when it was first relesaed, but at this point it is in desparate need of an update. I also read the Khan book from Syngress and it is much better. It is WAY more up to date for the exam and product line.
Rating:
Summary: The Power of the PIX
Review: I used this book to teach the matter to a group of novices, and I can say that it accomplished its mission. It gave to the students the backgroud they needed to undertand the technology, while orienting them through some basic hands-on labs. There are topics for which they needed further reference, specially when I came to ACS and VPNs. Naturally, it wasn't made as an exam preparation reference (at least it is what I find out), though it has some knowledge assessment questions that help in the learning process. If you are new to PIX Firewalls, this could be a good starting point.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Solid Info on PIX
Review: Sometimes its hard to find all the info that you need to effectively operate and understand what the PIX can do for an enterprise. A lot of the knowledge that I've gained about the PIX has been from scattered sources, this book is pretty good at getting all that information together. A close second(in terms of information) to this book is the Configuration Guide that comes with the PIX. The book is pretty well written, easy to read and it is only about 300 pages. For those of you who are used to reading the 600 page books that Cisco Press puts out, this one can be considered light reading. I'm currently re-reading it a second time, in preparation for the exam. I've tried the Boson tests along with the book and they seem to be a good combo. Even if you are not planning on taking the exam, I recommend this book. The examples given may be a bit simplestic, but they drive the point home. As a day-to-day reference, you may also want to supplment the book with info from CCO.
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