Important CCNA Basic Concepts for Certification Exam

The CCNA certification is an essential starting point for anyone pursuing a career in Cisco networking. As an associate-level examination, it provides a comprehensive understanding of networking fundamentals, equipping candidates with the knowledge needed to excel in more advanced Cisco certifications.

In this article, we will discuss the key concepts for CCNA exams. By revising all these important CCNA certification topics you can ensure efficient learning and increased chances of clearing any CCNA exam and answering every CCNA interview question.

Top 6 Important Topics for the CCNA Certification Exam

Here we will discuss the top 6 CCNA course concepts that you should know. Having the CCNA basic concept knowledge will help you in your CCNA career. We have mentioned 6 CCNA main topics and covered what to prepare for these main topics.

The updated CCNA syllabus covers a range of essential networking concepts, each carrying a specific weightage in the total exam marks. 

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1. Network Fundamentals (20%)

● Explain the role and function of network components

● Describe characteristics of network topology architectures

● Compare physical interface and cabling types

● Identify interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, mismatch duplex, and/or speed)

● Compare TCP to UDP

● Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting

● Describe the need for private IPv4 addressing

● Configure and verify IPv6 addressing and prefix

● Compare IPv6 address types

● Verify IP parameters for Client OS (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)

● Describe wireless principles

● Explain virtualization fundamentals (virtual machines)

● Describe switching concepts

2. Network Access (20%)

● Configure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches

● Configure and verify Interswitch connectivity

● Configure and verify Layer 2 discovery protocols (Cisco Discovery Protocol and LLDP)

● Configure and verify (Layer 2/Layer 3) EtherChannel (LACP)

● Describe the need for and basic operations of Rapid PVST+ Spanning Tree Protocol and identify basic operations

● Compare Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP modes

● Describe physical infrastructure connections of WLAN components (AP, WLC, access/trunk ports, and LAG)

● Describe AP and WLC management access connections (Telnet, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, console, and TACACS+/RADIUS)

● Configure the components of a wireless LAN access for client  connectivity using GUI only such as WLAN creation, security settings, QoS profiles, and advanced WLAN settings

3. IP Connectivity (25%)

● Interpret the components of the routing table

● Determine how a router makes a forwarding decision by default

● Configure and verify IPv4 and IPv6 static routing

● Configure and verify single area OSPFv2

● Describe the purpose of first-hop redundancy protocol

4. IP Services (10%)

● Configure and verify inside source NAT using static and pools

● Configure and verify NTP operating in a client and server mode

● Explain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network

● Explain the function of SNMP in network operations

● Describe the use of syslog features including facilities and levels

● Configure and verify DHCP client and relay

● Explain the forwarding per-hop behavior (PHB) for QoS such as classification, marking, queuing, congestion, policing, shaping

● Configure network devices for remote access using SSH

● Describe the capabilities and function of TFTP/FTP in the network

5. Security Fundamentals (15%)

● Define key security concepts (threats, vulnerabilities, exploits, and mitigation techniques)

● Describe security program elements (user awareness, training, and physical access control)

● Configure device access control using local passwords

● Describe security password policy elements, such as management, complexity, and password alternatives (multifactor authentication, certificates, and biometrics)

● Describe remote access and site-to-site VPNs

● Configure and verify access control lists

● Configure Layer 2 security features (DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and port security)

● Differentiate authentication, authorization, and accounting concepts

● Describe wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, and WPA3)

● Configure WLAN using WPA2 PSK using the GUI

6. Automation and Programmability (10%)

● Explain how automation impacts network management

● Compare traditional networks with controller-based networking

● Describe controller-based and software-defined architectures (overlay, underlay, and fabric)

● Separation of control plane and data plane

● North-bound and south-bound APIs

● Compare traditional campus device management with Cisco DNA Center-enabled device management

● Describe characteristics of REST-based APIs (CRUD, HTTP verbs, and data encoding)

●Recognize the capabilities of configuration management mechanisms Puppet, Chef, and Ansible

● Interpret JSON-encoded data

CCNA Important Topics - Summing Up

The CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification covers essential topics in IT infrastructure training, providing a solid foundation in networking fundamentals. CCNA Key concepts include the OSI model, IP addressing, basic router, and switch configurations, LAN and WAN concepts, and CCNA basic commands such as show, config t, interface, IP address, and no shutdown.

Mastering these topics is crucial for understanding and troubleshooting network issues, making the CCNA an important stepping stone for aspiring network professionals.