What is the best material for studying the 642-552???

Hi,

What is the best material for studying the 642-552 exam. It looks like Cisco has not updated their books for this exam....

Thanks

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chager00

I may not be the best source of info, because I just failed the 552 exam, BUT...I didn't fail it miserably, and it's very fresh in my head. If you can afford to get the CBT Nuggets video for the old 551 exam and/or the Network Security Fundamentals book by Cisco Press, you'll get about 85-90% of what's on the exam. The other 10-15%, at least on the exam I took, was related to SDM, which isn't mentioned in the slightest in either of the sources I used. So you'd have to do what I plan to do before I retest in a couple of weeks: Find sources of information about SDM to study. Particularly, I'd say, the security audit wizard - not sure what it's actually called. There were 5-7 SDM questions on there, three of which were audit-wizard related, asking what "fix it" option you would choose to harden your router against a specific type of vulnerability or attack.

EDIT: SDM 2.3 User Guide?: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps5318/products_user_guide_book09186a0080645da3.html

mw7301

I bought a copy of the old 642-501 SECUR book for $1.50 and it does mention the SDM stuff that you referred to. I also have a copy of the Network Security Fundamentals book. My plan is to use both of these to cover the new objectives and see if I can pass the test that way since Cisco doesnt have a book out yet. Wish me luck!

chager00

Good luck! And make sure to read through Cisco's official list of what's covered on 642-552 and don't overlook anything. The SECUR book might cover an outdated version of SDM or something, I don't know. On my exam, there were lots of wizard-related questions, mainly the security audit. But notice that 3 of the 9 Major headings on the 642-552 Exam Topics page all mention SDM. It's a big chunk of the material. I am embarrassed to say that despite printing off a hardcopy and pinning it to my cubicle wall, I didn't really look that closely at it before testing.

I test again myself in 8 days, and I'm going through the SDM manual while using SDM to configure 2 virtual 7200 routers using Dynamips. It's awesome.

netteaser

I am using the CBT Nuggets 552 Video and Network Security books

netteaser

Just signed up for the 642-552 Exam will be taking it in 2 weeks.

vipmehta

Hello,

I am using the CBT Nuggets Video too. I bought that last week and am planning to take the exam on May 2.

Fingers crossed all goes well. Also have got the Cisco Security Fundamentals Book which I plan to overview.

Anyone recommend good set of practice exams?

netteaser

Let us know how it goes!!

ninnacharu

Hey u ppl...

whoever is wanting to study on SDM...i downloaded a bookf rom cisco website which seems very good...Cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM) Version 2.3 User’s Guide

pr3d4t0r

ninnacharu wrote:

Hey u ppl...

whoever is wanting to study on SDM...i downloaded a bookf rom cisco website which seems very good...Cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM) Version 2.3 User’s Guide

I found it very useful for the SNRS and SND exam.