Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

CURRICULUM

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification focuses on foundational networking knowledge and skills. The curriculum covers various topics related to network fundamentals, security, automation, and troubleshooting. Here’s an outline of the typical CCNA curriculum:

1. Network Fundamentals

Understanding Networks:

  • What is a network?
  • Types of networks (LAN, WAN, PAN, MAN)
  • Network topologies (Star, Mesh, Bus, Ring)
  • OSI and TCP/IP models
  • Ethernet, IP addressing (IPv4 & IPv6), subnetting
  • Protocols (TCP, UDP, ICMP, ARP)


Devices:

  • Routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless devices
  • Cabling and connectivity (copper, fiber-optic, wireless)

 

2. IP Connectivity

IP Routing:

  • Static routing vs. dynamic routing
  • Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP)
  • Configuring routers and routing tables

Routing Techniques:

  • Subnetting and Supernetting
  • Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM)
  • IPv4 & IPv6 addressing

 

3. IP Services

  • DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol):
  • How DHCP works and configuring a DHCP server

  • NAT (Network Address Translation):
  • Purpose and types of NAT (Static, Dynamic, PAT)

  • Access Control Lists (ACLs):
  • Standard and extended ACLs
  • Configuring and applying ACLs to routers

  • Network Time Protocol (NTP):
  • Configuring and troubleshooting NTP

  • Quality of Service (QoS):
  • Implementing basic QoS for traffic management

4. Security Fundamentals

Security Basics:

  • Network security threats (DoS, DDoS, spoofing)
  • Security devices (firewalls, IDS, IPS)
  • Access control and authentication methods

Secure Network Design:

  • Configuring secure routers and switches
  • Implementing VLANs and inter-VLAN routing
  • VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)

 

5. Automation and Programmability

  • Basic Network Automation:
  • Introduction to SDN (Software-Defined Networking)
  • Using APIs to automate networking tasks

  • Network Device Configuration Management:
  • Using tools like Cisco DNA Center and Ansible


Scripting Basics:

  • Python for network automation
  • Basic scripting for network devices

 

6. Troubleshooting and Tools

Basic Troubleshooting:

  • Common networking problems (connectivity, IP address conflicts, routing issues)
  • Troubleshooting IP connectivity with ping, traceroute, and other tools


Cisco Packet Tracer:

  • Simulation and network design tool for practicing configurations and troubleshooting


Wireshark:

  • Analyzing network traffic and packets

 

7. Wireless Networks

Wireless LANs:

  • Basics of Wi-Fi standards (IEEE 802.11)
  • Wireless security (WPA, WPA2, WPA3)
  • Configuring wireless access points

8. Network Access

Switching:

  • Switch operation (MAC address table, forwarding)
  • VLANs and trunking (802.1Q)
  • STP (Spanning Tree Protocol)
  • Port security and EtherChannel

 

Exam Information:

CCNA Exam: The exam code for the current version is 200-301 CCNA.

Duration: 120 minutes

Format: Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, simulation-based questions

The curriculum and exam objectives can evolve over time, so it’s always good to check the official Cisco website for the most current details.