The Cisco Networking for Dummies, Second Edition

List Price: $29.99 Discount Price: $14.02

Customer Reviews:

Vanilla [Posted on 2000-11-02]
If you've got any sort of experience with networking Chapter 1, 3, 5, and 8 are worthless "basics" stuff (thin-net, thick-net, 10-Base-T, etc.). Except for some limited information on doing a little router programming, this isn't a Cisco book at all. It's just a vanilla overview of network topologies, protocols, switching, and routing.

I bought it based largely on the statement in the book description above that "This friendly guide offers easy-to-follow explanations of everything from different Cisco router models..." These "explanations" are the same little blurbs you can find on Cisco's Web site. I was hoping for a guide that showed you how to select the proper device, modules, WICs, flash memory options, etc. from the baffling array offered by Cisco and was very disappointed.

If you're looking for a guide on using Cisco equipment to set up a network, look somewhere else.

No CD with book. [Posted on 2000-12-19]
This book Cisco Networking for Dummies does not have a CD as the 'See Larger Photo' of the book cover shows. The book is published without a CD.

Another book published by Hungry Minds, CCNA for Dummies also authored by Ron Gilster, Jeff Bienvenu, and Kevin Ulsted does have a CD. ...

I'm sorry but Vanilla is right [Posted on 2001-07-19]
I purchased a copy of this book before reading the reviews - it was so bad I thought I'd come here and see what others thought. I know Networking for Dummies implies that the absolute basics are par for the course but the "basics" stuff is really stale material for a recently written book. If one is a beginner, they should be treated to modern information & new advances in technology that make networking simpler & accessable to the "beginner".The cisco product info is weak, the Cisco site offering way more information on each and every product mentioned in this book. If you want a good Cisco book, my all time favorite is Cisco: A Beginner's Guide (It's a beginners guide but not for dummies !) To be fair, I have read quite a few networking guides and several beginners guides and may very well be beyond the beginner level so perhaps I'm expecting too much. However, I can't say I'm happy spending the money - the info is old, too basic, and often I was able to get better information on the cisco site. Oh well...

Just the right book for us beginners [Posted on 2003-03-28]
Like many others working in small businesses, I assumed the duty of overseeing our network, which has a Cisco router. I was totally lost and the cost (and technical level) of the training available was much too high. So, on the chance it could help me, I purchased this book. I must say that Mr. Gilster has the knack for writing about very technical information at a very non-technical way. Not that I understand all of what he's telling me, but I assume that in time, given more study, I'll soon be able to speak intelligently with our Cisco and network service technicians. Truly Great Job, Mr. Gilster and Thanks!

My honest opinion of Cisco Networking for Dummies [Posted on 2006-07-10]
What a fantastic book with a lot of detail, written in an easy, understandable everyday language. Surprisingly, book was very comprehensive: Covered information about routers, of course, but also switches, bridges and hubs. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is serious about getting a good grasp on Cisco networking.

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