CCNA NetSim Update -2

Certexams.com CCNA NetSim has been updated thoroughly to provide enhanced command support and more detailed labs. The primary reason for update is the discontinuation of support for some networking devices by Cisco. The same had been removed from the networking diagrams and replaced with more recent devices. For example, 2950 switch has been replaced with 2960 fast ethernet switch. Similarly, several other devices had been replaced with currently used switches/routers.

Other updates include the following:
1. Addition of "lab explanation" for each lab to help a user to understand the commands used and the lab as a whole.
2. More labs have been added.
3. Some known bugs have been fixed in the recent update.

You may download the netsim by clicking the link below:
http://routersimulator.certexams.com/ccna-simulator-download/download-router-simulator.html

About CCNA Netsim: It is a software based network utility that helps you prepare for CCENT/CCNA exams using virtual networking devices such as network routers and switches. You can simulate the actual network and configure various devices for connectivity. It may be noted that its only intended for learning purpose and you may not use it in real production environment.

CCNA exam app for iOS/iPhone updated

Simulationexams.com has recently up dated CCNA app for iOS, iPhone, and iPad to have additional question types and revised layout. The User Interface (UI) has been updated thoroughly to provide better user experience. A few of the knownn bugs have been fixed too.

Download the app by going to the URL given below:
http://www.swregn.com/ios/download/cisco/Exam-Simulator-CCNA.html

Android app is available for use with Android mobiles,
http://www.swregn.com/android/download/cisco/Exam-Simulator-CCNA.html

Other apps available include CCENT, CCNP Switch, CCNP Route, CCDA, CCNA Security, and others. Check out the product directory at http://www.swregn.com/productDir.html for complete list of available practice tests.

Simulationexams.com recently updated CBT test engine to include 90 CCNA questions free of cost on using the CBT exam engine. Check it out here:

http://www.swregn.com/Products/Exam_Engine.html

Other exams, like A+ Essentials, Security+, Server+ are also available with exam engine.

Cisco CCENT Exam Cram

ExamGuides.com released CCENT (short for Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician) exam cram for smash preparation of CCENT. The exam notes consists of 50+ pages with most essentials information for passing the exam.
The exam objectives are given as below:

• 1.0 Network Fundamentals 20%
• 2.0 LAN Switching Fundamentals 26%
• 3.0 Routing Fundamentals 25%
• 4.0 Infrastructure Services 15%
• 5.0 Infrastructure Maintenance 14%

 The CCENT practice tests along with CCENT exam cram and CCENT cheat sheets provide a good approach for passing the exam. Check it out.

Article VLANs Fundamentals

Traditionally, a Local Area Network (LAN) is a network of computers located within the same geographical area. Today, Local Area Networks are defined as a single broadcast domain. This means that if a host broadcasts information on LAN, the broadcast will be received by every other host on the same LAN. Broadcasts are prevented from leaving a LAN by using Layer-3 addressing, provided by a router or a layer-3 switch. The disadvantage of using routers (in comparison with L3 switch) is that they normally take more time to process incoming packets.   Given below are some of the advantages of VLANs:

Check out the article on VLAN fundamentals at simulationexams.com blog site:

http://www.simulationexams.com/exam-details/juniper-examsim.htm


More articles here:

• http://www.simulationexams.com/Blog/2018/04/17/spanning-tree-protocol-stp-in-local-area-networks-lans/
• http://www.simulationexams.com/Blog/2018/04/26/network-address-translation-concepts-and-application/

Certexams.com CCNA Netsim Update

CertExams.com, a leading network simulator software provider, recently updated CCNA Netsim to provide additional features including 1) GUI based designer displays the selected router/switch diagram along with available interfaces, 2) Granularity in the diagram design window so that it provides a better user experience, 3. addition of several more commands.

Prior to this release, a user wouldn't be knowing off-hand the physical diagram of the device through the program interface.Additionally, several router commands had been added to the command set. With this addition, most of the labs related to CCENT/CCNA could be covered. The software contains several labs for hands-on preparation.
Download free trial version of the software from the product home page. The software may be procured using program interface and use online activation for unlocking the full version of the software.

About Network Simulator with Designer for CCNA®: CCNA Netsim is a software based tool to simulate router network over the Internet or intranet using IOS devices such as routers and switches. Dozens of labs have been provided for practice and user can develop their own labs using drag and drop feature. You may look at the screenshots by going to the product page here:

CCNA Labs that have been provided are listed online for quick review along with the ios commands available for virtual router simulator.
The routersim has detailed help manual, providing context sensitive help.
About Certexams.com: Provides network simulators for various manufacturers, including Cisco and Juniper. The netsim provides a virtual environment without having to use the real physical hardare. Other products available include JNCIA network simulator with designer, A+ and Net+ labsim.

Disclaimer: Certexams.com is not associated or affiliated with Cisco Systems or Comptia. CCNA® is a trademark of Cisco® Systesm and duly acknowledged.

CertExams.com Updates CCNA NetSim for VPN and HSRP Labs

CertExams.com released a thorough update to their flagship software, Network Simulator with Designer for CCNA® , to include functionality for the following:

• Site to Site VPN configuration between routers
• FHRP configuration

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is widely used these days for security and confidentiality of communication between hosts. The two main types of VPN are Site-to-site VPN and Remote-to-Site VPN. In Site-to-site VPN, a secure tunnel is formed between two peers within the communication channel. An example configuration scenario is shown in the figure below:
 
Photo Courtesy: Brocade.com, a leading networking equipment manufacturer.

             As may seen in the exhibit, the VPN is configured between two routers. A site-to-site VPN is also called router-to-router VPN. The hosts on LAN are unaware of the VPN between routers V1 and V2. However, all the communication between routers V1 and V2 moves securely over OpenVPN tunnel.

               You typically need a NAT (Network Address Translation) to translate internal IP address
 192.168.200.1 to external IP address 12.34.56.78 and vice versa (for incoming traffic). The same thing is done at router V2 also. The word “tunnel” may be a bit misleading some times. Note that there is no route and bandwidth allocated between the routers when a tunnel is formed. A VPN typically secures the communication channel but not the route or bandwidth. A VPN connections use 1) Encapsulation 2) Authentication, and 3) Data encryption.

           In Encapsulation, user data (i.e. TCP/IP packets) is wrapped around by using encapsulation protocol such as GRE, IPsec, L2F, PPTP,  or L2TP. The encapsulated data packets are again wrapped inside carrier protocol packet, and then routed across the public network.
         
          For site-to-site VPNs, the encapsulating protocol is usually IPsec or GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation).  For remote-access VPNs, tunneling normally takes place using PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol). PPP tunneling will use one of PPTP, L2TP or L2F.

         When using site-to-site VPN, any user can access remote site from any of the computers inside the firewall (local network). For this purpose, one needs to configure AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting), so that one needs to authenticate to access any resources at the other end of the VPN tunnel to restrict user access.

          Remote access VPN is typically used with home and mobile users to connect to the corporate office. For example, a mobile traveler can connect to the Corporate head quarters using his laptop computer securely using a public Wi-Fi connection. Please see the figure below:
 
Photo courtesy: brocade.com, a leading networking equipment manufacturer.

        As seen in the figure, a remote user communicates with the sever securely over VPN tunnel. All the user information, login credentials, etc. are encrypted when using VPN tunnel. In remote access VPN, usually, a client is installed on the remote user’s computer. Alternatively, the remote user uses SSL enabled browser session to communicate with the corporate network (shown as Private Network in the figure)

FHRP (First Hop Redundancy Protocol): Usually, when a subscriber connects to an ISP using Wi-Fi router, he will have single point of failure. i.e. if the router fails, the connection to the Internet fails. FHRP allows redundancy or a fail over mechanism, thus ensuring that there is no single point of failure for a subscriber to the Internet. There are several  protocol defined for FHRP, popular among these are: HSRP, VRRP, and GLBP.
     
HSRP, short for Hot Standby Router Protocol, is a Cisco proprietary protocol, and supported by most of the Cisco routers.
A simple HSRP configuration is shown in the figure. In HSRP, one router acts as an Active router and the other as Standby router. There can be more than two routers in HSRP configuration, however, only one router is put in Standby state using a selection criteria. HSRP routers may be assigned “Priority” so that a network admin can choose which router has be in HSRP Active state and which has to be in Standby state.

VRRP, short for Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol, is a standards based protocol. It is quite similar to HSRP in configuration and functionality.

GLBP, short for Gateway Load Balancing Protocol, is slightly advanced, in the sense, that it supports load balancing by default. Otherwise, it is similar to other two redundancy protocols.
CertExams.com CCNA Netsim, offers a virtual networking environment, where in, one can create a network with Cisco(R) routers, switches, and other networking elements and experiment. The software has a GUI based designer that allows drag-n-drop functionality for designing one’s own network. Several labs on HSRP, and site-to-site VPN have been added for hands-on practice. The software is intended for learning purpose with limited set of commands support.

List of available CCNA labs may be viewed by going to the product page. You may download the free demo version of the software by going to the product download page.

Disclaimer: CertExams.com is not associated nor affiliated with Cisco Systems, or Brocade. Cisco®, CCNA® are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, and Brocade® is trademark of Brocade/Broadcom Limited and duly recognized.

SimulationExams.com Releases CCNA Cheat Sheets - Thoroughly Revised

SimulationExams.com, released CCNA Cheat Sheets for candidates preparing for Cisco CCNA (R). The cheat sheets consist of 50-odd pages covering majority of the exam objectives. The cram notes is organized in an easy to read manner so that students can use the same for last minute review. For thorough understanding, chapter-end scenario questions (mostly troubleshooting type) have been added.

The topics covered in the exam cram notes include TCP/IP vs. OSI model, IP v4 subnetting, binary and decimal systems, network IP address planning, routing using RIP, EIGRP, OSPF and BGP, VLANs and VTP, extended, standard, and named Access Control Lists (ACLs), cloud services, network security using firewalls, STP protocol, Site to Site, and Remote to Site secure communication, and others.

Recent update of CCNA v3 includes several new topics such as IP v6, EIGRP for IPv6, OSPF v3 for IPv6, securing site to site and remote to site communications, and troubleshooting IPv6 networks.

The cheatsheets are updated from time to time to include most recent updates to the exam syllabus. You may download the exam cram notes from the link given below:

\http://www.simulationexams.com/exam-cram/ccna-exam-cram.htm

Some of the sample topics are given below:

• NAT
• RIPv1 and RIPv2
• VLANs and VTP 

The cram notes, once downloaded may be printed, if required.

Other exam cram notes available from simulationexams.com include CCENt exam cram, ICND2 exam cram. Please visit the site for more info.

About CCNA: CCNA, short for Cisco Certified Network Associate, is the most widely knows certification in the area of internet communications. The cram notes is provided by simulationexams.com, a brand website of Anand Software and Training. The Company is not associated with Cisco(R) or any other company. All trademarks are duly recognized. CCNA(R) is a trademark of Cisco(R) systems.

Simulationexams.com Computer Based Test Engine

Anand Software and Training, a private limited company, recently released Computer Based Test Engine. The software is useful for educators and organizations in assessing the students and/or employees using computer based tests. The CBT consists of two components:

1. Computer Based Test - Author Module
2. Computer Based Test - Exam Engine, and

1. Author Module:
The Author Module enables an author to perform several activities including the following:

• Create, edit, and/or delete a test
• Create Groups and Candidate profiles
• Create, edit and/or delete questions.

Several types of questions are supported by the Computer Based Tester. These  include the following question types:

• Multiple Choice Single Answers
• Multiple Choice Multi Answer
• Drag-n-drop 
• Hotspot
• Testlet type of questions, wherein a candidate has to answer two or more questions based on a given scenario.

The author module is free to download and use. Any number of tests may be created using author module. There is no limit on the number of questions in a particular test.

How the entire software works: The author creates one or more tests using the freely downloadable author test module. The author may create student profiles and the groups to which a student belongs. He may also assign the tests that belong to a particular group. By default, there is only one group to which all tests are assigned. After completion of test questions, groups (optional), and student profiles (optional), the author saves (exports) the exam info to a known location on the local or remote computer. Now, the examiner imports the test module from the computer on which the Exam Engine is installed. After importing, it is possible to administer the exam to the candidates.Detailed help files are available in the product website.

Note that even though the CBT Author Module is free to download and use, one needs to buy the Exam Engine.

Exam Engine: The CBT - Exam Engine provides the platform to administer exams to the candidates. Typically, the examiner imports the previously saved test module(s) and re initializes the exam engine. The exam engine is packed with several features. Given below are few of the important features:

• Learn and exam modes to enable students to learn first and then assess their skills
• Review the questions after test is completed
• Timed
• Configurable. Most of the features including the question weightage, number of questions in an exam, whether to provide back button, or to enable review of questions by the student, etc. are all configurable by the examiner. Even the study mode may be disabled by the examiner.
• Adjustable font and night modes: Night mode flips the screen colors so that the display is soft on the human eyes even during night. Adjustable font enables a candidate to attend to the exam with comfort.

The CBT -Exam Engine is available in demo mode for assessing the usefulness of the software to a given requirement. Any queries may please be sent to cs at swregn.com.

swregn.com CCNA for iOS iPhone

swregn.com, a software registration and download site, published CCNA for iOS and iPad. The app consists of 500+ most relevant questions with answers. The notable features include the following:

1. Compatible with most of the mobile devices including iphones and iPads
2. Abundant features include night mode and full screen modes
3. Flash card explanations included for each and every question
4. Updated to the latest CCNA exam syllabus
5. Reasonable priced

You may visit the product page here:
http://www.swregn.com/Products/Exam-Simulator-CCNA.html

As may be seen from the product page, the software is available on Windows desktop, Android and iOS phones.

The built in feedback mechanism allows a user to send question feedback online, without leaving the exam environment. There is provision to take only bookmarked questions or the wrongly answered questions.

The practice tests are available in demo mode and the full version may be purchased online. The software activation process is seemless and handled online without manual intervention.

Other products that may be avaialble include the following:

Cisco CCENT practice tests
Cisco ICND2 practice tests
Comptia A+ practice tests
Comptia Network+ practice tests

Anand Software and Training iOS Apps for CCNA, CCENT, and ICND2

Anand Software and Training has released iOS apps for several of its exam simulators including CCNA, CCENT, ICND2, CCNP, Comptia A+, Network+ and others.

Check out the page here:
https://itunes.apple.com/sg/developer/anand-software-training-pvt/id1189885869

The iOS apps are intended to be used with Apple mobile devices such as iPhone and iPad. The exam simulators are lite versions of standard desktop version, and only multiple choice questions are available in the iOS version.

The free versions will have 60 questions with answers and flash card explanation for each question. It is possible to send feedback on any question from within the exam environment. The full version is not free and prices around 9USD and will have about 300 questions with flash card explanation.

SimulationExams Launches Cisco CCNA iOS App for iPhone and iPad

Simulationexams.com has recently released iOS version of it's exam simulator software. The software is available for free, but limited to 60 questions and flash card answers. You may visit the official site here:

https://itunes.apple.com/sg/developer/anand-software-training-pvt/id1189885869,

Initially, the following exams are available:

• CCENT(iOS)
• CCNA (iOS)
• ICND2 (iOS)

You may download the full version of the exam here:
https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/exam-sim-for-ccna-200-125/id1194982214?mt=8
The full version consists of 300+ questions covering all topics with flash card explanations.

The practice tests are also available in Windows desktop version as well as in the Android versions. Please look at the desktop versions here:

http://www.simulationexams.com/ciscoTests.htm

The iOS versions have been tested for  compatibility with iPhone 5s and above. Please email us at cs at swregn.com for any feedback or clarifications.

Full version exams for iOS will be made available shortly.

Disclaimer: Simulationexams.com is a group website of Anand Software and Training, and not associated with any other company. CCNA®, CCNP® are the registered trademarks of Cisco® Systems and duly acknowledged.

SimulationExams.com Releases Cisco(R) CCNA ICND2 200-105 Practice Tests

SimulationExams.com released an update to Cisco CCNA ICND2 practice tests recently. The practice tests conform to the latest exam objectives as given below:

1.0 LAN Switching Technologies	26%
1.1 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot VLANs (normal/extended range) spanning multiple switches 1.1.a Access ports (data and voice) 1.1.b Default VLAN 1.2 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot interswitch connectivity 1.2.a Add and remove VLANs on a trunk 1.2.b DTP and VTP (v1&v2) 1.3 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot STP protocols 1.3.a STP mode (PVST+ and RPVST+) 1.3.b STP root bridge selection 1.4 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot STP-related optional features 1.4.a PortFast 1.4.b BPDU guard 1.5 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot (Layer 2/Layer 3) EtherChannel 1.5.a Static 1.5.b PAGP 1.5.c LACP 1.6 Describe the benefits of switch stacking and chassis aggregation 1.7 Describe common access layer threat mitigation techniques 1.7.a 802.1x 1.7.b DHCP snooping 1.7.c Nondefault native VLAN
2.0 Routing Technologies	29%
2.1 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot Inter-VLAN routing 2.1.a Router on a stick 2.1.b SVI 2.2 Compare and contrast distance vector and link-state routing protocols 2.3 Compare and contrast interior and exterior routing protocols 2.4 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot single area and multiarea OSPFv2 for IPv4 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution, stub, virtual-link, and LSAs) 2.5 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot single area and multiarea OSPFv3 for IPv6 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution, stub, virtual-link, and LSAs) 2.6 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot EIGRP for IPv4 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution, stub) 2.7 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot EIGRP for IPv6 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution, stub)
3.0 WAN Technologies	16%
3.1 Configure and verify PPP and MLPPP on WAN interfaces using local authentication 3.2 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot PPPoE client-side interfaces using local authentication 3.3 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot GRE tunnel connectivity 3.4 Describe WAN topology options 3.4.a Point-to-point 3.4.b Hub and spoke 3.4.c Full mesh 3.4.d Single vs dual-homed 3.5 Describe WAN access connectivity options 3.5.a MPLS 3.5.b MetroEthernet 3.5.c Broadband PPPoE 3.5.d Internet VPN (DMVPN, site-to-site VPN, client VPN) 3.6 Configure and verify single-homed branch connectivity using eBGP IPv4 (limited to peering and route advertisement using Network command only)
4.0 Infrastructure Services	14%
4.1 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic HSRP 4.1.a Priority 4.1.b Preemption 4.1.c Version 4.2 Describe the effects of cloud resources on enterprise network architecture 4.2.a Traffic path to internal and external cloud services 4.2.b Virtual services 4.2.c Basic virtual network infrastructure 4.3 Describe basic QoS concepts 4.3.a Marking 4.3.b Device trust 4.3.c Prioritization 4.3.c. [i] Voice 4.3.c. [ii] Video 4.3.c. [iii] Data 4.3.d Shaping 4.3.e Policing 4.3.f Congestion management 4.4 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv4 and IPv6 access list for traffic filtering 4.4.a Standard 4.4.b Extended 4.4.c Named 4.5 Verify ACLs using the APIC-EM Path Trace ACL analysis tool
5.0 Infrastructure Maintenance	15%
5.1 Configure and verify device-monitoring protocols 5.1.a SNMPv2 5.1.b SNMPv3 5.2 Troubleshoot network connectivity issues using ICMP echo-based IP SLA 5.3 Use local SPAN to troubleshoot and resolve problems 5.4 Describe device management using AAA with TACACS+ and RADIUS 5.5 Describe network programmability in enterprise network architecture 5.5.a Function of a controller 5.5.b Separation of control plane and data plane 5.5.c Northbound and southbound APIs 5.6 Troubleshoot basic Layer 3 end-to-end connectivity issues

Note: The exam topics may change from time to time, and please visit official web page for the latest information.

The practice tests may be downloaded here:
http://www.simulationexams.com/downloads/cisco-tests/ccna-icnd/ccna-icnd2-practicetest-download.htm

The question types include multiple choice, drag-n-drop, simlet, and testlets.The demo version of the software is free and contains up to 30 questions. The full version will have 300+ questions with flash card explanations.
 

CCENT 100-105 Practice Tests Released

SimulationExams.com recently released CCENT (short for Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician) practice tests. The practice tests consist of several hundreds of most relevant questions with answers. The exams conform to the latest exam objectives 100-105.

You may download the free trial version of the software here:
http://www.simulationexams.com/exam-details/cisco-ccent.htm

The new objectives associated with CCENT are given below:
1.0 Network Fundamentals 20%
  
2.0 LAN Switching Fundamentals 26%
  
3.0 Routing Fundamentals 25%
  
4.0 Infrastructure Services 15%
  
5.0 Infrastructure Maintenance 14%

Detailed exam objectives:

1.0 Network Fundamentals   20%

1.1 Compare and contrast OSI and TCP/IP models

1.2 Compare and contrast TCP and UDP protocols

1.3 Describe the impact of infrastructure components in an enterprise network

    1.3.a Firewalls
    1.3.b Access points
    1.3.c Wireless controllers

1.4 Compare and contrast collapsed core and three-tier architectures

1.5 Compare and contrast network topologies

    1.5.a Star
    1.5.b Mesh
    1.5.c Hybrid

1.6 Select the appropriate cabling type based on implementation requirements

1.7 Apply troubleshooting methodologies to resolve problems

    1.7.a Perform fault isolation and document
    1.7.b Resolve or escalate
    1.7.c Verify and monitor resolution

1.8 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv4 addressing and subnetting

1.9 Compare and contrast IPv4 address types

    1.9.a Unicast
    1.9.b Broadcast
    1.9.c Multicast

1.10 Describe the need for private IPv4 addressing
1.11 Identify the appropriate IPv6 addressing scheme to satisfy addressing requirements in a LAN/WAN environment
1.12 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv6 addressing
1.13 Configure and verify IPv6 Stateless Address Auto Configuration
1.14 Compare and contrast IPv6 address types

    1.14.a Global unicast
    1.14.b Unique local
    1.14.c Link local
    1.14.d Multicast
    1.14.e Modified EUI 64
    1.14.f Autoconfiguration
    1.14.g Anycast

2.0 LAN Switching Fundamentals 26%

2.1 Describe and verify switching concepts

    2.1.a MAC learning and aging
    2.1.b Frame switching
    2.1.c Frame flooding
    2.1.d MAC address table

2.2 Interpret Ethernet frame format

2.3 Troubleshoot interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, duplex, speed)

2.4 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches

    2.4.a Access ports (data and voice)
    2.4.b Default VLAN

2.5 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot interswitch connectivity

    2.5.a Trunk ports
    2.5.b 802.1Q
    2.5.c Native VLAN
    2.6 Configure and verify Layer 2 protocols
    2.6.a Cisco Discovery Protocol
    2.6.b LLDP

2.7 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot port security

    2.7.a Static
    2.7.b Dynamic
    2.7.c Sticky
    2.7.d Max MAC addresses
    2.7.e Violation actions
    2.7.f Err-disable recovery

3.0 Routing Fundamentals  25%

3.1 Describe the routing concepts

    3.1.a Packet handling along the path through a network
    3.1.b Forwarding decision based on route lookup
    3.1.c Frame rewrite

3.2 Interpret the components of routing table

    3.2.a Prefix
    3.2.b Network mask
    3.2.c Next hop
    3.2.d Routing protocol code
    3.2.e Administrative distance
    3.2.f Metric
    3.2.g Gateway of last resort

3.3 Describe how a routing table is populated by different routing information sources

    3.3.a Admin distance

3.4 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot inter-VLAN routing

3.4.a Router on a stick

3.5 Compare and contrast static routing and dynamic routing

3.6 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv4 and IPv6 static routing

    3.6.a Default route
    3.6.b Network route
    3.6.c Host route
    3.6.d Floating static

3.7 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot RIPv2 for IPv4 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution)

4.0 Infrastructure Services  15%
4.1 Describe DNS lookup operation

4.2 Troubleshoot client connectivity issues involving DNS

4.3 Configure and verify DHCP on a router (excluding static reservations)

    4.3.a Server
    4.3.b Relay
    4.3.c Client

4.3.d TFTP, DNS, and gateway options

4.4 Troubleshoot client- and router-based DHCP connectivity issues

4.5 Configure and verify NTP operating in client/server mode

4.6 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv4 standard numbered and named access list for routed interfaces

4.7 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot inside source NAT

    4.7.a Static
    4.7.b Pool
    4.7.c PAT

5.0 Infrastructure Maintenance 14%
5.1 Configure and verify device-monitoring using syslog

5.2 Configure and verify device management

    5.2.a Backup and restore device configuration
    5.2.b Using Cisco Discovery Protocol and LLDP for device discovery
    5.2.c Licensing
    5.2.d Logging
    5.2.e Timezone
    5.2.f Loopback

5.3 Configure and verify initial device configuration

5.4 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic device hardening

    5.4.a Local authentication
    5.4.b Secure password
    5.4.c Access to device
        5.4.c. Source address
        5.4.c. [ii] Telnet/SSH
    5.4.d Login banner

5.5 Perform device maintenance

    5.5.a Cisco IOS upgrades and recovery (SCP, FTP, TFTP, and MD5 verify)
    5.5.b Password recovery and configuration register
    5.5.c File system management

5.6 Use Cisco IOS tools to troubleshoot and resolve problems

    5.6.a Ping and traceroute with extended option
    5.6.b Terminal monitor
    5.6.c Log events

Note: the exam objectives may change from time to time, and it is advised to check with the official Cisco(R) website for the latest information..

OSPF (single area) and other OSPF topics were moved into ICND2 since RIP is used to introduce CCENT candidates to IP routing protocols.

    Dual Stack was removed since there are many different IPv4 to IPv6 transition technologies being used.

    Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF) has been removed.

Key Topics Added:

    High level knowledge of the impact and interactions of infrastructure components in an Enterprise network, specifically:

        Firewalls
        Access Points
        Wireless Controllers

CCNA 200-125 Released

SimulationExams.com released the  newest CCNA 200-125 practice tests. Check them out here:
http://www.simulationexams.com/exam-details/ccna.htm
There are several new topics added to the new CCNA. The constituent exams are
CCENT: 100-105
ICND2: 200-105
Download the practice tests here:
http://www.simulationexams.com/downloads/cisco-tests/ccna/ccna-practicetest-download.htm

LabSim for Computer Hardware and OS exams.

CertExams.com updated its LabSim for A+ recently and the updates include bug fixes and a few additional labs. The labs included on the following topics:

1. Connecting to a remote desktop using windows7

2. NTFS and Share permissions
a. To share folders with other users on your network
b. To change read only attributes on files and folders
c. To set, view, change, or remove file and folder permissions

3. User account creation , configuration and authentication

a. Creating a new user account
b. To change user account password
c. To change user account control settings
d. To change the user account type
e. Removing user accounts

4. Configuring windows7 power options
5. Configuring windows7 updates
a. Windows7 Update Configurations
b. Windows7 Update Settings

6. Configuring Local Security Policy
a. Setting Account lockout policy
b. Setting Password policy

7. Configuring hardware settings using Device Manager
For complete list of labs, please visit the labs page here:
http://routersimulator.certexams.com/Aplus-labsim/labs/motherboard-aplus-lab-simulator.html

The software may be downloaded by going to the page:
http://routersimulator.certexams.com/Aplus-labsim/download-aplus-lab-simulator.html

http://routersimulator.certexams.com/Aplus-labsim/download-aplus-lab-simulator.html

Best certifications

Check out this article on best certs:
http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/best-it-certifications,1-1352.html

Various CCNA Certs Offered by Cisco

Cisco offers various flavors of CCNA Certification. These are given below:

• CCNA Routing and Switching: It is basic CCNA certification that has been around since the inception of CCNA certification.
• CCNA Cloud -- Focused on provisioning and management of cloud environments along with cloud administration and reporting. Candidates should possess a basic understanding of cloud based infrastructure as well as skills required to manage infrastructure as a service (IaaS) deployments.
• CCNA Collaboration -- Skills include collaboration and video, including integration with mobile apps and data, video, and voice.
• CCNA Data Center -- Learn to work in data centers, to support, maintain and manage data center networks and services.
• CCNA Industrial -- Suitable to professionals in the industrial roles (process control or manufacturing) where IT and industrial networks converge.
• CCNA Security -- Tests the candidate's ability to develop security infrastructures, identify and mitigate security risks, and maintain integrity and availability of the LAN/WAN networks and network devices.
• CCNA Service Provider -- The certified pros' will able to act as Tier 1 support engineers in a troubleshooting role within carrier-class NGN core network infrastructures, including incident handling, plus fault, configuration, change and performance management procedures, in an environment where network management systems (NMS) and ticketing tools are in everyday use.
• CCNA Wireless -- The certificate holder will be able to support and manage WLAN systems

CCNA Exam Simulator - Facebook page

Check out our new facebook page for CCNA Exam Simulator:
https://web.facebook.com/ccnaexamsim/
The FB page has hundreds of followings and increasing daily. The exam simulator is undoubtedly the most advanced practice test available to date.
Checkout the exam simulator and download the free trial version:
http://www.certexams.com/download/ccna-simulator-download.htm

The exam simulator is different from network simulator, in the sense that the latter provides a virtual networking environment where a candidate can try the network configurations for hands-on experinece. Exam simulator provides a virtual exam environment in all respects including, 1. question types, 2. difficulty level, 3. syllabus compliance, 4. simlets and testlets, 5. scoresheet, etc.

For Network simulators facebook page, check this link:
https://web.facebook.com/CCNA-Router-Simulator-133004116712975/

Cisco Certified Design Associate (640-864) Retiring Soon!

CCDA 640-864 exam is retiring by Dec 30th this year. The new CCDA exam has already been released by Cisco Systems, and it will be the only exam available after that date for CCDA certification. 200-310 Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (DESGN) v3.0 replaces the existing 640-864 exam. A valid CCENT or a valid CCNA Routing and Switching or any CCIE certification can act as a prerequisite.

You may find the syllabus for CCDA here:
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccda/syllabus/

You may find some practice tests from certexams.com here:
http://www.certexams.com/download/ccda-simulator-download.htm

Cisco CCDA certifications are valid for three years. To recertify, pass ONE of the following before the certification expiration date:
1. Successfully complete any current Associate-level exam except for ICND1 exam, or
2. Successfully complete any current professional-level exam, or
3. Successfully complete any current Cisco Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams or MeetingPlace Specialist exams, Implementing Cisco TelePresence Installations (ITI) exams, Cisco Leading Virtual Classroom Instruction exams, or any 650 online exams), or
4. Successfully complete any current CCIE Written Exam, or Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
5. Successfully complete the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications

Wish you good luck!

CCNA Security 640-554 Retiring Soon!

As per Cisco website, CCNA Security (640-554 IINS) is retiring soon! (30th Nov. 2015). The new version exam code is 210-260 IINS. Those preparing with the older objectives may need to pass the exam before the specified date. For practice tests, checkout CCNA Security Practice Tests Home for more information. You may download the free demo version here.
Available products -
Network Simulators: CCNA NetSim, CCENT NetSim, Juniper NetSim, and others
Exam Simulators: CCNA, CCDA, CCENT, ICND2, CCNP Route CCNP Switch, and others.