1.0 Network Fundamentals
How to get started on your CCNA learning path.
Click on the Network Fundamentals exam topic (in bold below) to expand each section.
Each exam topic includes the corresponding section(s) to study in your *Cisco digital course kit as well as exclusive Athena content you can reference for an additional learning boost.
*You will need to log into the Cisco Digital Library using your Cisco Account ID and password in order to access the specific section.
- Routers
- *Cisco Digital Library: Components of a Network
- L2 and L3 switches
- *Cisco Digital Library: Exploring the TCP/IP Link Layer
- *Cisco Digital Library: Starting a Switch
- *Cisco Digital Library: IPv4 Address Representation
- *Cisco Digital Library: WAN Devices and Demarcation Point
- *Cisco Digital Library: WAN Topology Options
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: From Hubs to Bridges to Switches | Video Snippet | 2 mins
- Next-generation firewalls and IPS
- *Cisco Digital Library: Components of a Network
- *Cisco Digital Library: Firewalls
- *Cisco Digital Library: Intrusion Prevention Systems
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention Systems | Video Snippet | 5 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Data Loss and Phishing | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- Access Points
- *Cisco Digital Library: Components of a Network
- *Cisco Digital Library: AP and WLC Management
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: FlexConnect Mode APs | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Infrastructure Configuration – Lightweight APs | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Control and Provisioning of APs (CAPWAP) | Video Snippet | 3 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Wireless AP Components | Video Snippet | 6 mins
- Controllers (Cisco DNA Center and WLC)
- *Cisco Digital Library: AP and WLC Management
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 22 | Log into the WLC
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 23 | Monitor the WLC
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 24 | Configure a Dynamic (VLAN) Interface
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 25 | Configure a DHCP Scope
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 26 | Configure a WLAN
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 27 | Define a RADIUS Server
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 28 | Explore Management Options
- *Cisco Digital Library: Introducing Cisco DNA Center
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 29 | Explore the Cisco DNA Center
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Wireless AP Components | Video Snippet | 6 mins
- Endpoints
- *Cisco Digital Library: Components of a Network
- Servers
- *Cisco Digital Library: Components of a Network
- Describe the characteristics of network topology architectures
- *Cisco Digital Library: Physical vs. Logical Topologies
- *Cisco Digital Library: Interpreting a Network Diagram
- *Cisco Digital Library: Introduction to LANs
- *Cisco Digital Library: Local Area Networks
- *Cisco Digital Library: WAN Topology Options
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Introducing Architectures and Virtualization | Tech Session | Video | 60 mins
- 2 tier
- *Cisco Digital Library: Enterprise Three-Tier Hierarchical Network Design
- *Cisco Digital Library: Cisco Enterprise Architecture Model
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Two-Tier Network Design | Video Snippet | 5 mins
- 3 tier
- *Cisco Digital Library: Enterprise Three-Tier Hierarchical Network Design
- *Cisco Digital Library: Cisco Enterprise Architecture Model
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Three-Tier Network Design | Video Snippet | 3 mins
- Spine-leaf
- *Cisco Digital Library: Spine-Leaf Network Design
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Spine/Leaf Network Design | Video Snippet | 5 mins
- WAN
- *Cisco Digital Library: Introduction to WAN Technologies
- *Cisco Digital Library: WAN Devices and Demarcation Point
- *Cisco Digital Library: WAN Topology Options
- *Cisco Digital Library: WAN Connectivity Options
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Topology Points of View | Video Snippet | 6 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Understanding WAN Client Types | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- Small office/home office (SOHO)
- *Cisco Digital Library: Introduction to Exploring the Functions of Networking
- *Cisco Digital Library: What is a Computer Network
- *Cisco Digital Library: Operating Cisco IOS Software
- *Cisco Digital Library: Introduction to Configuring Static Routing
- On-premises and cloud
- *Cisco Digital Library: Cloud Computing Overview
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Cloud Computing Overview | Video Snippet | 6 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Cloud Computing Types | Video Snippet | 6 mins
- Single-mode fiber, multimode fiber, copper
- *Cisco Digital Library: Ethernet LAN Connection Media
- Connections (Ethernet shared media and point-to-point)
- *Cisco Digital Library: Characteristics and Features of Switches
- *Cisco Digital Library: Duplex Communication
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 2 | Observe How a Switch Operates
- Concepts of PoE
- *Cisco Digital Library: Ethernet LAN Connection Media
- *Cisco Digital Library: Switch LED Indicators
- *Cisco Digital Library: Enterprise Three-Tier Hierarchical Network Design
- *Cisco Digital Library: Troubleshooting Common Switch Media Issues
- *Cisco Digital Library: Troubleshooting Common Switch Port Issues
- *Cisco Digital Library: TCP/IP Transport Layer Functions
- *Cisco Digital Library: Reliable vs. Best-Effort Transport
- *Cisco Digital Library: TCP Characteristics
- *Cisco Digital Library: UDP Characteristics
- *Cisco Digital Library: Implementing Subnetting: Borrowing Bits
- *Cisco Digital Library: Implementing Subnetting: Determining the Addressing Scheme
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Subnetting for the CCNA Exam | Tech Session | Video | 60 mins
- *Cisco Digital Library: Private vs. Public IPv4 Addresses
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 11 | Configure Basic IPv6 Connectivity
- *Cisco Digital Library: IPv6 Addresses and Address Types
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Introducing Multicast Protocols | Tech Session | Video | 60 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Multicast Pros and Cons | Video Snippet | 7 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Unicast vs. Multicast Routing | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: How IP Multicast Works | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- *Cisco Digital Library: Verifying IPv4 Address of a Host
- Describe wireless principles
- *Cisco Digital Library: Wireless Technologies
- Nonoverlapping Wi-Fi channels
- *Cisco Digital Library: Wi-Fi Channels
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Radio Frequencies and Channels | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- SSID
- *Cisco Digital Library: WLAN Architectures
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 26 | Configure a WLAN
- *Cisco Digital Library: AP and WLC Management
- *Cisco Digital Library: Wireless Security Protocols
- *Cisco Digital Library: Discovery 33 | Configure WLAN using WPA2 PSK Using the GUI
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Service Set Identifier (SSID) | Video Snippet | 1 min
- RF
- *Cisco Digital Library: Wi-Fi Channels
- *Cisco Digital Library: WAN Connectivity Options
- *Cisco Digital Library: WLAN Architectures
- *Cisco Digital Library: Introduction to Implementing Threat Defense Technologies
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Radio Frequencies and Channels | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- Encryption
- *Cisco Digital Library: Introduction to Cryptographic Technologies
- *Cisco Digital Library: IPsec Security Services
- *Cisco Digital Library: Securing Remote Access
- *Cisco Digital Library: Securing Console Access
- *Cisco Digital Library: Wireless Security Protocols
- *Cisco Digital Library: Enterprise-Managed VPNs
- *Cisco Digital Library: Virtual Private Networks
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Encryption | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- *Cisco Digital Library: Virtualization Fundamentals
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Virtualization Fundamentals Overview | Video Snippet | 3 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Benefits of Virtual Machines | Video Snippet | 4 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: VMs vs. Containers | Video Snippet | 2 mins
- Athena Continuous Learning Program: Virtualization Examples | Video Snippet | 2 mins
Test your knowledge now:
Ready for the CCNA exam? Put your knowledge to the test with our interactive practice quizzes. Don’t worry, you’ve got this!
CCNA Network Fundamentals Practice Quiz
Includes Network Fundamentals topics such as routers, L2 and L3 switches, access points, and more.
CCNA Comprehensive Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge in all areas of the CCNA curriculum from Network Fundamentals and IP Connectivity to Security Fundamentals and Automation and Programmability.
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