Studying for CCNA Update...

Studying for CCNA Update

It has been a while since I have written a post about studying for Cisco's CCNA IT certification.

To be honest, progress has been slow.

However, there are reasons for that.

Back in late December 2024, I had just completed the reading the following chapters in the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 1, Second Edition by Wendell Odom, CCIE No. 1624.

• Part One: Introduction to Networking
• Chapter 1: Introduction to TCP/IP Networking
• Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Ethernet LANs
• Chapter 3: Fundamentals of WANs and IP Routing
• Part Two: Implementing Ethernet LANs
• Chapter 4: Using the Command-Line Interface
• Chapter 5: Analyzing Ethernet LAN Switching
• Chapter 6: Configuring Basic Switch Management
• Chapter 7: Configuring and Verifying Switch Interfaces

I also completed the exercises for Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 in Pearson Vue's CCNA Network Simulator training program. Furthermore, I even completed all of the exercises for Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 on Wendell Odom's CCNA Skills Blog. Do you need to use Pearson Vue's CCNA Network Simulator while studying for the CCNA IT certification? No, you don't. However, the CCNA Network Simulator does come with A LOT of guided practice exercises to get you experience using Cisco's IOS command-line interface for configuring switches and routers. In other words, using Pearson Vue's CCNA Network Simulator is completely optional. However, I believe that the money spent on Pearson Vue's CCNA Network Simulator is money well spent.

For CCNA study, Wendell Odom's CCNA Skills Blog is also entirely optional. The CCNA Skills Blog contains a lot of good resources for studying CCNA. Moreover, the CCNA Cert Skills Blog also features Wendell Odom's own CCNA practice exercises. While Pearson Vue's Network Simulator is a simulation, Wendell Odom's networking exercises require you to use Cisco's Packet Tracer program. Unlike the Network Simulator, Wendell Odom's networking exercises are entirely free. Plus, Cisco offers Packet Tracer as a free download from its website. You do have to create an account with Cisco to download Packet Tracer, however. It's irritating, but Packet Tracer is an invaluable program to have in your CCNA study.

What was the problem?

Despite reading the first seven chapters in the textbook and completing all of the exercises, what was the problem?

Since I had recently earned four training badges from Cisco Networking Academy (see previous post here), I was probably feeling a little too high and mighty when it came to basic networking. Thus, when it came to reading Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, I just read through the chapters without taking any notes. I was about to start Chapter 8: Implementing Ethernet Virtual LANs, when I realized that I probably committed a mistake by not taking any notes while reading those four chapters.

Chapter 4 from the CCNA Official Cert Guide

Chapter 5 from the CCNA Official Cert Guide

Chapter 6 from the CCNA Official Cert Guide

Chapter 7 from the CCNA Official Cert Guide

Thus, I made the decision to RE-READ all four chapters and TAKE COPIOUS NOTES. After re-reading each individual chapter, I went back to the Pearson Vue Network Simulator and completed the exercises for each chapter. To be sure, it was A LOT of work and required a lot of extra time. However, it was a necessary review to complete.

Chapter 8 from the CCNA Official Cert Guide

After all of that hard work, I was ready to start reading Chapter 8: Implementing Ethernet Virtual LANs. This time, there would be a difference, however. I would take notes as I read through the chapter. Predictably, taking notes while reading prolonged the amount of time it would have taken to complete the chapter if I had just read it. In the Introduction to the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Wendell Odom mentioned that he tried to write each chapter so that it would take approximately an hour to read. That was an interesting comment, I thought. Whenever I read something technical, I tend to read slowly as I try to absorb all of the information. At over 30 pages, Chapter 8 is one of the longest chapters in the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide. 

Why is Chapter 8 so long? Well, the chapter covers two topics. The first topic concerns what are known as virtual LANs. What is a virtual LAN? A virtual LAN is created when you essentially subdivide a switch into smaller segments. A typical switch has 24 ports. For example, let's say you have a small business with several departments, but you only have several departments, such as accounting, operations, sales, human resources, and so on. To improve security and network efficiency, you decide to group all of the devices used by the accounting department into a specific range of ports. Then, you do the same for all of the other departments. There is a problem. When you create a virtual LAN, the switch recognizes each virtual LAN as a separate network. You can't just send a message from a device on VLAN 1 to another device on VLAN 2 even though you are using the same switch. It just won't work. To send a message to another device on another VLAN on the same switch, you need a router. After all, the VLANs are located on different networks. That's where trunking comes in. Essentially, trunking identifies what VLAN the message is being sent to. Thus, you have to adjust the settings on the switch and the router to enable trunking, which will then allow devices on separate VLANs to send messages to each other. 

Yes, it's A LOT of information to digest as you are taking notes. However, I eventually made it to the end of the chapter. When you take notes while reading, the process makes you concentrate on what you are reading.   

Pearson Vue Network Simulator Chapter 8 Exercises

Now that I have completed reading and taking notes on Chapter 8 in the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, I have been slowly completing all of the Network Simulator exercises for Chapter 8. The Network Simulator contains three types of exercises for Chapter 8. 

• Skill Builders
• Configuration Scenarios
• Troubleshooting Scenarios

So far, I have completed all 13 Skill Builder exercises. I recently completed all three Configuration Scenarios. Now, I just need to complete the remaining four Troubleshooting Scenarios. Once all of the Network Simulator labs are complete, it will then be time to either move on to Chapter 9: Spanning Tree Protocol Concepts or head on over Wendell Odom's CCNA Skills Blog and work my way through his VLAN exercises. 

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?  

Finishing Chapter 7 in the Official Cert Guide for CCNA

Working My Way Through the CCNA Official Cert Guide

A couple of weeks ago, I went ahead and began studying for the Cisco Certified Network Administrator certification. This IT certification is better known by its abbreviation: CCNA. As I mentioned in a previous post on here on my blog, when I worked at the Social Security Administration (SSA) in Woodlawn, MD as a Tier 1 help desk agent, I made an attempt to study for the Network+ certification offered by CompTIA. Due to the sheer volume of information required to know for the certification, I gave up on studying for Network+. I then made an attempt at studying for the CCNA certification. I got as far as either Chapter 9: "Spanning Tree Protocol Concepts" or Chapter 10: "RSTP and EtherChannel Configuration" before stopping. I was having trouble understanding some of the topics in either chapter, so I got bogged down studying. In addition, I went through a period where I got REALLY BUSY with work. It's amazing how that works.

Over the past year, I have been taking online courses via Cisco's Networking Academy. Since I recently completed all four online classes for networking, it seemed like the perfect time to make another attempt to study for (and earn) the CCNA certification from Cisco.

A couple of months ago, I discovered on Cisco's own website that an updated and revised version of the Official Cert Guide for CCNA 200-301 would be published and available for sale in July 2024. Well, the first volume would be available. At the time, the second volume of the Official Cert Guide had been scheduled to be published a month or two after. Even though I was busy working on the online courses at the Cisco Networking Academy, I went ahead and bought the first volume of the new certification guide from Amazon as soon as it was available for purchase.

Since I decided to make another attempt to pass the CCNA certification exam, I quickly made it through Part 1: "Introduction to Networking". Part 1 consists of the following chapters:

• Chapter 1: Introduction to TCP/IP Networking
• Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Ethernet LANs
• Chapter 3: Fundamentals of WANs and IP Routing

To be honest, Part 1: "Introduction to Networking" was a good review of the information covered in the four online networking classes that I had completed.

I then began work on Part 2: "Implementing Ethernet LANs", which consists of the following chapters:

• Chapter 4: Using the Command-Line Interface
• Chapter 5: Analyzing Ethernet LAN Switching
• Chapter 6: Configuring Basic Switch Management
• Chapter 7: Configuring and Verifying Switch Interfaces

I then made short work reading chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7. Like the chapters in Part 1: "Introduction to Networking", chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 were another good review. However, using the Cisco IOS to configure different aspects of a network switch is like riding a bike to a certain degree. Part of my plan for studying for the CCNA certification is to use Network Simulator software offered by Pearson Vue. The objective of the Network Simulator tool is to give you experience using Cisco IOS by giving you exercises to work on after reading the corresponding chapter in the Official CCNA Cert Guide. Just know that the Network Simulator tool doesn't have exercises for every chapter in the Official CCNA Cert Guide. It just depends on whether the chapter in the Official CCNA Cert Guide covers new commands for the Cisco IOS.

On the night of December 11, 2024, I completed the exercises in Pearson Vue's Network Simulator tool for Chapter 7: "Configuring and Verifying Interfaces". Surprisingly, there were only three exercises for the chapter.

Before moving on to Part 3: "Implementing VLANs and STP", there are some things that I probably should do first.

In no particular order, here are some things that I should do:

• Go back and complete the "Do I Know This Already?" quizzes for chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7. The questions are probably very similar to the questions on the official CCNA certification exam. As a result, the more practice I can get with these types of questions, the better.
• Go to Wendell Odom's Cert Skills blog and work my way through the exercises for chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7. These exercises are similar to the Cisco IOS exercises found on Pearson Vue's Network Simulator. The difference is that Wendell Odom doesn't prompt you or guide you through the exercise. Instead, he gives you the network setup and tells you the changes that need to be made. It's up to you to try to figure out what commands that you need to enter into the Cisco IOS command prompt to complete the exercise. Wendell Odom does give you the answers. The nice thing about the Cisco IOS exercises available on the Cert Skills blog is that the exercises are free. While the exercises were conceived with using just a pen and a piece of paper, you can complete the exercises using Cisco's Packet Tracer application, which is available for free.

Screenshot of Wendell Odom's Cert Skills blog.

• Create my own User's Guide to the Cisco IOS. That means going through chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 creating my own tables of all of the Cisco IOS commands. There are also step-by-step instructions on how to configure passwords, for example. Once complete, I can then print out all of the tables and step-by-step guides and then put them into a notebook. Then, it's just a matter of adding additional tables and step-by-step guides as I complete subsequent chapters in the Official CCNA Cert Guide.

Cisco IOS User Guide on Google Docs.

UPDATE: Over the past week or so, I have been steadily creating my own Cisco IOS user guide over on Google Docs. I created my versions of the tables found in the first seven chapters of the <b>Official CCNA Cert Guide</b>. I am planning on adding to this document as I progress through the book.  

• Go back through chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 and write down notes for all of the key topics that MIGHT be on the certification exam. So far, I have written down notes for chapter 4. Since I have completed those four online networking classes from the Cisco Networking Academy, this is largely just another review.
• Create my own simple networks using Cisco Packet Tracer and then configure all of the devices. The nice thing about this option is that Cisco Packet Tracer is F-R-E-E to download and use. Here on my blog, I wrote a post about other options available, such as Cisco Modeling Labs or GNS3, if you don't want to use Cisco Packet Tracer.

Cisco Packet Tracer exercise. 

Lastly, is it really necessary to buy your own hardware to study for CCNA? That is, do you need to buy a router, a couple of switches, some Ethernet cable, and a networking cabinet? Not really. If you have the money and space, you most certainly can. Based on my own research, a hardware kit for CCNA study can easily cost several hundreds of dollars, depending on the options you choose. However, it's not necessary to buy all of that equipment. I have a friend and former co-worker at SocialSecurity who earned the CCNA certification by just using Packet Tracer. The main advantage of buying your own CCNA hardware kit is that you gain tactile experience using and configuring hardware. Cisco Packet Tracer was designed for study when hardware is not available or affordable. Besides, the Cisco IOS used on Packet Tracer is largely the same (for the most part) as the Cisco IOS used by actual switches and routers.

Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks

Module 2: Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks

OK. I F-I-N-A-L-L-Y made it through "Module 1: Network Support" to "Module 2: Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks" in the Network Support and Security online class available from the Cisco Networking Academy.

Boy, was it a LONG slog. However, "Module 1: Network Support" is complete. I scored a 93% on the 15 question end-of-module exam. I am now moving on to the next module in the class.

Module 2: Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks

Here are the Topic Titles and Topic Objectives for Module 2. 

Topic Title	Topic Objective
Common Threats	Explain the threats, vulnerabilities, and attacks that occur in the various domains.
Deception	Describe the different deception methods used by attackers to deceive their victims.
Cyber Attacks	Describe common types of network attacks.
Wireless and Mobile Device Attacks	Describe common types of wireless and mobile device attacks.
Application Attacks	Describe types of application attacks.

Cisco CyberOps Associate

After "Module 2: Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks", Module 3 covers the topic of network security. As a result, the last two modules of the Network Support and Security online class will have a cybersecurity emphasis.

I recently bought a copy of official study guide for the Cisco CyberOps Associate (CBROPS 200-201) book published by Cisco Press over on Amazon.com. Thus, it will be interesting to see how much of an overlap there is between the online course and Cisco's entry-level cybersecurity certification.

Textbook for Cisco CyberOps Associate

Recently, I have considered putting aside studying for CCNA and focusing on the Cisco CyberOps Associate certification instead. After all, the Cisco CyberOps Associate certification only has one textbook compared to the two volumes needed to study for CCNA. Furthermore, I have a lot of regret about not earning my Security+ certification from CompTIA. After I earned my A+ certification, I should have just started studying for the Security+ certification in order to get me out of working at the Tier 1 IT help desk at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Earning that Security+ certification would have allowed me to work in the Security Operations Center (SOC) for SSA as a cybersecurity analyst. Instead of doing that, I got bogged down studying for the Network+ certification, which is CompTIA's version of CCNA. Why did I start studying for Network+ after A+? Well, the conventional wisdom is to study for Network+ after earning the A+ certification. After earning the Network+ certification, people will then typically study for Security+. The certification model is computer (A+) then network (Network+) then security (Security+). After figuratively banging my head against a brick wall while studying for Network+, I gave up and then started to study for CCNA instead. In hindsight, I should have skipped over networking altogether and focused exclusively on cybersecurity. That said, in order to defend networks from cyberattacks, it does kind of help to know how networks operate and do what they do.

Do I have regrets?

You better believe it.

Possible Change of Mission

Once I finish the Network Support and Security online course, I just MIGHT put aside studying for CCNA and focus on studying for the CyberOps Associate certification instead.The reason? The main reason is that I NEED an IT certification to put on my resume AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

On the other hand, I just might be able to land an entry-level data center technician job somewhere in the Phoenix area with these badges I have earned from completing the online courses in networking from the Cisco Networking Academy.

We will just have to see what happens next.

PuTTY, WireShark, and NMAP

PuTTY, Wireshark, and NMAP

This will be a post about the following IT applications: PuTTY, Wireshark, and NMAP.

As I am working my way through "Module 1: Network Support" in the Network Support and Security online class available at the Cisco Networking Academy, I became reacquainted with the IT applications Wireshark and NMAP. Since I recently wrote about it, I also became reacquainted with the IT application PuTTY.

What is PuTTY?

Due to my recent post about my first IT job, I recently downloaded a copy of the PuTTY application onto my Dell laptop. What does PuTTY do and what is it used for? Here is a good description:

PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console and network file transfer application. It supports several network protocols, including SCP, SSH, Telnet, rlogin, and raw socket connection. It can also connect to a serial port. The name "PuTTY" has no official meaning.

In so many words, with PuTTY running on your computer (laptop or desktop), you can connect to a switch, a router, or a host and make changes to the configuration.

With PuTTY, you can connect to a host, a router, or a switch using a computer protocol called Telnet. It's not recommended that you use Telnet, however. Telnet does not encrypt user names and passwords. As a result, if someone was monitoring your activity with a packet sniffer, such as Wireshark (see below), he or she would be able to determine your logon credentials. Telnet dates from the 1970s and 1980s when computer security had a low priority since users were U.S. government employees.

As a result of this flaw with Telnet, it is highly recommended that you use a computer protocol known as Secure Shell, or SSH. SSH will encrypt your logon user name and password, making it rather difficult for potentially malignant actors to eavesdrop on your data.

Is there a reason for using PuTTY at home? Well, the main draw with an application like PuTTY is that it is an open-source application that is independent of any software or hardware vendor. Unless you have your own collection of servers and routers at home, such as for studying for Cisco's CCNA certification, you might find that PuTTY is of limited use.

That said, there could be instances where you could use PuTTY at home. This might be a subject worth pursuing at some point.

I am slowly making my way through the Network Support and Security online course from the Cisco Networking Academy. In Section 1.5 "Troubleshoot a Network", there are a couple of hands-on labs that utilize both Wireshark and NMAP.

Screenshot of PuTTY interface.

What is Wireshark?

What is NMAP?

I just downloaded and installed NMAP onto my computer. I cannot wait to try it out.

Screenshot of NMAP using the command prompt option.

Screenshot of NMAP's graphical user interface (GUI) known as Zenmap.

More to follow.

UPDATE: I'm going to have to re-write this post. 

New Cisco Networking Academy Class...

New Cisco Networking Academy Class

This week, I dropped the AI Fundamentals with IBM SkillsBuild online class at the Cisco Networking Academy.

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with IBM SkillsBuild 

I completed the first module, "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence". It was interesting to learn about what artificial intelligence is and what it is not. It was also interesting to learn about the history of artificial intelligence and its different categories. It was also interesting to learn about the different techniques on how machine learning solves problems. As you progress through the class, you eventually work with IBM Watson AI to run a couple of simulations. It's all fascinating. Moreover, while AI may be the latest IT buzzword, AI isn't going away anytime soon. Thus, it's important to learn what it is and what it can do. My understanding is that the newest version of the Official Cert Guide for CCNA from Cisco Press will have a chapter about using AI in regards to networking.

However, since I have one last online course to complete all of the networking courses from Cisco Networking Academy, I made the decision to stop the AI Fundamentals with IBM SkillsBuild online class. Despite my newly found interest in the subject, the course itself is a distraction from my goal of completing the online courses for networking. I will come back and complete the course at a later date.

As a result, I went ahead and started the Network Support and Security online class instead.

Network Support and Security Online Course

While the Network Support and Security online class may only have three training modules, each individual module is quite lengthy.

Here are the three modules:

• Network Support
• Cybersecurity Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks
• Network Security

Plus, as I mentioned in a previous post, I have a long list of online courses at the Cisco Networking Academy that I want to complete.

Time to get studying!!!

Cisco Troubleshooting Methods...

Cisco Troubleshooting Methods and Techniques

This week, I started "Module 7: Troubleshoot Common Network Problems" in the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting online course from the Cisco Networking Academy.

Section 7.1 The Troubleshooting Process

Module Objective: Troubleshoot basic network connectivity issues.

Topic Title	Topic Objective
The Troubleshooting Process	Describe some of the approaches used to troubleshoot networks.
Physical Layer Problems	Describe the process of detecting physical layer problems.
Troubleshoot Wireless Issues	Troubleshoot a wirless network problem.
Common Internet Connectivity Issues	Explain common internet connectivity problems.
Customer Support	Explain how to use outside sources and internet resources for troubleshooting.

There will be more content added to this post as I work my way through the module.

Making and Testing My Own Ethernet Cables (UPDATED)...

Making and Testing my Own Ethernet Cables

Previously on my blog, I have written a couple of posts about making my own Ethernet cables. To get caught up, you can read here, here, and here.

Recently, I bought a LAN Explorer Cable Tester with Remote made by Klein Tools at a Home Depot in Peoria, AZ. After already buying 100 feet of CAT 5e Ethernet cable, a box of RJ-45 connectors, and a Ratcheting Modular Crimper/Stripper/Cutter, also made by Klein Tools. Buying the cable tester was the final piece of the puzzle for making my own Ethernet cables.

LAN Explorer Cable Tester by Klein Tools

Making Straight-Through and Crossover Cables

I made two different types of Ethernet cable. I made a straight-through cable and a crossover cable. Unfortunately, I didn't label or mark either cable.

The first step I did was cut a three-foot length of Ethernet cable, using the cutter feature of the Ratcheting Modular Crimper/Stripper/Cutter.

Step #1: Cutting a length of Cat 5e Ethernet cable

The second step I did was strip approximately 2 inches of the outer gray jacket from the Ethernet cable, using the stripper feature of the Ratcheting Modular Crimper/Stripper/Cutter.

Step #2: Stripping two inches from the outer jacket

For the third step, I then separated the cables by color (green with green-white, orange with orange-white, blue with blue-white, and brown with brown-white). I then unwrapped the cables and attempted to smooth them out.

Step #3: Separating the cables by color

I then aligned the cables by color, following the cabling pinout standards for T-568A (straight-through) and T-568B (crossover) for both ends of the Ethernet cable.

T-568A and T-568B Pinouts

Putting the cables into the correct order

For the fourth step, it can be really difficult to keep the cables in the correct order. The cables will want to move out of order no matter how flat you make them. Once I had the cables in the correct order, either T-568A or T-568B, then trimmed the cables down to approximately one-half inch in length.

Step #4: Trimming the cables

For the fifth step, you will then want to insert the cables into an RJ-45 connector. After you insert the cables into the RJ-45 connector, you want to make sure that the cables touch the correct contact. You might also have to trim the cables to the correct length. Lastly, make sure that the cables are of a length so that the grey outer layer of the cable goes into the RJ-45 connector.

The sixth step involves inserting the RJ-45 connector into the crimper feature of the Ratcheting Modular Crimper/Stripper/Cutter. Once you do that, you are then ready to squeeze down on the RJ-45 connector. Don't squeeze too hard, however. You will have a difficult time releasing the crimper. You can then remove the RJ-45 connector from the crimper. You have now created an Ethernet cable to either the T-568A or T-568B cabling standard.

Step #6: Crimping the Ethernet cable

Using the Cable Tester

Now, you can use the cable tester to check you work.

Let's see how my Ethernet cables turned out.

I then connected both ends of the Ethernet cable to the RJ-45 jacks on the cable tester. I then pressed the Test button on the cable tester.

For the first Ethernet cable that I tested, I received an OPEN fault indicator. According to the product literature, an OPEN fault indicator will illuminate "if one or more of the conductor wires on the near end are not terminated properly on the far end, or if any of the near-end contact pins are not properly terminated".

Cable Tester Result: OPEN Fault

For the second Ethernet cable that I created, I received a different result from the cable tester. This time, the RJ-45 light under PASS illuminated. In addition, under Fault, I received a MISWIRE fault indicator light. According to the product literature, the MISWIRE light will illuminate "if the cable is not wired to one of the cabling standards or if the conductor wire order on the near end do not match the conductor wire order on the opposite end", e.g., Pin 1 on the near end is wired to Pin 2 on the far end.

Cable Tester Result: RJ-45 PASS, MISWIRE Fault

In Conclusion

While the results from the cable tester are disappointing, the results were expected. Like anything else, making your own Ethernet cables takes practice to get it right. Is it important to know how to make your own Ethernet cables? Of course, it is. You just might find yourself in a situation where you are out of Ethernet cables of a certain length, so you need to make your own. Of course, you might have to make your own Ethernet cable due to an emergency. However, according to recent online networking course I took at the Cisco Networking Academy, making your own straight-through or crossover cables will soon be a thing of the past as newer networking equipment no longer requires the creation of either cable type. Technology has made straight-through and crossover cables redundant.

Another Interesting Graphic from Cisco Networking Academy

Networking Career Path Graphic

Here is another interesting graphic from the Cisco Networking Academy.

This time, the graphic relates to Cisco networking certifications and job roles.

The graphic showed up both in my LinkedIn feed and in my Twitter feed over at @CRyanczak.

Basically, the graphic is trying to give you an idea on how to plan your future career in networking, using certifications and training provided by Cisco.

Cisco Networking Career Path

The graphic is divided into three sections:

• Entry-Level
• Associate-Level
• Professional-Level

Entry-Level

The Entry-Level section consists of what Cisco is calling "Networking Essentials (Version 3.0)". "Networking Essentials" consists of four online courses available from Cisco Networking Academy. The online courses are the following:

• Networking Basics
• Networking Devices and Initial Configuration
• Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting
• Network Support and Security

Apparently, these four courses are available as instructor-led courses. That's interesting as I have always assumed that these four courses were only available online. If you want to more information on how to attend these four courses in-person as opposed to online learning, then I suggest that you search around the Cisco Community website. Completing the four "Networking Essentials" online classes is supposed to put you on what Cisco terms the Network Technician Career Path. According to Cisco, these four classes provide a basic technical and theoretical foundation to qualify you for a Network Technician job role (see graphic). Whether these four online classes provide you with enough knowledge to get a network technician job remains to be seen. Thus far, I have completed both the "Networking Basics" and "Networking Devices and Initial Configuration" online classes. Right now, I have recently started "Module 6: Cisco Switches and Routers" in the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting online course. After I complete the fourth online course, Network Support and Security, I am planning on starting to apply for Network Technican job openings in my area and see what happens. Of course, I will post updates right here on my blog as I apply for these jobs. Apparently, there are quite a few data center-related jobs in the Maricopa County area. Hopefully, I will be able to secure a network technician job somewhere in the Glendale-Peoria-Phoenix area.

Furthermore, Cisco maintains that completing the four "Networking Essentials" online courses will prepare you for Cisco's revamped certification for Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) in Networking. A few years ago, I remember when Cisco removed the CCST from its list of certifications. When the CCST certification was withdrawn, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification became the entry-level Cisco certification. Well, the CCST certification is now officially back. The question is will I even bother to pay the $120 testing fee for the certification exam? That is a good question. If you had asked me that question a few months ago, I would have answered in the affirmative. Now, I am not so sure.

As I have worked my way through the four online classes, my opinion on the value of the CCST certification has changed. In the amount of time that I have spent on these "entry-level" classes, I could have just started studying for CCNA back from square one. In other words, I spent A LOT of TIME and EFFORT on these "entry-level" classes, such as taking copious notes in several notebooks, watching all of the training videos, and completing the Packet Tracer exercises. As a result, there has to be some kind of payoff for that kind of effort.

On the other hand, I can say that I have learned A LOT about how computer networking works. If I have to complete another module about the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), then I think that my head will explode. As a result of these online classes, I am a better user of the Packet Tracer software program than I was when I attempted to study for CCNA a couple of years ago.

Getting back to the career progression graphic, I hope to complete the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting online course within the next week or so. Once that online course is complete, I will then start the Network Support and Security online course. It is the shortest course of the four.

ADDED BONUS: While these four online classes may be classified as "entry-level", they BLOW AWAY anything offered by CompTIA for their Network+ certification. Believe me, I wasn't a very happy person when I tried to study for the Network+ certification. I still don't know how CompTIA considers the Network+ certification to be an "entry-level" certification, but that's for another blog post at another time.

Associate-Level

Moving on to the Associate-Level section of the career progression graphic...

Predictably, the centerpiece certification of the Associate-Level section is the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Surprised? Shocked?

There are two major ways to study for the CCNA certification. First, you can attend an instructor-led course. Cisco breaks up the CCNA certification into three courses. In sequential order, the classes are:

1. CCNA: Introduction to Networks
2. CCNA: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials
3. CCNA: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation

So, you how do you attend an instructor-led course for these three CCNA classes? The easiest way would be go to Cisco's webpage and then search for instructor-led training in your area. There might be Cisco-authorized providers in your area that specialize in providing training for IT certifications, such as CCNA, A+, Network+, Security+, Microsoft Azure, and so on. You might also find that there is a community college in your area that offers classes that might prepare you for taking the CCNA certification exam. When I make another effort to study for CCNA, I will go through Cisco's website with a fine-tooth comb to find a provider that offers the three training classes for CCNA. Just know going in that the tuition for these three classes is EXPENSIVE. I could be wrong, but I think I remember seeing a $739 price tag from a provider in the Phoenix, AZ area for the CCNA: Introduction to Networks class. Aside from the cost of tuition, you might have to wait weeks or months to attend an instructor-led class at an authornized provider.

Don't want to attend an instructor-led class at a Cisco-authorized provider? Well, Cisco offers these classes online. Again, you will have to pay money to enroll in the CCNA online classes. Cisco doesn't offer these classes for free.

Believe it or not, there is a third option for studying for CCNA. It's self-study. You can purchase the official CCNA certification guides online from Amazon, from Cisco Press, or from a local bookstore. You can then download Cisco Packet Tracer for free from Cisco's webpage. The Cisco webpage has a ton of FREE resources for studying for CCNA. Probably too many. There is a caveat to self-study, however. The caveat is that you have to be very self-disciplined to study for CCNA on your own. It can be a daunting task to study for CCNA by yourself. I tried studying for CCNA by myself a couple of years ago. Once I got to the chapters that covered VLANs and the Spanning Tree Protocol after studying for a couple of months, I got OVERWHELMED. It was a humbling experience. Plus, it didn't help that I always seemed to be busy with work. When I study for CCNA again, I will seriously consider attending an instructor-led course(s).

According to Cisco, once you pass the CCNA certification exam, you are qualified to become a Network Engineer job role.

Congratulations.

Alternatively, according to Cisco's career progression graphic, you can go the DevNet Associate route after completing the CCNA: Introduction to Networks class. Once you pass the Cisco Certified DevNet Associate certification, you are then qualified to be a DevOps Engineer. What is a DevOps Engineer? I couldn't tell you. In my six years working at the Social Security Administration's Tier 1 IT help desk, I never met anyone that had that certification or wanted to study for that certification.

Here is what Cisco has to say about the DevNet Associate certification from their own website: "Achieving Cisco Certified DevNet Associate certification proves your skills in developing and maintaining applications built on Cisco platforms." The DevNet certification covers "the fundamentals of software development and design for Cisco platforms." That description could explain why I haven't met anyone that pursuing that Cisco certification.

Expert-Level

The third section of the career progression chart is labelled as Expert-level.

I have to admit that I don't know much about the CCNP certification. To be honest, the CCNP is not even on my radar.

Here is how Cisco describes the CCNP certification on their own website:

Achieving CCNP Enterprise certification proves your skills with enterprise networking solutions. To earn CCNP Enterprise certification, you pass two exams: one that covers core enterprise technologies and one concentration exam of your choice, so you can customize your certification to your technical area of focus. Candidates must pass the required exams to earn the certification. Having an active Specialist certification does not fulfill the exam requirements for Professional- and Expert-level certifications.

Thus, to achieve the CCNP certification, you must pass the certification exam for 350-401 ENCOR: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies. Then, you must pass the certification exam for one of the following concentrations:

• 300-410 ENARSI: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services
• 300-415 ENSDWI: Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions
• 300-420 ENSLD: Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks
• 300-425 ENWLSD: Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks
• 300-430 ENWLSI: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks
• 300-435 ENAUTO: Automating Cisco Enterprise Solutions
• 300-440 ENCC: Designing and Implementing Cloud Connectivity
• 300-445 ENNA: Designing and Implementing Enterprise Network Assurance

So, if you achieve the CCNP certification, what can you do with it?

Well, according to Cisco, the CCNP certification trains you to be a... (Wait for it.) Network Administrator.

Finally, if you haven't had enough of studying for CCNA and CCNP, you can then study for the CCIE certification. You can read about the CCIE certification here.

Restarting the Pearson CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator...

Restarting the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator

Last night, I re-acquainted myself with the Pearson CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator.

Pearson CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator

When I started studying for the CCNA certification a couple of years ago, I went ahead and bought a copy of the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator. The CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide from Cisco Press came with a demonstration copy of the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator on an included DVD. The author of the Official Cert Guide, Wendell Odom, recommended trying out the Network Simulator.

After trying out the sample exercises on my Dell laptop, I was impressed enough with the product to download my own copy from Pearson's website.

Creating Your Own Computer Networks

As you study for the CCNA certification, you will eventually want to try to make your own computer network diagram, also called a logical topology diagram, consisting of switches, routers, desktop computers, laptop computers, cell phones, printers, and so on. In addition, you will also want to try using Cisco's command line interface (CLI) program, known as the Cisco IOS, to configure all of those switches, routers, desktop and laptop computers, cell phones, and printers for your computer network. The Cisco IOS looks and feels quite similar to the Command Prompt for Windows. Creating your own logical topology diagram and then properly configuring every device on the diagram are both very important skills to know how to do.

Fortunately, there are several computer programs available that will assist you with both tasks. Just know that there are things to know about each program.

CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator

The CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator from Pearson Vue, the program that I recently re-started using, is probably the program to get if you want experience with using the Cisco IOS. Beginning with Chapter 4 of the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, you get several exercises per chapter that focus on using the Cisco IOS to accomplish various tasks. For the most part, the exercises guide you step-by-step until completion. The idea is to get the user comfortable using the Cisco IOS. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of commands for the Cisco IOS, so you might as well just jump in headfirst. With each succeeding chapter from the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, the exercises get a little longer and a little more complex. One thing that the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator does not do is let you create your own logical topology diagrams. The program does have logical topology diagrams; however, the diagrams are to illustrate what the network looks like. You cannot make any changes to the diagram. The main focus of the Network Simulator, based on my experience, is getting comfortable using the Cisco IOS. I highly recommend buying a copy of the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator, which will cost you approximately $100 to download from Pearson Vue.

Pearson Vue's CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator

Cisco Packet Tracer

You can also use Cisco's Packet Tracer program. Cisco Packet Tracer will let you create your own logical topology diagrams with Cisco-approved icons. With Cisco Packet Tracer, you don't have to use the Cisco IOS to configure devices. Cisco Packet Tracer will let you click on radio buttons and/or manually enter items like IPv4 or IPv6 addresses or default gateways without entering into the Cisco IOS. You can pick and choose what icons you want to have on your diagram and then choose how to connect the devices with the click of a mouse. However, if you want to manually configure a device in the Cisco IOS, you can do that to. In fact, if you configure a device without using the Cisco IOS, Cisco Packet Tracer will automatically generate the appropriate commands in the Cisco IOS. I kid you not. The idea of Cisco Packet Tracer is to replicate the experience of having phyiscal networking equipment on a computer without having to buy networking equipment. Cisco Packet Tracer was designed for users with ZERO netowrking experience. In case you didn't know, many of those home networking kits that you can buy on the internet from vendors can be quite expensive depending on the equipment and the options you want. Best of all, Cisco Packet Tracer is F-R-E-E from Cisco. Yes, Cisco doesn't charge a penny for Cisco Packet Tracer. However, you do have to register with Cisco Networking Academy to download the program. With all of the great things that Cisco Packet Tracer does, do you need to buy your own home networking equipment to experiment with? No, you don't. I have a friend who passed the CCNA certification exam by only using Cisco Packet Tracer. On the other hand, if you can afford to buy a home networking kit, then more power to you. Buying a home networking kit consisting of a router, a couple of switches, and so on is an interesting idea. Perhaps I will write about this topic in another post. Another possible downside to Cisco Packet Tracer could be that if you already have networking experience, you might find Cisco Packet Tracer to be on the simple side of things.

Cisco Packet Tracer Screenshot

Cisco Modeling Labs

In addition to Cisco Packet Tracer, Cisco also offers Cisco Modeling Labs. From what I can tell, Cisco Modeling Labs is a more advanced version of Cisco Packet Tracer. Cisco Modeling Labs apparently gives the user more options and greater flexibility in creating networks than what is offered by Cisco Packet Tracer. I have got to admit, the user interface for Cisco Modeling Labs looks pretty slick. There is a downside to Cisco Modeling Labs, however. The downside is that Cisco Modeling Labs is not free. A one-year license for personal use will cost you around $199. Still, that's cheaper than buying your own networking equipment. I have never met anyone who has used Cisco Modeling Labs, so I don't know if the application is worth the money. When the time comes to kick Cisco Packet Tracer to the curb, I might give Cisco Modeling Labs a try.

Cisco Modeling Labs Screenshot

The GNS3 Option

Don't want to use the CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator, Cisco Packet Tracer, or Cisco Modeling Labs? Well, GNS3 just might be the networking application you have been looking for. From what I can tell, GNS3 will let you create complex networking topologies with the best of them. It also helps that the graphics definitely catch the eye in a way that Cisco Packet Tracer doesn't. According to the documentation, GNS3 is free and open source. Not only that, GNS3 will provide you with all kinds of options that are not provided by Cisco Packet Tracer. There is an important caveat to mention about GNS3 before you might consider using it. GNS3 does not use the Cisco IOS. If you want to use the Cisco IOS, or any other vendor's CLI, with GNS3, you will have to install Cisco IOS into GNS3. That means either getting a license to use Cisco IOS or copying it from another device. On their website, there is a proclamation that GNS3 is "by network pros for network pros". That statement is a good indicator that GNS3 might not be the best program to use if you are brand new to networking. I see that GNS3 is used by at least 20 high profile organizations for network planning and testing. As a result, you might want to wait until you get some networking experience under your belt before downloading GNS3 onto your laptop. Did I write that GNS3 looks really cool?

GNS3 Networking Diagram

In Conclusion

For now, I will be using both Cisco Packet Tracer and Pearson Vue's CCNA 200-301 Network Simulator for studying for CCNA. At some point, I would like to try out Cisco Modeling Labs.

Module 4: IPv6 Addressing...

Starting New Course Module

Yesterday, I F-I-N-A-L-L-Y started "Module 4: IPv6 Addressing" in the Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting Course from the Cisco Networking Academy.

Module 4: IPv6 Addressing

The first three modules in the online course ("Physical Layer", "Data-Link Layer", and "Routing at the Network Layer") took longer than anticipated to complete.

I am far behind where I want to be in terms of completing this online course.

What is IPv6?

In its simplest form, Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the new method for assigning addresses to hosts on a computer network. IPv6 was designed to eventually replace Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), which is/was the most popular method for assigning addresses to hosts on a computer network. IPv4 is starting to lose its usage dominance to IPv6 due to a variety of factors. The main reason why IPv6 is being adopted widely is that we are running out of unique IPv4 addresses to use. Why are we running out of IPv4 addresses to use? Well, for computer netowrks to operate properly, each host on the network needs its own unique IP address IOT communicate with other hosts on the network. Due to the explosion of desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, printers, switches, routers, cell phones, tablets, wearable technology, and the Internet of Things, the pool of available IPv4 addresses has been nearly exhausted. As a result, IPv6 was created to solve the issue of IPv4 address exhaustion. In addition, IPv6 was designed to be more flexible than the rigid structure of IPv4. Thus, IPv6 is in many ways radically different from IPv4, yet IPv6 serves the same purpose. Plus, like everything in IT, the technology changes. When technology changes, there is usually greater flexibility and more options available.

Here are two examples of an IPv4 address:

• 192.168.1.5
• 185.107.80.231

Here are two examples of an IPv6 address:

• 2001:0000:9d38:6ab8:1c48:3a1c:a95a:b1c2
• 0123:4567:89ab:cdef:0123:4567:89ab:cdef

See the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses?

Here is a good chart that shows the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that just happened to show up on my LinkedIn feed recently.

Differences between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses

Anyway, the time to start implementing IPv6 is now.

The time to start learning how to use IPv6 is now.

Like I wrote earlier, the purpose/function of IPv6 is the same as IPv4. However, it is quite different from IPv4 in many ways.

Just know that there is A LOT of information out there on the internet that covers the differences between IPv4 and IPv6. I kid you not. I just might even make my own contribution to about information about IPv6 on the internet. I haven't decided.

That said, I STILL need to read Chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14 on IPv4 Addressing in the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide. I keep putting it off. Well, guess what? That needs to change. I need to sit down and work through those four chapters as IPv4 won't be going away any time soon.

To be honest, when I originally studied for the CCNA certification from Cisco, I got bogged down in the chapters for Part III: Implementing VLANs and STP. Therefore, I never made it to Part IV: IPv4 Addressing.

I will have to work on rectifying that as soon as possible.

New CCNA Certification Guides...

New CCNA Certification Guides

Well, it's official. Cisco Press will be publishing new official certification guides for CCNA 200-301.

I first learned about the new certification guides on my Twitter/X feed.

This was bound to happen as the current versions of the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide were published in 2020.

According to Cisco Press, the new version of the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide will be published on July 22, 2024.

As per usual in an update like this, there will be changes in the certification guide because technology is always changing.

I don't think that there will be anything too radical about the material in the new certification guides. I don't think Ethernet cables are going away anytime soon.

Apparently, there will be a section in the textbooks that will cover artificial intelligence (A.I.) simply for the fact that A.I. is all the rage.

One change will involve making the PDF/ePub versions the preferred version of the certification guides. Cisco Press will still publish and sell both volumes of the certification guides in hardcover, however. I suppose the idea is that the authors (Wendell Odom, David Hucaby, and Jason Gooley) can provide embedded links for additional learning material in the electronic versions that they cannot provide in the hardcover versions. Let's face it, there are things you can do with PDF files that you cannot do with the printed page.

Moreover, the new version of the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide will contain 12 separate exams that feature 1,300 questions. In addition, there will be practice certification exams that you can take using a timer as practice for the official certification exam.

There's bound to be additional changes, improvements, and new features in the new certification guides. I'm sure that more information will be revealed as we get closer to publication date.

Here is a link to Wendell Odom's Certskills website/blog for more information about the new certification guides.

You can also check out Wendell Odom's Twitter/X feed here as weall.

My Current Progress

Right now, I am working my way through the "Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting" online class over at the Cisco Networking Academy website. I have just started the training module about IPv6.

In hindsight, when I started taking the free online courses in networking from the Cisco Networking Academy, I probably would have been better off ditching the online courses and restart studying for the CCNA certification exam from square one. On the other hand, I have learned quite a bit about networking since I have started working my way through the online courses. There are trade-offs to be sure. The idea I had was to complete these online courses from Cisco as a way to get my foot in the door for a new IT job.

However, the impending publication of the new certification guides will not stop me from reading my current copies of the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide. That's for sure.

My personal copy of the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide