Monday, April 29, 2013

CompTIA Network+ Study Guide Authorized Courseware: Exam N10-005 2nd edition, Todd Lammle



This book was great! It really expanded my understanding of Networking and enabled me to pass my Network+ Exam. Yes the exam was hard but I think there was only 1 question that wasnt covered in the book. Todd really takes the time to explain things to you so you really understand. Its much more than an exam prep. He gives you practical data and I found the chapter on Troubleshooting especially valuable. Yes there are a couple of typos but nothing major that cant be figured out. I also like his sense of humor. If you want to pass your Network+ Exam and more, then I recommend this book.

Like virtually every textbook, particularly those focused on computer technology, it contained its fair share of errors however overall it was a decent textbook and a positive purchase. In a perfect world the book would be more vigorously proofread to reduce the number of errors. And the figures would be on the same page as the citations so the reader doesn't have to flip back and forth through the pages from text to figures to text to figures... as figures/tables/graphs are cited.

I love reading on my Kindle. But when I tried to study for Network + on the Kindle, it didn't work for me--the labs and chapter review questions were much easier for me to work with after I bought a physical copy of this book. Consider buying the hardcover "deluxe" version--it includes a network simulator, practice exams, flash cards, and electronic copies of the book in three formats (pdf, epub, and Kindle).

The good design and availability of this book makes it wonderful to use. The abundance of relevant information also makes this valuable. I enjoy it and study in it often. If there was any one thing that stands out like a red light bulb, it would be his excessive wordiness, in which he says things in his own way and with his own kind of language, with no apparent effort to make the language more plain. When I can get around his personal writing style, I feel like he has made a prize/star accomplishment of a readable, comfortable, instructive preparation for the exam. I will likely reference this book as long is it's instruction remains valid/up-to-date.

I just passed my Network+ exam a couple of hours ago.

Lammle's book was my primary study resource. I read it cover-to-cover and took notes like a madman.

I also hunted and pecked my way through Mike Meyers Network+ All-In-One, as well as the ExamCram Network+.

I hit the Lammle book the hardest for one reason -- Networking education is his wheelhouse. His explanation of subnetting is concise and beautifully done. That alone is worth buying the book for.

However, if I had to offer one criticism it would be that Lammle's practice exams were a bit too soft.

The Mike Meyers book had better test questions and better artwork -- diagrams, graphics, etc.

If you can afford both, get them. The ExamCram book was also helpful in narrowing down what to memorize in the last week of studying.

I spent two months prepping for the test. I already have my A+ so I knew what to expect from a CompTIA exam.

I found the test to be challenging. Others have written in their reviews that they waltzed right through it. That was not my experience.

Best of luck.

This book is really beneficial is you want to pass the Network+ exam. The chapters are in an order that builds upon the last so you're always learning new things while progressing your knowledge of what you learned in the previous chapter. As is the case with most of these certification books, I feel like there could have been more accurate and detailed sample questions. The difference between the questions in this book and on the actual exam differ quite a bit. For example, the exam will present a very specific scenario instead of asking general questions like the book. I can't complain too much because, in the end, the book helped me achieve my certification.

After looking at some of the unnecessarily harsh criticisms, I wanted to add a positive experience with this book. Aside from some of the previously mentioned awkwardness and occasional typos, the merits and strengths far outweigh the scant negatives. If anything, the book provides too MUCH information for the Network+. Some of the foundational material will likely be of some use for those looking ahead to the CCNA. I aced the Net+ and found that I had been more than prepared for it with this book (and the additional Practice questions by Darril Gibson). This text is thorough and accessible. If you review and retain the information that Mr. Lammle specifically calls out (both throughout the chapters and the summaries) you WILL find success on the Network+ with this text. Good investment for a pricey test, and I have already purchased additional texts by Mr. Lammle.

This book gets in depth about networking; from basics to fairly deep on the subject matter. If you're interested in networking, but don't have the knowledge... this book will help you get the skills you desire. Fairly short chapters presented in a logical manner make this book essential reading whether you're planning on taking the Net+ exam or you just want the skills.

Aside from a few of the errors, regarding encryption.. the book is great. I wish Lammle would of gone a little bit more in depth with STP, and VTP, (some examples, of terminal output etc.) Subnetting was explained with the utmost precision, SERIOUSLY.. subnetting is a topic that alot of people get confused on, very quickly. He did a fantastic job of explaining the entire process. OSI, and TCP/IP are always hard to explain to people because of the "Logical/Physical" barrier, but again Lammle did an excellent job, here as well. I am a TERRIBLE TEST TAKER! and still passed on the first go around, because after reading this book, I didn't feel like I had just "memorized" a bunch of material, but instead had an actual, better understanding of the topic.

4/5 because of the VERY FEW mix-ups in certain areas of the book.

This book and author do a terrific job in preparing you for the Net+ exam and helped me pass the exam on the first try after about a month of studying and preparing. Does a great job of covering all material - not all of which shows up on the exam - but I feel prepares for your career in IT by covering all the essential topics and skills.

I purchased the previous edition of this book to use it as a reference while I was taking networking classes. Months later, I decided to take CompTIA's Network + exam. Having appreciated the original book, I decided to buy this updated newer edition that coincides with CompTIA's newer N10-005 exam.

The Good:
Just like the last edition, this book is well written and clear. It's all too easy to make technical writing boring, but I think author Todd Lammle worked hard to make his writing accessible and readable. He's clearly a networking expert. This is not to say it's elementary. You will need to have a fair understanding of networking, or at a least technical aptitude, to make sense of it. But that's what you would expect when studying for a technical certification.

I've also got to praise the book for few typos and errors. This is also something that's not too common in the fast world of technology publishing. Finally, the illustrations and diagrams in the book provide an excellent way to understand the concepts.

The Bad:
Unfortunately, you get less from this book then you do with the last edition. The last edition had the entire PDF of the textbook with it. I enjoyed reading it on my laptop and being able to search for specific topics. This newer book doesn't even include a CD anymore.

In fact, much of the features advertised on the cover aren't even included in the book. The "custom test engine" and "electronic flashcards" must be downloaded from the website. Plus, you must "register" to access it. What if this content is taken down from the web server in the future?

Strangely, one of the items that you must download is the glossary. It's not in the hard-copy book at all. That's very inconvenient.

One other thing that annoyed me was that the book advertises two "full-length" practice exams. In reality, each practice exam is just half (50 questions) of what makes up a real exam. This is disappointing because practice questions are very helpful in preparing for the exam.

Additional Comments:
If you're wondering, I did pass the Network + certification after my first try after reading this book. I also studied the "Network + Cram Exam". I would recommend studying from at least two books in a concentrated time-span for any CompTIA exam. It helps to reinforce your knowledge and the authors explain concepts differently. Also, make sure you understand all of the practice questions.

Product Details :
Paperback: 816 pages
Publisher: Sybex; 2 edition (January 30, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1118137558
ISBN-13: 978-1118137550
Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.8 x 9.1 inches

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