CCNA 640-802 Best Learning Resources
#01 vladmin00
I would like your recommendations on the best (self paced) learning resources for the CCNA 640-802 single exam. I’m particularly interested in learning Cisco’s philosophy on the technology and subject matter covered.
I’ve got Lammle’s Sybex book and am disappointed by all the technical and grammatical errors it contains. I thought that I could get by using it and this site’s resources alone, but such has not been the case.
I’ve failed the exam twice so far (749 and 801). The amount of memorization required along with the question ambiguity is making the test environment difficult for me. I’m looking for something to really drill in the concept details (as Cisco sees them) as well as provide me with practical test examples/questions.
Any advice is appreciated; thanks for your help. I’d like to pass the next time.
#02 Rickey
I’d recommend testout for simulations and cisco press for the material books. I found both to be great resources, and I will purchase CCNP book library when I try to strive for that in the upcomming year.
#03 Thomas Lee
I bought both Lammle’s book, plus the Cisco Press ICND1, and ICND2 books by Wendell Odom.
I like Odom’s books and as there are two (smaller) ones, I can carry one and read on the train/plane. I prefer the style to Lammle’s book, but I’m sure mileage varies.
You should also consider doing a CCNA course or bootcamp. I recently attende one (see my blog for a description). In the interest of fair disclosure, I work for Global Knowledge!
#04 shah.meet
I will be sitting my exam soon as well so i got all the objectives for the exam and then started making notes according to what they mean, i have to run around on lot of chapter but then i am getting all the write stuff you are reading and writing notes in your own manner so thats one of the best ways to learn, you can look for cram sheet online to get real basic notes.
Get a few simulators, boston is quite good. But try practising all aspects not just sims and theory, try setting up topologies and ask someone to sabatoage something and try to figure it out. Thats all i can suggest for now.
#05 Jordan Mazurke
I think the best advice I can give you regarding the 640-802 is to subnet, subnet and then subnet some more. Only when you have a true grasp on the complexities of subnetting and general IP addressing schemes can you really begin to appreciate other topics.
The CISCO press books are a little dry but they are packed with the information required. I would probably then plump for a ExamCram volume as a reference point in the last few weeks before the exam. These books will not teach you the topics in any great depth but they can act as good benchmarks.
You are right in saying that there is a lot of memorising involved with this exam but if you persevere it will eventually stick - by actually dedicating yourself to this study path you have shown you possess the correct attitude to succeed and I wish you all the best.
#06 Christopher Church
I agree with one of the other posters, the ability to subnet quickly and accurately is very important.
Lammlee’s book is a good resource. I also used the Transender practice exams and purchased a couple of routers and switches off ebay to practice on. I was able to pass the ICND1 on the first attempt using only these resources. (I decided to go the two-exam route)
The ICND2 exam is a little tougher IMO. Make sure you understand spanning tree, OSPF, NAT/PAT.
If you have access to the Cisco Partner Education Connection web site, there is some great material there, including a few simulations.
There’s also some free videos availiable at here. The advanced switching series is worth a look.
#07 TX858
I agree with Thomas Lee - Odom’s (Cisco Press) ICND1 and ICND2 and both are excellent.
I used Odom’s ICND1 to prepare for the 1st exam. I followed his study plan recommendations and did very well on the exam.
I’m using Odom’s ICND2 now to prepare for next exam and my studies appear to be going well. Below is a summary of what I’m doing.
- I’m using both the ICND1 and ICND2 texts to prepare as if I’m studying for the composite (640-802) exam. I’ve found this helps me better understand topics covered in ICND2 text.
- After I read a topic in ICND2, I go back through the material and practice the commands and configurations on my home lab. I go over and over the ’show’ commands used.
- I spend 3-4 hours a week getting more hands-on to drill in what I’ve covered to date.
I tend to recall commands and show output much better from hands-on than from the text. I may be wrong but it seems that way to me.
I purchased Lammle’s text for the composite (640-802) exam thinking I would read it in conjunction with the Odom texts. Again, maybe it’s just me, but that didn’t work well for me. In fact, I pulled Lammle’s text off the shelf tonight to read his section trunking, vtp, etc. I had already covered the material in Odom’s text and I thought Lammle’s would help me catch anything I missed. Didn’t work. In fact, I stopped and put it back on the shelf because I didn’t want it to confuse me. (It also appears to me that Lammle doesn’t devote as much time as I need to some topics.)
I hope this helps you in some way. Best of luck to you!
#08 Thomas Lee
There are a number of resources, Mirza - to some degree it depends on how you learn best.
I’ve posted above two sets of books (Lamie and Odom) that for me are very good. I guess these are a great starting point.
In addition to this, you might consider taking a training course. I’m biased because I work there, but take a look at Global Knowledge’s classes (www.globalknowledge.com, or www.globalknowledge.net). Depending on how much you can do youself, consider the CCNA bootcamp vs the ICND1/ICND2 classes.
Getting some real hardware or a good simulator is also important. Boson’s product looks pretty good, and there’a an open souce product (but that needs actual IOS images that may not be readily available to you). But picking up a couple of switches and a router should not be too expensive (ebay to the rescue).
Finally, Google is your friend.
#09 Doug Ingersoll
If you go to www.ciscopress.com/ccna you can find out about all the Cisco Press CCNA resources, including not only books but videos, quick references, portable command guides, flash cards, etc.
#10 Thomas Lee
Thanks for the pointer Doug - these sound like great resources.
Another idea: get the manuals for some common switches - these are available on cisco.com. The 2960 switch reference manual is a mere 790 some odd pages, but it contains some good information. Of course, some of the info there is way beyond CCNA standard, but the background is still useful and (for me at least) helpful.
