The new split approach to the CCNA coursework, with the INTRO and ICND books, have provided better organization and a modular breakdown to the information. As a recertification candidate who just completed my exams, I can say that these books are a definite improvement over earlier versions such as 640-607. Odom (or other technical editors) have taken the time to present the information in a building block manner that is comprehensible. I won't repeat the longer descriptions of content that are already present in these reviews.

Two points worth noting:
1. Errata: Always exist with technical books (don't know why the editors can't check them thoroughly before going to print). Some mistakes are indeed frustrating and trivial, which undermine the learning process for future CCNA candidates learning this material for the first time, who do not have the experience to distinguish the wheat from the chaff. Be sure to go to the Cisco Press website to get latest updates for errata (which are still incomplete) as well as corrected/updated test engine modules. Some of the problems people have reported, especially with bad exam questions, are due to failure to update.
2. Whether or not candidates have tested before, all should be aware that Cisco, in an effort to foil "paper tigers", has stepped up the exam effort to represent real world problems. Without violating the non-disclosure agreement, I simply encourage exam candidates to go beyond using practice tests (Cisco or otherwise) with multiple choice questions. These are not enough to develop your analysis skills, and in the real world as well as on the exams, those are what count. If you can't work on a network for exam preparation, then use the sims and labs, and test yourself with the detailed word problem questions at the end of the chapters, not just the "Do I Already Know This?" questions at the beginning. The reviewer who claims in this column that these books are boring and of no use neither understands the nature of certification nor Cisco's intent. These books will prepare the candidate sufficiently if used to their fullest extent. Because Cisco advertises that test versions vary, for obvious security reasons regarding the protection of test content, there is no way to avoid a certain amount of exam overpreparation. But then, we are supposed to be preparing for real-world, are we not?

One final note: My preference in future printings would be to have Odom drop some of the personal humor. Just my subjective observation, but to me, it detracts from the content.

The CCNA exam has very hard VLSM, EIGRP and OSFP questions, that are not even covered close to the depth needed to pass the ccna exam.

not to mention how hard the NAT questions are...

This book is hard to read, boring, and error filled.

Great book for exam preparation.
The only drawback I found was in the VLAN Chapter.
The vlan configuration does not correspond to a 2950 switch.
The configuration will work on a 3500 switch, but the exam will
test your knowledge of a 2950.
Also there is no errata at ciscopress.com

After reading the Second Edition I can honestly say that it will prepare you for the ICND test. I think the first edition was written for a different test and even though the information is there you have to really dig to get to it(sorry Mr Odom). It is well illustrated and the IOS screens are very clear and easy to read.

CCNA SELF-STUDY:
Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND)
Second Edition ISBN 1587051427
By Steve McQuerry

Not to long ago I was given the opportunity to review the Cisco Press book
CCNA SELF_STUDY: Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND)
2nd Edition (ISBN 1587051427) by Steve McQuerry. I was excited because I had just
been handed the extra opportunity of taking care of my companies Cisco Network.
Although I have been in data processing for some thirty two years, I had never had to
be this familiar with the Cisco Network. I considered myself a Cisco newbie, and need all the help I could get.

The book was separated into four sections.
1. Interconnecting LANs
2. Controlling Traffic Between LANs
3. Interconnecting WANs
4. Appendixes

The book is designed to be a self study guide for the CCNA 640-801and ICND 640-811
test. I consider it an excellent reference and study guide. The first chapter is the basic foundation of Internetworking concepts. It covers the OSI model, communication between the layers, encapsulation and de-encapsulation, and collision and broadcast domains. Although it covers the basics, it assumes you already have some experience with this information. It is more to the point than say the Cisco CCNA intro book (CCNA Self-Study CCNA INTRO Exam Certification Guide (ISBN 1587200945) by Wendell Odom). If you do have experience this book is what you are looking for. If you are new like me you may need a little extra help from the INTRO book, but don't pass this book up it is a great book to have as well.

The second and third chapters are great training for working with Cisco switches.
They cover from the basics of switching, to configuring, to Spanning Tree, to Vlan operation and configuration, with great examples and charts of commands.

The next section, (chapters 4, 5, and 6) covers Routing and how IP routes are determined with static routes or dynamically with one of the routing protocols. It covers what the protocols are such as RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF, and how to configure them. IP traffic management and access list are also covered.

The third section, (chapters 7, 8, and 9) covers Interconnecting WANs. These chapters
Start with a WAN overview and cover topics such as serial point to point connections, frame relay and ISDN BRI call.

All chapters have very good examples and charts. A summary and questions are at the end of each chapter. Most chapters have case studies for examples of real life situations.
I even liked the appendix section that cover such topics as, password recovery, recovering a lost switch image using Xmodem, configuring the Catalyst 1900 switch, and of course answers to the chapter questions, and case study review.

If you need to study for the CCNA test I think you will be pleased with this book and its clear explanation of the subject. Mr. McQuerry you have done and excellent job. I can tell you that this book has been a great help to me at my job, and that it will be kept as a reference for some time to come.

I found this book to be a great help to me and highly recommend it.