Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) — Requirements & Free Practice
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Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Licensing authority: Cisco Systems, Inc.
Initial by examination
Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301 CCNA)
- Provider
- Pearson VUE
- Time limit
- 120 minutes
- Exam fee
- $US300, or use Cisco Learning Credits
Examination outline
Network Fundamentals (20%)
- Explain the role and function of network components
- Describe characteristics of network topology architectures
- Compare physical interface and cabling types
- Identify interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, mismatch duplex, and/or speed)
- Compare TCP to UDP
- Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting
- Describe private IPv4 addressing
- Configure and verify IPv6 addressing and prefix
- Describe IPv6 address types
- Verify IP parameters for Client OS (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
- Describe wireless principles
- Explain virtualization fundamentals (server virtualization, containers, and VRFs)
- Describe switching concepts
Network Access (20%)
- Configure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches
- Configure and verify interswitch connectivity
- Configure and verify Layer 2 discovery protocols (Cisco Discovery Protocol and LLDP)
- Configure and verify (Layer 2/Layer 3) EtherChannel (LACP)
- Interpret basic operations of Rapid PVST+ Spanning Tree Protocol
- Describe Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP modes
- Describe physical infrastructure connections of WLAN components (AP, WLC, access/trunk ports, and LAG)
- Describe network device management access (Telnet, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, console, TACACS+/RADIUS, and cloud managed)
- Interpret the wireless LAN GUI configuration for client connectivity, such as WLAN creation, security settings, QoS profiles, and advanced settings
IP Connectivity (25%)
- Interpret the components of routing table
- Determine how a router makes a forwarding decision by default
- Configure and verify IPv4 and IPv6 static routing
- Configure and verify single area OSPFv2
- Describe the purpose, functions, and concepts of first hop redundancy protocols
IP Services (10%)
- Configure and verify inside source NAT using static and pools
- Configure and verify NTP operating in a client and server mode
- Explain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network
- Explain the function of SNMP in network operations
- Describe the use of syslog features, including facilities and severity levels
- Configure and verify DHCP client and relay
- Explain the forwarding per-hop behavior (PHB) for QoS such as classification, marking, queuing, congestion, policing, and shaping
- Configure network devices for remote access using SSH
- Describe the capabilities and functions of TFTP/FTP in the network
Security Fundamentals (15%)
- Define key security concepts (threats, vulnerabilities, exploits, and mitigation techniques)
- Describe security program elements (user awareness, training, and physical access control)
- Configure and verify device access control using local passwords
- Describe security password policy elements, such as management, complexity, and password alternatives (multifactor authentication, certificates, and biometrics)
- Describe IPsec remote access and site-to-site VPNs
- Configure and verify access control lists
- Configure and verify Layer 2 security features (DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and port security)
- Compare authentication, authorization, and accounting concepts
- Describe wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, and WPA3)
- Configure and verify WLAN within the GUI using WPA2 PSK
Automation and Programmability (10%)
- Explain how automation impacts network management
- Compare traditional networks with controller-based networking
- Describe controller-based, software defined architecture (overlay, underlay, and fabric)
- Explain AI (generative and predictive) and machine learning in network operations
- Describe characteristics of REST-based APIs (authentication types, CRUD, HTTP verbs, and data encoding)
- Recognize the capabilities of configuration management mechanisms such as Ansible and Terraform
- Recognize components of JSON-encoded data
Examination sources
- Cisco CCNA Exam v1.1 official exam topics
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- Cisco CCNA Exam v1.1 official exam topics
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- Cisco CCNA certification
Core exam: 200-301 CCNA
- Cisco 200-301 CCNA examination
Prepare for your exam / Practice exams
- Cisco CCNA certification
CCNA FAQ / How do I register for a CCNA exam?
- Cisco CCNA certification
CCNA FAQ / Before you register