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This is most likely the one he's talking about, it's been recommended a few times on this sub, and I've been using it.

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https://www.amazon.com/Routing-Switching-Practice-Flash-Cards/dp/158714431X/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1537821641&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=denise+donohue+ccnp

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The book itself is a pretty good resource for test prep, but it's pretty small and doesn't go into deep detail on most topics, so I would definitely supplement it with other resources. It's got config examples, network diagrams, and occasionally tables showing stuff like the differences betwen HSRPv1 vs HSRPv2, etc. It's maybe 100 pages per test.

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I'm still studying for the Switch test, but I've been using their practice tests and they seem pretty good, although the answer explanations could be a little better, but it at least points you in the right direction for googling additional info. The practice tests are through certflashcardsonline and I think there are 450 or so questions. Also keep in mind that if you get the book used, the free flashcard question codes are probably already used.

I used Chris Bryant Udemy course and study guide. They are super cheap and solid training materials.

I also used Keith Bogarts CCNP course on INE. Travis Bonfigli has some great courses on INE and Youtube for EIGRP, OSPF, DMVPN, and BGP.

Boson practice exams

Between all of those resources you should do pretty well on the Route. I used a very similar method for Switch.

Tshoot I used Cisco learning Labs and reviewed notes and configs from Route and Switch.

Have you done the labs in the CiscoPress SWITCH lab workbook? Do the hands on labs and that should cement the exam topics in your head. http://www.amazon.com/CCNP-SWITCH-Lab-Manual-Companion/dp/1587133040 You can get the 4 switches you need pretty cheaply http://www.certificationkits.com/cisco-3560-24ts/ Get two 3560 switches and then you can get by with two 2950 switches running EI IOS. Make sure they are not the standard 2950 running SI IOS. Then you will need about 10 Ethernet crossover cables. You can get all of this for probably about $300 which will be worth it to pass the exam. You also mention that you might get some switches from work, the bare minimum is two layer 2 switches and two layer 3 switches. Even if your layer 3 switches are the older 3550s, they will work. You just will not be able to do some stuff like PVLANs and some of the QoS stuff. I hope that helps.

That's why you read the CCIE R&S Guide as a supplemental material. It does not have to be the latest (I have this for example) and greatest and you don't have to stress over it and cram. You just read with great thrill and play around with the ideas you learn in GNS3. Much better way to learn than cram some specific per exam books and be constantly stressed about getting it all. I mean, of course read those books too, but better read something more and know that you are overstocked than try to make it with absolute minimum. After all, let me ask you a question. What to you think of a person who only does the bare minimum? I thought you wanted to express yourself...

CCNP Route Simplified. It hasn't been updated for Version 2 of the exam, but for $10 you can get it on Kindle. The paperback version is like $70, but it's 1000 pages long (it does contain labs). In any case it's still a very good read for EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP. I found the writing style easy to read, in a similar fashion to Lammle.

https://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Route-Simplified-William-Browning/dp/0955781574

Currently reading through Chris Bryant's study guide. Haven't taken the exam yet so I can't vouch for how much it covers but its an easy read and is nice for understanding big picture concepts. Doesn't go crazy in depth. I definitely would not recommend it as your only study book.

OCG = Official Cert Guide: https://www.amazon.com/CWNA-Certified-Wireless-Administrator-Official/dp/111812779X


Other than that, check out Cisco's test review guides; they have one for each test: http://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccnp-wireless-642-732-cuwss-quick-reference-9781587143106


And as always, you'll want real-world deployment experience or LOTS of labbing!


Hopefully Cisco publishes OCG's for the NP eventually...

I found this book phenomenally helpful for labs. Not to mention I only had a very rudimentary understanding of MPLS before reading it. I'd have paid a considerable amount more than a tenner for it, considering the amount of useful info.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MPLS-Cisco-Networks-Multiprotocol-Switching/dp/1499369778/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540805630&sr=8-1&keywords=mpls

I'm about to take Switch in a few weeks and have used a bunch of different materials. I would definitely recommend the OCG and Chris Bryant. Those two resources give you a ton of information but explain them in different fashions. I would also recommend The CCNP Portable Command Guide. It shows you how to configure anything you could think of. https://www.amazon.com/Routing-Switching-Portable-Command-Guide/dp/1587144344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487718761&sr=8-1&keywords=ccnp+portable+command+guide

http://www.amazon.com/Internetworking-TCP-IP-Vol-5th/dp/0131876716/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351099800&sr=1-1&keywords=Internetworking+with+TCP%2FIP

(think theres a newer edition, thats the one i have however)

One of (if not) the best book ive ever read on networking, I read it whilst i was studing CCNP and have read it another couple of times whilst studying for CCIE, also this;

http://www.amazon.com/Interconnections-Bridges-Switches-Internetworking-Protocols/dp/0201634481/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351099354&sr=1-1&keywords=Interconnections%3A+Bridges%2C+Routers%2C+Switches%2C+and+Internetworking+Protocols

I think these two books will really help you fully understand IGPs, EGPs, and BGP.

Routing TCP/IP, Volume 1 (2nd Edition) by Jeff Doyle
http://www.amazon.com/Routing-TCP-IP-1-2nd/dp/1587052024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320531876&sr=8-1

Routing TCP/IP, Volume II by Jeff Doyle
http://www.amazon.com/Routing-TCP-CCIE-Professional-Development/dp/1578700892/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320531876&sr=8-2

The books have a ton of information and are easy to read. I want to be Jeffy Doyle when I grow up. :P

For each test I used:

• INE videos
  
• Cisco documentation
  
• EVE-NG for labbing of IOS/ASA
  
• ASAv, ISEv, FTDv, ESAv, WSAv in VMware
  
• AMP for endpoints within dcloud.cisco.com (Partner only access I think?)
  
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  Books used:
  
  
• SISAS: Cisco's OCG
  
• SENSS: Cisco's ASA book ( https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/cisco-asa-jazib-frahim/1117074594/2691861031425?st=PLA&sid=BNB_ADL+Marketplace+Good+New+Books+-+Desktop+Low&sourceId=PLAGoNA&dpid=tdtve346c&2sid=Google_c&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5J_mBRDVARIsAGqGLZBke5PKjYcjqyY2DUAdYt-qepzvpdqs_OCyqPltwWPUoC6oR2wb_YkaAjsqEALw_wcB )
  
• SITCS: Cisco's FTD book ( https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cisco-firepower-threat-defense-nazmul-rajib/1127153046?ean=9781587144806&st=PLA&sid=BNB_ADL+Core+Generic+Books+-+Desktop+Medium&sourceId=PLAGoNA&dpid=tdtve346c&2sid=Google_c&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5J_mBRDVARIsAGqGLZCT6YnogcxxRRVk7Cg_h0O9lcNEK7CJRd3ncyXCPEXL2v14u_ccc64aAlWREALw_wcB )
  
• SIMOS: used the ASA book again, as well as Cisco's IKEv2/FlexVPN book ( https://www.amazon.com/IKEv2-IPsec-Virtual-Private-Networks/dp/1587144603 )
  
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  Can't stress the Cisco documentation enough, I really had to dig deep and Google for a ton of material.

Can't think of one. You should make it! =)

Actually: https://www.amazon.com/Routing-Switching-Portable-Command-Guide/dp/1587144344 I forgot I had this one.

I went with this book coupled with CBT Nuggets. I also got this book, and for $10 it's alright.

Should also mention that CBT Nuggets doesn't cover any of the remote worker stuff.

STP Algorithm

1. Select a root bridge
   
2. select a lowest cost path to the root bridge
   
3. disable all other root paths
   
   each case has a way to deal with ties.
   
   I strongly recommend you buy a copy of Radia Perlman's "Interconnections: Bridges, Routers, Switches, and Internetworking Protocols" and read the sections where the person who wrote the STP standard explains her work. I found it to be the clearest explanation of the protocol I have read and studied to date.

https://www.amazon.com/Security-FirePower-300-710-Official-Guide/dp/0136589707/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=9780136589709&qid=1573416969&sr=8-1

Cisco actually has Lab guides for the CCNP exams.

http://www.amazon.com/CCNP-ROUTE-Lab-Manual-Companion/dp/1587133032/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344218795&sr=8-1&keywords=ccnp+route+lab+manual

Did most of my labs in GNS3, but I did have hardware for hands on practice. I used this rack:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015YPPK1E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This will set you in the right direction...

https://www.amazon.com/MPLS-Cisco-Networks-Multiprotocol-Switching/dp/1499369778