CCNA 1 v7 | CCNA 200-301

Welcome to Introduction to Networks v7.0 (ITN)

Welcome to the first course of the Cisco Networking Academy CCNAv7 curriculum, Introduction to Networks (ITN). This is the first of three courses that are aligned to the CCNA Certification Exam. ITN contains 17 modules, each with a series of topics.

In Introduction to Networks, you will gain a basic understanding of the way networks operate. You will learn about network components and their functions, as well as how a network is structured, and the architectures used to create networks, including the internet.

But ITN is about more than learning networking concepts. By the end of this course, you will be able to build local area networks (LANs), configure basic settings on routers and switches, and implement internet protocol (IP).

In ITN, every concept that you learn and skill that you develop will be used in the rest of the CCNA curriculum. Now is the time to supercharge your networking career and let Cisco Networking Academy help you to reach your goal!

COURSE CONTENT CCNA 1 200-301

Module 1 Networking Today | CCNA 1 v7

• Module Title: Networking Today
• Module Objective: Explain the advances in modern network technologies.

Welcome to Networking Today!

Congratulations! This module starts you on your path to a successful career in Information Technology by giving you a foundational understanding of the creation, operation, and maintenance of networks. As a bonus, you get to dive into networking simulations using Packet Tracer. We promise you will really enjoy it!

Content:

Module 2 Basic Switch and End Device Configuration | CCNA 1 v7

• Module Title: Basic Switch and End Device Configuration
• Module Objective: Implement initial settings including passwords, IP addressing, and default gateway parameters on a network switch and end devices.

Welcome to Basic Switch and End Device Configuration!

As part of your career in networking, you might have to set up a new network or maintain and upgrade an existing one. In either case, you’ll configure switches and end devices so that they are secure and perform effectively based on your requirements.

Out of the box, switches and end devices come with some general configuration. But for your particular network, switches and end devices require your specific information and instructions. In this module, you will learn how to access Cisco IOS network devices. You will learn basic configuration commands and use them to configure and verify a Cisco IOS device and an end device with an IP address.

Of course, there is much more to network administration, but none of that can happen without first configuring switches and end devices. Let’s get started!

Content:

Module 3 Protocols and Models | CCNA 1 v7

• Module Title: Protocols and Models
• Module Objective: Explain how network protocols enable devices to access local and remote network resources.

Welcome to Protocols and Models!

You know the basic components of a simple network, as well as initial configuration. But after you have configured and connected these components, how do you know they will work together? Protocols! Protocols are sets of agreed upon rules that have been created by standards organizations. But, because you cannot pick up a rule and look closely at it, how do you truly understand why there is such a rule and what it is supposed to do? Models! Models give you a way to visualize the rules and their place in your network. This module gives you an overview of network protocols and models. You are about to have a much deeper understanding of how networks actually work!

Content:

Module 4 Physical Layer | CCNA 1 v7

• Module Title: Physical Layer
• Module Objective: Explain how physical layer protocols, services, and network media support communications across data networks.

Welcome to Physical Layer!

The physical layer of the OSI model sits at the bottom of the stack. It is part of the Network Access layer of the TCP/IP model. Without the physical layer, you would not have a network. This module explains, in detail, the three ways to connect to the physical layer. Packet Tracer activities and labs will give you the confidence you need to cable up your own network! Let’s get busy!

Content:

Module  5 Number Systems | CCNA 1 v7

• Module Title: Number Systems
• Module Objective: Calculate numbers between decimal, binary, and hexadecimal systems.

Welcome to Number Systems!

Guess what? This is a 32-bit IPv4 address of a computer in a network: 11000000.10101000.00001010.00001010. It is shown in binary. This is the IPv4 address for the same computer in dotted decimal: 192.168.10.10. Which one would you rather work with? IPv6 addresses are 128 bits! To make these addresses more manageable, IPv6 uses a hexadecimal system of 0-9 and the letters A-F.

As a network administrator you must know how to convert binary addresses into dotted decimal and dotted decimal addresses into binary. You will also need to know how to convert dotted decimal into hexadecimal and vice versa. (Hint: You still need your binary conversion skills to make this work.)

Surprisingly, it is not that hard when you learn a few tricks. This module contains an activity called the Binary Game which will really help you get started. So, why wait?

Content:

Module 6 Data Link Layer | CCNA 1 v7

• Module Title: Data Link Layer
• Module Objective: Explain how media access control in the data link layer supports communication across networks.

Welcome to Data Link Layer!

Every network has physical components and media connecting the components. Different types of media need different information about the data in order to accept it and move it across the physical network. Think of it this way: A well-hit golf ball moves through the air fast and far. It can also move through water but not as fast or as far unless it is helped by a more forceful hit. This is because the golf ball is traveling through a different medium; water instead of air.

Data must have help to move it across different media. The data link layer provides this help. As you might have guessed, this help differs based on a number of factors. This module gives you an overview of these factors, how they affect data, and the protocols designed to ensure successful delivery. Let’s get started!

Module 7 Ethernet Switching | CCNA 1 v7

• Module Title: Ethernet Switching
• Module Objective: Explain how Ethernet operates in a switched network.

Welcome to Ethernet Switching!

If you are planning to become a network administrator or a network architect, you will definitely need to know about Ethernet and Ethernet switching. The two most prominent LAN technologies in use today are Ethernet and WLAN. Ethernet supports bandwidths of up to 100 Gbps, which explains its popularity. This module contains a lab using Wireshark in which you can look at Ethernet frames and another lab where you view network device MAC addresses. There are also some instructional videos to help you better understand Ethernet. By the time you have finished this module, you too could create a switched network that uses Ethernet!

Module 8 Network Layer | CCNA 1 v7

• Module Title: Network Layer
• Module Objective: Explain how routers use network layer protocols and services to enable end-to-end connectivity.

Welcome to Network Layer!

By now you may have noticed that the modules in this course are progressing from the bottom up through the OSI model layers. At the network layer of the OSI model, we introduce you to communication protocols and routing protocols. Say you want to send an email to a friend who lives in another city, or even another country. This person is not on the same network as you. A simple switched network cannot get your message any further than the end of your own network. You need some help to keep this message moving along the path to your friend’s end device. To send an email (a video, or a file, etc.) to anyone who is not on your local network, you must have access to routers. To access routers, you must use network layer protocols. To help you visualize these processes, this module contains two Wireshark activities. Enjoy!

Module 9 Address Resolution | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: Address Resolution

Module Objective: Explain how ARP and ND enable communication on a network.

Welcome to Address Resolution!

Hosts and routers both create routing tables to ensure that they can send and receive data across networks. So how does this information get created in a routing table? As a network administrator, you could enter these MAC and IP addresses manually. But that would take a lot of time and the likelihood of making a few mistakes is great. Are you thinking that there must be some way that this could be done automatically, by the hosts and routers themselves? Of course, you are correct! And even though it is automatic, you must still understand how this works, because you may have to troubleshoot a problem, or worse, your network could be attacked by a threat actor. Are you ready to learn about address resolution? This module has several very good videos to help explain the concepts, as well as three Packet Tracer activities to cement your understanding. Why wait?

Module 10 Basic Router Configuration | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: Basic Router Configuration

Module Objective: Implement initial settings on a router and end devices.

Welcome to Basic Router Configuration!

Have you ever run a relay? The first person runs the first leg of the race and hands off the baton to the next runner, who continues forward in the second leg of the race and hands off the baton to the third runner, and on it goes. Routing packets is very similar to a relay. But if the first runner does not know where to find the second runner, or drops the baton in the first leg, then that relay team will most certainly lose the race.

Routing packets is very similar to a relay. As you know, routing tables are created and used by routers to forward packets from their local networks on to other networks. But a router cannot create a routing table or forward any packets until it has been configured. If you plan to become a network administrator you definitely must know how to do this. The good news? It is easy! This module has Syntax Checker activities so that you can practice your configuration commands and see the output. There are also some Packet Tracer activities to get you started. Let’s go!

Module 11 IPv4 Addressing | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: IPv4 Addressing

Module Objective: Calculate an IPv4 subnetting scheme to efficiently segment your network.

Welcome to IPv4 Addressing!

Currently, there are still plenty of networks using IPv4 addressing, even as the organizations which use them are making the transition to IPv6. So it is still very important for network administrators to know everything they can about IPv4 addressing. This module covers the fundamental aspects of IPv4 addressing in detail. It includes how to segment a network into subnets and how to create a variable-length subnet mask (VLSM) as part of an overall IPv4 addressing scheme. Subnetting is like cutting a pie into smaller and smaller pieces. Subnetting may seem overwhelming at first, but we show you some tricks to help you along the way. This module includes several videos, activities to help you practice subnetting, Packet Tracers and a lab. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be on your way to network administration!

Module 12 IPv6 Addressing | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: IPv6 Addressing

Module Objective: Implement an IPv6 addressing scheme.

Welcome to IPv6 Addressing!

It is a great time to be (or become) a network administrator! Why? Because in many networks, you will find both IPv4 and IPv6 working together. After the hard work of learning to subnet an IPv4 network, you may find that subnetting an IPv6 network is much easier. You probably didn’t expect that, did you? A Packet Tracer at the end of this module will give you the opportunity to subnet an IPv6 network. Go ahead, jump in!

Module 13 ICMP | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: ICMP

Module Objective: Use various tools to test network connectivity.

Welcome to ICMP!

Imagine that you have an intricate model train set. Your tracks and trains are all connected and powered up and ready to go. You throw the switch. The train goes halfway around the track and stops. You know right away that the problem is most likely located where the train has stopped, so you look there first. It is not as easy to visualize this with a network. Fortunately, there are tools to help you locate problem areas in your network, AND they work with both IPv4 and IPv6 networks! You will be happy to know that this module has a couple Packet Tracer activities to help you practice using these tools, so let’s get testing!

Module 14 Transport Layer | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: Transport Layer

Module Objective: Compare the operations of transport layer protocols in supporting end-to-end communication.

Welcome to Transport Layer!

The transport layer is where, as the name implies, data is transported from one host to another. This is where your network really gets moving! The transport layer uses two protocols: TCP and UDP. Think of TCP as getting a registered letter in the mail. You have to sign for it before the mail carrier will let you have it. This slows down the process a bit, but the sender knows for certain that you received the letter and when you received it. UDP is more like a regular, stamped letter. It arrives in your mailbox and, if it does, it is probably intended for you, but it might actually be for someone else who does not live there. Also, it may not arrive in your mailbox at all. The sender cannot be sure you received it. Nevertheless, there are times when UDP, like a stamped letter, is the protocol that is needed. This topic dives into how TCP and UDP work in the transport layer. Later in this module there are several videos to help you understand these processes.

Module 15 Application Layer | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: Application Layer

Module Objective: Explain the operation of application layer protocols in providing support to end-user applications.

Welcome to Application Layer!

As you have learned, the transport layer is where data actually gets moved from one host to another. But before that can take place, there are a lot of details that have to be determined so that this data transport happens correctly. This is why there is an application layer in both the OSI and the TCP/IP models. As an example, before there was streaming video over the internet, we had to watch home movies in a variety of other ways. Imagine that you videotaped some of your child’s soccer game. Your parents, in another city, only have a video cassette player. You have to copy your video from your camera onto the right type of video cassette to send to them. Your brother has a DVD player, so you transfer your video to a DVD to send to him. This is what the application layer is all about, making sure that your data is in a format that the receiving device can use. Let’s dive in!

Module 16 Network Security Fundamentals | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: Network Security Fundamentals

Module Objective: Configure switches and routers with device hardening features to enhance security.

Welcome to Network Security Fundamentals!

You may have already set up a network, or you may be getting ready to do just that. Here is something to think about. Setting up a network without securing it is like opening all the doors and windows to your home and then going on vacation. Anyone could come by, gain entry, steal or break items, or just make a mess. As you have seen on the news, it is possible to break into any network! As a network administrator, it is part of your job to make it difficult for threat actors to gain access to your network. This module gives you an overview of types of network attacks and what you can do to reduce a threat actor’s chances of succeeding. It also has Packet Tracer activities to let you practice some basic techniques for network security. If you have a network, but it is not as secure as possible, then you will want to read this module right now!

Module 17 Build a Small Network | CCNA 1 v7

Module Title: Build a Small Network

Module Objective: Implement a network design for a small network to include a router, a switch, and end devices.

Welcome to Build a Small Network!

Hooray! You have come to the final module in the Introduction to Networks v7.0 course. You have most of the foundational knowledge needed to set up your own network. Where do you go from here? You build a network, of course. And not only do you build one, you verify that it is working, and even troubleshoot some common network problems. This module has labs and Packet Tracer activities to help you practice your new skills as a network administrator. Let’s get going!