1. Network Fundamentals
20 %1.1Explain the role and function of network components
Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches
Next-generation firewalls and IPS
Describe characteristics of network topology architectures
Small office/home office (SOHO)
Compare physical interface and cabling types
Single-mode fiber, multimode fiber, copper
Connections (Ethernet shared media and point-to-point)
Identify interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, mismatch duplex, and/or speed)
Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting
Describe private IPv4 addressing
Configure and verify IPv6 addressing and prefix
Describe IPv6 address types
Unicast (global, unique local, and link local)
Verify IP parameters for Client OS (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
Describe wireless principles
Nonoverlapping Wi-Fi channels
Explain virtualization fundamentals (server virtualization, containers, and VRFs)
Describe switching concepts
5. Security Fundamentals
15 %5.1Define key security concepts (threats, vulnerabilities, exploits, and mitigation techniques)
Describe security program elements (user awareness, training, and physical access control)
Configure and verify device access control using local passwords
Describe security password policy elements, such as management, complexity, and password alternatives (multifactor authentication, certificates, and biometrics)
Describe IPsec remote access and site-to-site VPNs
Configure and verify access control lists
Configure and verify Layer 2 security features (DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and port security)
Compare authentication, authorization, and accounting concepts
Describe wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, and WPA3)
Configure and verify WLAN within the GUI using WPA2 PSK
6. Automation and Programmability
10 %6.1Explain how automation impacts network management
Compare traditional networks with controller-based networking
Describe controller-based, software defined architecture (overlay, underlay, and fabric)
Separation of control plane and data plane
Northbound and Southbound APIs
Explain AI (generative and predictive) and machine learning in network operations
Describe characteristics of REST-based APIs (authentication types, CRUD, HTTP verbs, and data encoding)
Recognize the capabilities of configuration management mechanisms such as Ansible and Terraform
Recognize components of JSON-encoded data