Network Systems Technician (NST) — Information & Free Practice
US · Examination information
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Network Systems Technician (NST)
- Provider
- ETA International
- Format
- Proctored knowledge examination: Trapeza online or paper/pencil; ETA-arranged remote proctoring is available for this non-hands-on examination.
- Exam questions
- Total questions: 100.
- Time limit
- 2 hours
- Passing score
- 75%
- Exam fee
- $105 examination fee; remote proctoring costs extra.
Examination outline
Network Terminology
- Functions of a computer network
- Network types and terminology
- Network topology terms and nomenclature
- Network services
- Open Systems Interconnection model
Network Architecture – Wired and Wireless
- Network architecture components and performance
- Wired LANs and WANs
- Wireless LANs
- Bluetooth wireless transport architecture
- Internet connection sharing
- Broadband network communication
Network Configuration and Protocols - Wired and Wireless
- Internet addressing, protocols, ports, standards and URLs
- Additional transport protocols and LAN functions
- Network shared access configurations
- Multiplexing, demultiplexing, bandwidth and backbone links
- Network connection data rate measurement
- Data transmission protocols
- Network connecting characteristics and features
- Data structures, formats, fields, filtering and standards
- Circuit and packet switching
- Wired network configuration
- Repeaters and Wi-Fi extenders
- Legacy networking connectivity
- Gateway and router operation and deployment
- Switch, repeater and bridge functions
- Wireless connections
- Wireless and portable wireless device criteria
- Combination networks
Network Services and Operations
- Windows server platform utilities
- Cloud services: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
- Security level access terminology
- Network administration and Credential Manager
- Signaling theory and classifications
- Network drivers
- Transmission paths versus protocols
- SNMP framework
- Analog and digital communications
- Broadband and baseband transmission
- Digital signaling characteristics
- CSU/DSU functions
- Software and hardware sharing utilities
- Network operating system, NAS and RAID file systems
- Multiuser file integrity
- WINS, DHCP, DNS and NAT network services
- Network performance and monitoring tools
- Native network protocol stacks
- Boot file structures
- Separate operating system disk partitions
- Network operating system administration and cybersecurity controls
Diagnostics, Equipment, Tools and Troubleshooting
- Network performance measurement for accounting and auditing
- TCP/IP utility commands and switches
- Network bottleneck causes and symptoms
- Network test equipment
- UPS and redundant power supply selection
Network Security
- Enterprise network disaster planning
- Virus safeguards and activity monitoring
- Backup tools for critical resources
- DNS attack mitigation
- SSL in network cybersecurity
- Wireless encryption keys
- RADIUS protocol
- IEEE 802.1x and EAP
- Wireless network security protocols
Networking and Industry Standards
- OSI configuration and layer standards
- Network standards organizations
- Network shared access standards
- Basic optical standards
- FDDI procedure and capability
- SONET, SDH and OTN
- Advanced SCSI standards
- Hard disk drive standard limitations
Examination sources
- ETA Information Technology certifications
Prepare For An Exam; NST Exam Info competency hyperlink
- NST competency requirements
page 1, title and scope preamble; complete numbered scope pages 1-7
- NST competency requirements
page 7, end marker; page 8, suggested resources heading
- ETA Information Technology certifications
NST Exam Info, entire examination facts table
- ETA test sites
Taking an ETA Examination, steps 3-4
- ETA test sites
Remote Proctoring, eligibility and setup
- ETA test sites
Remote Proctoring, registration restriction
- ETA test sites
Taking an ETA Examination, step 4
Related license preparation
This examination may be required or accepted as an alternative, depending on the license and application pathway.