In my first blog CCNA Certification Advantages, I discussed the core reason and the opportunities that we need to explore for making the best out of the networking industry. We have determined that CCNA certification makes lots of sense since it is highly recognized in the industry as excellent qualifications for an employee. Earning a Cisco certification means that you have a good grasp of the technology and most importantly you are competent to design and implement Cisco solutions and products.

I am taking this opportunity to share with you all the details regarding the subject area that it covers, exam structure, reference materials and couple of forums that has done me good.

Since you have decided that CCNA is going to be elixir of life for your career, then chalk out your plan, first and foremost being to convince yourself that it is not at all a tough nut to crack and simple systematic approach can make you walk out with the certificate in hand to all the way to your PC to update the resume.

So let me adopt that systematic approach and avoid all my exemplary linguistic skills and stick to plain old bulleted format.

To begin with…

1) Map out the learning materials.
2) Setting up a proper study routine (can be tricky, read 3)
3) You’ll realize, time is precious and goes by whizzing past you, so use yours wisely (why am I telling you this?… read 2)

Your study schedule should comprise of 2-3 hours of continuous segments each day. Now that can be challenging if you are a student pursuing career courses during this period or a full time working professional.

Getting to the course materials… no doubt your choice would make loads of difference.

My suggestion would be…to go to the nearest book store (online store only if you have already previewed the book). Lay your hands on all the books that has CCNA written in bold. Quickly flip through the pages and fish out the book which grabs your interest.

Here are few that you can try sticking to…

1) Wendell Odom’s CCNA Official Exam Certification Library (CCNA Exam 640-802), 3rd Edition, published by Cisco Press
2) Todd Lammle’s CCNA Study Guide, published by Sybex.
3) Todd Lammle’s CCNA IOS Command Survival Guide, published by Sybex

In my case, I picked up Todd Lammle. What matters is…
-hands on exposure
-reading and retaining the fundamentals &
-Going through all those notes again which I found difficult while reading through the book.

Exam structure (640-802 CCNA exam):

CCNA certification can be achieved by taking Cisco’s two-exam approach (640-822 & 640-816) also called ICND1 & ICND2 respectively, earning Cisco’s CCENT certification when they pass the 640-822 exam or the single exam 640-802.

Now you know the codes…. Great !!….

The following topics are general guidelines for the contents included in the Cisco 640-802 exam.

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 (Voice Over IP and Video 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), 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.(including: CLI/SDM)
• Implement static and dynamic addressing services for hosts in a LAN environment
• Calculate and apply an addressing scheme including VLSM IP addressing design 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, missconfiguration)
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.(including: CLI/SDM)
• Configure and apply an ACLs to limit telnet and SSH access to the router using (including: SDM/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 (including: CLI/SDM)
• 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.

Browsing forums also play a vital role in….

o Information exchange
o Tips to crack tricky/difficult questions
o Last but not the least, tonnes of CCNA dumps.

My personal favorites are…

http://www.sadikhov.com/

&

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/

Quick information on Registration and Fees….

Register for the CCNA exam at Pearson VUE site…

http://www.vue.com/cisco/

CCNA Certification Fees

The ICND1 and ICND2 exams are $125 USD
The single CCNA exam is $250 USD

For more details, please refer the following link…

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccna/ccna_exam?tab=take-your-exam

After you have studied this , take this CCNA practice questions to see how well you are ready for the test.