Introduction

Welcome to the CIT Exam Cram 2! Whether this is your 1st or your 15th Exam Cram 2 series book, you'll find information here that will help ensure your success as you pursue knowledge, experience, and certification. This introduction explains Cisco's certification programs in general and talks about how the Exam Cram 2 series can help you prepare for Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) exams. Chapter 1 discusses the basics of Cisco certification exams, including a description of the testing environment and a discussion of test-taking strategies. Chapters 2 through 12 are designed to remind you of everything you'll need to know in order to take ”and pass ”the 642-831 Cisco Support certification exam. The two sample tests at the end of the book should give you a reasonably accurate assessment of your knowledge ”and, yes, we've provided the practice test answers and their explanations . Read the book and study the material, and you'll stand a very good chance of passing the test.

Exam Cram 2 books help you understand and appreciate the subjects and materials you need to pass Cisco certification exams. Exam Cram 2 books are aimed strictly at test preparation and review. They do not teach you everything you need to know about a topic. Instead, I'll present and dissect the questions and problems I've found that you're likely to encounter on a test. I've worked to bring together as much information as possible about Cisco certification exams.

Nevertheless, to completely prepare yourself for any Cisco test, I recommend that you begin by taking the self-assessment that is included in this book, immediately following this introduction. The self-assessment tool will help you evaluate your knowledge base against the requirements for a CCNP under both ideal and real circumstances.

Based on what you learn from the self-assessment, you might decide to begin your studies with some classroom training, some practice with Cisco routers and switches, or some background reading. On the other hand, you might decide to pick up and read one of the many study guides available from Cisco or third-party vendors . I recommend that you supplement your study program with visits to www.examcram2.com to receive additional practice questions, get advice, and track the CCNP program.

I also strongly recommend that you install, configure, and play around with the Cisco technologies that you'll be tested on, because nothing beats hands-on experience and familiarity when it comes to understanding the questions you're likely to encounter on a certification test. Book learning is essential, but without a doubt, hands-on experience is the best teacher of all!

Included in this book is also a CD that contains the PrepLogic Practice Exams, Preview Edition exam simulation software. The preview edition exhibits most of the full functionality of the premium edition, but offers questions sufficient for only one practice exam. To get the complete set of practice questions and exam functionality, visit www.preplogic.com.