btw, if you ever shoot for your network+ cert, do not, repeat DO. NOT. use the book put out by Syngress/McGraw Hill/Osborne with the "Cert Trainer and Exaam Sim" software.
It kind of sucks eggs.
in the sense that the practice software tried to claim that firewire and USB were the same thing. because you know, having a different shape, using different transfer rates, being developed independently, and beign defined separately makes two things the same... why don't we just say that serial and parallel ports are the same thing? Or how about ISA and PCI buses? or maybe IDE and SCSI? retards.
There's some useful information, but there are better books. Here's a sample self test question:
Which of the following methods would not be helpful when you are trying to stop the assignment of duplicate IP addresses on you network?
A. Using two DHCP servers on the same network
B. Using a spreadsheet to track in-use IP addresses
C. Using PING to test for connectivity before you assign an IP address
D. Using a DHCP server
Don't worry if you don't understand it, the answer they provide will shed absolutely no light on it. btw, the emphasis was theirs, not mine.
correct answer: A. It is not advisable to use two DHCP servers on one network, unless the network is separated by routers. The second DHCP can provide backup for the first DHCP server, but the IP address scope should not contain the same IP addresses.
B is incorrect because duplicate IP addressses can be avoided using a spreadsheet that contains workstation and server names and the corresponding IP addresses. This spreadsheet should also contain all static IP addresses, such as routers and printers, and should specify which range of IP addresses is in the DHCP scope of addresses, and which addresses are curerntly not used. C is incorrect because using PING to test for IP addresses is not useful, since a PC can be turned off and will then not respond to the PING. D is incorrect because it is helpful to use one DHCP server when you are trying to stop the assignment of duplicate addresses on your network.
Let me translate that a little. A is right because you can do it if you configure it right, but it's not necessarily helpful for this SPECIFIC purpose. Ok, I get that. I get why B and D are incorrect, as they ARE helpful, and the question wants what ISN'T helpful. But C is wrong because we're looking for something that isn't helpful, and C isn't helpful.
HUH?! These idiots need an editor so bad it hurts my head. Plus PING can be useful, just not reliable as your only source of information. It will, at least, verify that there are no other hosts with that IP address connected RIGHT NOW.
ARGH.
Ok, techie rant done now.
