You_ve decided you want to turn
into CCNA certified and let the world know how much you know about
local area networks, wide area
networks, routing, switching, the OSI Model, TCP/IP, and internetworking. So
where do you start? In this part
of the book, we give you the details about the test, how to schedule the
test, where to go, and what to
do.
The CCNA exam covers just about
everything you need to know about setting up, configuring, installing,
administering, and maintaining a
network using Cisco hardware and software. You won_t find questions on
general computing and technical
basics, however; you know the bits and bytes and how data moves over wires
and between computers. The CCNA
exam makes the hypothesis that if you don_t already know this stuff,
you won_t understand most of the
questions on the test to begin with, so why bother? However, you had
better know the ins and outs of
configuring a router and connecting it into a network.
The CCNA exams are strictly pass−fail.
If you get 755 of the total 1000 points possible, you pass. If you
don_t, well, you don_t. It_s that
simple. Let us be your guide on what you should study for the test. And, oh
yes _ best of luck!
Checking out the
CCNA exam
Knowing how to study: Preparing
for the exam
Scheduling and paying for the
exam
Regardless of the motive Cisco
Systems, Inc. had in developing its Career Certifications, the certification
exams included in this program
have become desired, sought after, and required stepping stones in the career
plans of many networking
professionals. It matter not that Cisco may have had a built−in audience of
technical professionals loyal to
its particular line of hardware, because even without this army, Cisco has
earned one of the largest market
shares in internetworking hardware.
As you prepare yourself to join
the ranks of professional networkers proudly wearing their Certified Cisco
Networking Associate (CCNA)
honors, as we have, you_re most likely doing so to start your career, further
your career, or re−engage your profession.
Where certifications like A+ concentrate on hardware issues, and
Network+ and MCSE above all focus
on software issues, the CCNA exam deals with the software and
functional issues of networking
hardware in the focus of the internetwork. The CCNA certification is an
earned honor that says to the
world, and especially employers, that this person really knows his
internetworking stuff, including
routers, switches, bridges, and how they can be combined to provide the best
possible networking environment
for a given situation.
The CCNA exam transcends any
particular operating system or computer manufacturer because Cisco
hardware works with nearly every
computing environment in use. If it can be networked, Cisco equipment
will network it, and your CCNA
certification says you are the person to build that network!
This book has one purpose and one
purpose only _ to prepare you for the CCNA exam. It is focused on what
you need to know about taking the
test, the testing understanding, and the knowledge you need to pass the exam.
After that has happened, and we
know it will, we wish you all the success that comes with your CCNA
certification.
A Little Background
about the CCNA Exam
Cisco Systems, Inc. sponsors a
complete hierarchy of career certifications that center on its routing,
switching, LAN, and WAN products.
Because Cisco Systems is the leading internetworking company in the
world, it_s only natural that
certification on its equipment and software is a valuable credential for a
networking professional.
What_s included in
CCNA certification?
The CCNA (Certified Cisco
Networking Associate) exam fulfills only one step along the Cisco Network
Support certification track,
which is designed for professionals working directly with Cisco−based networks.
This certification focuses on LAN
and WAN routers and LAN switches.
Earning CCNA certification tells
the world, and more importantly employers, that you_re able to:
Configure and implement networks
to improve such operational areas as bandwidth, response times,
reliability, and quality of
service
Configure and
implement simple routed and switched networks
Make improvements to networks
that improve performance and provide for increased network
security
Configure and install an intranet
locally or globally
Analyze a variety of network
performance issues and suggest appropriate application−oriented
solutions
Who should get CCNA
certification?
Cisco_s target viewers includes:
· The technical
support staff of their resale channel partners
Working networking professionals
Graduates of the Cisco Regional
and Local Networking Academy program
Someone trying to break into the
networking field
Is CCNA related to
other certifications?
The CCNA guarantee is only one of
several career certifications sponsored by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Depending on the track, network
support or network design, CCNA may be the first or second step on the
certification track.
The ultimate goal of anyone
getting Cisco certification should be the CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking
Engineer) certification. This is
the ultimate badge of honor in networking. But, because of the rigor of the
CCIE exam, which draws equally on
real−world, hands−on experience and the technical specifications of the
gamut of Cisco Systems_ hardware
and software, you should work your way up to it.
Without getting too confusing,
there are two tracks for Cisco certification: Routing and Switching and WAN
Switching. As a matter of fact,
there_s a new CCNA exam just for WAN switching. It is called CCNA_WAN
Switching.
The CCNA test that this book is
focused on is Cisco CCNA exam 1.0, test number 640−107, which is strictly
a routing and switching test, but
it can be used for either the network support or the network design tracks.
In the network prop up
specialization, the focus is on installation, configuration, and operation of
routed and
switched networks. These are
networks that use LAN and WAN routing and switching. The test sequence
used in this specialization
starts with the CCNA exam, moves on to the CCNP (Cisco Certified Network
Professional), and finally, the
CCIE exam.
In the network design field, the
focus shifts to the design of networks at the component level to
perform simple and complex
network routing and switching. The test sequence for the network design
emphasis starts with the CCDA
(Cisco Certified Design Associate), proceeds to the CCNA, and finally to the
CCDP (Cisco Certified aim
Professional).
So, depending on your ultimate
goal, whether it be a designer of highly technical networks or as a builder of
the same, the CCNA is a key step
in either career path.
12
The Cisco Networking
Academy program
The CNA (Cisco Networking
Academy) program is a partnership developed by Cisco with high schools,
community colleges, and colleges
and universities around the world to provide a head start program to high
school and college level students
toward certifications.
The current academy program
consists of four semesters that prepare students through a series of online in
addition to
hands−on lessons and labs with
the skills and knowledge they need to pass the CCNA exam. If you_re new to
Cisco network, you may want to
investigate whether this program is available in your area. If you_re a
graduate of a local networking academy, you know
first−hand about the fine quality of this forward−looking
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