Introduction to Networking for Cisco CCNA from Pluralsight

This is the first in a series of courses designed to prepare you for the Cisco Certified Network Associate Exam. This course will introduce the basic components needed to understand data networks, including networking models and network addressing.

In this course, Introduction to Networking for Cisco CCNA, you will examine how basic human communication, like talking in person or on the phone, contains the same fundamental concepts used in moving data across a network. First, you will learn how to examine communication, and determine how to dissect it into components so it can be individually categorized and described. Next, you will learn how to break down communication into components, which will be of great benefit when understanding data networking, as there are many simple protocols which interact in complex ways. To accomplish this you will learn the TCP/IP and OSI models of networking, encapsulation, addressing, as well as what is called "chunks of information" at different points in the communication process. Finally you'll learn about the history and the birth of high speed data communications. By the end of this course, you'll know the OSI Model, TCP/IP Model, and you'll have an understanding of what encapsulation is as it relates to data networking.

CCNA (Certificied Cisco Network Associate) is a certification received by Cisco for people who complete the CCNA exam and pass. It is very often requested by IT (Information Technology) firms for their open networking roles inside IT.

This course is for anyone who wants to learn about the Cisco CCNA certification. It's the first of a series of courses preparing you to take the CCNA Exam.

This is a beginner course therefore no prerequisites are required. Having a good understanding of Information Technology is always a plus but not required.

In this course you will learn how to examine communication, and determine how to dissect it into components to be individually categorized. You will also learn how to break down communication into components, which will be of great benefit in understanding networking, as there are many protocols.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

A Brief History of Moving Information

Dissecting Communication

Network Communication Models

Encapsulation

Data Networks and Addressing

Cisco Certifications

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a strong foundation for beginners in data networking and network addressing

Lays the groundwork for understanding complex protocols and their interactions in data networking

Covers the essential concepts of the OSI and TCP/IP models, which are fundamental to understanding networking

Introduces the fundamentals of encapsulation, a critical concept in data networking

Provides a historical perspective on the evolution of high-speed data communications

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Networking for Cisco CCNA with these activities:

Read About Networking Concepts

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Supplement your understanding of networking concepts by exploring a comprehensive reference text that provides in-depth explanations and examples.

View Computer Networking [Global Edition] on Amazon

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Skim the Table of Contents to preview the topics covered.
Read the Preface to get an overview of the book's structure and purpose.
Focus on reading the sections on Introduction and Network Architecture.

Review Different Models of Communication.

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Familiarize yourself with basic concepts of communication and dissect them into components to better understand the complex processes involved in networking.

Browse courses on Communication

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Read the Introduction to Networking chapter, especially section on Basic Communication Process.
Watch an online video on the topic of Models of Communication.
Create a table summarizing the components of communication and their functions.

Organize Course Materials

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Enhance your learning experience by organizing materials such as notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to effectively reinforce and retain the course content.

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Create folders for each module or topic covered in the course.
File and organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams into the respective folders.
Review and summarize the key concepts from each section.

Six other activities

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Practice Network Command Usage.

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Strengthen your practical skills by practicing essential network commands in a Command Line Interface (CLI) environment.

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Connect to a network device using SSH or Telnet.
Execute basic commands to verify network connectivity, such as ping and traceroute.
Configure basic network settings.

Identify the OSI Layers Network Protocols.

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Reinforce your understanding of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model by practicing the identification of protocols associated with each layer.

Browse courses on OSI Model

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Review section in Introduction to Networking for Cisco CCNA about the OSI Model.
Use a quiz website to practice identifying the protocols associated with each OSI Layer.

Learn About IPv4 and IPv6 Addressing.

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Expand your knowledge of networking by following structured tutorials on IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, covering topics such as subnet masks, IP classes, and address representation.

Browse courses on IPv4

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Watch videos on IPv4 Addressing and subnet masks.
Complete an exercise on IPv4 address conversion between binary and dotted decimal formats.
Read a tutorial on IP classes and their significance.

Attend Discussion on TCP/IP Protocols

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Engage in peer-to-peer learning by actively participating in discussions centered on TCP/IP protocols, exploring their functions and applications.

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Join an online forum or discussion group dedicated to networking.
Participate in a thread or start a new discussion on TCP/IP.
Share your understanding, ask questions, and contribute to the knowledge exchange.

Explain Encapsulation in Data Networks.

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Solidify your grasp of encapsulation by creating a visual or written representation that illustrates how data is encapsulated into network packets.

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Refer to the section on Encapsulation in Introduction to Networking for Cisco CCNA.
Create a diagram or infographic that visually depicts the encapsulation process.
Write a summary of your understanding of encapsulation.

Design a Network Topology Diagram

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Apply your understanding of networking by creating a visual representation of a simple network topology, including devices, connections, and addressing.

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Start by sketching out a network topology on paper.
Use a network diagramming tool to create a more polished version.
Include details such as device types, IP addresses, and subnet masks.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Networking for Cisco CCNA will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Technician

A Network Technician is someone who installs and maintains computer networks. They may also provide technical support to network users. This course is an excellent way to prepare for a career as a Network Technician, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Technician

Network Administrator

A Network Administrator is someone who manages and maintains computer networks. This role requires a strong understanding of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as a Network Administrator, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is someone who collects, analyzes, and interprets data. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as a Data Analyst, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is someone who protects computer systems and networks from security threats. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as an Information Security Analyst, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is someone who analyzes and designs business systems. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as a Business Analyst, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager is someone who plans and manages projects. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as a Project Manager, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

IT Support Specialist

An IT Support Specialist is someone who provides technical support to computer users. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as an IT Support Specialist, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Support Specialist

Network Security Engineer

A Network Security Engineer is someone who designs and implements security solutions for computer networks. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as a Network Security Engineer, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Computer Systems Analyst

A Computer Systems Analyst is someone who analyzes and designs computer systems. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course is a great way to prepare for a career as a Computer Systems Analyst, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Software Developer

A Software Developer is someone who designs, develops, and tests computer software. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course may be helpful in preparing for a career as a Software Developer, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

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Artificial Intelligence Engineer

An Artificial Intelligence Engineer is someone who designs and develops artificial intelligence solutions. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course may be helpful in preparing for a career as an Artificial Intelligence Engineer, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Web Developer

A Web Developer is someone who designs, develops, and maintains websites. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course may be helpful in preparing for a career as a Web Developer, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is someone who manages and maintains databases. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course may be helpful in preparing for a career as a Database Administrator, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist is someone who collects, analyzes, and interprets data. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course may be helpful in preparing for a career as a Data Scientist, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

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Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect is someone who designs and manages cloud computing solutions. This role requires a strong understanding of computers as well as networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems. This course may be helpful in preparing for a career as a Cloud Architect, as it will teach you the basics of networking, including how to install and maintain networks, as well as how to troubleshoot network problems.

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