Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
1 Network Fundamentals
1-1 Explain the role and function of network components
1-2 Describe characteristics of network topology architectures
1-3 Compare physical interface and cabling types
1-4 Identify interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, mismatch protocols)
1-5 Compare TCP to UDP
1-6 Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting
1-7 Describe the need for private IPv4 addressing
1-8 Configure and verify IPv6 addressing and prefix
1-9 Compare IPv6 address types
1-10 Describe IPv6 address autoconfiguration
1-11 Verify IP parameters for Client OS (Windows, Linux, Mac OS)
1-12 Describe wireless principles (SSID, BSS, ESS)
1-13 Describe virtualization fundamentals (hypervisor)
1-14 Describe switching concepts
2 Network Access
2-1 Configure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches
2-2 Configure and verify interswitch connectivity (trunking, DTP, VTP)
2-3 Configure and verify Layer 2 discovery protocols (CDP, LLDP)
2-4 Configure and verify (Layer 2Layer 3) EtherChannel (LACP)
2-5 Describe the need for and basic operations of Rapid PVST+ Spanning Tree Protocol
2-6 Compare Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP modes
2-7 Describe physical infrastructure connections of WLAN components (AP, WLC, accesstrunk ports, and LAG)
2-8 Describe AP and WLC management access connections (Telnet, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, console, and TACACS+RADIUS)
2-9 Configure the components of a wireless LAN access for client connectivity using GUI only
3 IP Connectivity
3-1 Interpret the components of routing table
3-2 Determine how a router makes a forwarding decision by default
3-3 Configure and verify IPv4 and IPv6 static routing
3-4 Configure and verify single area OSPF
3-5 Describe the purpose of first hop redundancy protocols
4 IP Services
4-1 Configure and verify inside source NAT using static and pools
4-2 Configure and verify NTP operating in a client and server mode
4-3 Explain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network
4-4 Explain the function of SNMP in network operations
4-5 Describe the use of syslog features including facilities and levels
4-6 Configure and verify DHCP client and relay
4-7 Explain the forwarding per-hop behavior (PHB) for QoS such as classification, marking, queuing, and congestion
4-8 Configure network devices for remote access using SSH
4-9 Describe the capabilities and function of TFTPFTP in the network
5 Security Fundamentals
5-1 Define key security concepts (threats, vulnerabilities, exploits, and mitigation techniques)
5-2 Describe security program elements (user awareness, training, and physical access control)
5-3 Configure and verify device access control using local passwords
5-4 Describe security password policies elements, such as management, complexity, and password alternatives (multifactor authentication, certificates, and biometrics)
5-5 Configure and verify access control lists (ACLs)
5-6 Configure and verify Layer 2 security features (DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and port security)
5-7 Configure and verify IPv6 access control lists (ACLs)
5-8 Describe wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, and WPA3)
5-9 Configure and verify wireless security settings
5-10 Describe the components of a comprehensive security policy (acceptable use policy, password, updates, and patches)
6 Automation and Programmability
6-1 Explain how automation impacts network management
6-2 Compare traditional networks with controller-based networking
6-3 Describe controller-based and software defined architectures (overlay, underlay, and fabric)
6-4 Compare traditional campus device management with Cisco DNA Center enabled device management
6-5 Describe characteristics of REST-based APIs (CRUD, HTTP verbs, and data encoding)
6-6 Recognize the capabilities of configuration management mechanisms Puppet, Chef, and Ansible
6-7 Interpret JSON encoded data
6-8 Identify the appropriate Automation and Programmability solution for a given scenario
Virtualization Fundamentals (Hypervisor)

Virtualization Fundamentals (Hypervisor)

Virtualization is a technology that allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical machine. This is made possible by a software layer called a hypervisor, which enables the sharing of the physical machine's resources among the virtual machines.

Key Concepts

Virtual Machine (VM)

A virtual machine is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. Each VM runs its own operating system and applications, as if it were a separate physical machine. VMs are isolated from each other, ensuring that issues in one VM do not affect others.

Example: A server hosting multiple websites can run each website on a separate VM, ensuring that a crash in one website does not bring down the entire server.

Hypervisor

A hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine monitor (VMM), is the software that creates and manages virtual machines. It allocates the physical machine's resources (CPU, memory, storage, etc.) to the VMs and ensures that they operate independently and securely.

Example: VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V are examples of hypervisors that manage multiple VMs on a single physical server.

Type 1 Hypervisor

A Type 1 hypervisor, also known as a bare-metal hypervisor, runs directly on the physical hardware. It manages the VMs without the need for a host operating system, making it more efficient and secure.

Example: VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V are Type 1 hypervisors commonly used in data centers and enterprise environments.

Type 2 Hypervisor

A Type 2 hypervisor, also known as a hosted hypervisor, runs on top of a host operating system. It relies on the host OS for resource management, which can introduce some performance overhead.

Example: VMware Workstation and Oracle VirtualBox are Type 2 hypervisors often used for desktop virtualization and development purposes.

Virtualization Benefits

Virtualization offers several benefits, including:

Example: A company can use virtualization to consolidate multiple physical servers into a single powerful server, reducing hardware costs and simplifying management.