preparing yourself for success. If you don't prepare adequately, it is more than likely that you
will not pass the first time. The concepts and commands covered on the exam are not secrets
locked in some vault, though--the information is available in many places and forms, including
this book. So, while difficult, passing the exam is certainly attainable with proper training and
preparation.
Exam
asked that we build a book that didn't just help you pass a test, but also for a book that helped
you really understand the concepts and implementation details. (Because Cisco Press is the only
Cisco authorized publisher, we tend to listen to Cisco!) A second goal was to make the content
of the book the most comprehensive coverage of CCNA-related topics available, but without a
lot of coverage of topics not on the exam. The third and ultimate goal is to get you from where
you are today to the point where you can confidently pass the CCNA exam. So, all the book
features, which are outlined in the Introduction, are geared toward helping you discover what
CCNA topics you do know well, what CCNA topics you don't know well, and what information
and tools you need to fill in the gaps.
either have attended the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices class or the Introduction to
Cisco Router Configuration class, or have had similar experience with Cisco switches and
routers. If you are relatively new to Cisco networking and have not taken any classes, do not
despair! You can still use this book, but also should consider either taking the ICND class or
buying the book version of the ICND class from Cisco Press--
measuring the skills of people working for Cisco Resellers and Certified Partners. Cisco fulfills
only a small portion of its orders via direct sale from Cisco; most times, a Cisco reseller is
involved. Also, Cisco has not attempted to become the primary source for consulting and
implementation services for network deployment using Cisco products; instead, the company
prefers to use partners as much as possible. With that business model, a great need arose to
certify the skill levels of the partner companies.
certifications. Introduced in 1994, the CCIE was designed to be one of the most respected,
difficult-to-achieve certifications. To certify, a person must pass a written test (also given at