CCNA: Network and System Support

CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate
Network and System Support

Overview:

The CCNA course is an entry-level certification program offered by Cisco. It provides the foundation for networking concepts, design, and protocols. The course covers a broad range of topics such as network fundamentals, LAN switching technologies, IPv4 and IPv6 routing technologies, WAN technologies, infrastructure services, security, and management. The CCNA certification validates competency in installing, configuring, operating, and troubleshooting small to medium-sized networks.

Network Fundamentals:

The Network Fundamentals module is the first in a series of modules in the CCNA course. This module provides an introduction to computer networking and covers the basics of networking concepts, protocols, and technologies. In this module, students will learn about the OSI model, network topologies, network devices, IP addressing, subnetting, and the TCP/IP protocol suite.

OSI Model:

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework that describes how data is transmitted over a network. The model consists of seven layers, each with its own set of functions. The layers are as follows:

Physical layer: This layer deals with the physical transmission of data over the network. It defines the physical characteristics of the network such as cables, connectors, and signaling.
Data link layer: This layer is responsible for transmitting data across a single link in a network. It provides services such as error detection and correction, flow control, and framing.
Network layer: This layer is responsible for routing packets from the source to the destination across multiple networks. It provides services such as logical addressing, routing, and congestion control.
Transport layer: This layer provides reliable end-to-end delivery of data between applications. It provides services such as segmentation and reassembly, flow control, and error recovery.
Session layer: This layer establishes, manages, and terminates sessions between applications. It provides services such as authentication, authorization, and synchronization.
Presentation layer: This layer is responsible for data formatting and conversion. It provides services such as data encryption, compression, and character encoding.
Application layer: This layer provides services to user applications such as email, web browsing, and file transfer.

Network Topologies

A network topology refers to the physical or logical arrangement of network devices. There are several types of network topologies, including:

Bus topology: In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single cable or backbone.
Star topology: In a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch.
Ring topology: In a ring topology, each device is connected to two other devices, forming a closed loop.
Mesh topology: In a mesh topology, each device is connected to every other device in the network.

IP Addressing:

IP addressing is the process of assigning unique addresses to devices on a network. An IP address consists of four octets (8-bit numbers) separated by dots. Each octet can have a value between 0 and 255. There are two types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6.

IPv4 addresses are 32 bits long and are represented in decimal form. For example, 192.168.0.1 is an IPv4 address.

IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long and are represented in hexadecimal form. For example, 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 is an IPv6 address.

Subnetting:

Subnetting is the process of dividing a larger network into smaller subnetworks. This is done by borrowing bits from the host portion of the IP address and using them as network bits. The subnet mask determines which bits are used for the network and which are used for the host.

For example, if a network has an IP address of 192.168.0.0 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, it can support up to 254 hosts (since two addresses - 192.168.0.0 and 192.168.0.255 - are reserved for the network and broadcast addresses). If this network is subnetted into four smaller subnetworks, each with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.192, it can support up to 62 hosts per subnet.

TCP/IP Protocol Suite:

The TCP/IP protocol suite is a set of protocols used for communication between devices on a network. The suite consists of several protocols, including:

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): This protocol provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol): This protocol provides unreliable, unordered, and unacknowledged delivery of data between applications.
IP (Internet Protocol): This protocol provides the basic functionality for routing packets across networks.
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol): This protocol is used for sending error messages and operational information about network conditions.
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): This protocol is used for mapping an IP address to a physical address (such as a MAC address).

Conclusion - Network Fundamentals

The Network Fundamentals module provides a solid foundation in computer networking concepts, protocols, and technologies.

LAN Switching Technologies:

The Routing and Switching Essentials module is the second in a series of modules in the CCNA course. This module builds upon the concepts covered in the Network Fundamentals module and covers more advanced topics related to routing and switching. In this module, students will learn about router and switch configuration, VLANs, routing protocols, IPv6, and network troubleshooting.

Router Configuration:

A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. In this module, students will learn how to configure routers for basic functionality, such as setting up IP addresses, configuring static routes, and administering the router using various command-line tools.

Switch Configuration:

A switch is a networking device that connects devices together on a local area network (LAN). In this module, students will learn how to configure switches for basic functionality, such as setting up VLANs, configuring switch ports, and administering the switch using various command-line tools.

Virtual LANs (VLANs):

A VLAN is a logical grouping of devices within a LAN that function as if they are on their own independent network. In this module, students will learn how to create VLANs and assign them to switch ports, as well as how to configure VLAN trunking between switches.

Routing Protocols

Routing protocols are used by routers to exchange information about network topology and to determine the best path for forwarding data between networks. In this module, students will learn about two popular routing protocols: the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol.

IPv6

IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol and provides a much larger address space than its predecessor, IPv4. In this module, students will learn about the structure of IPv6 addresses and how they differ from IPv4 addresses. Students will also learn how to configure IPv6 addresses on their devices and how to enable IPv6 routing.

Network Troubleshooting

Network troubleshooting is the process of identifying and resolving problems on a network. In this module, students will learn about various tools and techniques used for network troubleshooting, such as ping, traceroute, and debug.

Conclusion - LAN Switching Technologies

The Routing and Switching Essentials module provides a deeper understanding of router and switch configuration, VLANs, routing protocols, IPv6, and network troubleshooting. By mastering these topics, students will be well-equipped to configure, troubleshoot, and maintain small to medium-sized networks.

Routing Technologies

03Routing Technologies

The Scaling Networks module is the third and final module in the CCNA course. This module builds upon the concepts covered in the Routing and Switching Essentials module and covers more advanced topics related to network design, implementation, and management. In this module, students will learn about WAN technologies, network security, Quality of Service (QoS), and network management.

WAN Technologies

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a type of computer network that spans large geographical distances, typically connecting multiple local area networks (LANs) together. In this module, students will learn about various WAN technologies, such as leased lines, Frame Relay, and MPLS. Students will also learn how to configure WAN links on Cisco routers using these technologies.

Network Security

Network security is the process of protecting a computer network from unauthorized access or attacks. In this module, students will learn about various network security threats, such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Students will also learn about various security measures used to protect networks, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDSs), and virtual private networks (VPNs).

Quality of Service (QoS)

Quality of Service (QoS) is the process of ensuring that certain types of traffic receive priority over other types of traffic on a network. In this module, students will learn about various QoS techniques used to prioritize traffic on a network, such as class-based queuing (CBQ) and weighted fair queuing (WFQ).

Network Management

Network management is the process of monitoring and maintaining a computer network. In this module, students will learn about various network management tools and techniques, such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), NetFlow, and Remote Monitoring (RMON). Students will also learn about network design models, such as Hierarchical Network Design and Enterprise Campus Architecture.

Conclusion - Routing Technologies

The Scaling Networks module provides a deeper understanding of WAN technologies, network security, Quality of Service (QoS), and network management. By mastering these topics, students will be well-equipped to design, implement, and manage complex networks. The CCNA certification is widely recognized in the industry and is a valuable asset for those seeking a career in networking.

Conclusion - Routing Technologies

The Scaling Networks module provides a deeper understanding of WAN technologies, network security, Quality of Service (QoS), and network management. By mastering these topics, students will be well-equipped to design, implement, and manage complex networks. The CCNA certification is widely recognized in the industry and is a valuable asset for those seeking a career in networking.

Practice Exercises:

In the this lesson, we'll put theory into practice through hands-on activities. Click on the items below to check each exercise and develop practical skills that will help you succeed in the subject.

OSI Model Practice:

Create a diagram of the OSI model and provide an example of a protocol or service that operates at each layer.

Router Configuration Lab:

Configure a Cisco router with a static IP address, configure a default gateway, and verify connectivity to another device on the network using ping.

VLAN Configuration Exercise:

Create two VLANs on a switch and assign different ports to each VLAN. Configure inter-VLAN routing using a router and test connectivity between devices on different VLANs.

WAN Technology Simulation:

Simulate a WAN link between two routers using Frame Relay or MPLS technology. Configure the routers with IP addresses and routing protocols to establish connectivity over the WAN link.

Network Security Assessment

Perform a security assessment on a network by identifying potential security threats and vulnerabilities. Develop a plan to mitigate these risks and implement appropriate security measures such as firewalls, IDSs, and VPNs.

QoS Implementation Exercise

Implement QoS on a network by prioritizing traffic based on specific requirements such as bandwidth, latency, and jitter. Test the effectiveness of QoS by measuring network performance before and after implementation.

CCNA provides certified professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to install, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot networks. CCNA certified professionals are equipped with the skills to optimize network performance and ensure secure access to the network while providing the highest levels of customer service. With CCNA certification, you can be prepared to handle a wide range of networking tasks in a professional environment.

CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Network and System Support