Certification Books

And not much else. The author tries to pack too much info into a single book. It did work for Lammle for the CCNA study guide. However, CCNP covers a lot more. For a recap of technologies this book is fine. If you are looking for a deeper coverage of routing protocols however, check out "Cisco IOS for IP Routing" by Andrew Colton (ISBN 0972286209). That book explains the mechanics of modern routing protocols, such as RIP, EIGRP, OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP in great detail.

I used this book, along with the Todd Lammle CCNP study guides to pass my exams while attending a CCNP boot camp.

This book is a nicely put together document that helps you cram at the last minute.

This book was helpful, but I found a number of flaws and inconsistencies. I have passed 3 of the 4 required to complete the CCNP. I always start with the Cisco Press books first, and then use this book as a review. Of the three tests I've taken, I've passed all on the first try.

This book is a good way to test your understanding by spotting the statements that are wrong, partially right, or right but misleading. For example, on page 242 VTP is defined as "Virtual Trunk Protocol." Then at the review of terms at the end of the chapter (p269), VTP is defined as "VLAN Trunk Protocol." There are other cases where information is correct, but misleading.

To sum up, this book is useful; but definitely do not use it as your primary study material. If you don't find yourself reading sections more than once because they seem to conflict with what you've read elsewhere, you probably don't have a thorough understanding of the material.

This is excellent for exam review! Keep in mind that this is ONLY a review. In no way is this going to subsitute the full material. I used the Cisco Press books along with this. Perfect combination.

I like the exam notes series of books. I read the MCSE 4.0 and this one for the CCNP 2.0 and liked both. I don't like that Sybex makes it difficult to save their PDF file to your hard drive for easier access. With this one you must have the CDROM in the drive to use the online form of the book. That bugs! The material was good. I did like the electronic flash cards on the CD. They weren't too in depth but they did make you think about specific critical subjects. I thought the routing section was as good as their routing study guide book. 4 Stars.

I found this book helpful in providing a review of the types of questions similar to those found on the actual FTCE General Knowledge Exam. The book covers question types and detailed answers for all four areas of the exam; Reading, Math, English Language Skills and the Essay. There are 2 full-length practice exams at the end with detailed answers.

After being out of school for several years, I found the book useful in providing a review of general knowledge questions, especially the entire math section. The book contains a lot of pages and for those who don't have a lot of time to examine the book, you may want to skim through the sections and problems, then concentrate on the areas that you need more help in understanding/remembering; for me, that was the math section. The actual test includes a page listing some of the formulas you might use, but you still need an understanding of general math principles and problem solving to realize which formula/equation to use to answer the questions, not to mention how to solve the equation once you pick a formula to use. I felt that this book provides that understanding.

I also purchased a Test Preparation Guide issued by the Florida Department of Education which can be downloaded from the FTCE Testing website for a small fee. It is a smaller guide, but I used this side by side with Cliffs TestPrep book.

Overall, I found the Cliffs TestPrep General Knowledge book helpful. I passed the FTCE General Knowledge Exam after taking it for the first time.

Outstanding guide to the FTCE. Would have passed all areas if I had actually studied the math section. Highly recommended for those that want to teach.

I used this book to help me pass the GK. It had been a long time since I took a math class. This book realy helped me brush up on my math skills and consequently, keep my job! The math questions on the actual test were harder but the book gives you all of the foundation skills you need.

This book was a help in my studies. A lot of the math I had forgotten but, with the help from the book I am more confident that I can take the exam.

I purchased two test prep books for the FTCE General Knowledge Test. This was by far the better of the two. I was very familiar with the content, so I was mostly looking for the practice tests. This book has TWO full practice tests as well as smaller quizzes throughout the book.

I took the test and passed all of the sections in March 2008

All three of the multiple choice sections of the practice exams were VERY representative of the actual tests. Good prep!

I think that the front of the book (where they teach the content) is very good in this book, though I did not read most of it. But, comparing it to the other prep book for this test, it is much more comprehensive. So, if you need to brush up on the content, this looks like a good book from which to learn the material.

If you were only going to buy one book to prepare for the test, I would say this one will help you. I used this and the XAM book, and this one is far above the XAM book.

Recommended by a fellow student,this book deal can't be beat.Exam Cram has an insert in the front of the book that tells you what you need to know to pass the exam.Well thoght out books,great price,just do it.You can thank me later

I recently passed both 271 and 272 tests.

The main source for my training (beside years of experience in the field) were the Microsoft self paced training books
MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users andTroubleshooting a Microsoft(r) Windows(r) XP Operating System, Second
MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-272): Supporting Users andTroubleshooting Desktop Applications on Microsoft(r) Windows(r) XP, Second Edition

This Exam Cram 2 books were useful, too. Beside that, on the contrary to Microsoft heavy hardcover books, they are little and soft and if needed you can easily take them with you on the workplace as a reference book.

Only one regret: the test CDs aren't so good.

Their tests are only 50 questions long (and the questions are always the same) and the 272 CD is full of errors (a lot of answers are counted as wrong even if you answered right).

Excellent resource for obtaining the Desktop certification. Will recommend this series to someone who is serious about becoming Microsoft certified for desktops. Thanks.

The product provided for me or any student all the information needed to successfully take both these test. Excellent!

I bought this book based on the other customer reviews, unfortunately I was very disappointed. This book was written/published before SP2 came out, which makes a BIG difference in the material covered on the exam. Dont get me wrong, this does have plenty of good material, but this is NOT a good sole study guide, this is more of a backup. My advice, save the $40 and go with a different set of books.

The item I received was in good shape, but it arrived over a week after Amazon's date of arrival. There is no reason why an item should arrive a week late.

I took my test today and came close to maxing out, 972....study hard the reviews at the end of the book. When taking the test, read the questions AND answers carefully, kind of like the old school days, an answer may "look" right but it could be one word off. Keep the books, don't resell them, I've already gone back into 70-271 and reviewed a few things. handy to have on hand when you deal with it every day. Very thorough in my opinion. Just a humble IT geek working on his certs.....

Last week I passed the 70-271 exam first try (you can read my review for the 70-271 self paced training book).

In few days I studied this 70-272 book (same issues are identical to 70-271) and I esily passed the 272 exam with 863.

Now I am MCDST Certified and I must thank this 2 books for that.

Also the "Exam Cram 2 series" were useful (expecially the 70-271), but the tests contained in Exam Cram 272 CD were mostly wrong scored (a lot of questions take your answer as wrong even if you answered right).

On the contrary both the Microsoft Self paced training books and CDs were (and are) very very useful. Keep them because they contain very practical informations.

This book, combined with the 70-271, and the practice exams included on the CD's were the best resource in helping to understand and pass the exam. Even more so then class time!

I've been an A+ Certified Technician since 2001, but this book really gave me the edge I needed to fully understand more about Windows XP Pro and Microsoft Office hands-on installations, configurations, troubleshooting, securing and networking with other computers in a corporate setting.

I haven't taken the test for MCP yet, but this volume certainly has me ready to do so any day now, if you're looking to learn Windows XP Pro and MS Office 2003, drop everything you're reading and buy this book, and also, keep it real handy after you are "done" studying it, because is very useful as a reference book as well. I Hope this review will be helpful.

I purchased this book for 70-058 exam preparation and I think it was a good choice. I bought two books on the same subject (SAMS > NetEss in 14 days and ExamCram > NetEss) and when I took some online tests I recognized that wasn't prepared enough. Why York's book is better? Well, I think it's written pretty clear language and includes the exact info you would need to pass the exam ( you have about two month to do so from the present day ). I can't recommend this book as the ONLY source for preparation but it also helped me much. Worst the money and definitely deserves 4 stars. Hope you'll pass with score like mine. Good luck !

I purchased this book for 70-058 exam preparation and I think it was a good choice. I bought two books on the same subject (SAMS > NetEss in 14 days and ExamCram > NetEss) and when I took some online tests I recognized that wasn't prepared enough. Why York's book is better? Well, I think it's written pretty clear language and includes the exact info you would need to pass the exam ( you have about two month to do so from the present day ). I can't recommend this book as the ONLY source for preparation but it also helped me much. Worst the money and definitely deserves 4 stars. Hope you'll pass with score like mine. Good luck !

Very clearly written--doesn't try to blow you away with obtuse jargon. Also tracked very closely with what was asked in the exam. I think this is the only book you'll need for 70-058.

Great book. I used only this and some practice exams and passed with a 900 on my first try. I feel it covered everything that it needed to and was easy to read.

This is one superb book. I read it and understood it completely in 2 weeks. Dan York explains things in a systematic fashion which does not condescend, but at the same time assumes nothing. I had comprehensive desktop pc experience before reading this book. I now feel competent to talk the network language, and in some detail in some cases. I passed my exam easily due to this book's clarity.

I took the official Microsoft Curriculum course and had the course materials. I had hoped these materials would be sufficient in providing the necessary information to successfully pass the SMS 2.0 test. After the course was completed, (and TOO MANY packet capture labs were conducted) it was readily apparent to me that I needed additional resources to have any hope of passing the exam.

I looked on the WEB for self study books and could not find anything that could provide the depth of information that I was looking for. Then I came across this SMS Exam Cram book.

I am sure glad that I purchased this book because I would not have passed the exam without it. I ended up not even using the official Microsoft Curriculum materials as they were so inadequate. The best part of the SMS 2.0 Exam Cram book was the sample questions at the end of each chapter and the sample test. These questions were by far more difficult that what is on the actual exam, but they tested knowledge in areas that WERE on the exam. This prepared me for Microsoft's trick questions and gave me the confidence that I KNEW that I had answered the question right!

Kudos to Ian Turek for a magnificent certification tool. I have recommended his book to another individual at my company that is currently working on testing out of SMS 2.0.

If you are looking for a study guide to help you prepare for the Microsoft SMS 2.0 test, look no further!

Excelent tips and tricks. Really necessary if you want to have a good score in mcp sms2.0 exam.

I bought this book recently because I was going to take the test which coincides with it. Exam Cram still makes the best books for studying for Microsoft tests. However, I recently read SMS 2003 is going to be out in beta this summer and then release sometime next year at which time the cert in SMS 2.0 will be extinct. My advice to you is don't take the SMS test right now; wait for the next version of SMS and the next SMS test. This book is still worth the purchase if only to better understand SMS technologies in preparation for the upcoming SMS which is still a viable Microsoft product and will be fully AD integrated upon its release. If you are looking for a quick elective to complete the MCSE track SMS 2.0 may be an easy one to get and this book will definitely get you one step closer to completing the test. Your choice - wait for SMS 2003 or plunge into SMS 2.0.

I took the SMS test before reading this book and I didn't pass. I had read other books but although they provided general knowledge, they were not specifically designed for this test. After I read this book I was able to pass the test. I highly recommend this book to anyone seriously considering taking the 70-086 test.

If all you want to do is pass the test, then this book is for you. If you actually want to implement SMS 2.0, look elsewhere.

This book is really good. Bought it for the server exam and Enterpirse. In addition, I used the Sybex study Guide for both.

What I really liked was the Study Questions that forces you to formulate the answer, and I did it out loud for myself.

Trusts and multi-domain group management was very useful for both exams.

I've bought 5 Sybex books like WS, Server, Enterprise, Nework and TCP and plan to buy the SQL Study Guide but not the SQL Test Success due to the reviews here.

These reviews are the main source of data for my buying decisions.

Only negative point. All abbreviation should be in the list at the back. They aren't. Many Sybex books are critizised for this.

Great book

I've been buying Lisa Donald's books and have passed three microsoft exams in a month and a half. Also, I feel I really do understand the subject material.

This book is fantastic. You won't find any other book geared towards passing the SITE exam as good as this especially when you consider the price. However, you must have some other reference material. Trusts, multi-domain group management, performance & network monitoring are well covered. I haven't had much luck with exam prep books in the past but Lisa Donald I thank you for a superb piece of work. I'm off to get the IIS4 Book.

I found this series to be the best supplement to the Carter book (the single best training book) or the Microsoft Curriculum (I am an(MCT, MCSD). In the past, Transcender exams got my nod as the single best exam tool, but this series is right there with them. Much better than the Nutshell series which I find too simplistic to get newbies over the hump. No labs here and the book is not an NT Server Reference. It is a well focused exam guide that fills a niche for those who already have lab guides and references but need a book that focuses on exam topics and test drills.

This is a great book for the 70-068 exam. It covers a lot of mateiral in a concise, focussed, and understandable format. The review and test questions are great. I completed the entire book in about 2 days. However, I would not use it as a single source for study and practice (I recomend Transcender, O'Reilly Core Exams in a Nutshell, and New Riders Training Guide - for a good comprehensive backup source). It is also sad to say - but it seems to be the norm in technical books these days - that there were a few critical errors in the facts presented and on the sample test. For instance: the book states the system processor queue length should be under 4. The correct answer (at least for testing) is no more than 2. Best to cross reference your studying with a variety of sources.

Exactly the info I needed and saved me a ton of money

This is a very easy book to read. The information contained within is very good and the case studies are great too.

Windows 2000 Security is a big topic - and this book covers most of it well. Good enough for the exam.

Buy it!

I think this book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in Windows 2000 security. The book is well written, and more detailed than some of the other books that I have seen, and it can easily be used as both a study guide and a desk reference. I passed the exam with real world experience and this book, and I would recommend it to anyone.

I did not take the exam for 70-220 due to a change in Microsoft policy that upgraded me to W2K MCSE status. However since I already had the book and find security very interesting and important I read it a couple of times. I found it extremely informative, well organized, and understandable. This book is much more than a step by step how to with screen shots manual that so many of the "core four" books seem to be - and you will need to look elsewhere if that is what you need, you will not learn how to install Certificate Services here. Each chapter starts with a network design scenario, presents you the theory/options and ends with the solution. Security relates to almost every action one takes on a W2K network. The first half of the book dealt with the more mundane security topics that most should already know by the time they are preparing for design exams - active directory design, group policies, dns, security groups, and file permissions. However the last half is where you learn the good stuff - ipsec, rras policies and authentication, public key infrastructure including certificate services, internet access, vpn, and securing an extranet with firewalls. I read three different books on 70-216, but this book still taught me a lot, especially about ssl and pki. The explanation of, and how to implement certificate services and smart cards was great. It also explained thoroughly about when to use a private versus public and standalone verus enterprise certificate server. I finally have a good understanding of when to use pptp versus l2tp for a vpn. Ipsec had a whole 50 page chapter devoted to it explaining in detail how to implement it. Page 413 has an excellent explanation on what goes on between a web client and a web server during ssl when logging into a secure website, and page 485 has a terrific and concise table showing all the remote access authentication protocols from Pap to Ms-ChapV2 to Eap-Tls and how to determine which to use for a particular condition and why. The chapter on securing an extranet was loaded with helpful diagrams and charts showing specific protocol/port/address/action settings for a particular firewall setup. Throughout the book there were LOTS of helpful charts and diagrams to accompany the text. I find the "making the decision" tables to be an extremely helpful learning tool - an exam cram type of summary of what was just covered. One side of the table lists what you want to accomplish while the other side lists your options. The end of chapter questions are all challenging "fill in the blank" type based on a mini case study. The answers with an explanation are at the end of the book. I was very impressed with the book. Since security is such an important core concept of networking I highly recommend this study guide to anyone wanting to learn more about Windows 2000 network security.

Windows 2000 is a much more secure product than most competing operating systems - if configured right. (Unfortunately, more networks out there are being managed by admins from the "point-and-click" school of systems/network administration.)

This book is a good study guide. However - and this is a trait of many MS Press Study Guides, particularly for the Design tests - they don't have detailed case studies, the kind you see on the real tests.

Coverage of some topics like SMB Signing, Firewalls, etc. is adequate for the test. Proxy Server coverage is overkill - it's a redundant product, and I didn't see its relevance to the test. Being a MS Press book for a MS test, the book is not obiviously not critical of MS products - need to pick up a book like "Hacking Windows 2000 Exposed" - [Joel Scambray & Stuart McClure, ISBN: 0072192623, Osborne McGrawHill] to get that perspective.

Overall, a good book (and a good test - 70-220) to complete your MCSE with and get a more-or-less Microsoft-centric view of Windows 2000 network security. Does give a good overview of most Windows 2000 security features.

Bharat Suneja
MCT

El topico 2 del resumen de la Lección 2 del Capítulo 8, se repite dos veces.

Superb book for Networking. Pretty much everything you need for architecture planning. You will also need a good tcp/ip book and then you are set.

This is a good book for beginers; it gives you a good base knowledge for other exams in an understandible manner. But don't by this book with the hopes of getting your MCP certification. The testing for Networking Essentials (70-085) was ended in november. Yet they still call it a MCSE training kit. Also, do a lot of reasearch outside of the book.

I have struggled with learning NT for quite some time. This package is great if you are looking for an organized and well thought out approach for learning NT. The CDs are very helpful, and simulate better than others than I have worked with. After going through the lessons, I feel much more confident, and am not so intimidated by the testing phase!

I obtained this book to learn about networking, having had experience with computers but limited networking experience. The book was very informative and had alot of basic technical information in it. The third edition is well laid out, with good overviews at the beginning of each chapter, and a helpful summaries and case scenarios. A lot of material is covered, without getting over-detailed in any one section.

So seven reviews, one negative, six very positive, a whinge about one subject amoungst how many in the official curriculum? What would you make of it? Think I'd buy the book and get on with the studies, get certified and reap the rewards. Hey it's far better than flipping burgers or serving noodles. Duck Soup anyone!

I bought this book based on the previous reviews and read the book from cover to cover. Then I worked on SelfTest Practice Test. Many things that are on the SelfTest are not mentioned at all on this book. I had to search online for things like ARC Path. Then I found the ExamCram book (without 2) that I bought 3 years ago. ARC path is well explained in one page! I have read three chapters so far and I believe I will be better prepared after reading the old cram book.

I found this book to be an excellent tool for exam preparation for 70-215, especially when coupled with hands on experience and a bit of lab practice. Used this book to study for 5 days for the test and passed it easily.

This book is well worth the money, not only does it prepare you for this exam, but it also helps you perform better as a network administrator. This book will answer many questions you have on NTFS permissions, Groups and server setup. I highly recommend this book. IT IS WORTH THE MONEY!!! I passed my exam using this book!!! My only source of preparation was this book and some practice exams.

This book is well worth the money.
Buy it and read it cover to cover; you will not be disappointed.

I read this book to brush up for the Windows 2000 Server 215 exam some time ago. I wanted to give a good recommendation to the authors of this book because it was simply well done. Solid writing, solid technical information, and a joy to read. The Exam Cram 2 series from Que has really caught my attention. Nice work.