Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching learning path

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Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching learning path

Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching learning path

Certification: Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching - Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching

Cisco certifications are one of those certifications that are recognized in most of the parts of the world. These certifications are provided by Cisco System for their own products. There are five levels of certifications that are provided by Cisco System. They are: Architect, Expert, Professional, Associate and Entry (in descending order). The CCNA certification stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. This certification is of associate level which focuses on the network engineers. Its main aim is to help the network engineers to get the basic knowledge and skills of the network related products and to give them a plus point whenever they are seeking for a job. The Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching certification are for those people who are currently working in the field as Network Support Engineers, Network Administrators and Network Specialists for 1-3 years. The examinee can take one single exam - Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices: Accelerated exam or they can take two exams- Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 and Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 for the Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching certification.

Information about learning path

Learning path is a structured framework that is made so that the person can learn about the topic rapidly and in detail. The whole material is presented in a sequence that needs to be followed in order to learn the topic properly. After finishing the first point in the list, the reader can come back to the main sequence list and choose the second point in that list. The learning path has said to reduce the time taken to study the material and has increased performance as well.

Two exam path

As mentioned above, examinees can either take two separate exams or they can take one single exam to get the Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching certification. If they choose to take two separate exams then they will have to sit for Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 and Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 exams. Cisco also provides 5 days training for each of these exams. So, it might be better for the examinees to sit in that training as well. Now, let’s have a look at the learning path that was created for these two exams.

Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1:

Introduction to networking:
The first step for a network related certification is always to learn the basics of networking. This part will cover all the basics of networking that the examinee needs to know as a person who is working in the field of networking. They will have to learn about the basic of ICND1 as it is a product of the Cisco Systems which is related to this certification. The other topics that will be included in this portion are data networking, network protocols, IP addressing, network models, TCP and UDP, OSI model and encapsulation and binary.
Routing and VLANs:
In this portion, the examinee will learn about routing and subnetting. They will have to learn about basics of subnetting along with its examples as well as subnetting masks. Besides they will have to understand the basics of routing, dynamic routing, virtual LANs, inter VLAN Routing and so on.
Initial Router and Switch Configuration:
In this portion, the examinee will have to learn about the configuration of router and switch. They will have to use the basic networking knowledge and apply it in this configuration process. The topics will revolve around router, switches and their configuration.
Network control and security:
In this portion, the examinee will learn about the network security and what measures have to be taken to secure and control the network. They will have to learn about basic security protocols that will help to increase the security of the network. They will be learning about DHCL (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), Access Control Lists, Network Device Security, Switch Security, IPv6 and so on.

Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2:

WAN Technologies:
The examinee needs to know about WAN technologies and how to configure and implement them. The first step that these examinees must take is to understand more about Wide Area Networks (WAN) and how it works. Besides that this portion will also cover Point to point protocol, frame relay, cable technology, Ethernet, Dial-up, satellite and cellular wireless and other WAN technologies. It also hovers around Virtual Private Network (VPN).
IP routing:
Most of the networks revolve around routing. Thus in this portion the examinee will learn more about IP routing. Some of the topics included in it are IPv6, EIGRP and OSPF.
Advanced Ethernet and File Management:
In this portion the examinee will learn about basic of file management like TFTP servers and file configuration. This portion will also include information about upgrading IOS on router as well as switch, how to recover passwords and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). They must also learning about switching loops, configuration of PortFast and root bridge, STP topology changes, working of Layer3 switches and so on.

Single exam path

If the examinee wants to give a single exam to get the certification then he/she has to sit for the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices: Accelerated exam. Cisco provides 5 day training for this exam where both the ICND1 as well as ICND2 are merged together. So, the learning path of both the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 and the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 are merged together. So, the learning path for this single exam and the above two exam path are similar. There is no difference at all.

If the examinees follow this learning path for Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching then they will learn all the topics and contents for this certification exam in serial manner. This means they will be able to save lot of time and will be able to show high performance as well.

Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching learning path

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