reading

Young Grasshopper

for those who read the books, how often do you read? for example how many pages per session, do you read the entire book, etc...i just bought the ccent/ccna books from wendell odom. just curious to hear what others do when reading books.


thanks

Netstudent

I like to read by chapters. I read a full chapter and depending on how much information it is, I might start another chapter. Sometimes I read a chapter twice in a row in one session and do some labs. If I don't have a lot of time, like at work, then I will skim through 10 to 20 pages that I have already read. Repitition is the key for me. I don't like to wade through a new set of technical information untill I have a full understanding of the preceding chapter. ONce I finish a book, I will pick up a second resource like a cert guide or docs, and then go back to the orginal book as a cross reference. I read various material daily between school, work, and cisco books.
I think it kinda comes with the territory.

blackninja

I'm about 2 thirds through my CCNA. Will be taking exam (802) being Feb. I found that if I read book chapter by chapter until the end I got a basic understanding off it all. I would then read again taking notes, on things that didn't sink in.

I would then go through my notes and try and understand. Using other material e.g. web for another point of view.

Then of course labs and repetition and buy your own kit!!

I also got the "The Bryant Advantage Ultimate CCNA" for a second opinion and the labs are great. He explains things without too much tech speak.

I do hope this helps.

nel

how much is the The Bryant Advantage Ultimate CCNA? is it worth the £££'s?

networker050184

You can check it out here. I don't think it would be worth the money. All you need to pass is Cisco Press and the DOC CD which has all the information you need to pass. The DOCs are full of any information you may need, and the best part is its free.

shednik

networker050184 wrote:

You can check it out here. I don't think it would be worth the money. All you need to pass is Cisco Press and the DOC CD which has all the information you need to pass. The DOCs are full of any information you may need, and the best part is its free.

no offense to networker but I have to disagree with that about bryant....cisco press is great don't get me wrong but the study pack bryant offers is also very good. I bought the 801 pack for $99 came with his ebook, practice questions for each different lesson and book, plus 3 days of rack time. He has a very good way of explaining things...I learned my subnetting a different method but I know many people who love his way of teaching it. I'd recommend it as one source def and if you have a lab skip the rack time its like $30 cheaper...I caught a few mins of his videos from trainsignal as well they are excellent. So my recommendation's for the ccna exam are:

Chris Bryant
Cisco Press
Rack time or a lab

The one thing I also bought that I loved was TestOut but it was expensive

networker050184

No offense taken

I agree his material is good, but not worth the money as you can find all the information you need from the DOCs. Might be worth it if you are pretty green when it comes to networking and need the extra explanations. I have been using CBT Nuggets for the CCNP and they are great, but never used them for CCNA.

dynamik

I'll second The Bryant Advantage. It's a great resource for novice Cisco students. You certainly do not need it, but I think it's a great value for the money.

blackninja

Another great reason for The Bryant Advantage is that you can email him direct, I have got replies within usualy 12hrs. And speaking as someone that is studying for his CCNA, this is a very good resource to have - a real CCIE.