Exam Topics

The following topics are general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the Cisco Certified Network Associate exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam. In order to better reflect the contents of the exam and for clarity purposes, the guidelines below may change at any time without notice.


Describe how a network works

    Describe the purpose and functions of various network devices

    Select the components required to meet a network specification

    Use the OSI and TCP/IP models and their associated protocols to explain how data flows in a network

    Describe common networked applications including web applications

    Describe the purpose and basic operation of the protocols in the OSI and TCP models

    Describe the impact of applications such as Voice Over IP on a network

    Interpret network diagrams

    Determine the path between two hosts across a network

    Describe the components required for network and Internet communications

    Identify and correct common network problems at layers 1, 2, 3 and 7 using a layered model approach

    Differentiate between LAN/WAN operation and features

Configure, verify and troubleshoot a switch with VLANs and interswitch communications

    Select the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect switches to other network devices and hosts

    Explain the technology and media access control method for Ethernet networks

    Explain network segmentation and basic traffic management concepts

    Explain basic switching concepts and the operation of Cisco switches

    Perform and verify initial switch configuration tasks including remote access management

    Verify network status and switch operation using basic utilities (including: ping, traceroute, telnet, SSH, arp, ipconfig), and SHOW & DEBUG commands

    Identify, prescribe, and resolve common switched network media issues, configuration issues, auto negotiation, and switch hardware failures

    Describe enhanced switching technologies (including: VTP, RSTP, VLAN, PVSTP, 802.1q)

    Describe how VLANs create logically separate networks and the need for routing between them

    Configure, verify, and troubleshoot VLANs

    Configure, verify, and troubleshoot trunking on Cisco switches

    Configure, verify, and troubleshoot interVLAN routing

    Configure, verify, and troubleshoot VTP

    Configure, verify, and troubleshoot RSTP operation

    Interpret the output of various show and debug commands to verify the operational status of a Cisco switched network.

    Implement basic switch security (including: port security, trunk access, management vlan other than vlan1, etc.)

Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network

    Describe the operation and benefits of using private and public IP addressing

    Explain the operation and benefits of using DHCP and DNS

    Configure, verify and troubleshoot DHCP and DNS operation on a router (using both the CLI and SDM)

    Implement static and dynamic addressing services for hosts in a LAN environment

    Calculate and apply an addressing scheme including VLSM IP addressing to a network

    Determine the appropriate classless addressing scheme using VLSM and summarization to satisfy addressing requirements in a LAN/WAN environment

    Describe the technological requirements for running IPv6 in conjunction with IPv4 (including: protocols, dual stack, tunneling, etc).

    Describe IPv6 addresses

    Identify and correct common problems associated with IP addressing and host configurations

Configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices

    Describe basic routing concepts (including: packet forwarding, router lookup process)

    Describe the operation of Cisco routers (including: router bootup process, POST, router components)

    Select the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect routers to other network devices and hosts

    Configure, verify, and troubleshoot RIPv2

    Access and utilize the router to set basic parameters.(including: CLI/SDM)

    Connect, configure, and verify operation status of a device interface

    Verify device configuration and network connectivity using ping, traceroute, telnet, SSH or other utilities

    Perform and verify routing configuration tasks for a static or default route given specific routing requirements

    Manage IOS configuration files. (including: save, edit, upgrade, restore)

    Manage Cisco IOS

    Compare and contrast methods of routing and routing protocols

    Configure, verify, and troubleshoot OSPF

    Configure, verify, and troubleshoot EIGRP

    Verify network connectivity (including: using ping, traceroute, and telnet or SSH)

    Troubleshoot routing issues

    Verify router hardware and software operation using SHOW & DEBUG commands.

    Implement basic router security

Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN

    Describe standards associated with wireless media (including: IEEE, WI-FI Alliance, ITU/FCC)

    Identify and describe the purpose of the components in a small wireless network. (Including: SSID, BSS, ESS)

    Identify the basic parameters to configure on a wireless network to ensure that devices connect to the correct access point

    Compare and contrast wireless security features and capabilities of WPA security (including: open, WEP, WPA-1/2)

    Identify common issues with implementing wireless networks. (Including: Interface, misconfiguration)

Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats

    Describe today's increasing network security threats and explain the need to implement a comprehensive security policy to mitigate the threats

    Explain general methods to mitigate common security threats to network devices, hosts, and applications

    Describe the functions of common security appliances and applications

    Describe security recommended practices including initial steps to secure network devices

Implement, verify, and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network

    Describe the purpose and types of ACLs

    Configure and apply ACLs based on network filtering requirements using SDM and CLI

    Configure and apply an ACL to limit telnet and SSH access to the router using SDM and CLI

    Verify and monitor ACLs in a network environment

    Troubleshoot ACL issues

    Explain the basic operation of NAT

    Configure NAT for given network requirements using SDM and CLI

    Troubleshoot NAT issues

Implement and verify WAN links

    Describe different methods for connecting to a WAN

    Configure and verify a basic WAN serial connection

    Configure and verify Frame Relay on Cisco routers

    Troubleshoot WAN implementation issues

    Describe VPN technology (including: importance, benefits, role, impact, components)

    Configure and verify a PPP connection between Cisco routers