CCNP Virtual Lab Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I successfully used the CCNA virtual lab to help me pass the CCNA qualification, and I have also used microcontroller simulators for debugging code, so I am not entirely new to simulators. The CCNA one had some problems, but nothing really bad, and helped me a lot. Unfortunately the CCNP simulator is worse, not better. I should emphasise that I have downloaded the patch, and keep checking the errata page but I am still finding, reporting, and getting no furthur feedback on additional problems. Now, it is certainly possible to cause your own problems here, but when you find that for instance you cannot ping devices that are supposed to be directly connected, and you get a message about SPID's from the net detective, you know there is something odd going on. (It is trying to use a nonconfigured isdn interface instead of the serial line that is configured by the lab given.) It needs first to be improved to where the labs as written actually work, then it needs a bit of attention to letting you perform diagnostics using the standard cisco commands so that when you do make a typo in a config, you have some reasonable chance of finding it. (Which is also excellent practice for the support part of things...) As it is, when you strike a bug and start trying to troubleshoot, then report what you have done to support, they come back at you that you are only supposed to do the things given in the labs. (let me quote the box: "Extensive free form configuration options" "design custom labs that focus on your special interests")
So this is a product with a great deal of potential, mostly not realised yet. I really couldn't advise anyone to buy it in the current state. I'd be happy to discuss this via email with anyone, especially the developers so do the obvious to this (disposable!) address ibxbksf001(AT)sneakemail.com to get hold of me. I will also happily withdraw or modify this review as necessary should I receive any furthur information from support.
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Covers All 4 Revised CCNP ExamsIf you're serious about earning your CCNP, you need extensive hands-on experience with routers and switches. Until now, this has required access to expensive network equipment--not to mention the freedom to experiment with it. This updated version of the best-selling CCNP Virtual Lab from Sybex gives you everything you need to prepare yourself for the new CCNP exams. You can practice with this "equipment" on your own, follow suggested labs that cover the entire range of CCNP objectives, and design custom labs that focus on your special interests. An affordable alternative to products and courses costing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars, the CCNP Virtual Lab allows you to work at your own pace, on your own time, so you get the most out of your exam preparation efforts.Equip Yourself with the Knowledge and Skills You Need to Pass the CCNP ExamsBSCI* IS-IS* IP addressing* Interconnecting OSPF areas* EIGRP* Configuring monitoring, troubleshooting, and scaling BGP* Route optimization* Network scalabilitySwitching* Connecting the switch block* Configuring 5000 and 1900 series switches with VTP and VLANs* Working with Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)* Using Spanning Tree with VLAN* Setting up inter-VLAN routingRemote Access* Working with asynchronous connections* Using the Point-to-Point Protocol* Setting up ISDN and dial-on-demand routing* Working with the Cisco 700 Series* Working with Frame Relay* Using NAT (Network Address Translation)* Setting up AAASupport* Troubleshooting Cisco routers and switches* Using problem-solving models* Common data link layer characteristics in campus LANs* Connection sequences in TCP/IP, Novell IPX, and AppleTalk* Using Cisco IOS software commands and debug utilities* Resolving VLAN, WAN, Frame Relay, and ISDN BRI problems

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CCNA Router and Switch eSIM Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Having trouble passing the CCNA exam? Need to find equipment but can't afford the costs? Want to have several different routers to work with? Think you'll need a new lab? Well Cisco Press may have taken the trouble to help you out more than you know.
With the software there was absolutely no trouble installing and I installed it on Windows 98, NT, 2000 and XP, each worked flawlessly. After the install you need the cd to run which should be changed in future releases.
Once installed you are ready to begin, although you do need to give the host of the console an IP address first and this too needs to be corrected. Seems to work far better that other routers eSIM since is isn't database driven but Flash driven. Giving you every possible help, the commands that are useful are bolded, aiding in the learning process.
There are 3 scenarios, scenario 1 is 5 router and 10 hosts. Although switches are included you can not configure them which I think would be very useful. In scenario 2 you work with switches and VLANS and 2 is intra-Vlan routing. You have several labs for each scenario and you can always make up your own.
The second cd included has over 100 activities and not all relate to CCNA but you'll find them useful for other things related to networking. There is also over 200 flash cards to study from and about the only problem I found is that you have to enter the full command rather than the shorter version.
There is some cleanup needed but you should be able to pass the exam with this one. Now tailor the ICND and CCNA courseware to this eSim and you have a sure fire winner.

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Authorized router and switch self-study simulation software for CCNA exam preparation

Beyond the eSIM network simulator, CCNA Router and Switch eSIM also includes the following self-study learning tools:
Lab activitiesEnter router commands, drag and drop objects, and answer questions on topics ranging from IP address classes to basic router configuration to extended ACLs. They are designed to make sure you have a full understanding of router command syntax.
200 CCNA Flashcard questionsChoose from among the CCNA skill areas, set the amount of time and the number of questions, choose whether questions are ordered or random, and build your own practice CCNA exam.
Video lessonsExpert instructors guide you through processes, such as subnetting Class C IP addresses; complex topics, such as dedicated and switched WAN technologies; and the various components of selected Cisco devices. This expert guidance delivers specific topics in an easy-to-comprehend format.
PhotoZoomsZoom in for close-up views of high-quality photographs of networking equipment and other products such as cables and diagnostic equipment. You can choose from various views, get detailed information on selected product parts, and zoom in for close-up views to familiarize you with these critical network environment devices.

CCNA Router and Switch eSIM improves upon the traditional interactive multimedia learning experience for networkers who are preparing for the CCNA exam, are new to the networking field, or are practitioners who want to perfect their hands-on configuration skills. CCNA Router and Switch eSIM combines on two CD-ROMs tools that not only provide intermediate- to late-stage hands-on test preparation but also provide help in translating theoretical learning to real-world application. Network simulations, tutorial activities, practice test questions, and other electronic learning tools result in a comprehensive and interactive package for CCNA self-study.

CCNA Router and Switch eSIM begins with the eSIM network simulator. This simulator provides hands-on experience with routers and switches using three network scenarios: five routers, which includes support for access control lists (ACLs); three switches, for trunking and virtual LANs (VLANs); and two switches and one router, for routing between VLANs. Each scenario enables you to specify your own IP addressing schemes, providing you with a dynamic IP addressing environment. The accompanying electronic user manual presents 14 activities for you to work through, but the totally open, freely configurable, simulative environment of the eSIM network simulator allows hours of exploration and experimentation throughout the three network scenarios.

CCNA Router and Switch eSIM is part of a recommended learning path from Cisco Systems that can include simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press.Titles in this series provide officially developed exam preparation materials that offer interactive learning, assessment, and networking simulation experience to help Cisco Career Certification candidates learn concepts and understand the application of networking concepts in a real-world setting.

The interactive self-study learning products on two CD-ROMs enable you to
Practice with freely configurable software-based network scenarios
Work within three network environments
Develop your hands-on skills
Gain confidence for your CCNA exam

Minimum System Requirements
System running Windows(r) 95, 98, 2000, or NT(r) 4.0, Mac(r) OS 9 or higher300 MHz with 64 MB RAM
Minimum 800 x 600 video resolution with 256 or more colorsCD-ROM drive
Windows Media(tm) Player 7.0 or higher. Note: Windows 95 and NT 4.0 do not support Windows Media Player 7.0, so the videos must be played on a different OS

CCNA(r) Router and Switch eSIM provides state-of-the-art network environment simulations

Flashcards Flashcards contain a sampler of 200 questions to help you study for the CCNA certification exam. These questions cover seven key skill areas: the OSI model, Cisco IOS(r) Software, routing, IP addressing, LAN switching, WANs, and routing protocols.

VideosVideos further your understanding of complex networking topics and provide an ideal format for showing facilities such as wiring closets. In these videos, Cisco Networking Academy(tm) Program instructors guide you step-by-step through complex processes like subnetting Class C IP addresses and determining administrative distances. Topics such as dedicated and switched WAN technologies, CSU/DSUs, and access control lists are also discussed. Other videos discuss various components of Cisco equipment.

PhotoZoomsPhotoZooms feature high-quality photographs that enable you to zoom in and out and change angles to see various levels of detail. Fifteen PhotoZooms show various networking equipment including hardware devices, cables, and diagnostic tools.

Host Configuration To simulate a real-world environment, CCNA Router and Switch eSIM requires you to configure the communication parameters of the host computer connected to the device. Additionally, you can ping from host to host, host to device, or device to device after you correctly configure the devices.

Color Coded Help Multiple levels of the context-sensitive help provided with Cisco IOS(r) Software are included. Commands supported by CCNA Router and Switch eSIM are highlighted. Syntax errors are treated just the same way they are on real hardware. Nonsupported commands pop up a window.

Configuration ScreenInteract with devices via a terminal emulation program (CiscoTerminal). Command abbreviation, command completion, the cursor keys, and the More prompt all respond the same way they do with actual Cisco networking equipment.

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Cisco CCNA Network Simulator (CCNA Self-Study, 640-801) Review

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(More customer reviews)I read the other reviews on Amazon before purchasing this product. I saw some were good and some were bad. I thought, well, people have different opinions and I may like it. No. There are too many mistakes. Others have commented on VLAN issues with the 2950's. I had the same problem. Any more than 3 vlans and it just wouldn't work. It was very frustrating in that I wasted ALOT of time thinking it my configs at first. Then there is some kind of bug with pings. When you ping from one specific PC to another across your virtual network the entire application shuts down. This will consistently happen so you must remember which PC's you can and can't ping to and from safely and make sure to save everything before every ping. You will put in configurations then 5 minutes later do a "sh run" and they will mysteriously be gone. Or take a network statement out from under OSPF but it just will NOT remove it. Lastly there is the user friendly-ness. I rate this as a zero. It is the most cumbersome application I have ever used. It would have helped had I been able to open the user guide but that did nothing when I clicked on it. I lost many a network because I didn't save the topologies and configs correctly. So I called Boson for help. You have to leave your name and number and they will call back within 48 hours. That was 2 weeks ago. I have not heard from them.

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Master hands-on CCNA skills with a network simulator that lets you build your own network, with up to 200 devices

Gain hands-on experience for all CCNA exam topics
Select from 45 different router and switch models
Learn with integrated content from the number-One selling CCNA Certification Library written by Wendell Odom

Cisco CCNA Network Simulator is a boxed software product derived from the previously self-published Boson NetSim from Boson Software. It provides users with a means to develop hands-on skills at the CCNA level without the investment in expensive hardware. The software, which includes the Boson Router Simulator, was designed to give users the skills needed to pass the new CCNA 800 series exams (640-801, 640-811, and 640-821). The combination of Cisco IOS and Catalyst simulated command line interface (CLI) establishes a foundation of knowledge that is integral to CCNA success, both in taking the CCNA exams and in one's daily job as a CCNA professional. The title includes a drag-and-drop Network Designer that supports up to 200 devices using 45 different device models, including 40 different router models and 2 Catalyst switch models. Users can have up to 200 active Telnet sessions configuring devices inside the simulator. This unique feature allows users to create their own lab topologies, freeing them for the first time from the configurations locked in place by the software vendor. Currently no other network simulation package offers this much versatility and support.

Cisco CCNA Network Simulator also includes a comprehensive lab menu that contains more than 100 structured labs for users to run. More than 20 advanced-level labs from Wendell Odom's CCNA texts allow users to perform complex tasks on networks that combine all the various CCNA technologies.

Boson Software, Inc. is a software company specializing in products for test preparation and the development of hands-on skills. Boson is a Cisco Learning Partner, and offers practice tests on every major certification in the IT industry, as well many outside the IT market. Boson Software is headquartered in Tampa, FL.

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CCNA 640-802 Network Simulator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just installed this software, and so far - it's just what I was expecting. I have the unique position of having tried both Boson's NetSim and RouterSim's Network Visualizer simulation software packages, and although both are excellent products (and getting better) I find Wendell Odom's product to be more intuitive and easier to just jump right in. In my opinion, the design process that goes into designing any network simulation software, is similar to designing a game. Some games require you to learn the controls, before you can really get started, while others are so well thought out that you can well, just jump right in.
However, if anyone has any plans to progress beyond the CCNA (eg. CCNP, etc.), I would recommend taking a look at the other two simulators. When I first purchased RouterSim's Network Visualizer, it was still a buggy product and prone to crashes. Even so, it was the only worthwhile game in town, at the time (2004). I never got the opportunity to finish the labs, as I was called to active duty and served over seas for almost two years. RouterSim's Network Visualizer has a particularly strict software license. You only get one, and in order to install it on another machine, you have to send your activation key back to the company (online, via the software itself). Once the license is back with the company, you can then install the software again on another computer, and then activate the product by downloading activation key from them once again. Ever served in the military? Well when you get those orders, you go. There is not a lot of time. You may have a few days to settle any pending business, like saying goodbye to your family and friends, making sure your will is in order, arrange for your bills to be paid, and so on. So transferring a software license wasn't on the top of my list. My software was originally installed on a desktop and I was not about to lug that (and the monitor) with me in my ruck. By the time I came back, the CCNA exam had changed so much that my simulator was, yes - outdated. I tried explaining my situation to the nice folks at RouterSim, but I was informed nicely that I can just purchase the upgrade. Remembering my experiences with the software crashes, I declined and signed up to take a CCNA cram class instead. Big mistake.
For a newbie, cram courses don't work. Eight days (8 hours a day) of instruction will not teach you the operations of a network and how Routers and Switches come into play so much so that you can pass the CCNA. Much less, get you so familiar with the input commands that you can use on the job. In my class, I had an Egyptian instructor who may be very knowledgeable, but help me if I can understand a darn thing that he was saying. I just couldn't get pass the accent. The school did however, introduced me to Boson's NetSim, a far superior product than my older version of RouterSim's Network Visualizer. Oh yes, if you decide on taking a class, make sure that they give you access to ACTUAL Cisco equipment! They didn't technically lie to me however, the school did have Cisco equipment, but that was a very brief show and tell. We primarily were working with the NetSim software. There are several versions now - CCENT, CCNA, CCNP, etc. They also sell videos and mp3's, besides the simulation software. Cisco seems to be endorsing them, you can find links to Boson from the Cisco website. To briefly describe the product, you basically have a network simulation software package along with a couple of pdf lab manuals (they are compressed and will appear once you've installed the software). I would print out the manuals and follow through the lessons, chapter by chapter.
So why do I prefer Wendell Odom's Network Simulator over the others? One, you get 4 licenses. Yes, you can install your product on FOUR separate computers. Two, the price. Wendell Odom's Network Simulator is under $100 (Amazon price, retail is $149). RouterSim's CCNA Network Visualizer is $229.00. And Boson's NetSim for CCNA is $249. And third, the pdf step-by-step lessons on Wendell Odom's Network Simulator pops up as you activate the corresponding lesson simulation. Something that I can really appreciate, as I will be traveling a lot on my new job, and don't want to carry a hard copy lesson book with me, nor scroll through the pages to the lesson I want. Dual monitors would serve you well here. It really is just simpler to use. You are presented with a lesson menu on the right side. A diagram of your network is on the top left, and the command line section (where you type) is below that. Click on the computer icon on your virtual network, and on the command line section you're looking at the CLI interpretation of what you would see if you were logged on to that computer. The same goes for the switches and the routers. Neat.
Do bear in mind however, that network simulators are just that, they only simulate the network and is not the real thing. They are by no means a perfect substitution for actual equipment. The lessons on either of the packages mentioned, must be executed on the respective software packages themselves, in the specific manner that is described, or they may not work. This new test (640-802) has challenged even Network Engineers currently in the workforce. I know a couple of techs, currently going through the recertification process, and even they are intimidated. One of the reasons is increased focus on Switching, a previously intermediate (CCNP) level subject. And there is the current approval of Subnet Zeros for the CCNA, that's gotta throw some people off. It did for me, I was taught something else.
If you are going for your certification for the first time - I recommend signing up for a Cisco Network Academy class. It may take up to a year to graduate, but you will not be wasting your time. Another option, is to get your own equipment. But, if none of these are options for you - Wendell Odom's Network Simulator is by far the cheapest solution on the market. Whatever option you finally choose, designing networks and supporting network equipment is not a book learning exercise. You shouldn't read your books from cover to cover, and then do the exercises - let the exercises be your guide. Just remember, it is critical that you get some hands-on experience (simulators, or the real deal).
Unfortunately, I had to buy this product from an Amazon.com competitor. It was on my Shopping Cart, but when I went to pay for it, Amazon took it off, "for review". I waited a day or so, and it was still under "review", so I had no choice but to go elsewhere. I had to pay a little more, but I was already waiting a month or so for this simulator to come on the market and had put my studies on hold until it does, therefore, I just couldn't wait anymore. Sorry, Amazon.com.

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The most effective router and switch simulator for hands-on CCNA® skills enhancementThis software only product covers all CCNA topics 250 labs 8 different lab topologies 3000+ hands-on tasks Three Unique types of labs CCNA 640-802 Network Simulator helps you develop and improve hands-on configuration and troubleshooting skills without the investment in expensive lab hardware. This state-of-the-art, interactive simulation software allows you to practice your networking skills with more than 250 structured labs designed to help you learn by doing, the most effective method of learning. Experience realistic network device response as you work through each of the labs (available in electronic form on the CD), which include detailed instructions, topology diagrams, hints, and full answers. Unlike other simulators on the market, the lab scenarios included in the CCNA 640-802 Network Simulator are far more complex, challenging you to learn how to perform realistic network configuration and troubleshooting tasks.This unique network simulation software helps you master the hands-on skills needed to succeed on the CCNA® exam. Topics covered include:Router and switch navigation and administration LAN switching IP addressing Routing WANs VLANs and trunking IP routing protocols Scaling IP TroubleshootingSystem Requirements:500 MHz or higher processor 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended) 500 MB hard drive space 32-bit true color monitor (1024x768 resolution) Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP3, Microsoft Vista, or Mac OS X Version 10.4.11 or higher Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 1.5.0 Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.0 Connection to the Internet during installation for access code validationAlthough this product was published before these operating systems were released, this product has been tested and successfully installed on Windows 7 platforms as well as Mac OS X Snow Leopard (version 10.6). If you experience any trouble installing the software on these platforms, please contact Pearson Customer Technical Support at: http://www.informit.com/about/contact_us/. Category: Cisco® CertificationCovers: CCNA exam 640-802

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