Product Description

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 as many outside the IT market. Boson Software is headquartered in Tampa, FL.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #607818 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-07
• Platform: Not Machine Specific
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 2.24" h x 7.48" w x 9.61" l, .58 pounds
• Binding: CD-ROM
• 12 pages

From the Publisher
The most powerful router simulation software for hands-on CCNA 640-801 skills enhancement

Design a network with up to 200 routers and switches
Choose from 45 different router and switch models
Learn from over 100 CCNA labs

Cisco CCNA Network Simulator helps you develop and practice hands-on skills without the investment in expensive lab hardware. This state-of-the-art simulator software, reviewed by six CCIE® engineers, allows you to

Design networks with the drag-and-drop Boson Network Designer that simulates up to 200 devices using 45 different device models—all with no upgrade required.

Practice your networking skills with more than 100 structured labs, including 37 standalone labs, 20 sequential labs, 26 scenario labs, and 22 advanced labs.

Experience actual network device response as each simulated routing and switching protocol maintains its own routing and bridging table for true-to-life routing and switching simulation.

Reinforce your knowledge with excerpts from the best-selling CCNA INTRO and ICND Exam Certification Guides by Wendell Odom.

Cisco CCNA Network Simulator is part of a recommended study program from Cisco Systems® that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press.

Cisco CCNA Network Simulator Closest Competitor
Number of Included Labs 105 84
Lab Grading Function yes no
Integrated Program Tutorial yes no
Add Your Own Labs to the Lab Menu System yes no
Load/Save Entire Network Snapshot with Configs yes no
Load/Save Individual Router/Switch Device Configs yes yes
Load Real Router/Switch Device Configs yes no
Telnet to a Device with Any Standard Telnet Program yes no
Telnet to a Device Using Simulated Terminal Server yes no

Different Device Models for Making Custom Network 45 4
Total Simultaneous Devices in the Same Network 200 13

Router Simulator engine and Network Designer both support 45 different Cisco device models, including the following families of routers and switches:

Cisco 800 Series Routers
Cisco 1000 Series Routers
Cisco 1600 Series Routers
Cisco 1700 Series Routers
Cisco 2500 Series Routers
Cisco 2600 Series Routers
Cisco 3600 Series Routers
Cisco 4500 Series Routers
Cisco 1900 Series Switches
Cisco 2950 Series Switches
Slot-Based Devices with Capability to Change Modules
Hosts with Friendly CLI and Integrated Help

Minimum Software Requirements:

IBM-PC 100% Compatible at 500 MHz or faster
Windows® 98 or Me with 64 MB RAM
Windows 2000® or XP with 128 MB RAM
NOT supported: Windows 95, NT, or Server
CD-ROM disk drive 4x or faster
100 MB of free disk space
TCP/IP installed
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader version 5.0 or higher
Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher
Video card capable of 800x600 resolution with 8-bit (256) colors
Internet access for immediate registration

About the Author
Boson Software, Inc., is a software and training company specializing in test preparation and hands-on skills acquisition product development. They have been a profitable software company focused on adult learning and network utilities since 1998. Their mission is to provide high-quality practice tests and study supplements in a cost-effective manner. Boson was among the first software vendors to support Cisco certifications and is now an authorized Cisco Learning Partner as well as Premier Reseller.

Customer Reviews

Too many mistakes
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.

Poor Implementation of ACL's
I sent the company some feedback last week and have heard nothing from them. Product does not apply ACL's properly to interfaces and has problems recording matches to outbound ACL's. Also there are problems with alternate vlans on 2950 switches. Numerous bugs running verion 5.07 with latest patch. Was a very disappointing purchase.

Dennis Byford, CCNP

CISCO CCNA Network Simulator: GREAT HANDS-ON!
Reviewer Certification: MCSE NT 4.0, CCNA

ISBN: 1-58720-131-3

Through my recent CCNA certification process I found that the most difficult part of getting certified is acquiring hands-on experience. Inexperienced Network Administrators are rarely given significant access to production routing and switching equipment. (Gaining experience for OS certifications does not run the same level of risk of negatively impacting an entire enterprise). Couple this with the expense of buying actual "practice" equipment and one can see the value in a good, cost-effective simulator program.

The Cisco CCNA Network Simulator by Boson Software Inc. (Published by Cisco Press) appreciably meets one's need for hands-on experience. There are six lab modules to choose from: Stand Alone Labs, Sequential Labs, Scenario Labs, CCNA INTRO Labs (640-821), CCNA ICND (640-811) Labs, and Your Labs. Companion materials are a click away to help instruct and clarify. (Be aware that the lab numbers and chapter numbers don't necessarily match. For example, Stand Alone Lab 1's support material is Chapter 7 of Cisco CCNA Certification Library.) Students can check their progress with the Lab Grader feature.

Before the student can reap the full benefits of the product, he/she should be prepared to invest time - and perhaps some frustration -- in getting to know how this product works. Though not overly complex, there is a definite learning curve. The process starts with printing the User Guide (which does have some typos). It would have been nice to have this provided with the simulator media. (It would also be nice to have the option of printing all chapters, but Cisco CCNA Certification Library is available via other means in its entirety.) The labs can be printed out individually or in batches.

With the various lab categories and types, students can develop a strategy for where they're at in the education and training process. Beginners will probably want to start with the Sequential Labs. (Read the caution on page 50 of the User Guide as care must be taken to "save" after each lab or face the necessity of repeating "quite a few steps depending on what area you are working on.") The other labs are much more flexible and allow the student to focus on areas of weakness.

As a bonus, the Simulator has uses beyond test preparation. Intermediate administrators and instructors will find the "Network Designer" ("NetMap") module to be a useful tool. The Network Designer, which can accommodate up to 200 devices per simulated network, can be used to test IP changes prior to implementing them in production. Those that have devices above the 4500 Router and 2900 Switches will have to be a little creative with the simulator in the quest of paralleling the production environment -- but this is doable.

Students can go to Help and Check for Updates. The Readme contains errata that can be invaluable in clarifying issues and correcting mistakes that could wreak havoc on certification test scores. Above all, Cisco CCNA Network Simulator will definitely give the student the hands-on experience that is difficult to find but is essential to success in obtaining certification.