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Introduction

elcome to the exciting world of Cisco certification! You have

picked up this book because you want something better; namely, a better job
with more satisfaction. Rest assured that you have made a good decision.
Cisco certification can help you get your first networking job, or more
money and a promotion if you are already in the field.

Cisco certification can also improve your understanding of the internet-

working of more than just Cisco products: You will develop a complete
understanding of networking and how different network topologies work
together to form a network. This is beneficial to every networking job and is
the reason Cisco certification is in such high demand, even at companies with
few Cisco devices.

Cisco is the king of routing and switching, the Microsoft of the internet-

working world. The Cisco certifications reach beyond the popular certifica-
tions, such as the MCSE and CNE, to provide you with an indispensable
factor in understanding today's network--insight into the Cisco world of
internetworking. By deciding that you want to become Cisco certified, you
are saying that you want to be the best--the best at routing and the best at
switching. This book will lead you in that direction.

How to Use This Book

If you want a solid foundation for the serious effort of preparing for the
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam, then look no further. I
have spent hundreds of hours putting together this book with the sole inten-
tion of helping you to pass the CCNA exam and learn how to configure
Cisco routers and switches.

This book is loaded with lots of valuable information, and you will get the

most out of your studying time if you understand how I put this book
together.

To best benefit from this book, I recommend the following study method:

Take the assessment test immediately following this introduction.
(The answers are at the end of the test.) It's OK if you don't know any
of the answers; that is why you bought this book! Carefully read over
the explanations for any question you get wrong and note which chap-
ters the material comes from. This information should help you plan
your study strategy.

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