Switching Switches learn MAC addresses from incoming frames and forward based on the MAC address table. VLANs VLANs segment a switch into separate broadcast domains. Assign access ports to VLANs; carry multiple VLANs over 802.1Q trunks. Understand native VLANs and why they should be changed from defaults. Inter-VLAN routing Use a router-on-a-stick with subinterfaces or […]

Routing table Routers choose routes by longest prefix match, then administrative distance, then metric. Static routes Configure default and floating static routes for backup. OSPF A link-state protocol. Know router IDs, neighbour adjacency requirements (matching area, timers, subnet, authentication), DR and BDR election on multi-access networks, cost calculation and single-area configuration. First hop redundancy Protocols […]

DHCP Configure DHCP pools and relay agents for clients on other subnets. NAT Static NAT, dynamic NAT and port address translation for internet access. NTP and logging Synchronise device clocks and send logs to a syslog server with severity levels. DNS, SNMP and QoS basics Understand name resolution, SNMP monitoring and the purpose of classification, […]

Device hardening Use SSH instead of Telnet, local and AAA authentication, strong passwords, login banners and disabled unused services. Access control lists Standard ACLs filter by source; extended ACLs filter by source, destination and port. Order matters; an implicit deny ends every list. Layer 2 security Port security, DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection and disabling […]

Wireless Autonomous, controller-based and cloud-managed architectures; access point modes; channels and interference. Automation Understand controller-based networking, REST APIs, JSON data formats and configuration management tools. Compare traditional device-by-device management with centralised automation. Software-defined networking Separation of control and data planes, underlay and overlay concepts. Exercise Read a JSON output sample from a network API and […]

CCNP Enterprise topics extend CCNA knowledge. Advanced OSPF and EIGRP Multi-area OSPF, LSA types, route summarisation and filtering. EIGRP metrics and feasible successors. BGP Path-vector protocol used between autonomous systems. Know neighbour establishment, attributes such as weight, local preference, AS path and MED, and basic path selection. Enterprise design Hierarchical campus design, fabric architectures, SD-WAN […]

Approach Questions include multiple choice, drag-and-drop and simulations. Know show command outputs well enough to interpret them quickly. Lab practice Hands-on practice in simulators or virtual labs is essential. Build and break networks, then troubleshoot. Study plan Map every official exam topic to a lab, review subnetting daily and use timed practice questions from legitimate […]