Quick FAQ: CISCO CCNA Exam
"The CCNA certification (Cisco Certified Network Associate) indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certified professionals can install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for small networks (100 nodes or fewer), including but not limited to use of these protocols: IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP, Ethernet, Access Lists." ---Quote from cisco.com
How many tests is the CCNA composed of?
There are two options in taking this test: The 640-801 CCNA exam, or (2) exams: 640-821 INTRO and 640-811 ICND.
The choice is yours to make. The 640-801 exam consists of both the objectives included in the INTRO and ICND exams.
Format of the Test(s)
Duration: 90 minutes
Number of Questions: 55-65
The exam questions can be in the following format:
- Multiple Choice
- Fill-in-the-blank
- Drag-and-drop(drag objects in the correct order)
- Simulated lab (actual interface into a network, troubleshooting scenario)
How long does the certification last for?
"CCNA certifications are valid for three years. To recertify, either pass the current CCNA exam, or pass the ICND exam, or pass any 642 professional level or Cisco Qualified Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams), or pass a CCIE written exam on or after October 1, 2004." - cisco.com
- After a fail, must wait 5 calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before you can retest.
- Once passed, must wait a minimum of 180 days before taking the same exam.
CCNA 640-801
Planning & Designing
* Design a simple LAN using Cisco Technology
* Design an IP addressing scheme to meet design requirements
* Select an appropriate routing protocol based on user requirements
* Design a simple internetwork using Cisco technology
* Develop an access list to meet user specifications
* Choose WAN services to meet customer requirements
Implementation & Operation
* Configure routing protocols given user requirements
* Configure IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateway addresses on routers and hosts
* Configure a router for additional administrative functionality
* Configure a switch with VLANS and inter-switch communication
* Implement a LAN
* Customize a switch configuration to meet specified network requirements
* Manage system image and device configuration files
* Perform an initial configuration on a router
* Perform an initial configuration on a switch
* Implement access lists
* Implement simple WAN protocols
Troubleshooting
* Utilize the OSI model as a guide for systematic network troubleshooting
* Perform LAN and VLAN troubleshooting
* Troubleshoot routing protocols
* Troubleshoot IP addressing and host configuration
* Troubleshoot a device as part of a working network
* Troubleshoot an access list
* Perform simple WAN troubleshooting
Technology
* Describe network communications using layered models
* Describe the Spanning Tree process
* Compare and contrast key characteristics of LAN environments
* Evaluate the characteristics of routing protocols
* Evaluate TCP/IP communication process and its associated protocols
* Describe the components of network devices
* Evaluate rules for packet control
* Evaluate key characteristics of WANs
INTRO 640-821
Design and Support
* Use a subset of Cisco IOS commands to analyze and report network problems
* Use embedded layer 3 through layer 7 protocols to establish, test, suspend, or disconnect connectivity to remote devices from the router console
* Determine IP addresses
Implementation and Operation
* Establish communication between a terminal device and the router IOS, and use IOS for system analysis
* Manipulate system image and device configuration files
* Perform an initial configuration on a router and save the resultant configuration file
* Use commands incorporated within IOS to analyze and report network problems
* Assign IP addresses
* Describe and install the hardware and software required to be able to communicate via a network
* Use embedded data link layer functionality to perform network neighbor discovery and analysis from the router
* Use embedded layer 3 through layer 7 protocols to establish, test, suspend or disconnect connectivity to remote devices from the router console
Technology
* Demonstrate the mathematical skills required to work seamlessly with integer decimal, binary and hexadecimal numbers and simple binary logic
* Define and describe the structure and technologies of computer networks
* Describe the hardware and software required to be able to communicate via a network
* Describe the physical, electrical and mechanical properties and standards associated with optical, wireless, and copper media used in networks
* Describe the topologies and physical issues associated with cabling common LANs
* Identify the key characteristics of common wide area networking (WAN) configurations and technologies, and differentiate between these and common LAN technologies
* Describe the purpose and fundamental operation of the internetwork operating system (IOS)
* Describe the role of a router in a WAN
* Identify the major internal and external components of a router, and describe the associated functionality
* Identify and describe the stages of the router boot-up sequence
* Describe how the configuration register and boot system commands modify the router boot-up sequence
* Describe the concepts associated with routing, and the different methods and protocols used to achieve it
* Describe how an IP address is associated with a device interface, and the association between physical and employ IP addressing techniques
* Employ IP addressing techniques
* Compare and contrast collision and broadcast domains, and describe the process of network segmentation
* Describe the principles and practice of switching in an Ethernet network
* Explain how collisions are detected and handled in an Ethernet system
* Explain the fundamental concepts associated with the Ethernet media access technique
* Describe how the protocols associated with TCP/IP allow host communication to occur
* Describe the operation of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) and identify the reasons, types and format of associated error and control messages
* Describe the principles and practice of packet switching utilizing the Internet Protocol (IP)