As with all the 'For Dummies' books, this book is an excellent place to start. It's fast to read, and by the time you finish you will have a good overall view of the subject. In this case that particularly includes the vocabulary. In fact knowing the jargon, as per Cisco is about half the battle in passing the test.

The other half of the battle is knowing how all this stuff hangs together. I'd suggest that you read this one go through the test on the CD-ROM, and then study one of the harder books -- my own suggestion is the 'official' guide from Cisco.

The reason for doing it this way is that I find the Cisco books a bit more difficult to use when trying to get an overview of the subject. They get down into the details too quickly and I get lost too quickly. Read 'For Dummies' to get the overview, then the other.

First of all, I would tell anyone studying for their CCNA exams to read this book first. Most of the other books on the subject are written by nerds for nerds. This book (as is true of most of the "for Dummies" series) demystifies a lot of the technology by describing it in clear language. But don't use it as your only study guide. It is NOT the only reference you're going to need to pass the exam. I also used Wendell Odom's books (published by Cisco Press). I recommend them for content but I found some of the explanations a little difficult and had to reread passages several times to get what he was saying. Also, the CCNA flash cards book (also published by Cisco Press) is a good resource. I used CCNA for Dummies, Wendell Odom's CCNA Intro and CCNA ICND, and the flash cards books to study for a recertification and did very well. If you are studying for a first time certification, I would add one more source (publsihed by Sybex or McGraw Hill--take your pick) because each author is going to emphasize different things and this is the only way to get the big picture. Regarding the quality of the practice testing software supplied with CCNA for Dummies, I ran into this with Boson (who supplied the practice tests for CCNA for Dummies and the practice tests and NetSim software to Cisco Press)--yes, some of the practice questions do have wrong answers. The QC, though, is the responsibility of the authors of the tests, not IDG, Cisco Press or Boson. The tests are buggy but the publisher is standing between you and the author. You'll beat up the publisher for selling you an inferior product but the actual responsibility lies with the author of the practice test. The only thing you can do here is know your subject so well that you know when the answers to the practice tests are wrong. As far as the practice simulators are concerned, go to Cisco's website to see what the test simulator is REALLY like. So, the bottom line on CCNA for Dummies is that this should definitely be in your arsenal but should not be the only book you use to study for the test(s). You're definitely going to need several books to do well on the exam.

I've read several Dummies books for other subjects. However, this book has lots of errors! Unfortunately I did not document all the errors, but really, isn't this the publisher's job?? The errors mostly occur in the chapter prep tests and on the practice test on the CD. These errors end up confusing me more than help me understand the material. I've emailed the publisher for a list of corrections, but they said they had no such list. In my humble opinion, this book isn't exactly the best study aid for the CCNA and certainly shouldn't be your only study aid!! However, it would be good to start off on this book, and get the clarification you need from another book as well.

Make sure you have the new edition of this book that covers Exams #640-801/811/821. As a starter book for CCNA it breaks you in with an very good overall picture and its a quick good final read also. Cisco Press or Sybex have "the meat" in much longer and involved texts which you will need unless you are doing a course. Dummies books are never to be underestimated. Recommended.

The book claims to be all you need to pass the CCNA exam. It is my experience that this is incorrect. The most it can be used for is an overview at the beginning of your studies. The book does not go into enough detail to cover half of what is on the test. The included CD is full of bugs and the emulation software it promises is only a demo and the real software must be purchased if you plan on using it to pass the test. I think there are better book on the market and don't suggest wasting the money.