Introduction

Welcome to the Cisco Certified Network Associate Exam Cram 2! Whether this is your first or your fifteenth 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 the Cisco Certified Network Associate 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 16 are designed to remind you of everything you'll need to know in order to take ”and pass ”the CCNA 640-801 combined exam or the CCNA 640-821 background and 640-811 configuration exams. The three practice exams at the end of the book should give you a reasonably accurate assessment of your knowledge ”and, yes, we've provided the answers and their explanations to the tests. Read the book and understand 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, we will present and dissect the questions and problems we have found that you're likely to encounter on a test. We have worked to bring together as much information as possible about Cisco certification exams.

Nevertheless, to completely prepare yourself for any Cisco test, we 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 Cisco Certified Network Associate 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 configuration, 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 on certain topics. We also recommend that you supplement your study program with visits to www.examcram2.com to receive additional practice questions, get advice, and track the CCNA program.

We also strongly recommend that you get some hands-on experience configuring Cisco routers and switches. If you do not have access to the appropriate equipment, you can log on to Cisco's Web site and practice with their configuration simulator. Book learning is essential, but without a doubt, hands-on experience is the best teacher of all!