CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (Exam #640-801), 2nd Edition. The videos are really worked through labs to solidify specific topics, as opposed to generic learning.
What you get is a CD and a booklet (which is also on the CD in PDF format). The booklet contains the configs and diagrams that are displayed on the video so that you have a reference while watching. The videos themselves are partially powerpoint diagrams of the routers and their networks (ie explaining what’s about to happen or what just did happen), and terminal sessions on the actual routers.
I must admit that my initial impression when looking at the box was that this was going to be generic learning, and that I wasn’t interested in seeing some guy read from a book when I could do it faster myself. However once you sit down and view the videos you realize that it’s a specific topic being explained in the form of a lab. Even after doing this stuff for several years and having passed the CCNA (twice) I thought the content and format were interesting enough to keep my attention.
One of the labs, PPP and CHAP Configuration, stands out in my mind for being more than what the title says. It starts off with a look at interface status and what the line and protocol really mean by working through an example of configuring an HDLC link to PPP. For someone that doesn’t understand how the line could be up but protocol down, this lab shows how and why it happens. The actual configuration of PPP and CHAP in this lab takes a back seat.
Conversely, RIPv1 with Split Horizon, Route Poisoning, and Poison Reverse is exactly what it says. The lab uses some power point animations to describe what happens, and then shows the output of “debug ip rip” in different cases to really understand what split horizon, route poisoning, and poison reverse do.
I think the lessons have a good steady pace and are about the right length. Each lab is distinct so all you really need is a block of 10 or 15 minutes at a time to watch a video. The booklet came in handy for looking at the topology when the focus on the video was on a console session. I really liked how a specific scenario was chosen, whiteboarded, and demonstrated on real equipment in about 10 minutes.
Since the videos are closely tied to the certification books by the same author it would help to have those, too (only 2 of the videos relate to the INTRO book, so it’s the ICND book that matters more). The intent of the videos aren’t to watch 2 hours solid, it’s to accompany your self directed study.
The only mark against this product is its price — $70US (shop around online to find discounts). However, these videos are much more valuable than purchasing a second CCNA study guide (ie, in addition to the Cisco Press ones that are tied to the CVM), which softens the blow. When browsing CCNA forums I often see people purchasing multiple study guides and I think that this would be a far better investment than buying the extra books.
This one is a winner. I’m looking forward to seeing more video offerings from Cisco Press on more advanced subjects. This approach reminds me of some of the mini labs that used to be posted on Cisco.com where you could choose a small topic to lab out. The CVM does the same, except you just watch someone do it.
The topics (with some of my comments were applicable)
CCNA Basics
1. Navigating the Router/Switch Command Line Interface
2. Router Configuration and Managing Configuration Files
LAN Switching
3. Switch Basics: Learning, Forwarding/Filtering, and Interface settings
4. Configuring VLANs - Also includes VTP, trunks, and DTP
Basic Routing
5. Static and Connected Routes
6. RIPv1 Configuration
7. RIPv1 with Split Horizon, Route Poisoning, and Poison Reverse - Really well done, the power point animations and use of debugs were right on
Advanced Routing
8. Single-Area and Multiarea OSPF Configuration - Well done, this one packed a lot of configuration in a little period of time. Could have added a few lines about troubleshooting especially since it’s good exam fodder
9. EIGRP Configuration and Operation
10. NAT Overload (PAT)
WAN
11. PPP and CHAP Configuration - Really interesting look at interface status using the example of an HDLC link being changed to ppp
12. Access Lists
source :http://ccnprecertification.com
