CCNP Advanced CISCO Router Configuration Study Guide : (Exam 640-403)

Structured around the specific objectives set forth in the ACRC exam, this weighty course guide focuses on how to manage access lists, filtering, performance tuning, routing protocols, and much more. It begins with chapters on designing large scalable networks and managing their performance. From there, the guide moves into routing protocols, bridging, and scalable WAN design.

Each chapter begins with a list of the exam objectives covered. Even though the material is highly technical, the presentation flows well. The chapters wrap up with a brief summary section, review questions, and practical laboratory exercises with tasks such as "configure your router with basic SAP and RIP, and configure interfaces for IPX."

An enclosed CD-ROM contains the EdgeTest test software for this exam, loaded with 200 sample questions. It also includes an IP address calculator and a trial version of Visio Professional for diagramming networks. This official study guide is the most thorough and targeted preparation text available for the ACRC examination. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered: Scalable network design, IP/IPX traffic control, TCP/IP routing and routing protocols, AppleTalk, bridging, WAN scalability, Cisco serial line support, and Dial-on-Demand Routing.

Product Description
This covers ACRC material candidates will be tested on for CCNP certfication--whether they choose to take the one large exam + the CIT, or if they break the testing into 3 separate exams + the CIT test. Global Knowledge Network brings their Cisco classroom experience to text: critical information disseminated into easy-to-digest forms helping ease the study process; certification exercises focused primarily on the exam environment; advice and issues most often discussed in GKN classrooms; summaries to refresh information and keep candidates on track: "how to take a Cisco test" section; exclusive interactive exam that links directly to answers in the book--more than 500 practice questions; free membership to GKN's Access Global web site--where people can take part in the vibrant Cisco community. Cisco Certification options are mapped out in front of book for new candidates.

The quote I'll use to describe the advantages of Lammle's book over Laura Chappell's official Cisco text is, "I don't need for you to explain the watch, just tell me what time it is," -- at least for ACRC testing purposes. I bought, studied, and will be keeping both books. You should consider doing the same because a bit of repetition never hurt anybody. While Chappell's book is the better in-depth, verbose reference, Lammle's book is unquestionably better for ACRC test preparation. The book is mapped directly to the ACRC test objectives and Lammle has trimmed a lot of the fat. The 259 question EdgeTest that comes on CD with the book is the push over the top. If you can answer every question correctly and understand WHY the right answer is the right answer and WHY the other answers are wrong, you're ready. Practice Lammle's exercise labs on your router, too, to get the much needed familiarity with the IOS commands.

Compared to a 5-day ACRC course which costs $1900 in my area (and likely requires another week or more of study before testing), this book for less than a 50 spot is a staggering bargain. Buy it and spend ample time with it. I invested a little over a month and I sit here today with ACRC behind me.

Todd, my pocketbook thanks you.


I will not fail ACRC - with this book.   June 15, 2000
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Many of the negative reviews here actually made me hesitate to buy this book - but I eventually did. Now in my final weeks of preparing for the exam - which expires on 31 July - and having gone through most of the book, I have strong confident that I will pass. You see, for the last one year, I have visited braindump site and passed one certification test after another by a lot of craming (cheating?) but questionable understanding - but this is the first certification book that truely made me understand the subject matter. The whole book is clustered with examples and diagrams to illustrate the fine point - there is no sign at all of rushing the book to the press - and no sign at all of trying to cram any subject matter just to make you pass. Some reviewer has alert us of mistakes in the book - I don't see to many typo or mistake, but it is true that there are some glaring one. For example, the IGRP chapter is well written, the 2 minutes drill has at least one or two gotcha (at least it got-me) that I suspect will make excellent exam question, but somewhere along the pages it actually says T1 has a metric of 65 - which is correct - and ethernet has a metric of 1000 - which is wrong - I think it is 10. Also, it says " convergence means that all routers in the network share a common routing table" - which cannot be true - he must have meant to say something else. But despite this, I just love the way they make me understand something by using examples and diagrams - they don't cut corners here. On many topics, like access list and IPX filtering, I beleive the book might have exceed the exam objective, certainly exceeding the ACRC course that I have taken in 98. And it is this strength and depth of true understanding that make me confident of giving it a good show in the real exam. One reminder, don't skip the 2 minutes drill - they are not just summary and revision - but also a place to alert you of possible exam gotcha. The self-test have a few tricky questions that make me laugh at my own stupidity - and I love it. For those who want to do it before 31 July - go get it - 45 days with this book can make a different.


Like it or not, this is best book in town for ACRC exam   August 1, 2000
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I passed ACRC yesterday - and this is my chapter to chapter review of this excellent book:Chapter 1 - didn't read, but gone through the self test question - should be sufficient. Chapter 2 - On IP access-list. Thoroughly and clearly explained, better than all other exam reference. The systematic "little arrow" approach to creating access list - not seen in ACRC class or any other references. You will want to understand every bit in this chapter. Chapter 3 - On IPX access-list. This chapter is again well explained, CNE will enjoy it - but I suspect it over-prepared you for the exam objectives. Chapter 4 - On Appletalk - I would say this chapter is brilliant in the sense that even a non-Apple guy like me know what he is talking about. It is a 'just right' preparation. Chapter 5 - On queuing - I am a bit lost and have to refer to Sybex's better diagrams and clearer configuration example. Chapter 6 - rotten - please re-write. Mean to show you a bit of DVRP, IP, VLSM etc in preparation for later chapters on OSPF, EIGRP - but somehow lost the plot - why not make it a solid chapter on how to do VLSM in a big international corperate with differerent branches around the world, who decide to throw away their old DVSP because of various limitation? Chapter 7 on IGRP and EIGRP - this side by side comparison of both routing protocols is useful to illustrate the superiority of EIGRP over older DVRP. No other exam references think of taking this approach since IGRP is not one of the exam objective. Chapter 8 OSPF - 80 pages of most solid information clearly explained. 5 stars. You want to know it inside out. Chapter 9 - on IPX NLSP - I still not quiet sure what is NLSP all about, and its interaction with IPXWAN. Chapter 10 - EIGRP by itself. An OK chapter - but need to enhanced explanation on feasible successor with good diagrams. Chapter 11 - On BGP - I afraid it over prepare you on this topic - but good to know. Chapter 12-15 on WAN, ISDN, DDR - good solid chapters - but I thing the DDR dialer profile portion needs to be better explained - show us a completed, working configuration example on this. On PRI configuration, I hope the author can re-wirte to show how the PRI config works with BRI config. On ppp, hdlc, frame-relay, they are boring presentation - is there a better way to teach this subject? Author please re-write the compression topic - use examples and diagram. On various use of T1/E1, author please tidy up the explanation to leave no room for confusion. Chapter 16 - 18 On bridge. It is explained clearly - but I did struggle with the concept of CRB, IRB - can author find another way to smooth the learning curve - perhaps using some diagram? Nothing amazing on transparent bridge - but author probably will want to enlighten us on how 2 ethernets or token rings separate by slow WAN link can be bridge together without operational difficulty. Big Big chapter over-preparing you on source route bridge - but I think they should shift the SRT and SR/TLB to the front and stuff those RSRB to the very back. I never work with token ring and in the last 10 years always lost whenever some authors try explaining the concept of SOURCE-ROUTE to me - this author use so many pages of diagram to explain source route - and BINGO, I understand! I did not bother to read the Frame-Relay and DLSw chpaters since they are not exam objective - but now that the exam is over - I will hit these two chapters. This is the first certification book that I do not intend to throw away after passing.


Great, well written exam book. Recommended.   November 17, 1999
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

IF you want to pass the ACRC exam, which is very, very hard, then buy this book along with the Cisco press ACRC Study Guide. Between the two books I passed the exam.


Excellent Resource   July 4, 2000
Matt Sheridan (Washington, DC)
I write this review to correct an injustice I have caused.

When I first received the book, I wrote a review - and trashed the book. I had only read the first two chapters, and admittedly prejudged the book unfairly. I was quick to think the book was overdone and elementary. I was wrong. This is an excellent resource, and I use it often. It is very clear, and takes the time to help you understand the topics, rather then generalize exam topics throughout the text. I have gained a great deal from this book, and continue to use it regularly. The information is presented clearly and completely - it is an educational resource.

My apologies to the author(s) for the unfair judgement I had given several months ago.

I RECOMEND THE BOOK - STRONGLY

Matt