SNAF material?

mikearama

Hey hey, first post in this forum.

I'm eager to start down the 642-524 path, but noted that no one's laid out any study material for this one.

Ciscopress only seems to have the SNAF Quick Reference ( https://ciscobookstore.informit.com/bookstore/index.asp?n=236bbe3b-8bdf-41c8-8094-3d054173dc26&sorttype=3&dir=1&page=1 ), but no Study Guides or Cert Guides.

Anyone got any hidden gems they'd like to share?
Thanks,
mike

mikej412

A lot of the old PIX/ASA resources should still be good. Use the exam blueprint and the Quick Reference Sheets as a guide to picking the most relevant resources and current Cisco Docs to read.

Comparing the new exam blueprint with the old PIX/ASA exam blueprints should also give you an idea of any changes (other than just stressing the ASA now) you'd need to be aware of while using the older resources. For anything you can identify as "New" or "more important" hit up the Cisco Online Documentation.

If you know someone who is going/has gone through the official course, buy them lots of beer, become their best friend, and borrow their official course student guide.

Ahriakin

The Cisco ASA All-in-One Handbook should cover most of what you need too.

dtlokee

Do not underestimate this exam (I know it says fundamentals). It is heavily biased to the new 8.0 features and you need to know them well.

And if you're a CLI junkie the fact that the courseware is entirely based on the ASDM will break your heart.

Ahriakin

Wow. I did not know that, very odd for Cisco to go pure GUI. Well in that case check out Securing Your Business with Cisco ASA and PIX Firewalls (Abelar, ISBN# 1587052148 ) , it's all ASDM

mikearama

I am a CLI fan, though I have to say, for the first time, I like the ASDM. A serious improvement over the pix pdm.

I snagged the ASA, PIX and FWSM Handbook (2nd Ed) by Hucaby, though I'll certainly add your suggestion to the mix, Ahriakin.

Ahriakin

At the end of the day use what works. I think it is essential to understand the CLI because configuration is more granular you need (and gain) a much better understanding of the technologies you are configuring. Also SSH is a more common client and you may not have access to a java enabled PC at the time you need it. BUT a lot of the more complex tasks can be performed faster and with less chance of error from the ASDM, and some new features can only be configured from it (for some bizarre reason). I tend to use both, CLI for the majority of work but ASDM for anything heavily policy related.