Cisco Certified Network Associate

CCNA (200-301)

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) course is a foundational certification focusing on networking basics, IP connectivity, IP services, security, and network automation. It covers essential topics like OSI and TCP/IP models, routing protocols, and network security. Ideal for beginners and IT professionals, the course combines theoretical lessons with hands-on labs using Cisco tools. The certification exam includes multiple-choice questions, simulations, and lasts about 120 minutes. CCNA validates fundamental networking skills and serves as a stepping stone for advanced Cisco certifications.

Prerequisites

The knowledge and skills you are expected to have before attending this training are:

• Basic computer literacy
• Basic PC operating system navigation skills
• Basic internet usage skills
• Basic IP address knowledge

Course Goals

• Learn the knowledge and skills to install, configure, and operate a small- to medium-sized network.
• Gain a foundation in the essentials of networking, security, and automation.
• Prepare for the 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam.

Course Outlines

Network Fundamentals

1. Explain the role and function of network components:

   • Routers
   • L2 and L3 switches
   • Next-generation firewalls and IPS
   • Access points
   • Endpoints
   • Servers

2. Describe characteristics of network topology architectures:

   • 2-tier
   • 3-tier
   • Spine-leaf
   • WAN
   • Small office/home office (SOHO)
   • On-premises and cloud

3. Compare physical interface and cabling types:

   • Single-mode fiber, multimode fiber, copper
   • Connections (Ethernet shared media and point-to-point)
   • Concepts of PoE

4. Identify interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, mismatch duplex, and/or speed).

5. Compare TCP to UDP.

6. Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting.

7. Describe the need for private IPv4 addressing.

8. Configure and verify IPv6 addressing and prefix.

9. Compare IPv6 address types:

   • Global unicast
   • Unique local
   • Link local
   • Anycast
   • Multicast
   • Modified EUI 64

10. Describe wireless principles:

    • Non-overlapping Wi-Fi channels
    • SSID
    • RF
    • Encryption

11. Explain virtualization fundamentals (virtual machines).

12. Describe switching concepts:

    • MAC learning and aging
    • Frame switching
    • Frame flooding
    • MAC address table

IP Connectivity

1. Interpret the components of a routing table:

   • Routing protocol code
   • Prefix
   • Network mask
   • Next hop
   • Administrative distance
   • Metric
   • Gateway of last resort

2. Determine how a router makes a forwarding decision by default:

   • Longest match
   • Administrative distance
   • Routing protocol metric

3. Configure and verify IPv4 and IPv6 static routing:

   • Default route
   • Network route
   • Host route
   • Floating static

4. Configure and verify single-area OSPFv2:

   • Neighbor adjacencies
   • Point-to-point
   • Broadcast (DR/BDR selection)
   • Router ID

5. Describe the purpose of the first hop redundancy protocol.

IP Services

1. Configure and verify inside source NAT using static and pools.
2. Configure and verify NTP operating in client and server mode.
3. Explain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network.
4. Explain the function of SNMP in network operations.
5. Describe the use of syslog features including facilities and levels.
6. Configure and verify DHCP client and relay.
7. Explain the forwarding per-hop behavior (PHB) for QoS such as classification, marking, queuing, congestion, policing, shaping.
8. Configure network devices for remote access using SSH.
9. Describe the capabilities and function of TFTP/FTP in the network.

Security Fundamentals

1. Define key security concepts (threats, vulnerabilities, exploits, and mitigation techniques).
2. Describe security program elements (user awareness, training, and physical access control).
3. Configure device access control using local passwords.
4. Describe security password policies elements, such as management, complexity, and password alternatives (multifactor authentication, certificates, and biometrics).
5. Describe remote access and site-to-site VPNs.
6. Configure and verify access control lists.
7. Configure Layer 2 security features (DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and port security).
8. Differentiate authentication, authorization, and accounting concepts.
9. Describe wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, and WPA3).
10. Configure WLAN using WPA2 PSK using the GUI.

Automation

1. Explain how automation impacts network management.
2. Compare traditional networks with controller-based networking.
3. Describe controller-based and software-defined architectures (overlay, underlay, and fabric):
   • Separation of control plane and data plane
   • North-bound and south-bound APIs