Todd lammle or Wendell as the primary reference?

So just rushed through Todd Lammles book and couldn't find the WAN concepts like leased lines and HDLC and others. Which one is better as a primary reference?

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broli720

If you couldn't find it in his book I'd try the other one. I can confirm that Wendell does have at least half a chapter's worth of information on it.

sarahanand

Yes, Wendell's book has chapter 3 dedicated to WAN. I couldn't find it in Todd's book. Which other book would u suggest?

networker050184

I always suggest Odom's book as anyone's primary resource. Some people think it's a bit dry, but it has all the details you need.

YFZblu

I mean, they've both emerged as standards and will adequately prepare you for the CCNA exams. I would flip through both at a bookstore to determine which writing style partners best with your learning style.

bbarrick

Read Odom's entire book just recently, gave me a good foundation. Going through Lammle's now. I suggest both. If you are going for the 100-101 test be sure and keep up with the errata pages. Both books are in their first edition and well, there are some errors.

smcclenaghan

I know I'm in the minority but I thought Lammle's book was terrible. It won't teach you what you need although it might be ok as a referesher if you've previously passed it.

I thought the questions in each chapter were misleading and unnecessarily confusing, including asking about things he doesn't cover.

Odom's is a longer (dryer) read for sure, but it goes step by step which is how I need to learn.

So that said, if you don't need things spelled out for you, Lammle's book might be better for you - just preference. I can't recommend it though. But I swear by Odom's books..

bbarrick

After reading the first two chapters I actually put Lammle's book down for those exact reasons and went back to reread Odom's. I thought well, I spent the money on it, let me give it a try. I'm on Chapter 6 now and I think it has helped me quite a bit to further my understanding. Using what I learned in Odom's book, which I suggest be read first, in Lammle's book gives me a much clearer picture of the subject I think.

sarahanand

Thanks guys for insights...so Wendell emerges as a clear winner here.

theodoxa

I read Odom's 640-822 (ICND1) and 640-816 (ICND2) first. I skimmed the basic networking stuff (Devices, Collision/Broadcast Domains, CSMA/CD, etc...) and skipped the subnetting chapters entirely, so I can't comment on how useful those chapters were. I read/skimmed Lammle's book right before taking my ICND1. Leading up to my ICND1, I reviewed the topics I felt weakest on (RIP, CDP and Wireless), skimming everything else [except subnetting which I once again skipped entirely] that was listed on the ICND1 Syllabus/Topics. After I passed my ICND1, I read all the chapters covering ICND2 topics and then took [and passed] my ICND2.

Having read both [except those parts I skipped/skimmed], I felt Lammle covered some topics better, while Odom covered other topics better. For ICND1, I liked Lammle's book better, but for ICND2 I felt Odom's had alot more depth/detail, particularly on WANs and Routing Protocols where in some cases he went deeper than was probably necessary for the CCNA. But, this depth will help you out if you go for the CCNP (ROUTE Exam).

DoubleNNs

I like Odom's book to learn, Lammle's to review.

edit: Or.. what I mean to say is Odom's book would be best if you're new to the material. Lammle's would be a great if you already have Cisco experience.

uneeqstylezz

Odom is all you need! some say labbing is not needed much. that CAN be true BUT labbing helps you REALLY LEARN it and embeds it into your mind.

waqarsarwar

Todd Lammle book is a great read. I never touched odom's book and passed CCNA just recently. So I don't no how is odom's books in reading but Lammle stuff is not that bad as people saying in this forum!!!

sarahanand

waqarsarwar wrote: »

Todd Lammle book is a great read. I never touched odom's book and passed CCNA just recently. So I don't no how is odom's books in reading but Lammle stuff is not that bad as people saying in this forum!!!

May I as, since you've read the book by Todd Lammle, has he covered WAN concepts such as HDLC ? I am still on the sub netting chapter in his book, but CLT F fails to find the WAN concepts.

theodoxa

sarahanand wrote: »

May I as, since you've read the book by Todd Lammle, has he covered WAN concepts such as HDLC ? I am still on the sub netting chapter in his book, but CLT F fails to find the WAN concepts.

He discusses WANs, but not anywhere near as in depth as Odom's book. That combined with Odom's deeper coverage of Routing Protocols is why I felt Odom's book was better for ICND2. Personally, I would suggest reading both for ICND1 and Odom for ICND2.

jvrlopez

I'm using Lammle's CCNA Review Guide, 7th Edition, for 640-802. I like it so far and didn't feel it was light or glancing over the material, but I have experience with the material. I like how its written (not dry) and presented. I also have the IOS Command Line Survival Guide from him, and even though its the same material lifted from the Review Guide, it does make for quick reference on CLI strings.

I'm also using Cisco IOS in a Nutshell by James Boney...way out of date being from 2005, but the basics of networking and configurations are there...the index on this thing rocks!!! But again, its old...

todd@lammle.com

sarahanand wrote: »

So just rushed through Todd Lammles book and couldn't find the WAN concepts like leased lines and HDLC and others. Which one is better as a primary reference?

I have a whole 98 pages on WAN's. What are you looking at? Todd Lammle

todd@lammle.com

sarahanand wrote: »

May I as, since you've read the book by Todd Lammle, has he covered WAN concepts such as HDLC ? I am still on the sub netting chapter in his book, but CLT F fails to find the WAN concepts.

I am not sure where you are getting I don't cover HDLC, PPP, Frame Relay.... I have a whole chapter on it, and a large one at that! Thanks, Todd Lammle

todd@lammle.com

theodoxa wrote: »

He discusses WANs, but not anywhere near as in depth as Odom's book. That combined with Odom's deeper coverage of Routing Protocols is why I felt Odom's book was better for ICND2. Personally, I would suggest reading both for ICND1 and Odom for ICND2.

My new 200-120 as well as my ICND2 book both have a WAN chapter that is way over 100 pages. Thank you, Todd Lammle

sarahanand

I'm sorry Mr.Todd, please accept my apologies here. I must have definitely missed it . You see, I'm using E-pub reader, and am doing CLT-F on each chapter to find something on HDLC and other WAN concepts, since I'm referring to yours and Odom Wendell's book together. However CLT-F is not being accurate enough, apparently. So could you please be kind enough to mention the chapter which talks about HDLC and other WAN concepts. I using the ICND1 Exam 100-101.

todd@lammle.com

I see, that might explain it. My WAN chapter is very detailed in my newest book, and is chapter 7 in my new ICND2 book that just came out yesterday, and in the CCNA Composite 200-120 book, it is chapter 21 (yes, it is a big, but great book!). WAN's are not covered in ICND1 at all, even though I touch on them for understanding, they are not in the objectives. My ICND2 and CCNA R/S books really go far into WAN's, much more than I ever have in the past, and also go deeper on VPN's and GRE tunnels. Thank you! Todd Lammle

todd@lammle.com

smcclenaghan wrote: »

I know I'm in the minority but I thought Lammle's book was terrible. It won't teach you what you need although it might be ok as a referesher if you've previously passed it.

I thought the questions in each chapter were misleading and unnecessarily confusing, including asking about things he doesn't cover.

Odom's is a longer (dryer) read for sure, but it goes step by step which is how I need to learn.

So that said, if you don't need things spelled out for you, Lammle's book might be better for you - just preference. I can't recommend it though. But I swear by Odom's books..

smcclenaghan, I have written all my CCNA type books in the past with the pre-req being that the reader is familiar with Cisco and is trying to study for the CCNA. My books are very successful and well written to the point of the objectives if you keep this in mind. However, in my newest books I took a different approach: I wrote each and every sentence, paragraph, and chapter as if the reader would not understand anything Cisco before picking up my book. I also went from the average of about 8-10 figures per chapter to 20-30 figures per chapter. Of course I still write for the objectives and the books were written for reading with the intent of passing the exam, but my newest books have more detail than any past CCNA books I have ever written (and I've written a lot of books!).... I think people will find the new direction will be helpful and will learn more now than ever, which is important for these new, harder exams. Thank you for writing, Todd Lammle

sarahanand

Yes, thank you very much Mr.Todd. I appreciate your response.

I too was wondering, as WAN concepts are not mentioned in the ICND1 exam topics that I've seen, but Odom Wendell had an entire chapter dedicated to it. However, I am currently possessed by a fever for knowledge, so, I guess it didn't hurt reading an entire chapter on it!

If you need me, I'll be in Hotel California, crushing the candies.

todd@lammle.com

theodoxa wrote: »

He discusses WANs, but not anywhere near as in depth as Odom's book. That combined with Odom's deeper coverage of Routing Protocols is why I felt Odom's book was better for ICND2. Personally, I would suggest reading both for ICND1 and Odom for ICND2.

Theodoxa, I think you'll find my newest books for the new exams are much more detailed than any of my books in the past. They have to be! The new tests are really detailed on all subjects including WAN's and Routing protocols. I'm hoping you get a chance to see my new books so you can compare them to what you've read in the past. Thank you! Todd Lammle

smcclenaghan

They were covered on mine, but I took the 640-822. The new ICND1 no longer covers frame relay.

On mine, you had to know what DTE/DCE CSU/DSU are and which are at the customer site vs. the ISP. Which side (DCE) provides the clock, how to set the clock in a simulated back to back serial connection (clock rate 64000) and how to show which device is the DCE (sho controller se0/1) - though this last command may just be for ICND2. (I had it in my ICND1 notes).

Know the advantages of frame relay over point to point (# of interfaces on the router, so cost), and know CIR (committed information rate), AR (access rate), and Access Link (connection between DCE and DTE).

typfromdaco

Mr. Lammle,

I have pre-ordered your new book for 200-101, but I am curious about the Kindle edition. Does the digital version of your book comes with the usual addons that a had copy have, such as test questions that are normally included on a disc? Thanks for any input!

bbarrick

typfromdaco wrote: »

Mr. Lammle,

I have pre-ordered your new book for 200-101, but I am curious about the Kindle edition. Does the digital version of your book comes with the usual addons that a had copy have, such as test questions that are normally included on a disc? Thanks for any input!

I bought his 100-101 book and it does not come with a disc. The Sybex site should give you links/files to the downloads and I believe Mr. Lammle's forums may have them as well.

theodoxa

todd@lammle.com wrote: »

Theodoxa, I think you'll find my newest books for the new exams are much more detailed than any of my books in the past. They have to be! The new tests are really detailed on all subjects including WAN's and Routing protocols. I'm hoping you get a chance to see my new books so you can compare them to what you've read in the past. Thank you! Todd Lammle

I read your 640-802 book after reading Odom's 640-822 and 640-816 books. I couldn't find a separate ICND2 (640-816) book - only ICND1 (640-822) and Composite CCNA (640-802). Having two books definitely allows for more depth. If you have two books for the new exams, that would definitely help alot. I felt your 802 book had more depth on some ICND1 level topics, while his had more depth on some ICND2 level topics. I haven't read any of the books for the new exams yet, so my comments only pertain to the current/old exams.

Ltat42a

Looks like his new CCNA book is out now -
Amazon.com: CCNA Routing and Switching Study Guide: Exams 100-101, 200-101, and 200-120 eBook: Todd Lammle: Kindle Store
This is the Kindle edition, I looked up the Paperback, it's due out Oct 7.

Gonna have to invest in this one!!

JoJoCal19

todd@lammle.com wrote: »

smcclenaghan, I have written all my CCNA type books in the past with the pre-req being that the reader is familiar with Cisco and is trying to study for the CCNA. My books are very successful and well written to the point of the objectives if you keep this in mind. However, in my newest books I took a different approach: I wrote each and every sentence, paragraph, and chapter as if the reader would not understand anything Cisco before picking up my book. I also went from the average of about 8-10 figures per chapter to 20-30 figures per chapter. Of course I still write for the objectives and the books were written for reading with the intent of passing the exam, but my newest books have more detail than any past CCNA books I have ever written (and I've written a lot of books!).... I think people will find the new direction will be helpful and will learn more now than ever, which is important for these new, harder exams. Thank you for writing, Todd Lammle

Good to hear as I actually just ordered your new CCENT book and will have it Saturday.

Magic Johnson

I have Wendell Odom's book, it is dry but it covers so much and it doesn't leave you hanging i.e reference something or mention something and leave you thinking hmm how does that work and then 3 hours later and much Googling you're enthralled in some weird protocol knowing when it was invented!

It is scary the size but it all ties together nicely and is very easy to follow. It has a nice 'key topic' marker so you don't have to continually re-read topics. Also the accompanying CD is packed with useful stuff. A lot for your money imo.