CCNA 640-802 Network Simulator (2nd Edition) [CD-ROM]

Nothing really drives home the information like doing it - either on real gear of in a simulator. Trying to test without one of those two greatly reduces your odds of passing. I had an opportunity to try several of the simulators out there - PacketTracer, Boson, and a couple others. PT and real gear have the drawback of you having to create the network first to being learning - not a bad thing if you want the extra practice. What I like about this sim and the Boson sim is that when you select a lab the environment pops up, pre-built and all you do is the specific task. I preferred this sim's environment to that of the Boson (v8) sim and there were more labs. If you complete every lab in this product you will be well prepared for anything thrown at you.

That said...there is one drawback to this product that I hope the author takes to heart. When you select a lab the environment is presented and in a separate window a PDF worksheet for the specific lab pops up. However, the lab instructions tell you what to do, step by step. Having been through Microsoft, Novell and other training classes that use a similar approach you find yourself relying on the instructions and "zoning out" becoming a human Xerox. This approach if poorly thought out. Each lab should have an initial page that states the tasks you must complete. Period. Nothing more. Then the following pages can give you the step by step and explanations that are there now. To truly learn you need to be given a task without assistance and attempt to complete it. That way, even if you need to refer to the step by step instructions, your mind is focused on the material. Make that change and it's a 5 star product.

The CCNA 640-802 Network Simulator (NetSim) is all about structure. Structured labs that have you configuring virtual switches and routers, using show commands to display information about the configuration of the device(s), and troubleshooting/fixing device configurations. NetSim is a companion to Wendell Odom's CCNA books. It bridges the gap for those readers who have done the reading but need to learn the hands-on on each topic. The approach here is that you learn by doing instead of just reading about it.

The product on this page is the stand-alone NetSim product. The companion books would be CCENT/CCNA ICND1 640-822 Official Cert Guide (3rd Edition) and CCNA ICND2 640-816 Official Cert Guide (3rd Edition) which are sold separately. You can also buy both books together as CCNA 640-802 Official Cert Library, Updated (3rd Edition). If you do not already own the books, you can get CCNA 640-802 Official Cert Library, Simulator Edition, Updated (3rd Edition) which contains both books and NetSim. Personally, I bought the Premium EBook versions directly from Cisco Press but would consider the Kindle versions here as well. I prefer to read on the Kindle App for iPad which is why I don't have any of the bundles above.

The best way to use NetSim is to download the Lab Study Plan ((...)) and complete the labs for each chapter after you finish reading that chapter in the book. For example, finish reading chapter 8 and then do all the chapter 8 labs in NetSim. This methodology reinforces your reading and gives you that valuable hands-on experience in actually doing the tasks. It is one thing to read about how to configure a router to only allow SSH connections vs. doing the actual configuration.

I've been using the product for about a week now and have been steadily checking off the labs on my study plan. I'm using it on Mac OS X Lion and had no issues installing it or using it. I like how the PDF instructions for the lab pop up in a separate window (Preview on Mac) and doesn't clutter the NetSim interface. I also, like that the topology of the lab is always shown in an area near the top of the NetSim window. It is also very easy to move between devices using the drop down menus from the device list at the very top of the NetSim window. The output in NetSim looks just like it does on the real gear. I have Cisco Packet Tracer as well as a nearly completed hardware lab at my disposal but I am still chugging along through the NetSim labs because of the relevance of the labs to the reading material. I really like the structure it brings to the table. I am also having a lot of fun doing the labs.

I highly recommend NetSim to anyone reading the ICND1/ICND2 books and those studying for the CCENT / CCNA exams. It is a valuable learning tool to supplement the reading.

Studying for the CCNA test and using this NetSim to help.

Installed the NetSIM on win7 x64 no issues.

A few things about this. I suggest you get a second monitor.

The text that explains the lab pops up in the middle of the screen. there is nowhere to place it as the Netsim console takes the whole screen. I had an old monitor laying around and hooked it up to my PC and works much better.

They could have incorporated the text into a sidebar on the sim and would have been better.

Also Pay attention this, during the very beginning of a lab it says to connect to switch or router number X.
the lab doesn't auto connect to it, you need to go into the map layout and click on the designated router\switch.

This bit me a few times and was frustrated. Once I figured this out it worked better.

Overall so far its ok. I do think its overpriced for what it does. But it does help with CCNA knowledge.