What skills CCNA Routing and Switching exam checks?

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


The Cisco certification provides a proof of the skills that exist within the certificate holder regarding Cisco routers and switches. The CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam checks various types of skills that are related to Cisco devices. If the candidates do pass the certification exam then it is proven by default that the candidate has the certain skills and knowledge related to that Cisco devices. But, the tough part in this certification exam is that the candidates will have to hone a lot of skills if they wish to pass the exam. The CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam is never easy. If it was easy then everyone would have been able to get the CCNA certification and the certification would have lost its value. Due to the difficulty of this certification exam, the true skills and knowledge of the candidates can be tested. Let’s have a look at the skills that the CCNA Routing and Switching exam checks.

Configuration skills

The main skill that the CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam test is the configuration skills. The candidates will have to configure the routers and switches in order to complete the exam. They will need to know both the basic configuration as well as advanced configuration. So, it is safe to say that the person who has passed this certification exam is prominent and skilled in configuration of Cisco router and switches. It also showcases the candidates understanding of the configuration and the actual skills related to configuration. So, the CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam checks whether or not the candidate has the necessary configuration understanding and skills related to Cisco routers and switches.

Understanding the basic concepts of networking

For any people who want to work in the networking field, the understanding of the basic concepts of networking is a must. This is what the CCNA Routing and Switching certification checks for as well. The exam tries to find out whether or not the person has the understanding of the basic concepts of networking. It checks the understanding and skills of the candidate related to TCP and UDP, networking protocols, data networking, OSI models, IP addressing, network models and so on. If the candidate can answer questions related to all these basic concepts of networking then the certification exam can validate that the candidate has the knowledge and skills related to understanding of the basic concepts of networking.

Configure network control and security

Each network needs to have a strong security in order to ward off malicious attackers. If the network has no control and security then any one can attack it and damage it. The CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam also checks whether or not the candidate knows how to configure the network control and security. The candidates must know various types of network security protocols and have an understanding about which security protocol is right for which scenario. Besides that the exam also checks whether or not they know about the various types of standard policies related to the network security.

Use of right WAN technologies

The world has been seeing blast of various kinds of WAN technologies. A person working in the networking field must be familiar with different kinds of WAN technologies and know which technology is right for which kind of network requirements. This is one of the skills that the CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam checks. The candidate must know which kind of WAN technologies must be used in the network based on the networking requirements. The use of wrong WAN technologies might defeat the purpose of the network. Besides that it also checks the candidates’ skills to configure and troubleshoot the WAN technologies. Some of the questions that are asked in the exam also revolve around various types of WAN devices, protocols and WAN technologies like packet switching, point to point links, dialup services, virtual circuits and circuit switching. All in all, the CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam tests the candidates’ skills related to cellular wireless, VPN, dial-up, frame relay, Ethernet, cable technology and other WAN technologies.

IP routing

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam also checks the candidates’ skills in terms of IP routing. A routing and switching certification validates that the certificate holder knows about IP routing and is able to perform configuration and troubleshooting tasks related to it. So, the candidates must know about IPv4 addressing, IPv6 addressing, OSPF and EIGRP. This certification exam checks the candidates’ skills and capability to perform various IP routing methods and techniques.

Perform subnetting masking

Subnetting masking is an important part of routing and switching. The CCNA Routing and Switching certification makes sure that the certificate holder knows how to perform subnetting masking. If the candidate cannot perform this task then they won’t be able to get this certification. Besides that the candidates must also be proficient in inter VLAN routing, dynamic routing, virtual LAN and so on.

Know how to use ICND1 and ICND2

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam revolves around ICND1 and ICND2 Cisco devices. So, it is bound to check the candidates’ skills related to these two devices. It checks whether or not the candidates’ have understood the purpose of these devices, can configure and troubleshoot them and know how to operate them.

These are all the skills that the CCNA Routing and Switching certification checks. If the candidates have all these skills then they can achieve this certification and validate all these skills. This certification will be a validation mark for all the above skills that the candidates have. This is because if they did not have all the above mentioned skills then they would not have able to pass the certification exam.


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