CompTIA Books

Krikee

I've made the decision to go ahead and start getting a few CompTIA certifications (A+, Network+ & Server+) except I don't know which publishers books I should get. CompTIA puts out their own books which I'm going to get if I don't get any other recommendations but if another publisher does a better job I'm all ears.

AngelHedgie

I've been a fan of the McGraw-Hill series (gold cover).

Evil_Reaver

Depends on how much you know before you start studying. Some books are written for people with no experience at all and others are designed to refresh what you already know.

Generally the ExamCram books are for refreshing your existing knowledge. I recently took the Network+ exam and passed after only reading
Network+ Exam Cram 2 (Exam Cram N10-003) (2nd Edition) because I just needed to remember stuff I already knew.

However, when I was studying for the old A+ exam, I used 3 different texts because I didn't know what to expect since it was my first IT certification. Only one of them is available on Amazon anymore, but here's the link:

A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition (A+ Certification All in One Exam) (Hardcover) by Michael Meyers

Also, as a general note, CompTIA certs "rank lower" than Microsoft and Cisco certs because they are considered entry level certifications. After you get your A+ and Network+, I'd recommend you start looking at some of the Microsoft Exams. The great thing is that A+ and N+ count as a credit towards the MCSA, which means you have one less bullshit exam to take. Security+ counts towards MCSE, so if you're headed in that direction, it may be worth your while to finish that one as well, however, I'd take some MS exams first just to get your feet in the water.

Krikee

Thanks for the book suggestions; I'll look them over.
As for CompTIA ranking below MCSE & Cisco, I wasn't aware that they offered equivalent courses for these certifications. The A+ and Server+ I expect to be quite easy and am unsure about Network+; I'll take a look at Security+. I'm just ensuring I have a solid base with no holes before I move on to more advanced certifications as I'm currently planning on going to Cisco post CompTIA.

Evil_Reaver

Network+ will get you started on your path towards Cisco certs. Like I said, CompTIA certs are generally regarded as entry level and should really be treated as such. I just took the N+ exam and passed with a score in the upper 700s (out of 900) rather easily because I have had formal Cisco training.

Keep in mind, the entry level Cisco cert, CCNA, is a fucking hard test to pass and it's going to take more than the N+ to get through it. I don't know how much experience you have with Cisco gear, but Cisco really makes sure you know your shit before they hand out a cert.