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Looking at the list of exam topics at the start of your studies might be a bit intimidating. If you are like I was when I started studying for the CCNA in 2018, you might have heard of an IP address before, but everything else on that list seems like a foreign language. Rest assured that if you follow volumes 1 and 2 of this book from start to end and take your time to understand the concepts, you will be fluent in the language of networking. You won’t be an expert, but you will have the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to take on the CCNA exam and enter the world of network professionals.
I have heard the CCNA described as “a mile wide and an inch deep.” Objectively speaking, that statement is true. The CCNA covers a wide variety of topics related to the field of networking, and as an entry-level certification, it does not dig deep into many nitty-gritty details, especially compared to Cisco’s higher-level certifications like Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). However, do not let this statement make you underestimate the CCNA or think it is trivial. It is often more difficult to wrap your head around a topic for the first time than it is to dig deeper once you already have a grasp of the fundamentals, and the CCNA certainly includes plenty of new topics for an aspiring engineer to understand. The CCNA is also much more comprehensive and challenging than comparable entry-level networking certifications like CompTIA’s Network+.
Although the CCNA is a vendor-specific certification (as opposed to a vendor-neutral certification like Network+), it is the de facto industry standard entry-level certification in the networking industry. In addition to testing your skills at configuring and troubleshooting Cisco routers and switches, the CCNA tests your knowledge of the fundamentals of networking. Modern networks use a variety of standard protocols that apply regardless of which vendor’s device is running them. IP (Internet Protocol) is IP; it does not matter whether it is being used by a Cisco router, an Apple iPhone, or a Windows PC. The CCNA requires a combination of theoretical knowledge of standard protocols, as well as practical application on Cisco devices. That makes it one of the most respected and desired entry-level certifications not just for network professionals but also for IT professionals in genera.
When taking the CCNA exam, questions are randomly selected from a large pool, so no two test-takers will have the exact same experience. This applies to both the types and order of questions, as well as their distribution across the six exam domains. Although the exam topics list is divided into six sections, the exam itself is not. You will receive a set number of questions and have 120 minutes to answer them, managing your time as needed. And here’s an important point: after you answer or skip a question, you can’t go back! Don’t make the mistake of skipping a difficult question with the intention of answering it later—this is not possible.
Exam tip Effective time management is crucial for success on the CCNA exam. Some questions, particularly lab simulations, demand more time than others, so it’s important to allocate sufficient time for these questions. The challenge lies in not knowing the exact number of lab simulation questions or their placement within the exam. For example, if you only have 1 minute left and the final question is a lab simulation, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to finish the question, resulting in lost points. My recommendation is to answer the more straightforward questions confidently and move on—avoid spending excessive time second-guessing yourself. If you don’t know the answer, select one and move on—there is no penalty for guessing.
Cisco keeps the exact contents of the exam and the grading scheme tightly protected, but the general consensus is that the lab simulations are more heavily weighted than the other question types. There’s a study tip: when studying for the CCNA, never skip the lab exercises! Whether the lab simulations on the exam are more heavily weighted or not, hands-on practice is still essential for studyi). If you don’t have a Cisco account yet, you’ll have to make one; just click Sign Up, and make an account. . If you can’t secure a quiet, private location for at least 2 hours, I recommend taking the exam at a test center—any unexpected disturbances (such as another person entering the room) could result in your exam being can to download Packet Tracer for free (click Sign Up if you don’t have a Cisco account). That page also includes links to free courses from Cisco that guide you through how to download, install, and use Packet Tracer.
Although I recommend Packet Tracer, there are certainly downsides to it. Because it doesn’t run actual Cisco IOS but rather a simulated version of it, there are plenty of features and configuration commands that Packet Tracer doesn’t support. Packet Tracer only supports what its developers have programmed into it. That means that there will be some instances where a configuration command I show in this book cannot be used in Packet Tracer. However, Packet Tracer was developed as a tool for CCNA labs, so the vast majority of what we will cover in this book is supported. For studies beyond the CCNA, however, you should look into one of the other two options.
Most CCNA courses include lab exercises with them; they are essential practice. My video course includes lab exercises that will help solidify the concepts you’ve studied and build your networking skills. You can access it for free on YouTube at .
So you’ve got this book, you’ve decided on a video course, and you’ve installed Cisco Packet Tracer on your computer for labs. Now what? While there is no single correct answer for how to approach your studies, the following are a couple of ideas.
One option is to focus exclusively on this book at first. Read a chapter, take notes, try to explain the concepts in your own words, and try out the configurations in Packet Tracer. Then, progress to the next chapter, and repeat the process until you have completed both volumes of this book. After that process, you may very well be ready to take on the CCNA exam, but there’s also a chance that there will be some gaps in your understanding of the concepts. To fill in those gaps, you can then follow the same process with a video course of your choice.
A second option is to use multiple resources at the same time. Study a chapter from this book, and then study the equivalent section of the video course. Do the labs provided in the course, move on to the next chapter of the book, and then repeat the process.
As I mentioned previously, there is no single correct answer. You might have to experiment to find the approach that works best for you. I will emphasize one point, though: don’t forget to do labs! Networking is a skill, and no skill can be developed only by reading a book. You have to get your hands dirty and apply what you’ve learned.
The CCNA is an exam and certification by Cisco Systems. It is the de facto industry standard entry-level networking certification.
The CCNA exam topics are divided into six domains: network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability. Each domain contains various topics and subtopics.
The CCNA exam is 120 minutes in length and consists of a variety of question types: multiple choice, single answer; multiple choice, multiple answers; drag and drop; and lab simulations.
Exam questions are randomly drawn from a large pool. Question types, order, and distribution across the exam domains are random, so each test-taker will have a different experience.
After answering or skipping a question, you can’t go back. Don’t skip a question with the intention of answering it later—this is not possible.
Don’t be afraid to guess if you don’t know the answer to a question on the exam. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
The CCNA exam is administered by Pearson VUE and can be taken at an authorized test center or online.
Enterprises of all sizes use Cisco devices and seek CCNA-certified engineers. The knowledge and skills gained in the CCNA apply to all areas of IT—not just networking.
Study resources (including this book) do not teach the CCNA exam topics in order, from top to bottom. Rather, each instructor teaches the topics in the order they believe to be best. Use the appendix at the back of this book to cross-reference the CCNA exam topics if necessary.
Multiple study resources (book, video, labs) should be used together to solidify what you learn.
Labs can be done with physical hardware, an emulator (such as Cisco Modeling Labs), or a simulator (Cisco Packet Tracer).
Cisco Packet Tracer is the best option for CCNA labs because it is free, easy to set up, and supports most of what is needed for the CCNA.
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