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How to get CCNA certification – A complete guide
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
Every
day, more and more students are signing up for Cisco’s CCNA certification. The
CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate is a globally recognized
certification. It confirms an individual has the knowledge and skill to
install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot local area networks (LANs), wide
area networks (WANs) using traditional copper-based Ethernet, and newer
technologies such as the wireless network. The CCNA certification is the newest
entry-level Cisco Certification and serves as the backbone of the Cisco
Certification path. Any Network Administrator should seek this credential, but
it’s also critical for other IT professionals. To pass the exam with flying
colors, it is essential to do some preparation beforehand. This study guide
will provide you with tips on best preparing for your Cisco 200-301 Exam
preparation. The
CCNA which stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate is an entry-level
information technology (IT) certification issued by networking hardware company
Cisco. The CCNA is designed to validate your knowledge on fundamental
networking concepts often requested in networking roles in IT positions. If you
want to learn more about the CCNA series of certifications as well as other
useful information on Information Technology, contact us at CertOcean.
CCNA
200-301 Exam Information
The
CCNA 200-301 exam is more comprehensive and in-depth than previous versions of
the exam. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is one of
Cisco’s most coveted IT Certifications. The Cisco CCNA exam has two main
sections that assess network fundamentals and skill sets required in a large
company utilizing Cisco equipment. CCNA certified individuals could set up,
maintain, and troubleshoot Cisco routers and switches to function in small,
medium, and huge businesses. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
credential is for IT professionals who want to advance their careers as network
technicians or engineers and have valuable skills across many sorts of
equipment utilized by networks worldwide.
Here’s
a quick rundown of key facts:
·
To
get the CCNA certification you’ll have to pass one exam, the 200-301 CCNA.
·
Taking
the CCNA exam costs $300, plus tax.
·
There
are no prerequisites to take the exam, but training and some experience with
computer networks are recommended.
·
CCNA
is a commonly requested IT certification, with over 9,000 job listings on
Glassdoor and 6,000 on Indeed that mention the certification in the US, as of
May 2022.
The
topics covered by the exam can be divided as follows:
·
IP
connectivity (25%): This course will assess your knowledge and abilities
in configuring, verifying, and troubleshooting basic routing using various
routing protocols, including static IP/VPN/DMZ route. It will cover topics like
BGP; vRouter; dynamic routing protocols (RIPv1 and RIPv2); OSPF V3; EIGRP
configuration, verification, and troubleshooting; route redistribution using
policy-based and tag-based routing.
·
Network
access (20%): Students will need to know how to configure and troubleshoot
VLANs, Interswitch connectivity, Layer 2 discovery protocols, EtherChannel, and
the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol. Students will also be tested on their
knowledge of Cisco wireless architecture, AP modes, physical WLAN components,
AP and WLC management access connections, and wireless LAN access.
·
Network
fundamentals (20%): Connecting switches to a switch trunk; designing
network topologies; physical interfaces and cabling types; IP configuration and
settings; IP parameters. Wireless fundamentals, virtualization concepts, cloud
connectivity, and WAN configuration.
·
Security
fundamentals (15%): Security management, access control, data center
security measures, physical access controls, password restrictions, access
control lists, Layer 2 security features, wireless transmission protocols are
just a few of the issues addressed.
·
IP
services (10%): Running through all of the things you’ll need to know
about NAT and NTP, as well as DHCP, DNS, SNMP, and Syslog features; per-hop
behavior; using SSH; TFTP/FTP description.
·
Automation
and programmability (10%): Take a look at several sorts of networks
compared to controller-based networks, automation ideas, and JSON data
analysis.
It’s
vital to remember that the exam might cover a wide range of topics. Keep in
mind that the exam may include other relevant subjects as well. The number of
questions asked may vary, but it is likely to be 90-110 questions. You will
have 120 minutes to answer all of the CCNA examination questions.
In
order to become CCNA certified, you’ll have to take the 200-301 CCNA exam
offered by Cisco. There are no prerequisites for the exam, but Cisco reports
that CCNA candidates generally have the following experience prior to taking the
exam:
·
At
least one year of using and implementing Cisco products and solutions
·
Basic
knowledge of IP addressing
·
Knowledge
of network fundamentals
CCNA Exam
Preparation
Passing
the Cisco 200-301 exam requires a lot of study. Given this, we’ve gathered a
few study suggestions to help you get a good grade.
Acquire Practical
Experience
While
this will not be an option for everyone, since the CCNA doesn’t require any
prerequisites, it’s still advisable to get some practical experience in
networking. This will give you a good head start over other students who have
little to no knowledge of the subject matter at hand and should help keep your
nerves in check since everyone gets nervous during testing situations!
You
should apply theoretical knowledge in actual-world troubleshooting and
networking issues as you get ready for the exam. Many people know that IP is
unreliable, but the big problem is determining alternative communication
troubleshooting between nodes over IP.
Enroll
in the Cisco Training Program
The
best approach to get certified for the CCNA exam is to sign up for Cisco’s
training program called “Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions
(CCNA).” It combines different study tools, such as lectures, hands-on labs,
and self-study materials covering the CCNA curriculum. Another good approach to
get ready for an interview is learning from people similar to you. To get
involved in the debates and share your ideas with your fellow participants,
join the community.
Enroll
In A Boot Camp
Specialized
educational organizations that have partnered up with Cisco, such as CertOcean,
are excellent places to get CCNA training. You can get hands-on experience by
enrolling in Cisco’s authorized boot camps, which are designed to provide you
with all the information needed for success in an interview and getting
certified. These schools will teach you everything about networking
technologies, protocols, topologies, installation procedures, troubleshooting
guides for networks using Cisco devices, and much more. CertOcean also offers
its students Career Services, Veteran Assistance, and Financial Aid for those
who need it.
Get
the Right Study Materials
The
best study materials for the CCNA exam are Cisco’s publications, including the
most recent editions of Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 and CCNA Routing and Switching
ICND2. The “31 Days Before” series, also accessible through Cisco Press, is
another good choice. Make sure to cover all of the practice questions and lab
exercises. However, before you begin reading the books mentioned above, learn
how to work with binary math—you should be able on your own in your sleep.
Having this knowledge will assist in passing the exam.
Understand
the CCNA Exam Syllabus
The
domains of the Cisco 200-301 exam should be your foundation for studying. We’ve
already said that you should build your Cisco 200-301 exam preparation around
its domains. To grasp what to anticipate in the certification examination, go
to the CCNA website and download the official test blueprint.
Creating
A Study Schedule
A
lot of people do not follow a study schedule, and they end up wasting their
time. You need to ensure that you create one as soon as possible. A good CCNA
exam prep plan for beginners would incorporate reading Cisco Press books on the
subject matter along with other learning material like official Cisco webinars.
You might also want to use an online course for this purpose. You can sign up
for a CCNA boot camp on websites like CertOcean, which will provide you with
some good study material that may help your CCNA certification exam
preparation.
What’s
Your Best Self-Study Technique?
Professionals
these days have insane work schedules, and they may not be able to attend class
in a conventional manner. This suggests that they are excited about self-study
to prepare for the test. This method of training can either help you or harm
you. Video lessons, hands-on lab training, and practice exams are all examples
of self-study options. You must choose a learning approach that best suits you
because you can’t implement them. The correct technique will assist you in
learning the topics covered on the exam and allow you to pass it. you should
spend 30-60 minutes daily on your course materials, including textbook reading
and watching your chosen video course. However, not all your questions will be
covered by these resources. You will still need to research further any concept
you don’t fully understand. Be sure to take full advantage of your practice
environment to ensure you understand networking concepts and how the Cisco
interface and its commands and syntax are used in network configuration,
operation and troubleshooting. Finally, it would help if you allocated time in
your study schedule for exam review, preferably during the month preceding the
exam. Allow yourself enough time to go over practice tests and review study
materials to reinforce your knowledge of the exam topics. You should also give
yourself time to have any last-minute questions answered through your online
community or research on the Web. You don’t have to study alone. You can join
an online community where you will be able to meet other candidates and experts
with whom you can share knowledge, exam strategies and find answers to your
questions. One such community is the CCNA Certification Community on the Cisco
Learning Network. Here you can ask questions, share ideas and connect with
other members preparing for the CCNA Exam. It also includes links to articles
that relate to CCNA prep and exams.
You
should take a practice exam as often as possible to test your readiness for the
exam and guide you in your studies. For example, taking a practice test about
halfway into your studies is a good idea to identify any weak areas that
require additional study. Taking as many practice tests as possible will also
help you get accustomed to working under the exam’s time constraints.
CCNA
vs. CompTIA Network+
Like
the CCNA, the CompTIA Network+ is a certification that will test your
networking knowledge and is often acquired by professionals hoping to advance
their networking skills. There are a few key differences.
·
Unlike
CCNA, the CompTIA Network+ certification is vendor neutral. This means
that it’s designed to prepare you to work with any network device or system,
regardless of what vendor it came from. The CCNA tests you exclusively on Cisco
products and tools.
·
The
Network+ certification is considered by many to be more
foundational than the CCNA. The CCNA is known to cover more topics and go
deeper into network material than the Network+.
So
which should you choose? Many opt to take the CCNA despite it being
vendor-specific to Cisco, because Cisco products largely dominate the
networking market. Cisco had 47 percent of market share in Ethernet switches,
and 33 percent of the combined SP and enterprise router market. Because Cisco
products are widely used, it can be useful to know them well. Many learners
also find that the knowledge acquired by learning on Cisco products is
applicable to networking products from other vendors. That said, because the
Network+ focuses on the basics, it can be useful for those completely new to
networking, or who find the CCNA too difficult or comprehensive for their
needs. It’s completely possible to get the Network+ and go on to take the CCNA
when you have more experience.
What
other Cisco network certifications are there?
The
Cisco Certification Technician (CCT) is another entry-level Cisco
certification. The CCT is designed to equip you with the skills to do onsite
support and maintenance of networking devices. It doesn’t delve into networking
concepts however, which is likely part of the reason why it tends not to be as
requested as the CCNA, even for entry-level IT positions. The Cisco Certified
Network Professional (CCNP) is the next level above CCNA. CCNP further has
several specializations you can choose from depending on your desired career path.
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