CCNA Tutorial for Beginners
CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. This CCNA tutorial is well designed to study networking concepts for beginners as well as experts to enhance their knowledge and skills.
What is CCNA?
CCNA is an entry-level networking and information technology certification issued by well-known networking company Cisco, the world’s most famous company for manufacturing and selling networking devices or networking equipment’s. The CCNA is designed to validate user’s knowledge and their skills on networking fundamentals concepts, configuration, security fundamentals, IP connectivity, IP services, troubleshoot connectivity issues and effectively manage networks and knowledge about how automation affects network management. Overall, it majorly includes −
- Networking fundamentals − Skills on networking devices and configuration, troubleshoot connectivity issues and effectively manage networks.
- IP Services − Skills on configuration about routing for different IP versions. Understanding on routing table and its components.
- Security fundamentals − Understand threats and how to avoid them. Identify critical components of a security program, such as user awareness and training. Emphasise practical skills on enabling secure access to devices and networks.
- Automation − Skills on automation and how automation impacts network management. Use of APIs and comprehend configuration management tools.
This certification aimed at early-career networking professionals like network administrator, network engineer, and technical support expert. Obtaining a CCNA normally necessitates passing a single comprehensive exam (most commonly the 200-301 CCNA), which tests both theoretical and practical knowledge. Cisco recommends that candidates have a fundamental understanding of networking principles before seeking the CCNA.
Cisco's List of CCNA Certification and Job Roles
Some of the prominent certifications and corresponding common job roles are described below −
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) − A professional-level certification; job roles can be design, manage, and troubleshoot local and wide area networks (LAN and WAN).
- Cisco Certified DevNet Associate − To create and maintain apps built on Cisco systems. It is mostly targeted for junior developers and DevOps engineers.
- CCNP Security − An intermediate-level certification requiring the CCNA Security certification as a prerequisite. Network security and troubleshooting are major job roles for this.
- Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) − It is dedicated for network support positions.
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) − A prominent certification that is regarded as the gold standard among networking certifications. Its exam is bit difficult and has a performance-based lab.
- Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate − A certification that focuses on cybersecurity operations.
CCNA Certification Topics
Let's enhance your skills on networking, CCNA by thoroughly studying following topics −
- Computer Network Introduction
- Physical Layer
- Data Link Layer
- Network Layer
- Transport Layer
- Application Layer
- IPv4 Addressing
- Cisco Networking Devices
- Life of Packet
- Router and Switch Basic Configuration
- Cisco Device Management
Computer Network Introduction
- Introduction to Computer Network
- Types of Networks (LAN, WAN, MAN, Internetwork)
- Network LAN Technologies
- Network Topologies (Point-to-Point, Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, Tree, Daisy chain, Hybrid)
- OSI Model
- TCP/IP Model
- Computer Network Models
- Computer Network Security
Physical Layer
- Digital Transmission
- Analog Transmission
- Transmission media
- Wireless Transmission
- Multiplexing
- Network Switching
Data Link Layer
Network Layer
- Network Addressing
- Network Layer Routing
- Internetworking in Computer Network
- Network Layer Protocols
Transport Layer
- Transmission Control Protocol
- Computer Ports and their types
- TCP 3-way handshake process
- User Datagram Protocol
Application Layer
IPv4 Addressing
Cisco Networking Devices
Life of Packet
- DNS
- Map Hostnames to IP Addresses
- How to Configure a Cisco Router as a DNS Server?
- no ip domain-lookup Command
- Address Resolution in DNS
- ARP Table on a Cisco Router
Router and Switch Basic Configuration
- IOS Basic Commands
- Configure an IP Address on a Switch
- Interface Range Command
- Power on a Cisco Device
- Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) & Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP)
- Configure Speed and Duplex
- Half Duplex
- Full Duplex
- Interface Status Codes
Cisco Device Management
- Types Of Memory On A Cisco Device
- Router IOS Boot Sequence
- How to Reset a Cisco Router or Switch to Factory Default
- IOS files
- Backing up IOS Configuration
- FTP & TFTP
- Copy Files with FTP
- How to Upgrade Cisco IOS
- Erasing Configuration Files
FAQs on CCNA Tutorial
Q1. What is CCNA?
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification program, which verifies an individual's competence to build, configure, and troubleshoot small to medium-sized networks. The certification covers different networking concepts, including LAN/WAN technologies, IP addressing, routing protocols, and network security.
Q2. What are the prerequisites for the CCNA certification?
There are no official prerequisites for the CCNA certification. However, candidates should have a basic understanding of networking fundamentals and familiarity with networking equipment and software. Knowledge of TCP/IP, networking models, and expertise with networking tools can be useful.
Q3. What is the CCNA certification cost?
The cost of CCNA certification is around INR 22,000 INR 25,000 in India.
Q4. How can I prepare for the CCNA exam?
You can prepare for the CCNA exam by studying Official Curriculum, Hands-On Practice, and lab environment using Cisco equipment or simulators like Cisco Packet Tracer to gain practical experience and do practice exams.
Q5. What are the major concepts covered in the CCNA exam?
A CCNA exam covers a wide range of networking and IT concepts. Some of the major one are networking fundamentals, networking devices, OSI and TCP/IP model, IP addressing and subnetting, Routing and switching concepts like RIP, OSPF, EIGRP. It also includes Network security concepts like firewall, access control lists. VPN and MPLS WAN technologies and automation & programmability.