Purpose and Properties of IP Addressing
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D IP address
Public vs Private IP Adresses, CIDR, IPv4 and IPv6, MAC Address, Subnetting, Multicast, Unicast, broadcast
Routing and Switching:
EIGRP, OSPF, RIP, Link State, Distance vector, Hybrid, Static vs Dynamic, Routing Interface, Hop counts, MTU, Bandwidth, Latency, Spanning Tree Protocol, VLAN, 802.1q, Port Mirroring, Broadcast domain vs collision domain, IGP vs EGP, Routing tables
Use of IP Addressing technologies and addressing schemes
Subnetting, Classful vs classless, CIDR, Supernetting, NAT, PAT, SNAT, Public vs Private, DHCP, Static IP, APIPA, Unicast, Multicast, Broadcast
Common Routing Protocols IPv4 and IPv6: OSPF, IS-IS, RIP, RIPv2, BGP, EIGRP
Purpose and Properties of routing:
IGP vs EGP, Static vs Dynamic, Next Hop, routing tables
Wireless communication standards: 802.11 a/b/g/n, Authentication and encryption, WPA, WEP, RADIUS, TKIP.
Network Media and Topologies
Standard cable types: CAT3, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, STP, UTP, Multimode fiber, single-mode fiber, Coaxial, RG-59, RG-6, Serial, Plenum vs Non-plenum, Transmission speeds, Distance, Duplex, Noise immunity, frequency
Advanced features of a switch: PoE, Spanning tree, VLAN, Trunking, Port mirroring, Port authentication
Implement a basic wireless network: Install client, Access point placement, Install access point, Verify installation
Network Management
Function of each layer of the OSI model: Physical Layer, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, Application
Types of configuration management documentation: Wiring schematics, Physical and logical network diagrams, Baselines, • Policies, procedures and configurations, Regulations
Network monitoring to identify performance and connectivity issues:
Network monitoring utilities, System logs, history logs, event logs
Different methods and rationales for network performance optimization and Troubleshooting:
Traffic, Load Balancing, Fault tolerance, Latency, Bandwidth, VoIP, Video Applications, Uptime, symtoms and problems, identify and create and action plan, Implement test solutions, Document the solution and the entire process.
Troubleshoot common connectivity issues: Physical issues, collisions, interferences, logical issues, port speed, port duplex mismatch, Incorrect VLAN, incorrect IP adresses, Wrong gateway, Wrong DNS, Wrong Subnet mask, Wireless Issues.
Purpose of network scanners: Packet sniffers, Intrusion detection software, Intrusion prevention software, Port scanners
Network Tools
Utilize the appropriate hardware tools:
Cable testers, Protocol analyzer, Certifiers, TDR, OTDR, Multimeter, Toner probe, Butt set, Punch down tool, Cable stripper, Snips, Voltage event recorder, Temperature monitor
Network Security
Hardware and software security devices: Network based firewall, Host based firewall, IDS, IPS, VPN concentrator.
Common features of a firewall: Application layer vs. network layer, Stateful vs. stateless, Scanning services, Content filtering, Signature identification, Zones
Methods of network access security: ACL, MAC Filtering, IP Filtering, Tunneling and encryption, SSL VPN, L2TP, PPTP, IPSEC, RAS, RDP, PPPoE, PPP, VNC, ICA
Device Security: Physical Security, Local and Remote Access, SSH, HTTPS, SNMPv3, SFTP, SCP, TELNET, HTTP, FTP, RSH, RCP, SNMPv1/2
Common Security threats: DoS, Viruses, Wroms, Attackers, Man in the middle, Smurf, Rouge access points, Phishing, Policies and procedures, user training, patches and updates.
The CompTIA Network+ certification enjoys wide industry recognition and is a valuable credential for Network Administrators, Network Engineers and Internet Technicians. The certification is vendor neutral, and helps create expertise in installing, configuring, and managing and maintaining basic network infrastructure.
The certification offers in-depth exposure to varied aspects of IT networking including Media and Topologies, Protocols and Standards, Network Implementation and Support. Certification is achieved through a single exam.
While there are no pre-requisites, candidates with a pre-existing CompTIA A+ certification along with a minimum of experience in network support or administration or academic training will benefit more through the certification process.