Reviews (12)

The Exam Cram 2, Novell NetWare 6.5 CNA is the best way to get certified.
I'm certified now thanks to this book. And what a time saver... the objectives are clearly defined and the material is straight to the point. As a bonus, the author includes brief notes on the do's and don'ts in a real world Netware environment. This is good stuff. If you are serious about getting certified, then this book is for you.

Exam Cram Helps (But you also need experience); CD Bites
Passed with 700 on first try.
This book is all you need!
Time, determination and this book. That's all it takes to become a CNA. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Educational Software    5. Local Area Networks (Lan)    6. Study Guides    7. Tests    8. Computers / Technical Skills    9. Networking packages   

Reviews (11)

Awsome Prep Book
All you need to pass the C.N.A. exam 50-653 is the patience to read this book and an understanding of the concepts presented therein.I easily passed the test with a greater than 700 score.I read the book twice and set up my own Novell test network so I could do all the labs, which is probably more than most people need to do. Lots of filler, but all you need to easily pass the test
I passed the 50-653 Netware 5.1 Admin test yesterday with a score of 714/800.Passing was 568/800.This is the only book I used to study, and I can tell you that all of the exam questions referenced things I had learned/remembered from this book.It took me 3 weeks of hard studying, I read it carefully once then reviewed it a second time.

Big improvement in style over previous CNA guides
I give David a 5 on this book.1st off, it has what you need to pass the test, and then some.On top of that, the complaints you've seen about superheroes and long story lines and confusion arising when mixing these stories with Netware information really doesn't apply so much to the 5.1 version of this book.I read his 4.1 and 5.0 CNA versions previously, and that's where the reputation for filler was earned.I was very relieved that he kept it to a minimum in this book, earning him a 5-star from me.I got everything I expected from this book, including a 725 mark (584 to pass) for the test.Install the server from the companion cd and run through the excercises.Makes all the difference in the world.Thanks Dave. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Books And Software    3. Computer Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Computers - Certification    6. Local Area Networks (Lan)    7. NetWare    8. Networking - General    9. Networking - Local Area Networks (LANs)    10. Networking - Netware    11. Operating Systems - General    12. Operating systems (Computers)    13. Computers / Technical Skills   

Reviews (31)

350 pages of useful info, 500 pages of crap
This book will prepare you for the exam, but what a waste of time reading.I was so incredibly sick of his tree-hugging "wit" I have done MCSE, Citrix CCA, Cisco CCNA, Compaq ASE courses and exams and never seen a book where an author needs to put his beliefs or humor in the book.Get to the point and get there quickly.Alright, my wife thinks I am being too negative.Do you get prepared for the test absolutely.Did I learn a lot about Netware 5 absolutely.Did I pass the test easily, yes again.I just didn't appreciate the writer's style of presenting the material.Also, why doesn't Novell give you an evaluation copy of Netware with this kit?If they want you to learn this stuff then experience is the best way.(I didn't buy a Compaq server to sit around and collect dust)!!!!Please Novell, DO NOT allow this moron to write for you.Hire a professional writer and allow Mr. Clarke to write the great American novel "My trip through Woodstock:The stories of a 60's tree hugger living in the 21st century"

so you want to be CNA ?
This is a nice book its good and covers alot of subjects. I passed CNA today using this book. However remember that this book alone is not enough if you havent worked with novell before. 90% crap, 10% useful
Simply the worst exam preparation book I've ever come across. What little useful info Mr. Clark presents could be condensed into 1/10 as many pages. This is a huge, irritating tome which will leave you wondering how Novell corporation could give their blessing to such a waste of paper. How many of your precious innocent trees were sacrificed for this monstrosity Mr. Clark?Seriously, don't waste your money, more importantly your time, on this book. Humour can indeed aid the learning process but there is such a thing as brevity (besides, none of Clark's drivel is at all funny or clever). This is one of those cases where less is more. Save yourself the shame you will inevitably feel after buying this book and realizing you've been had. How many budding Novell professionals have been stymied by this giant slap-in-the-face book? Seriously folks, it is your duty to our IT profession not to support such garbage. Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Computer Network Management    5. Computer networks    6. Computers    7. Computers - Certification    8. Electronic data processing personnel    9. Local area networks (Computer networks)    10. Management    11. Networking - General    12. Networking - Netware    13. Operating Systems - General    14. Study Guides    15. Local area networks (LANs)    16. NetWare   

Reviews (19)

My students hate it!
I am an instructor who teaches Novell Intranetware to students who don't have any previous computer experience, and they DETEST the book. I never noticed all the extra crap in it until they pointed it out to me. I spendmost of my time pointing them to the EXCELLENT diagrams and charts, andsteering them away from the text... It needs a re-write very very badly.Iam going to recommend to my school that we change textbooks for thiscourse.

Looking for another book!
I didn't log on to review this book but to search for another. I have to agree with most of the other reviewers. I haven't taken the exam yet because after going over and over this book I have no confidence that I canpass the exam. All the extra fluff was terribly distracting! I couldn'tkeep track of where he was going most of the time.I passed my MCSE selfstudy in 4 months. So I don't think its just me. I going to try anotherauthor.

Please....NetWare is frustrating enough
I had to purchase this book for a network administation class. I find the zen and quotes and quizzes, annoying and distracting if not down right frustrating.After jumping back and forth trying to figure out what the heckthe author's point is...he throws in another piece of useless humor--I usethe term loosely. (Perhaps he should consider writing aerobic exercisebooks). The case studies might be useful if the answer was, in fact, inappendix C. re: chapter 4 case study.I certainly hope I can convince myinstructor not to use any more of these books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Career Development    2. Certification    3. Computer - Internet    4. Computer Books: Operating Systems    5. Computers    6. Electronic data processing per    7. Electronic data processing personnel    8. Internet - General    9. Intranets (Computer networks)    10. Local area networks (Computer    11. Local area networks (Computer networks)    12. Management    13. Microcomputer Networks    14. NetWare    15. Networking - General    16. Operating Systems - General    17. Study guides    18. Local area networks (LANs)    19. Wide area networks (WANs)   

Reviews (1)

Nice guide for sysadmin with little or no NW 6 experience
I got this book in order to pursue my CNA 6 certification after failing the exam twice. I became a full time windows guy since '98 after I did a lot of Netware 3.x/4.x installs and support for several customers. This book was a great help in order to set myself up to date in order to point the required topics that let me fail the exam on my first 2 tries. Clarke have a very nice style which entertain you a lot while reading, you will have a very nice self learning experience if you let this book guide you through the process.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Computer networks    5. Computers    6. Computers - Communications / Networking    7. Examinations    8. Local Area Networks (Lan)    9. NetWare    10. Networking - Local Area Networks (LANs)    11. Study Guides    12. Telecommunications engineers    13. Computers / Networking / General   

Reviews (8)

Not helpful at all
I received this book as a free offer from McGraw-Hill a few years ago when I was new to networking.I learned very little from it.I am so glad I only paid for the shipping and handling.If you are new to the field andneed a good study guide, don't buy this one!

A rip off
This book doesn't even deserve 1 star at all. What a waste of money and paper. The authors have no clue on what it is meant by "Study Guide"

useless!! Don't buy it!!!
The book is about 900 pages and it wasted 233 pages for introduction of CNA/CNE, the cert, and the advantage of the cert, etc.For 4.x Administratin, it only provide 22 pages (and there is 16 pages forQuestions).Do you think that good studying content can be included in 40pages?? You know the answer!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Computer Bks - Certification    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Computer Network Management    5. Computer networks    6. Computers    7. Examinations    8. Management    9. Networking - General    10. Networking - Intranets & Extranets    11. Novell, Inc.    12. Study guides    13. Telecommunications engineers    14. NetWare    15. Study guides, home study & revision notes   

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - Cisco    2. Computer Bks - Certification    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer networks    5. Computers    6. Computers - Certification    7. Data Transmission Standards And Protocols    8. Internetworking (Telecommunica    9. Internetworking (Telecommunication)    10. Networking - General    11. Networking - Network Protocols    12. Operating Systems - General    13. Remote access    14. Textbooks    15. Computers / Networking / General   

Reviews (2)

Nauseating, Corny and useless
If there's any useful information here, it's difficult to find.There is nothing but fluff,bad jokes, and lame analogies.The author never gets to the point. His writing style is nauseating. Save your money

Good book
The crossword puzzles seemed a little off, but I can't complain since I passed the CNA exam immediately after reading this book and taking the practice exams provided on the CD.It was enjoyable reading and sometimeseven funny.Perhaps that is why I was able to learn instead of sleep. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Networks    4. Computers - Communications / Networking    5. Local area networks (Computer networks)    6. Management    7. NetWare    8. Networking - General    9. Programming Languages - General    10. Local area networks (LANs)    11. Systems management   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computer networks    3. Computers - Communications / Networking    4. Internet - General    5. Local area networks (Computer networks)    6. Management    7. Microcomputer Networks    8. NetWare    9. Professional    10. Programming Languages - General    11. General Theory of Computing   

Reviews (1)

Descent, but not really standalone
This book was descent.It covered most of the material on the CNA exam.I have not yet taken any CNE tests.The disks left some to be desired and the book actually left a few things out.I don't recomend this book asyour only resource for the CNA or CNE exams. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer networks    5. Examinations    6. Internet - General    7. Local Area Networks (Lan)    8. Management    9. Networking - General    10. Programming Languages - General    11. Study guides    12. Telecommunications engineers    13. Local area networks (LANs)   

Reviews (13)

Great for those looking to Update
I used this book for the NetWare 4.x to NetWare 5 Update test. I found it very helpfull for that purpose. I was already proficient in previous versions of NetWare so I can't comment on it from the "newbie" perspective. For those looking to update, this book with a package from SelfTest Software will make a good combo.

Well-written and easy to understand
This book is a great explanation of Netware. It's the best of the printed materials I've seen on the topic (Novell's own study kit book is horrible by comparison). I just passed the CNA exam, and felt well-prepared, though I agree with other reviewers that you should always use more than one study aid. The one weakness of this book is that the questions at the end of the chapters are not much like the actual test, though in all fairness, it would be impossible to simulate the test in a written format. I also used Self Test Software's exam simulation, which was awesome--just like the real thing.

Never use just 1 source
Although I believe Sybex sells good quality books, I would like to issue a little word of advice.Never use just one source when going for a certification.For my CCNA certification I used both the CCNA Sybex book, and I was in the Cisco Networking Academy, for My Novell CNA certification, I used CBT and the Sybex book.No matter if a book is a 5 star book or not, your more likely to learn something if you read it twice from differant sources and cover everything. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer networks    5. Computers    6. Computers - Communications / Networking    7. Electronic data processing per    8. Electronic data processing personnel    9. Examinations    10. Local area networks (Computer    11. Local area networks (Computer networks)    12. Management    13. Microcomputer Networks    14. Networking - General    15. Professional - General    16. Programming - General    17. Study Guides    18. Computer Communications & Networking    19. Computers / Technical Skills    20. Software engineering   

Editorial Review

Interested in becoming a Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) on the most recent release of NetWare? The Read more

Reviews (11)

I loved this book
I loved this book and I love the whole Exam Cram series.All the certification tests I have passed can be directly credited to the help this series.It is true that this particular book has several typographical/editorial errors.This can be a little frustrating at times.I subsequently loaned this book to two other individuals that have passed their certification tests with this book's assistance.The consensus among us is that, in a peculiar way, the typographical/editorial errors force you to verify your understanding of the materials.If you are unaware of these errors, your grasp of the subject matter is simply too loose to attempt to take the exam.It is nice to know that you understand the material even when the book is wrong.These typographical/editorial errors are a very small part in proportion to the comprehensive coverage and testing contained in this book.I would highly recommend this text to all parties interested in becoming certified.I have great faith in the whole Exam Cram series and will continue to use them in my test preparation.

A Disapointment to the Exam Cram Series
This sould not be a tool you use to pass the exam! Very poor actually - Not to be trusted for exam success
I thought the Exam Cram for NT Server 4 was the key to my success in getting my MCP, so I thought the same would apply to an Exam Cram for Novell... Wrong!... This book has some good information in it, but it hasHUGE holes in the presented information which is hopeless for the exam...The sample tests are nothing like the actual, and the book has manymistakes in it... Initially I read this book along with David JamesClarke's CNA Study Guide (which is excellent)... This book only confused mebecause it seems to follow it's own study path which didn't flow with theClarke book... The Clarke book was written specifically for the Novell examand is authorised by Novell... That should say it all... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Computer Bks - Certification    4. Computer Books: General    5. Computer networks    6. Computers    7. Computers - Certification    8. Examinations    9. Management    10. Microcomputer Networks    11. Networking - General    12. Networking - Netware    13. Novell software    14. Study guides    15. Telecommunications engineers    16. NetWare   

Reviews (6)

CNA Study Guide
Good book for basic knowledge.Figures and descriptions are not always on the same page.I found the book to be lacking information on printing.

A good investment.
An excellent book for the Novell IntraNetWare exam

This book gets you the needed info to be a CNA.
I highly recommend this book in your preparation for the CNA exam.It is filled with useful examples and its has questions at the end of each chapter to help you be sure that you have a good grasp of the material.Itis really well written and does not have a lot of just filler text thatsome of the other books I have seen do.They get to the points that youneed to pass the test without confusing you with a bunch of non-relevantinformation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Computer - Internet    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Network Management    5. Computers    6. Electronic data processing personnel    7. Information Technology    8. Local area networks (Computer networks)    9. Management    10. Networking - Intranets & Extranets    11. Operating systems (Computers)    12. Professional - General    13. Study Guides    14. Computer Communications & Networking    15. Intranet    16. Study guides, home study & revision notes    17. Systems management   

Reviews (6)

it should get a negative rating
This is the worst networking book I have ever read. There is nothingworthwhile in the book. In fact the authors best advice is to go and takethe Novell certified courses. If I had the time to do that I wouldn't havebought the book!

Waste of time and money
I'm amazed at the glowing reviews I've read on this page. This book was a complete waste of my time. It offers no test preparation whatsoever, so prospective CNEs should shop elsewhere. The first 8 chapters of the bookare space-wasting drivel that have nothing to do with learning this OS orpreparing for these tests. The chapters that claim to cover specific testsinstead seem to cover the more obscure facets of NetWare.I have passed 4of the 6 tests needed to become a CNE and I have done so without anyassistance from this book. I suggest people read the CNE Study Guide forNetWare 5 by David James Clarke which is admittedly very corny and readslike an advertisement for Novell at times but is still packed with way moreusable information than this book has. This book was a big disappointment.

Now this is why I review books.
The only thing in computer that remains constant is the fact that nothing remains constant. Novell's latest NetWare 5 is the perfect example. The changes for this operating system show how everyone is getting smarter andpassing the certification exams get harder. Where do you turn forhelp?Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Computer Bks - Certification    4. Computer Books And Software    5. Computer Networks    6. Computers    7. Examinations    8. Management    9. Networking - General    10. Novell, Inc    11. Novell, Inc.    12. Study guides    13. Telecommunications engineers    14. Computing and Information Technology    15. NetWare    16. Study guides, home study & revision notes   

Reviews (1)

This book is intended for Wintel users only
Recently bought this book from Amazon. Contents appear to be well organized. Covergae of NW Protocols is inadequate. Also the enclosed CD ROM is only for Windows. Network Press, the publisher of this book appears to be not Mac friendly. If I had known this before actually receiving the book,I would not have bought it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Computers    5. Local Area Networks (Lan)    6. NetWare    7. Networking - General    8. Networking - Local Area Networks (LANs)    9. Operating systems (Computers)    10. Professional    11. Local area networks (LANs)   

Reviews (13)

Good review book - not a single source of information
I really liked this book, as it was a quick read and does cover a good bit of information needed for the CNA exam. However, it did not cover everything and I would highly recommend getting one or two other Novell books/CBT/notes and hands-on experience in order to pass the exam. Interesting, but not quite there.
This Study Guide provides a good reference for beginners to NetWare. However it does not provide the reader with any sort of appropriate exam preparation. Not Enough To Pass
The book is very readable and does cover a lot of basics but there are just too many specific areas that are omitted to allow passing the exam with the book alone (believe me I know). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Network Management    5. Computers    6. Local area networks (Computer    7. Local area networks (Computer networks)    8. Management    9. NetWare    10. Networking - General    11. Operating systems (Computers)    12. Professional    13. Professional - General    14. Study Guides    15. Telecommunications engineers    16. Study guides, home study & revision notes   

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Networks    5. Electronic data processing personnel    6. NetWare    7. Networking - General    8. Operating systems (Computers)    9. Programming Languages - General    10. Study and teaching    11. Local area networks (LANs)   

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    3. Computers - Communications / Networking    4. Networking - General   

Reviews (1)

First time exposure.
I have reviewed other text in the past for a book that reviews the introduction of networking and what's involved. Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    2. Networking - General    3. Networking - Local Area Networks (LANs)    4. Local area networks (LANs)   

Reviews (4)

Good book! Lots of details!!
The book is rather long for the CNA test, but very, very good details about commands in Novell. Exercises where O.K. I can't stand crosswords, but if you like crosswords this book is for you. Passed the CNA exam thefirst time! Good luck if you take the exam!

GOOD, But full of fluff
I found this book very easy to understand, and a good study guide overall. On the other hand, I've never read a "technical" book so full offluff.By fluff I mean countless stupid ZEN quotes, cheezy"quizes" that weren't even related to NetWare, and numerous othersilly captions.The writers could have easily condensed the book by 50% bycutting out all the crap.

VERY Informative Book
I found this book to be VERY informative, it was written in easy to understand text and although technical in nature, I did not get bogged down by it. I would happily reccommend this to anyone who is taking or contemplating taking their CNA ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Computer Network Management    5. Computers    6. Computers - Communications / Networking    7. Electronic data processing per    8. Electronic data processing personnel    9. NetWare    10. Networking - General    11. Operating systems (Computers)    12. Study and teaching