Cisco CCNA (200-301) — Study Guide
Free, topic-by-topic study notes for the Cisco CCNA (200-301) exam. Read a chapter, then practice it.
Network Fundamentals
Network fundamentals establish the vocabulary and models used throughout the CCNA 200-301 exam. This domain covers the roles of network devices, the OSI and TCP/IP models, physical media, and both IPv4 and IPv6 addressing. Mastering subnetting and address types here makes every later topic easier.
Network Access
Network access focuses on switching, VLANs, and wireless connectivity within the LAN. You will learn how switches build MAC address tables, how VLANs segment traffic, and how trunks carry multiple VLANs using 802.1Q tagging. The domain also covers loop prevention with STP, link bundling, and WLAN fundamentals.
IP Connectivity
IP connectivity is the largest exam domain and centers on how routers determine the best path to forward packets. You will study the components of the routing table, administrative distance, static routing, and dynamic routing with OSPFv2. Understanding longest prefix match and next-hop resolution ties these concepts together.
IP Services
IP services are the supporting protocols that keep a network usable and manageable. This domain covers NAT for address conservation, DHCP and DNS for host configuration and name resolution, and NTP for time synchronization. It also introduces network management tools such as SNMP, Syslog, and QoS.
Security Fundamentals
Security fundamentals introduce the threats networks face and the controls that mitigate them. This domain covers access control lists, Layer 2 protections like port security and DHCP snooping, and secure access with AAA. It also addresses wireless security standards and device hardening practices.
Automation & Programmability
Automation and programmability reflect the shift toward software-driven networking. This domain explains how controller-based and software-defined networks separate the control and data planes, how APIs let software configure devices, and how data formats like JSON structure information. It closes with configuration management tools that enforce consistent state.
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