Network Fundamentals
Explain the role and function of network components
Routers
L2 and L3 switches
Next-generation firewalls and IPS
Access points
Controllers (Cisco DNA Center and WLC)
Endpoints
Servers
Describe characteristics of network topology architectures
2 tier
3 tier
Spine-leaf
WAN
Small office/home office (SOHO)
On-premises and cloud
Compare physical interface and cabling types
Single-mode fiber, multimode fiber, copper
Connections (Ethernet shared media and point-to-point)
Concepts of PoE
Identify interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, mismatch duplex, and/or speed)
Compare TCP to UDP
Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting
Describe the need for private IPv4 addressing
Configure and verify IPv6 addressing and prefix
Compare IPv6 address types
Global unicast
Unique local
Link local
Anycast
Multicast
Modified EUI 64
Verify IP parameters for Client OS (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
Describe wireless principles
Nonoverlapping Wi-Fi channels
SSID
RF
Encryption
Explain virtualization fundamentals (virtual machines)
Describe switching concepts
MAC learning and aging
Frame switching
Frame flooding
MAC address table

Network Access
Configure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches
Access ports (data and voice)
Default VLAN
Connectivity
Configure and verify interswitch connectivity
Trunk ports
802.1Q
Native VLAN
Configure and verify Layer 2 discovery protocols (Cisco Discovery Protocol and LLDP)
Configure and verify (Layer 2/Layer 3) EtherChannel (LACP)
Describe the need for and basic operations of Rapid PVST+ Spanning Tree Protocol and identify basic operations
Root port, root bridge (primary/secondary), and other port names
Port states (forwarding/blocking)
PortFast benefits
Compare Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP modes
Describe physical infrastructure connections of WLAN components (AP, WLC, access/trunk ports, and LAG)
Describe AP and WLC management access connections (Telnet, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, console, and TACACS+/RADIUS)
Configure the components of a wireless LAN access for client connectivity using GUI only such as WLAN creation, security settings, QoS profiles, and advanced WLAN settings

IP Connectivity
Interpret the components of routing table
Routing protocol code
Prefix
Network mask
Next hop
Administrative distance
Metric
Gateway of last resort
Determine how a router makes a forwarding decision by default
Longest match
Administrative distance
Routing protocol metric
Configure and verify IPv4 and IPv6 static routing
Default route
Network route
Host route
Floating static
Configure and verify single area OSPFv2
Neighbor adjacencies
Point-to-point
Broadcast (DR/BDR selection)
Router ID
Describe the purpose of first hop redundancy protocol

IP Services
Configure and verify inside source NAT using static and pools
Configure and verify NTP operating in a client and server mode
Explain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network
Explain the function of SNMP in network operations
Describe the use of syslog features including facilities and levels
Configure and verify DHCP client and relay
Explain the forwarding per-hop behavior (PHB) for QoS such as classification, marking, queuing, congestion, policing, shaping
Configure network devices for remote access using SSH
Describe the capabilities and function of TFTP/FTP in the network

Security Fundamentals
Define key security concepts (threats, vulnerabilities, exploits, and mitigation techniques)
Describe security program elements (user awareness, training, and physical access control)
Configure device access control using local passwords
Describe security password policies elements, such as management, complexity, and password alternatives (multifactor authentication, certificates, and biometrics)
Describe remote access and site-to-site VPNs
Configure and verify access control lists
Configure Layer 2 security features (DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and port security)
Differentiate authentication, authorization, and accounting concepts
Describe wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, and WPA3)
Configure WLAN using WPA2 PSK using the GUI

Automation and Programmability
Explain how automation impacts network management
Compare traditional networks with controller-based networking
Describe controller-based and software defined architectures (overlay, underlay, and fabric)
Separation of control plane and data plane
North-bound and south-bound APIs
Compare traditional campus device management with Cisco DNA Center enabled device management
Describe characteristics of REST-based APIs (CRUD, HTTP verbs, and data encoding)
Recognize the capabilities of configuration management mechanisms Puppet, Chef, and Ansible
Interpret JSON encoded data