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Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Having read every word of this lengthy book, I was rather disappointed with it. Personally I could have done without the personal commentaries that proliferated this book, but what really concerned me was that in the end, despite the 800+ pages, the book seemed shallow and never really got into the details of the subject matter the way it should have. The CD-ROM test questions were OK, but the software was flaky and did NOT let you review the Case Study Questions after the test. I found some of the Questions intentionally misleading and the drag and drop questions completely impossible. Don't use the sample questions to judge your ability to take the exam. Also I found it odd that after each chapter I was still unprepared to answer the questions at the end of the chapter.This is a good overview but not enough for the exam. This is my first Sybex book, I am hoping that this is the exception not the rule as I have heard Sybex is generally good.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fairly Decent Book
Review: I have to say that I disagree with all the comments...overall this is a pretty damn good book. The whole idea of these "new" types of exams is not to learn how to setup the network, its how to design it...meaning you gotta know the architecture. The first part of the book goes into the whole business design, which is great for real-world but you won't see much on the test. The last part was much more useful as it explained all the topics covered on the test. I used the AD Design book from Sybex and it worked great to help me pass the exam...so these do come highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: A little harsh the first time..
Review: I've come to trust Sybex books to be the best single study guide to prepare for Microsoft MCP and Cisco tests. New Riders have consistantly proven as weak overviews, Osbourne (Syngress) books are often technically inaccurate. With two glaring exceptions (the terrible 70-029 SQL Server Database Design guide and and the woefully poor editing on 70-240 MCSE Accelerated for Windows 2000), there's been a Sybex guide to compliment every IT professional test I've passed (somewhere between 12-15). Although nothing ever replaces first-hand experience, Sybex has consistantly given me something to start with. This book draws heavily from the Author's lifetime of experience in the IT field, and it's pretty obvious he knew the exam objectives as he sat down to write. He speaks heavily of example, and segues perfectly into a corresponding exam objective. Based on my skimming of other books on the topic, this one serves as the most solid foundation for what is on the test. Network Infrastructure Design, as you'll find out in just a few chapters, has more to do with meeting prescribed needs than laying the cables and setting up routers. The best feature of this book is that it helps you empathize the situation of a company, pointing out their needs and what you're most likely to run into. If you can't listen to people and discern a setup that is most accomodating to their needs, while still working within a desired (often low) budget - it's not too late to choose a different elective for your Win2K MCSE. That being said, if you're going to take this test, and buy ANY study guide, this should be your book. The only bigger mistake? Taking the test without a network design to your credit!
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad
Review: Not bad, lots of info, though some if it seems somewhat superficial.
Rating:
Summary: Chatty, Friendly, but not a study guide
Review: This book is terrible. It is written for a newbie with no experience. If you have any experience, DO NOT read this book. DO NOT even skim it. The 895 pages contain way too much filler. The first 350 pages cover basic project design methodology which is, again, intended for somoene with no experience. The remaining pages provide a basic coverage of the exam objectives, but do not provide the complexity nor the interoprerability that you will face in design scenarios. I passed the exam, but with little help from this book.
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