| Author |
642-521 CSPFA - Passed today
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| Devinator 2003-08-07, 12:38 pm |
| 3 down, 2 to go. This test covers SO much material, that it's hard to know what to concentrate on. I decided to concentrate on everything just in case. I spent most of a month studying for this exam. The best study aids are the Syngress book, the Cisco PIX 6.3 Configuration Guide (a single PDF from Cisco's website), the Boson exams (both), TestKing's 9E0-111, Cisco's PDF's on AUS and FWSM, and a PIX running 6.3.1 or later to play with...I used a 506E. The test was a breeze, but covered a large breadth of material. I scored 921. Passing is 830. Only 1 simulator and it was setting up a new interface for NAME, IP, SEC LEVEL, FULL DUPLEX, etc. 3 commands. easy stuff. There were several click-n-drag mix-n-match type question - study the testking document for the last 48 hours before your test and you'll do fine. | |
| tawrit 2003-08-07, 2:09 pm |
| Congratulations. Probably you are the first guy in the forum to pass it. I took 9E0-111 two weeks before and I am planning to take SECUR next, probably at the end of this month. have you already finished SECUR? Can you give me any suggestion? You are right. testking is really great. I am following "Todd Lammle" for SECUR. After my experience with PIX I am finding this test very easy. Actually I finished the book probably in 5 days. Now I am little bit confused what can bolster my standing. If you help me I shall be grateful. | |
| Devinator 2003-08-07, 4:14 pm |
| I passed SECUR already, and posted to the forum after passing. Dig through the posts until you find mine. Be careful to put too much faith in TestKing...they're great for a final, last-minute review, but sometimes their answers are wrong. Always look them up for yourself to be sure. I used two different books for the PIX, plus much else (as I mentioned) since it covered so much material. I looked over the Lammle book and didn't find anything very useful - no depth of content - unfortunately. I was trying to set up a Cisco 827 for some VPN services, and when looking through several books found only a modest amount of material to help. One of the books I used was Lammle's new one...it had less than any of the others on actual details of implementation. The one thing I consistently find (I've passed 3 in a row now) is that Cisco's configuration guide is usually the best resource available for learning the material and boson's practice tests are the best help for passing the exam (provided the author of the practice test speaks and writes English). | |
| tawrit 2003-08-07, 4:52 pm |
| I tried but couldn't find anything posted by you. Could you please post the required materials again for me. I really appreciate. | |
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| tawrit 2003-08-08, 2:42 pm |
| Thanks a lot for helping me. I got those links in your posting from the link you sent to me. But, unfortunately the Cisco Web link is broken over there. Could you please send the Cisco Link to my mail address: mtawrit@hotmail.com. I appreciate your helping attitude. | |
| tawrit 2003-08-08, 2:45 pm |
| Another thing I forgot to mention in my earlier posting. Did you mean the Todd Lammle's Sybex Study guide on SECUR (642-501) has no depth? I thought it is a good book. Now I am really confused. Or you commented about some earlier edition. I would appreciate if you can clarify. | |
| booboorich 2003-08-08, 5:00 pm |
| Could you post links for the FWSM and AUS pdf's? | |
| tawrit 2003-08-09, 2:01 pm |
| Hi Mr. Booboorich!
Could you please send me a mail so that I can attach those links to you in reply. My address is mtawrit@hotmail.com. Because if I attach it here it will be broken and you won't be able to reach the link. | |
| doccheatem 2003-08-10, 3:44 am |
| These Q and As on FWSM and AUS respectively may be of help. Their format lends itself to exam-type questions.
Note: I've broken the links in order for you to see them in their entirety. You'll have to merge them when copying and pasting in your browser.
FWSM
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/cscowork/
ps3992/
products_qanda_item09186a00800
e55ba.shtml
AUS
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/cscowork/
ps3993/
products_qanda_item09186a00800
e55b2.shtml
I've tried my suggested method and it works.
For some reason, a blank space is inserted in parts of the referring URL. For example, if I didn't break-up the URL into 3 lines and used just 2 lines, a blank space would appear before "products_qanda_..."; thereby leading to an all too familiar "Error #404: File Not Found" message from Cisco's site. It happened when I posted another Cisco URL in the CCIE forum.
For those of you still reading my meandering posting, I hope that I have answered your original query. 
Regards, | |
| doccheatem 2003-08-10, 4:06 am |
| Ha! I've solved the mystery of the Cisco URLs.
Here's the URL for Devinator's earlier reference to the Cisco IOS Security Configuration Guide http://www.examnotes.net/article1012596.html:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products
/sw/iosswrel/ps1835/
products_configuration_guide_b
ook09186a0080087df1.html
Merger and copy into your browser to solve the mystery.
Man...I need to get a life. Yeesh.
Regards, | |
| bowhuntr 2003-08-11, 10:25 am |
| Which is the real testking site? I find test-king and "testking". they both look similar but the prices are very different. | |
| bowhuntr 2003-08-13, 9:42 am |
| Can anyone shed some light on which "TestKing" site is real and which one is bogus? I have never used TK, is it a braindump? If so, I am not interested. If it is similar to Boson I would like to have a look at it though. I am planning to test around the 22nd so any replies would be greatly appreciated. | |
| tawrit 2003-08-13, 3:53 pm |
| www.testking.com. That is the site I followed before my 9E0-111 test and I found it excellent. | |
| Paisleyskye 2003-08-13, 9:11 pm |
| Congrats on the pass! | |
| naijason26 2003-08-14, 11:49 am |
| Great to know this. I also passed my test lately but used materials from http://www.wise-men.org They were cheap (9.99) but very effective and real! | |
| t_riegert 2003-10-11, 4:32 am |
| Ive been studying out of the all-in-one ccsp book from Lance Cockcroft. It was a leap of faith bc ive had problems in the past with Osborne books. However, after I bought the book, my boss bought all of the Cisco "certified" material from Learnkey, and the material is identical (prob bc learnkey and osborne are now partners in crime); so I trust that it will get me thru the tests. So if anyone is looking to save some money and get some fairly good study material, Id go for that book (or you might want to wait until tuesday, when i take the test--then i can be truely honest).
Take care, good luck to all
-T
CNA,CCNA,CCNP,SCP | |
| s_kumar_p 2003-10-29, 7:20 am |
| dear devinator
will you please let me know where should i concentrate for pix , and if you have some suggestion will be helpful .how is testking material
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| You spent under a month studying for the CSPFA?! I'm not sure whether I believe that or not but congrats none the less. It takes me at least 3 months (2hrs a day 5 days a week) to prepare for the exams....  | |
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| delsman 2003-11-14, 7:49 pm |
| Do you folks know what a passing score is for 642-521?
Thanks,
C | |
| robertr2000 2003-12-09, 10:01 pm |
| Any hints, notes, suggestions??? My email address is Robertr2000@yahoo.com (or just post them here)
When I pass I'll return the favor!  |
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