Analysis of the Exam

The CCNA exam is one of the hardest written exams created by Cisco. The reason is that the objectives are so broad and cover such a large area of internetworking. To pass the CCNA, you really have to be prepared.

Ability Tested

The CCNA exam certifies that the successful candidate has important knowledge and skills necessary to select, connect to, configure, and troubleshoot the various Cisco networking devices. CCNA-certified professionals can install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for small networks (100 nodes or fewer).

To meet the CCNA certification skill level, you must be able to understand or do the following:

• Install, configure, and operate simple-routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched Virtual LAN (VLAN) networks.

• Understand and be able to configure IP, IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF, serial interfaces, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, Ethernet, and access lists.

• Install and/or configure a network.

• Optimize WAN through Internet-access solutions that reduce bandwidth and WAN costs, using features such as filtering with access lists.

The following list gives the objectives found on Cisco's website for the CCNA 640-801 exam:

• Planning & Designing

  • Design a simple LAN using Cisco Technology

  • Design an IP addressing scheme to meet design requirements

  • Select an appropriate routing protocol based on user requirements

  • Design a simple internetwork using Cisco technology

  • Develop an access list to meet user specifications

  • Choose WAN services to meet customer requirements

• Implementation & Operation

  • Configure routing protocols given user requirements

  • Configure IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateway addresses on routers and hosts

  • Configure a router for additional administrative functionality

  • Configure a switch with VLANS and inter-switch communication

  • Implement a LAN

  • Customize a switch configuration to meet specified network requirements

  • Manage system image and device configuration files

  • Perform an initial configuration on a router

  • Perform an initial configuration on a switch

  • Implement access lists

  • Implement simple WAN protocols

• Troubleshooting

  • Utilize the OSI model as a guide for systematic network troubleshooting

  • Perform LAN and VLAN troubleshooting

  • Troubleshoot routing protocols

  • Troubleshoot IP addressing and host configuration

  • Troubleshoot a device as part of a working network

  • Troubleshoot an access list

  • Perform simple WAN troubleshooting

• Technology

  • Describe network communications using layered models

  • Describe the Spanning Tree process

  • Compare and contrast key characteristics of LAN environments

  • Evaluate the characteristics of routing protocols

  • Evaluate TCP/IP communication process and its associated protocols

  • Describe the components of network devices

  • Evaluate rules for packet control

  • Evaluate key characteristics of WANs