CCNA 640-801 Certification PrimerSeema Kannan Author, Whizlabs CCNA 640-801 Exam Simulator January 12, 2004
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification is meant for career enhancement as well as gaining knowledge of
LAN/WAN technologies currently available for implementation. Hence, CCNA Certification can be obtained by IT professionals who have been a part of industry for a considerable time and are interested in furthering their career in terms of role enhancement and salary. Individuals who are beginning their career and want to move towards LAN/WAN management may also pursue certification, as it is a basic level certification and there are no prerequisites. Details About CCNA Certification
The CCNA Certification is an ideal foundation in field of networking. CCNA Certification equips professionals with skills to select, install, configure, troubleshoot, and operate LAN/WAN, and dial access services for small networks. CCNA Certification also equips professionals with knowledge to employ access lists and use of protocols such as IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP, and basics of Ethernet Technology, purpose and use of Access Lists.
Pre Requisites: Nil
The CCNA exam has no pre requisites. The aspirant should be comfortable with basic concepts of LAN for his/her own convenient approach to exam.
CCNA Exams
CCNA Exam Options Single Exam Option 640-801 CCNA: Introduction to Cisco Networking Technologies and Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices OR Multiple Exams option 1. 641-821 INTRO Beta: Introduction to Cisco Networking Technologies (INTRO) 2. 640-811 ICND: Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices The recommended course(s) raining From Cisco are: Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices (ICND 2.0 or ICND 2.1 ) Introduction to Cisco Networking Technologies ( INTRO ) CCNA Recertification With retirement of 640-607 in September 2003, available options to recertify are 640-801 or any other Professional or Cisco qualified specialist track. Validity CCNA certifications are valid for three years. Cisco Agreement Accepting terms of Cisco Career Certification and Confidentiality Agreement is a very important part of obtaining Cisco Certification, failing which application processing of certification may be halted. Exam Description The 640-801 is exam available for aspirants pursuing Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification. Since 640-607 has retired, article solely concentrates on 640-801. The CCNA (640-801) exam focuses on Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND) course as well as new Introduction to Cisco Networking Technologies (INTRO) course. The courses and exam ensure that successful candidate has important knowledge and skills necessary to select, connect, configure, and troubleshoot various Cisco networking devices. The exam also includes topics on Extending Switched Networks with VLANS, Determining IP Routes, Managing IP traffic with Access Lists, Establishing Point-to-Point connections, and Establishing Frame Relay Connections. Objectives The following topics listed are most likely ones on which testing will focus during exam. Topics related to this may probably be tested further in detail too. Planning & Designing - Design a simple LAN using Cisco Technology - Design an IP addressing scheme to meet design requirements - Select an appropriate routing protocol based on user requirements - Design a simple internetwork using Cisco technology - Develop an access list to meet user specifications - Choose WAN services to meet customer requirements - Implementation & Operation - Configure routing protocols, given user requirements - Configure IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateway addresses on routers and hosts - Configure a router for additional administrative functionality - Configure a switch with VLANS and inter-switch communication - Implement a LAN - Customize a switch configuration to meet specified network requirements - Manage system image and device configuration files - Perform an initial configuration on a router - Perform an initial configuration on a switch - Implement access lists - Implement simple WAN protocols Troubleshooting - Utilize OSI model as a guide for systematic network troubleshooting - Perform LAN and VLAN troubleshooting - Troubleshoot routing protocols - Troubleshoot IP addressing and host configuration - Troubleshoot a device as part of a working network - Troubleshoot an access list - Perform simple WAN troubleshooting Technology - Describe network communications using layered models - Describe Spanning Tree process - Compare and contrast key characteristics of LAN environments - Evaluate characteristics of routing protocols - Evaluate TCP/IP communication process and its associated protocols - Describe components of network devices - Evaluate rules for packet control - Evaluate key characteristics of WANs
Since troubleshooting is very simplified and methodic when OSI layered model concepts are clear, extensive focus on OSI model still remains in 640-801 exam along with rest of basic content. The enhancement is in Dial on Demand Routing (DDR) and Config-register and some switching concepts.
Exam specifics
The CCNA exam I took had 58 questions to be answered in 90 minutes with a passing score of 849. The exam may have question numbers ranging from 55 to 65. The time allotted will be 90 minutes and pattern of questions may vary from exam to exam, i.e., depending on number of questions against time given, number of multiple-choice response, drag-and-drop and simulators may vary.
Exam Pattern
There will be router/switch simulator questions, many multiple choice questions and a few drag-and-drop questions along with a few multiple choice single response and fill in blank type of questions.
When switching between simulator-based questions and rest of exam, simulator engine may seem a little slow. For some simulator-based questions, you will be presented with scenarios. You need to remember configuration commands and listing commands to grasp scenarios and troubleshoot them. Remember to have a blank sheet on which you can mark important points and remember to save any changes you make on simulator relating to configuration. The simulator is very much like real one on routers and switches except that abbreviated editing and help commands may not be available. Ensure that you do not try these abbreviated commands and waste time, it is always better to use entire syntax of any command you may be required to use. Some concepts like OSI model, Access lists, Subnetting etc, are type of questions that may be time consuming, as they require single-minded concentration, very clear basics and some amount of calculation. The scenario type of questions needs an eye for detailed and clear analytical abilities. Be clear with command line configuration commands and their switches and have an insight to kind of testing vendor may employ. That should help you have a CCNA certificate under your belt.
