Training and Certification

Candidates who pass the exam will receive a CCNA certificate from Cisco. This quality qualification will put a weight on your resume which will certainly be noticed by prospective employers.

Preparing for the CCNA certification requires candidates to study about the following topics:

• Describe how a network works
• Configure, verify and troubleshoot a switch with VLANs and interswitch communications
• Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP Services to meet network requirements in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network
• Configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic router operation and routing on Cisco devices
• Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN
• Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats
• Implement, verify, and troubleshoot NAT and ACLs in a medium-size Enterprise branch office network
• Implement and verify WAN links

I suggest the following CCNA Training which covers the full range of topics that you will be tested. The above training claims that you will pass CCNA Guaranteed.

Benefits of CCNA

Cisco certification rewards the efforts of candidates: A validation of your technical expertise increases your professional credibility. In particular, the CCNA skills acquired for SOHO or medium networks reveal an extremely valuable qualification for companies whose networks have fewer than 100 nodes.

 The holder of a CCNA is able to do the following:

• Installation and configuration of Cisco switches and routers in multiprotocol environments, using LAN and WAN interfaces. 
• Troubleshooting Operations at Level 1 
• Improve security and network performance.

The holder of a CCNA can occupy the following positions:

• Engineer at Hotline 
• Onsite Technician  
• System Engineer Level 1 
• System Integrator Level 1

This article will cover a few points that you will be tested for the CCNA regarding the configuration of basic Cisco IOS router operation. IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is the software operating system running on most Cisco network devices, including switches and routers. To configure any Cisco network device you need to master the Cisco IOS Configuration Commands and use the Command Line Interface (CLI) to configure and troubleshoot a Cisco device.

How to connect to a Router in order to Configure it:

You can connect to a Cisco IOS Router either directly or remotely. For the first time when the device is not configured yet, you usually connect directly with a console cable via the CON port or remotely by dialing into a model connected to the AUX port. These are called “out-of-band” connection methods. After you configure the router and assign IP addresses to its interfaces, you can connect to the router from the network with an “in-band” connection method using Telnet or SSH.

Router Configuration Modes

After connecting to a Cisco Router (let’s say using a console), you are presented with the Command Line Interface in which you type and enter configuration commands. After typing a command, you press enter and the command is automatically active on the device. For example using the “shutdown” command on an interface, automatically disables the interface. Now, there are two Router Configuration Modes (or access modes):

• User EXEC Mode: Allows the administrator to access only limited monitoring commands. You can not actually make any configurations from this mode. The command prompt on this mode is “router>”
• Privileged EXEC Mode: Allows the administrator to access all device commands, such as those used for configuration and management, and can be password protected to allow only authorized users to access the device at this “full-access” level. This mode is also called enable mode because you get to it with the enable command. The command prompt on this mode is “router#”. From the privileged EXEC mode you can start configuring the device by typing “configure terminal“

Router Memory Types

A Cisco router has four memory types:

• ROM: This is where the POST script of the router is located. The POST software (Power On Self Test) is used during startup to perform the initial hardware checking of the device. The ROM also holds a mini-IOS used for password recovery.
• RAM: This is where the running configuration is located. After the device boots up, the IOS software is loaded into RAM. Also, RAM holds routing tables, network parameters during operation etc. When configuring the router, we actually change the running-configuration which as we said is stored into RAM
• NVRAM: When we save the running-configuration (using the command “write“) it is stored into the NVRAM and becomes the startup-configuration. After rebooting the router, the startup-configuration is loaded from the NVRAM.
• Flash: This is like the hard-disk of a PC. It holds the IOS software image file and any backup configurations that you might save from time to time.

When you issue the “show running-configuration” command on the router you instruct the device to display the current running configuration in RAM. When you issue the “show startup-configuration” command you instruct the router to display the stored configuration in the NVRAM.

The Transport Layer resides between Application and Network layers and has the critical role of providing communication services directly to the application processes running on different hosts. As message data arrives from an Application Layer to the Transport Layer, the latter places a header on the data in order to identify from which application the data was received. This Transport Layer header contains a Source Port Number and a Destination Port Number. The Port Numbers identify the application from which the data was received or is destined to. Read more on port numbers later in this article.

Another role of the Transport Layer is to provide reliable communication and flow control. The two most well known protocols that work in the Transport Layer are TCP and UDP. TCP is a connection-oriented reliable protocol that uses flow control mechanisms and acknowledged data delivery to offer reliable communication. UDP on the other hand is a connectionless and unacknowledged protocol.

Now, the Network Layer (IP layer 3), which is below the Transport Layer and is responsible to route packets between hosts, does not offer reliability for data delivery. That is why we use TCP on top of IP (hence the TCP/IP suite) in order to provide reliable and error free data flow communication.

As we mentioned above, the Transport Layer uses Port Numbers to differentiate between various applications that might need communication services. You should be ready to get questions in the CCNA exam regarding port numbers and their association with different applications. You should know that port numbers below 1024 are reserved for several well-known applications. Some examples are shown below:

FTP (TCP Port 21)
Telnet (TCP port 23)
SMTP email (TCP port 25)
POP3 email (TCP port 110)
DNS (TCP or UDP port 53)
TFTP (UDP port 69)
SNMP (UDP port 161)
RIP (UDP port 520)

You need to learn the mapping between the basic port numbers with their respective application for your CCNA exam. The above port examples are very important.

Cisco is one of the leader companies offering professional certifications, which are highly recognized in the industry as excellent qualifications for an employee. Earning a Cisco certification means that you have a good grasp of the technology and most importantly you are competent to design and implement Cisco solutions and products. The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNA) certification is the entry level qualification and is very popular among junior engineers. To pass CCNA you need a high quality training and dedication towards your goal.

There are several training options available for CCNA preparation, such as self-study via books, instructor based training (boot camp style), video training, simulation exams etc. From my own experience when studying for my Cisco exams, and also from discussions with other certified colleagues, one of the best ways to study for CCNA is using a CCNA Video Training package. Especially when you combine a video training package with exam practice questions, you will have a complete preparation method for passing your exam. A video training package includes DVD quality videos with a real instructor teaching the course and guiding you through the exam objectives to help you pass.

The two best companies offering CCNA Video Training packages are Trainsignal and CBT Nuggets. Both training companies offer top-quality material and are very popular among technology professionals since they offer a wide range of vendor trainings (Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, VMWare etc). Especially for CCNA certification, the video training product from these two companies is an excellent choice. The two instructors (Chris Bryant for Trainsignal training and Jeremy Cioara for CBT Nuggets training) are highly experienced teachers who will help you tremendously to learn the CCNA material. Go ahead and check out those two training options and I’m sure you will not get disappointed. I have prepared also a comparison table between Trainsignal Vs CBT Nuggets for getting a better idea of the two training packages for CCNA.

You’ll not only need to have the right study materials, but also the right mind set in order to complete the certification. When you start with a plan, and then add consistent daily effort to that plan, well then your path will be that much easier. As you’ll realize, time is precious and goes by at light speed, so use yours wisely.

First off you need to set aside specific times each day for your studies. If you have a family, or another full time job, then your time is that much more valuable, and you have to use it accordingly. When planning your study schedule you need to set aside two or three hour continuous segments each day.

It’s always a good idea to keep cue cards with your study notes on them for easy reference anytime you have a spare ten or fifteen minutes. But this is not going to be enough study time to if you want to pass your CCNA certification. You need to have large enough uninterrupted time to really focus and concentrate, especially when doing the lab work that is required.

After you sort out your plan of action, time management, mind set etc as described above, the next step is to use the proper study resources and training material that will help you to pass CCNA. The book resources from Cisco Press are a good starting point for learning the theory required in the CCNA exam. However, book resources alone would not be enough for most people, especially for those who don’t have the required practical experience with Cisco networking equipment. In addition to reading the books, I would suggest also to use a CCNA Video Training resource to get visual examples and “instructor-like” training on a self-paced mode which will help you tremendously.

The CCNA Training Packages described below will help you for both ccna exam options (either the combined CCNA 640-802 exam or the two-exam option with 640-822 plus 640-816).

Check out the training companies by yourself:

TrainSignal

CBT Nuggets

Your study efforts for earning any Cisco Certification should include three elements:

1. Learning the theory behind the specific certification technology.
2. Getting practical hands on training for Cisco devices configuration.
3. Solving many practice questions related to the specific certification.

If you include the three elements above in your study efforts then you will have no problems in passing any Cisco exam. Parts 1 and 3 (i.e learning the theory and solving practice questions) can be carried out using books and other training resources. Part 2 can be obtained with practical experience at your workplace, with buying Cisco equipment for practicing (expensive option) or with software simulators. If you want to get all three study elements in a complete package then you will either need to enroll in a class-based instructor-led training (very expensive) or buy an inexpensive Cisco Online Training package (there are excellent Cisco Online Training packages for around $60-$70). These cisco online training packages are interactive courses which will teach you the theory for the specific certification, simulations will show you how to do things, question and answer sessions help you remember what you learned etc. Plus you study on your own pace, starting and stopping the online course anytime you want. I think for a measly $60-$70 for a complete cisco training course it’s an excellent price.

Many people ask me what is the best way to prepare for their CCNA Certification Exam. My answer is that everything depends on the individual. However, there are some training methods and resources that might be better and more helpful than others. Whatever training you choose to follow, the most important factor for passing the CCNA 640 802 exam is determination and consistency with your studies. Other than that, you need also some study guidance for the best resources available. You can find that below.

Many people are already working in the Network field either as Administrators or maybe assistants to the network administrator. If these professionals decide to obtain a CCNA certification, they already have a huge advantage for passing the exam. Their advantage is “Hands-On Experience” with actual Cisco equipment (routers, switches) and with actual network protocols that they use in their networks. Since the CCNA 640 802 exam will test candidates for knowledge of practical skills (commands, configurations, network scenarios etc), the professionals that are already working with Cisco equipment will know those topics pretty well. For those people I would suggest to just read the official Cisco Press CCNA preparation book and then solve many practice questions (total preparation duration for 1 month approximately). This study method would be enough in my opinion for passing the exam.

Now, the majority of candidates preparing for the CCNA have no experience in networking at all. For these individuals I definitely suggest to buy a professional training package. If you fall in this category, then don’t look for free training resources as they will not help you at all. If you have a LOT of money ($3-4K) and time, then go ahead and register with a classroom/instructor based training. This kind of training is usually a 5-day intensive course that will give you the best preparation for passing the exam. Usually, after the training course you will need 2-3 more weeks to study again all the material you received in the class in order to be fully ready.

The second option (and the best in my opinion) is to buy a professional CCNA Computer Based Training (CCNA CBT) package. This kind of training is usually in the form of Videos, with a real instructor teaching the material and showing you on the Video important aspects about the exam and practical examples. These Video DVDs are also bundled with extra PDF instructor nodes, exam practice questions, or even MP3 Audio and iPod Video for studying “On-the-Go”. The leader in CCNA Preparation is the Giant in IT Training, Trainsignal.com. Their Cisco CCNA Training package is the best value for money. It is a COMPLETE training package (Videos, PDF Instructor Nodes, iPod and MP3 Audio training, Exam Practice Questions etc), so you will not need anything else to prepare. I have actually used Trainsignal when I was preparing for my CCNP certification and have passed all of my exams easily, just by studying with the Trainsignal Video Training. Give it a try if you are serious about passing your CCNA 640-802 exam.

Most people know that the professional training packages are the best, so they search for pirated free download copies over peer-to-peer, rapidshare and torrent networks. In addition that you can get sued for piracy and copyright infringements, you run also the risk of getting infected with malware, Trojans, botnet agents etc from those pirated copies.

My advice for you is to invest in your professional career, and the first step is to invest some money in a trusted professional training, rather than trying to download pirated copies. Especially for the CCNA exam, which is the foundation of Cisco Networking, you should invest in a proven training that will offer you the required solid base knowledge for your further Cisco certification and career development. Trainsignal is the leader in Cisco CCNA Video Training, offering an excellent CCNA Computer Based Training (CCNA CBT) package that will help you to pass your exam guaranteed. Instead of running the risk to download free pirated copies of CCNA training, just buy the official Trainsignal CCNA Video Package. Its value is multiple times bigger than the price you will pay for it. After obtaining your CCNA, you will pay back the price for Traisignal in a few days!! Download your CCNA Video Training with 90-days Total Experience Guarantee.

Router Password Types:

Passwords are the first line of defense for securing Cisco Routers. A Password must be configured for the Virtual Terminal Lines (VTY lines) and for the Console port. A Cisco router supports 5 VTY lines (numbered 0 to 4) which are used for accessing the router using Telnet over the network.

There are five password types that can be configured on a Cisco Router:

• Privileged Level Passwords
  • Enable Password (not encrypted)
  • Enable Secret Password (encrypted password)
• Console Line Password
• VTY Lines Password
• Auxiliary (AUX) Line Password

Configuring Passwords:

Configuring Privileged Level Passwords:

! Configure non-encrypted password (avoid this type)
Router(config)# enable password somepassword

! Configure encrypted password (recommended)
Router(config)# enable secret strongpassword

Configuring Console Line Password:

Router(config)# line console 0
Router(config-line)# password somepassword
Router(config-line)# login

Configuring Auxiliary Line Password:

Router(config)# line aux 0
Router(config-line)# password somepassword
Router(config-line)# login

Configuring VTY Line (Telnet) Password:

Router(config)# line vty 0 4
Router(config-line)# password somepassword
Router(config-line)# login

Encrypting Passwords:

By default, only the enable secret password is encrypted. In order to encrypt the other password types, you need to enable the “password encryption” service globally on the router as following:

Router# configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

Router(config)# service password-encryption