The Definitive Preparation Guide to the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) Certification Exam

Prepare yourself for the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) associate-level Cisco Career information technology (IT) certification, with this indepth course from network expert Zanis Khan.

There are 32 topics within this CCNA Certification guide:

Computer Networking Basics. Obtain a foundation in computer networking in this first topic in the CCNA Certification course. Become equipped to explain the network and its key components of switches, routers, firewalls, and servers. Know the architectures and network topologies of Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs), and the important role of an ISP (Internet Service Provider). Understand the concepts of bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, and terabytes. Learn about the factors (network speed, delay, and availability) that can impact network performance.
The OSI Model. Become equipped to explain the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model in this second topic in the CCNA Certification course. OSI is a conceptual model that standardizes the communication functions of a network without regard to its underlying internal structure and technology. Become familiar with the seven-layer architecture which includes the Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application layers. A more stripped down version is the TCP/IP model which includes the four levels of Network Interface, Internet, Transport, and Application. Learn the high-level responsibilities of each layer.
IP Address V4. Become equipped to explain IP Address V4 in this third topic in the CCNA Certification course. IP Address V4 includes the IPV4 address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and Router.
Subnetting. Become equipped to explain subnetting in this fourth topic in the CCNA Certification course. Understand the networking concepts and architecture for breaking down a large network into smaller networks.
Supernetting. Become equipped to explain supernetting in this fifth topic in the CCNA Certification course. Understand the networking concepts and architecture for combining multiple networks into a bigger network.
Networking Devices. Become equipped to explain networking devices in this sixth topic in the CCNA Certification course. Understand data transmission, switches, hubs, bridges, and packets.
Connecting to CISCO Devices. Connect CISCO devices in this seventh topic in the CCNA Certification course. Apply PuTTY Configuration settings.
DHCP, TCP Transmission, and Common Port Numbers. Become equipped to explain DHCP, TCP transmission (including the 3 way handshake), and common port numbers in this eighth topic in the CCNA Certification course.
Configuring a Switch. Configure a switch in this ninth topic in the CCNA Certification course. Know all of the components of switching. Follow along with Zanis in this hands-on session.
Modes and Functions. Be able to explain switch modes (both access and trunk modes) and switch functions in this tenth topic in the CCNA Certification course.
VLAN Fundamentals. Be able to explain the concept of a virtual local area network (VLAN), the reasons VLAN is needed, and how to configure a VLAN in this 11th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Understand the concepts of multiple collision domain, one broadcast domain, and one IP address.
VLAN Advanced Topics. Practice some advanced concepts of a virtual local area network (VLAN) in this 12th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Become comfortable with Native VLAN, VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), and VLAN pruning.
VLAN Configuration. Configure a virtual local area network (VLAN) in this 13th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Create a VLAN, assign ports to a VLAN, and interact with the VLAN database.
Switchport Security. Become comfortable with switchport security in this 14th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Also troubleshoot slow connections.
Router Fundamentals. Be able to explain the concept of a router in this 15th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Understand router concepts and practice configuring a router.
Static Routing. Perform static routing in this 16th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Also continue working with the router configuration settings.
Route Information Protocol (RIP) Fundamentals. Perform routing using the Route Information Protocol (RIP) in this 17th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Also know the difference between Ripv1 and Ripv2.
Route Information Protocol (RIP) Advanced Topics. Perform counting to infinity and the Split Horizon using the Route Information Protocol (RIP) in this 18th topic in the CCNA Certification course.
Routing Advanced Topics. Perform counting to infinity and the Split Horizon using the Route Information Protocol (RIP) in this 19th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Practice inter switch routing and inter VLAN routing.
More about the CCNA Exam. Learn more about the structure and contents of the CCNA exam (both existing and new) in this 20th topic in the CCNA Certification course.
IP Version 6 Fundamentals. Become equipped to explain the concepts behind IP Version 6 including the IP Version 6 structure in this 21st topic in the CCNA Certification course. Learn all about the IP Version 6 format and types.
IP Version 6 Advanced Topics. Become equipped to explain IP Version 6 Auto Configuration, IPV6 configuration and TS, and IPV6 routing basics in this 22nd topic in the CCNA Certification course.
DNS and DHCP. Become comfortable with both Domain Name Servers (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) in this 23rd topic in the CCNA Certification course.
Access Control List (ACL) Fundamentals. Become comfortable with the Access Control List (ACL) in this 24th topic in the CCNA Certification course.
ACL Advanced Techniques. Become comfortable with the Wildcard Mask and Extended Access Control List (ACL) in this 25th topic in the CCNA Certification course.
Network Address Translation (NAT) and Port Address Translation (PAT) Fundamentals. Become comfortable with Network Address Translation (NAT) and Port Address Translation (PAT) in this 26th topic in the CCNA Certification course.
Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP), SysLog, and Network Time Protocol (NTP) Fundamentals. Become comfortable with Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP), SysLog, and Network Time Protocol (NTP) in this 27th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Continue troubleshooting network issues, such as with performance.
Password Reset and Licensing. Reset a password and know the licensing process in this 28th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Understand the concepts of break sequence and system reset.
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Fundamentals. Master the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in this 29th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Understand the concepts of Broadcast Storm, MAC Table Instability, and Multiple Copies of Frame. Know the difference between Encapsulation, Normal, and Rapid protocols.
Ether Channel. Be able to explain the concept of an EtherChannel in this 30th topic in the CCNA Certification course. Know the need for an ether channel and the types of ether channels that are available.
Switch Stacking versus Chassis Aggregation. Know the benefits of both switch stack and chassis aggregation and how they compare with each other in this 31st topic in the CCNA Certification course.
802.1x and Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA). Be able to explain 802.1x and the authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) system in this 32nd topic in the CCNA Certification course.