I just went to the bookstore to try and figure out which book I should start with on my CCNP journey. I have decided to start with a Cisco Press book based on what other CCNP's are saying. I found two books both copyrighten in 2001. One by Clare Gough and the other by Catherine Paquet. I don't want to buy one and then learn later on that I should have gotten the other book.

Thanks in advance

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Ok, I just ordered the Gough book from amazon.com for 32.00. I was going to buy the set but its not much of a price difference to buy them one at a time. Hopefully I don't hear that I should have gotten the Paquet book! I did some reading on the Doyle tcp/ip book. Looks pretty good. I'm thinking before I take the BSCN test I will read both of these and my exam cram book. Still wondering though what's the difference between the Routing book and the BSCN book? Aren't they the same thing?

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"gorib jinish!"

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The BSCN book content is exactly what is taught in the official course.So, in theory it is the best resource to pass the test.

The routing book, or exam guide, is as they say a tool to pass the test. You can find a CD-ROM inside with an electronic version of the book and a test engine to help you practice. Usually, Cisco recommends it as a complementary source of info.

Another difference between both books is that the official course book is sometimes boring (for instance, the switching book) to read, as it is written in a more formal manner.
In the exam guide, the author usually teach you the stuff in a humorous and pleasant way.

Conclusion, the official book is more trustful but sometimes more boring.

Regards.

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I've heard people state they've been using only the book written by Gough and this is enough to pass the test. Money is kind of tight right now so I want to make sure I'm getting the right book.

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A+, Net+, I-Net+, CIW-A, CCNA

"gorib jinish!"

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OK- I just bought the CCNP set from Cisco Press which includes the Paquet book. Has anyone used the Sybex(lammle) CCNP material. I usually like to have more that one book to study with. How are the Boson practice tests for the 640-503 test? I already have the Gough ACRC book and thought I'd use that to fill in the blanks.

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The CCNP Routing Exam Certification Guide is written by Gough. This book prepares you for the exam.

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I tried the Boson pratice tests for my CCDA and found them to not quite be in the right direction. The questions were more applicable to real world situations but confused the comments made by the Cisco Exam books.

In the end I read through it really quickly to pick up the cool tricks that they were talking about and then moved over to the Cisco Book again with the Sybex Notes on the Exam to read the day before the exam to put the finish on my studying.

Do think that as a last book to read, the Sybex notes on the exam almost make it seem like cheating. If you read them last they really focus your studying and bring it all into focus. They have one book that covers all the CCNP exams in a paperback, got it for $36.00 from Fry's Electronics. Probably the best purchase that I have made yet. To give you an idea, it covered router summarization in about 2 pages, and it makes complete sense now.

Anyhow, to each their own but I am living by the Cisco Exam books and the Sybex Notes on the Exam paperbacks.

Also another way to really save some cash, there are some new stores out there called 75% Off Books. All their books are $5.00 no matter what they are. It is supossed to be a nation-wide chain as they told me but anyhow I got CCIE Fundamentals of entwork design and case studies Second Edition, Boson CCNP switching and routing, Boson CCDA, MCSE exam books, Kirkland Domino Administration, O'rilley Zero Administration, and so many others, it just boggles the mind. After payday, I just go down with $10.00 and search for what I need. I have a huge library of Cisco Press books now. Just yesterday I went by to see what was new and they had 15 brand new CCNA exam kits, for $5.00 each, no BS.

So to all of you, try to find this in your town! Just found the flyer that they gave me from my last purchase - Linux cert book, SQL Database Implementation Online Training Kit, and Cisco Press IP Routing Fundamentals.

Really this is no BS, they really had these books and about 1,000 other computer books so at least the one in Houston is choice!!

Here is the website-
http://www.75offbooks.com

For you Houston people, the place is on Westheimer just outside the beltway on the West side of town in the same mall as Houstons Resturant.

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