I have used DCN (the CD-ROM course) and Priscilla Oppenheimer's Top-Down
Network Design. I can endorse on both being excellent resources for the DCN
exam, though not without some comment.
The CD-ROM course is indeed not much more of a printed book transformed into
html, where you can click to and fro in the chapters. This was very awesome
and had nothing of the CIMs that are available from Cisco at present, so I
printed the whole thing out and worked it through on paper.
On the other hand, Priscilla's book is indeed excellent. She has a very
readable style (hard enough to find in our business) and offers easily
understandable explanations, I consider this book as basic stock for a
Networker's library.
One word about the case studies: DO WORK THROUGH ALL OF THEM. The DCN offers
a wealth of chapter-by-chapter case studies, 'Top-Down...' has two extensive
large-scale case-studies. As far as I can recall, about 70% of the exam are
case studies, which you have to read (jot down a chart and add all
information as you read through, saves time) and then answer questions to
certain aspects. Take your time reading the case studies, but watch the
clock!
There are also some good resources (Design Guidelines) on CCO, so you might
check there as well.
Cheers,
Thomas Meyer
CCNA CCDA
""Trevor Corness, CCNA"" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
> This is really a question for the Associates list, but I'll answer it
here,
> as I am not sure if you are signed up for the Associates list.
> I have been preparing for this exam, but am yet to actually sit the test.
I
> have used both DCN, and Priscilla Oppenheimer's Top-Down Network Design.
I
> have found both to be excellent sources of information, and plan to keep
> both on my bookshelf as bible-like references in the future. Also, I seem
> to remember Priscilla having flash cards on her site for prep for the CCDA
> exam (http://www.priscilla.com).
>
> Both very good books, I found Priscilla's writing style more bearable to
> read as a human trying to read it cover-to-cover. I found DCN to be a
good
> insomnia-breaker, and reference guide for the concepts which I had a hard
> time grasping from Top-Down (not often, due to Priscilla's excellent
> explanations). I HAVE read both cover-to-cover.. and highly suggest
taking
> the time to work through the case studies in the DCN book.. as I have
heard
> there are a lot of scenario / case studie questions on the exam. I can
not
> verify this personally, as I have not sat that one.
>
> For the DCN book, I have found pdf copies of it floating around on the
net.
> I am not sure about the legality of this, but do a search on Cisco's
website
> for it.. I believe it is usually called dcn.pdf -- I found this file a few
> days after my return period at Chapters expired.. so I was out the $90CDN
it
> cost me.. OUCH. But well worth the money, if you prefer bound media.
>
> Regards,
> Trevor Corness, CCNA MCSE MCP+I
> Network Systems Engineer, DataCom
> BMS Communications Ltd.
> http://www.bmscom.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
> Audio Kisei
> Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2000 9:56 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: books for ccda
>
>
> sorry to bother everyone. i'm sure this question has been asked numerous
> times but I'd like to take just one last poll before i go out and spend
the
> $$. what are peoples thoughs on books/references for the ccda? lammle's
> old 441 guide? DCN? CCDA exam cert guide by kim/bruno? top down network
> design by oppenheimer?
>
> anyone's thoughts on a *combination* of these books you found helpful
would
> be much appreciated.
>
> thanks again for your time,
>
> AK
>
> CCNA
>
>
> **NOTE: New CCNA/CCDA List has been formed. For more information go to
> http://www.groupstudy.com/list/Associates.html
> _________________________________
> UPDATED Posting Guidelines: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/guide.html
> FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com
> Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
**NOTE: New CCNA/CCDA List has been formed. For more information go to
http://www.groupstudy.com/list/Associates.html
_________________________________
UPDATED Posting Guidelines: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/guide.html
FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com
Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
