CCNA Syllabus and Subjects

Harinitha Panneerselvam

The syllabus for the CCNA course is divided into major subjects for the 1.5 years certification program. CCNA course mainly concentrates on the core subject and another practical subject which helps students to learn more theoretical and practical experiences in their hands. The CCNA job scope is vast in terms of career opportunities since the course helps to train students with the networking knowledge and skills required for their career development. 

CCNA syllabus 2024 offers topics such as IP routing technologies, IP services (FHRP, Syslog, SNMP V2, and V3), LAN switching technologies, and WAN technologies. Some of the major subjects students get to learn in this certification course are Network Fundamentals, Network Access, IP Connectivity, IP Services, Security Fundamentals, Automation and programmability, and many others.

Semester-Wise CCNA Syllabus

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is designed in a way that meets the objectives and needs of the students who are interested in the networking profession. CCNA course mainly concentrates on the networking technologies which are developed in recent days. It also meets the wide range of students' expectations in networking technologies and gives them the freedom to gain more knowledge and skills by doing this course.

Candidates with no preceding course can opt for the combination course and the examination covering both ICND1 and ICND2. Exam preparation can be done significantly through self-study, various online courses, textbooks and practice exams, on-site classroom programs, or intensive boot camps offered by different venues including Cisco’s approved knowledge partners. All CCNA course certified candidates specialize in one of seven technology paths: 

CCNA Course Subjects 

The CCNA course is designed to impart knowledge about computer networks, various protocols used in Communication, Managing configuring Cisco Switches and Routers, and various WAN technologies.CCNA exam syllabus is considered to be one of the most famous course syllabi in networking.CCNA subjects details provide a vast knowledge of networking technologies for the students who opt for this course.

Some of the common topics which are covered in CCNA subjects are OSI models, IP address, WLAN and VLAN, Network security management (ACL included), Routers and routing protocols (EIGRP, OSPF, and RIP), IP Routing, Network Device Security, Troubleshooting, etc.

The course syllabus is designed with core subjects that provide students with a broad range of knowledge about networking. The main objective of the CCNA certification course syllabus is to train students with computer and networking technologies developed in recent days. The course subjects list as follow: 

• Network Fundamentals
• LAN Switching Technologies
• Routing Technologies
• WAN Technologies
• Infrastructure Services
• Infrastructure Security
• Infrastructure Management

CCNA Specialisation

The CCNA certification verifies an Engineer's understanding of network installation, operation, and troubleshooting. Engineers at the CCNA level are also known as Cisco SMARTHands because they are the boots on the ground who transport and stack physical Cisco equipment as well as perform installations, deployments, and basic upgrades. CCNA specialisation includes:

• CCNA Cloud
• CCNA Collaboration
• CCNA Cyber Ops
• CCNA Data Centre
• CCNA Industrial
• CCNA Routing and Switching
• CCNA Security
• CCNA Service Provider
• CCNA Wireless

CCNA Certification Course Duration

Each training centre has its timetable for a specific CCNA course. It is, however, contingent on the aspirant's efforts and abilities. The exam is usually given after 30 days, one month, or six months. The aspirant hopes to score between 810 and 850 points out of a possible 1000. The certification lasts three years. As a result, after three years, one may want to retake the exam to ensure that the certification is still valid.

CCNA Course Structure 

CCNA course structure is designed in this way for networking professionals.CCNA certification course is further divided into many major subjects.CCNA course syllabus includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills. Research projects will help the students with more career opportunities. Candidates with a strong interest in networking management can develop their research projects. The course structure is as follows:

• Practical Workshops
• Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques
• Network Design with Supernetting and Subnetting
• Deep understanding of IPv6
• Studying can be done through self-study, online courses, textbooks and practice exams, on-site classroom programs, or boot camps 

CCNA Teaching Methodology and Techniques 

CCNA course curriculum takes into account the various teaching techniques followed by the IT field with developing technologies.CCNA certification is a networking-related course, so digital learning techniques are used to teach this course. In addition to the core, subjects students are also encouraged to do their internships and training based on their interesting specializations. Teaching Methodology which is strictly followed by networking professionals is a digital learning method and but it differs from how students want to learn their networking techniques. Listed below are some of the teaching methodologies in general: 

• Problem Solving Method
• Activity Methods
• Seminars
• Lecture Method of Teaching
• Self Directed Learning

CCNA Course Projects 

CCNA course projects can be done with the students' interest in networking professionals.CCNA certification can also be done without projects.CCNA projects can be executed with Cisco equipment or using a Cisco packet tracer. The CCNA projects are ideal for students who are pursuing or completed the certification course and would like to have practical experience in the networking profession. The course projects can be designed with real-world experience. Some popular course projects are: 

• Network Design for Hosting Company with DDOS Protection
• Network Security Design for Backup Server
• Datacenter Security Design Proposal
• Warehouse Design using Collapsed Core Architecture
• Network Infrastructure Upgrade for Organization
• Enterprise Network Design using IP subnetting
• Securing Router using Multiple Access Control Techniques
• Network Design Proposal for Casino
• Internet usage Control using Access Control Techniques
• WAN Optimization Design for Enterprise

CCNA Course Reference Books 

CCNA certification course books are available both online and in many stores with many authors and publications.CCNA's new syllabus books cover all the major subjects in the course and it also gives students knowledge about different areas of networking.CCNA book online is available free in a pdf format for students' easy access.

The certification course books differ with the edition according to the year students opt for this course. The best CCNA books to study for the CCNA exam are the latest editions of Cisco's books are Cisco CCNA ICND1 and CCNA Routing and Switching ICND2. Students who have a strong interest in the networking sector can also invest in books after doing some research about the books. Some of the best reference books are: