to Become a CCNA R/S?
This ICND1 exam (100-105) tests a candidate for the knowledge and skills required to successfully install, operate, and troubleshoot a small branch office network. The exam includes questions on the operation of IP data networks, LAN switching technologies, IPv6, IP routing technologies, IP services, network device security, and basic troubleshooting. The ICND2 exam (exam 200-105) tests a candidate for the knowledge and skills required to successfully install, operate, and troubleshoot a small- to medium-size enterprise branch network. The exam includes questions on LAN switching technologies, IP routing technologies, security, troubleshooting, and WAN technologies.
How Do You Become a CCNA R/S
If you want to go straight for our CCNA R/S and take only one exam, all you have to do is pass the CCNA Composite exam (200-125). Oh, but don't you wish it were that easy? True, it's just one test, but it's a whopper, and to pass it you must possess enough knowledge to understand what the test writers are saying, and you need to know everything I mentioned previously, in the sections on the ICND1 and ICND2 exams! Hey, it's hard, but it can be done!
What does the CCNA Composite exam (200-125) cover? Pretty much the same topics covered in the ICND1 and ICND2 exams. Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the Todd Lammle authorized Cisco boot camps. 200-125 tests a candidate's knowledge and skills required to install, operate, and troubleshoot a small- to medium-size enterprise branch network.
While you can take the Composite exam to get your CCNA, it's good to know that Cisco offers the two-step process I discussed earlier in this Introduction. And this book covers both those exams too! It may be easier than taking that one ginormous exam for you, but don't think the two-test method is easy. It takes work! However, it can be done; you just need to stick with your studies.
The two-test method involves passing the following:
■ Exam 100-105: Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1)
■ Exam 200-105: Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2)
I can't stress this point enough: It's critical that you have some hands-on experience with Cisco routers. If you can get a hold of some basic routers and switches, you're set, but if you can't, I've worked hard to provide hundreds of configuration examples throughout this book to help network administrators, or people who want to become network administrators, learn the skills they need to pass the CCENT and CCNA R/S exams.
What Does This Book Cover?
This book covers everything you need to know to pass the ICND1 (100-105) and ICND2 (200-105) exams, as well as the CCNA Composite (200-125) exam. But regardless of which path you choose, as I've said, taking plenty of time to study and practice with routers or a router simulator is the real key to success.
You will learn the following information in this book:
Chapter 1: Internetworking Chapters 1.14 map to the ICND1 exam. In Chapter 1, you will learn the basics of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model the way Cisco wants you to learn it. There are written labs and plenty of review questions to help you. Do not even think of skipping the fundamental written labs in this chapter!
Chapter 2: Ethernet Networking and Data Encapsulation This chapter will provide you with the Ethernet foundation you need in order to pass both the CCENT and CCNA exams. Data encapsulation is discussed in detail in this chapter as well. And as with the other chapters, this chapter includes written labs and review questions to help you.
Chapter 3: Introduction to TCP/IP This chapter provides you with the background necessary for success on the exam, as well as in the real world with a thorough presentation of TCP/IP. This in-depth chapter covers the very beginnings of the Internet Protocol stack and goes all the way to IP addressing and understanding the difference between a network address and a broadcast address before finally ending with network troubleshooting.
Chapter 4: Easy Subnetting You'll actually be able to subnet a network in your head after reading this chapter if you really want to! And you'll find plenty of help in this chapter as long as you don't skip the written labs and review questions at the end.
Chapter 5: VLSMs, Summarization, and Troubleshooting TCP/IP Here, you'll find out all about variable length subnet masks (VLSMs) and how to design a network using VLSMs. This chapter will finish with summarization techniques and configurations. As with Chapter 4, plenty of help is there for you if you don't skip the written lab and review questions.
Chapter 6: Cisco's Internetworking Operating System (IOS) This chapter introduces you to the Cisco Internetworking Operating System (IOS) and command-line interface (CLI). In this chapter you'll learn how to turn on a router and configure the basics of the IOS, including setting passwords, banners, and more. Hands-on labs will help you gain a firm grasp of the concepts taught in the chapter. Before you go through the hands-on labs, be sure to complete the written lab and review questions.
Chapter 7: Managing a Cisco Internetwork This chapter provides you with the management skills needed to run a Cisco IOS network. Backing up and restoring the IOS, as well as router configuration, are covered, as are the troubleshooting tools necessary to keep a network up and running. As always, before tackling the hands-on labs in this chapter, complete the written labs and review questions.
Chapter 8: Managing Cisco Devices This chapter describes the boot process of Cisco routers, the configuration register, and how to manage Cisco IOS files. The chapter finishes with a section on Cisco's new licensing strategy for IOS. Hands-on and written labs, along with review questions, will help you build a strong foundation for the objectives covered in this chapter.
Chapter 9: IP Routing This is a fun chapter because we will begin to build our network, add IP addresses, and route data between routers. You will also learn about static, default, and dynamic routing using RIP and RIPv2. Hands-on labs, a written lab, and the review questions will help you fully nail down IP routing.
Chapter 10: Layer 2 Switching This chapter sets you up with the solid background you need on layer 2 switching, how switches perform address learning and make forwarding and filtering decisions. In addition, switch port security with MAC addresses is covered in detail. As always, go through the hands-on labs, written lab, and review questions to make sure you've really got layer 2 switching down!
Chapter 11: VLANs and Inter-VLAN Routing Here I cover virtual VLANs and how to use them in your internetwork. This chapter covers the nitty-gritty of VLANs and the different concepts and protocols used with VLANs. I'll also guide you through troubleshooting techniques in this all-important chapter. The hands-on labs, written lab, and review questions are there to reinforce the VLAN material.
Chapter 12: Security This chapter covers security and access lists, which are created on routers to filter the network. IP standard, extended, and named access lists are covered in detail. Written and hands-on labs, along with review questions, will help you study for the security and access-list portion of the Cisco exams.
Chapter 13: Network Address Translation (NAT) New information, commands, troubleshooting, and detailed hands-on labs will help you nail the NAT CCENT objectives.
Chapter 14: Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) This is a fun chapter chock-full of some great information. IPv6 is not the big, bad scary creature that most people think it is, and it's a really important objective on the latest exam, so study this chapter carefully – don't just skim it. And make sure you hit those hands-on labs hard!
Chapter 15: Enhanced Switched Technologies Chapter 15 is the first chapter of Part 2 of this book, which maps to the ICND2 exam. This chapter will start off with STP protocols and dive into the fundamentals, covering the modes, as well as the various