1. Network Fundamentals (20%)

• Networking Concepts
  • Definition and purpose of networking
  • Types of networks: LAN, WAN, MAN, WLAN
  • The role of protocols in networking
• OSI and TCP/IP Models
  • OSI model layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, Application
  • TCP/IP model layers and their functions
• Common Networking Protocols
  • Ethernet, IP (IPv4 and IPv6), TCP, UDP
  • Overview of ARP and ICMP
• Network Devices
  • Functions and roles of routers, switches, firewalls, access points, and bridges
  • Basic operation of network devices

2. IP Connectivity (25%)

• IPv4 and IPv6 Addressing
  • Structure of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses
  • Understanding subnetting and supernetting
• Subnetting and CIDR
  • Subnetting techniques: calculating subnets, subnet masks
  • CIDR notation and summarization
• Routing Concepts
  • Understanding routing and routed protocols
  • Routing tables and their components
  • Default routes and static routing
• Dynamic Routing Protocols
  • Overview of RIPv2, OSPF (single area), and EIGRP
  • Basic configuration and operation of dynamic routing protocols

3. IP Services (10%)

• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
  • DHCP operation: discovery, offer, request, acknowledgment
  • Configuring DHCP on routers
• NAT (Network Address Translation)
  • Types of NAT: static, dynamic, and Port Address Translation (PAT)
  • Configuring NAT on Cisco routers
• DNS (Domain Name System)
  • Understanding DNS functions and types of records (A, AAAA, CNAME)
  • Basic DNS configuration
• Network Time Protocol (NTP)
  • Importance of time synchronization
  • Configuring NTP on Cisco devices

4. Security Fundamentals (15%)

• Network Security Concepts
  • Importance of network security and common threats (malware, phishing, etc.)
  • Security policies and best practices
• Access Control Lists (ACLs)
  • Standard vs. extended ACLs
  • Configuring and applying ACLs on routers and switches
• Device Hardening Techniques
  • Securing device access (passwords, SSH, console access)
  • Implementing security features (port security, BPDU guard)
• VPN Concepts
  • Types of VPNs: Remote access and site-to-site
  • Basic understanding of IPSec and SSL VPNs

5. Automation and Programmability (10%)

• Network Automation Concepts
  • Benefits of network automation
  • Introduction to intent-based networking
• Scripting Basics
  • Overview of Python for network automation
  • Simple scripting examples (CLI automation)
• APIs and Configuration Management Tools
  • Understanding REST APIs
  • Overview of tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef
• Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
  • Introduction to SDN concepts and architectures
  • Benefits and use cases of SDN

6. Network Access (20%)

• VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks)
  • Purpose and benefits of VLANs
  • Configuring VLANs and trunking on switches
• Wireless Networking Concepts
  • Understanding wireless standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax)
  • Wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, WPA3)
• Port Security
  • Implementing port security on switches
  • Understanding sticky MAC addresses
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
  • Purpose of STP in preventing loops
  • Configuring and troubleshooting STP