Cisco Certifications: The 640-822 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1

Cisco Certifications: The image below famously known as the Cisco Pyramid, show the hierachy of cisco certification starting with the entry-level at the bottom upto to the expert level certification at the top. I will take you through each certification @ each level.I will try to highlight the exams required to pass to get the certification, the exam codes, exam duration, the exam blue print which in short is the syllabus which a candidate must cover inorder to pass the exams. At the end of the review of all the cisco certifications i will also put the testing centres around South Africa where you can schedule your exam. As said in the previous blog posts there are thousands and thousands of certifications in IT (read previous blog posts). When pursuing any professional certification, you should give much thought and care to your education, experience, skills, goals, and desired career path. So going through each certification and what it covers will help you to make the decision you will never regret in your career but instead it will equip you to reach your ambitions and be what you wanna be.

Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)

Exam Number:	640-822 ICND1
Associated Certifications:	CCENT and CCNA
Duration:	90 minutes (40-50 questions)
Exam Cost:	ZAR 894.00
Click Here to Register:	Pearson VUE
Exam Policies:	Read current policies and requirements

Exam Description
The 640-822 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) is the exam associated with the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician certification and a tangible first step in achieving the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification. Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) v1.0 course. This exam tests a candidate's knowledge and skills required to successfully install, operate, and troubleshoot a small branch office network. The exam includes topics on networking fundamentals; connecting to a WAN; basic security and wireless concepts; routing and switching fundamentals; the TCP/IP and OSI models; IP addressing; WAN technologies; operating and configuring IOS devices; configuring RIPv2, static and default routing; implementing NAT and DHCP; and configuring simple networks.


Exam Topics
The following topics are general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam. In order to better reflect the contents of the exam and for clarity purposes, the guidelines below may change at any time without notice.

Describe the operation of data networks
• Describe the purpose and functions of various network devices
• Select the components required to meet a given network specification
• Use the OSI and TCP/IP models and their associated protocols to explain how data flows in a network
• Describe common networking applications including web applications
• Describe the purpose and basic operation of the protocols in the OSI and TCP models
• Describe the impact of applications (Voice Over IP and Video Over IP) on a network
• Interpret network diagrams
• Determine the path between two hosts across a network
• Describe the components required for network and Internet communications
• Identify and correct common network problems at layers 1, 2, 3 and 7 using a layered model approach
• Differentiate between LAN/WAN operation and features

Implement a small switched network
• Select the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect switches to other network devices and hosts
• Explain the technology and media access control method for Ethernet technologies
• Explain network segmentation and basic traffic management concepts
• Explain the operation of Cisco switches and basic switching concepts
• Perform, save and verify initial switch configuration tasks including remote access management
• Verify network status and switch operation using basic utilities (including: ping, traceroute,telnet,SSH,arp, ipconfig), SHOW & DEBUG commands
• Implement and verify basic security for a switch (port security, deactivate ports)
• Identify, prescribe, and resolve common switched network media issues, configuration issues, autonegotiation, and switch hardware failures

Implement an IP addressing scheme and IP services to meet network requirements for a small branch office
• Describe the need and role of addressing in a network " Create and apply an addressing scheme to a network
• Assign and verify valid IP addresses to hosts, servers, and networking devices in a LAN environment
• Explain the basic uses and operation of NAT in a small network connecting to one ISP
• Describe and verify DNS operation
• Describe the operation and benefits of using private and public IP addressing
• Enable NAT for a small network with a single ISP and connection using SDM and verify operation using CLI and ping
• Configure, verify and troubleshoot DHCP and DNS operation on a router.(including: CLI/SDM)
• Implement static and dynamic addressing services for hosts in a LAN environment
• Identify and correct IP addressing issues

Implement a small routed network
• Describe basic routing concepts (including: packet forwarding, router lookup process)
• Describe the operation of Cisco routers (including: router bootup process, POST, router components)
• Select the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect routers to other network devices and hosts
• Configure, verify, and troubleshoot RIPv2
• Access and utilize the router CLI to set basic parameters
• Connect, configure, and verify operation status of a device interface
• Verify device configuration and network connectivity using ping, traceroute, telnet, SSH or other utilities
• Perform and verify routing configuration tasks for a static or default route given specific routing requirements
• Manage IOS configuration files (including: save, edit, upgrade, restore)
• Manage Cisco IOS
• Implement password and physical security
• Verify network status and router operation using basic utilities (including: ping, traceroute,telnet,SSH,arp, ipconfig), SHOW & DEBUG commands

Explain and select the appropriate administrative tasks required for a WLAN
• Describe standards associated with wireless media (including: IEEE WI-FI Alliance, ITU/FCC)
• Identify and describe the purpose of the components in a small wireless network. (including: SSID, BSS, ESS)
• Identify the basic parameters to configure on a wireless network to ensure that devices connect to the correct access point
• Compare and contrast wireless security features and capabilities of WPA security (including: open, WEP, WPA-1/2)
• Identify common issues with implementing wireless networks

Identify security threats to a network and describe general methods to mitigate those threats
• Explain today's increasing network security threats and the need to implement a comprehensive security policy to mitigate the threats
• Explain general methods to mitigate common security threats to network devices, hosts, and applications
• Describe the functions of common security appliances and applications
• Describe security recommended practices including initial steps to secure network devices

Implement and verify WAN links
• Describe different methods for connecting to a WAN
• Configure and verify a basic WAN serial connection

This is the entry level certification, it lays the foundation for a rewarding career in networking. To be frank, passing the INCD 1 doesnt open a lot of opportunities as it is not oftenly advertised as required on most job requirements. This actually opens up your mind and get you familiar with some networking concepts and technologies. With this knowledge and excitement of setting your foot into networking you can now attempt ICND 2 which i will briefly discuss in the next blog. I hope you enjoy the information i have shared. Meet you in the next blog INTERCONNECTING CISCO NETWORKING DEVICES PART 2