Introduction

Welcome to CCNA 200-301 Exam Cram! This book covers the newly updated CCNA 200-301 certification exam. This new “one CCNA exam to rule them all” is more important than ever before in Cisco’s overall certification strategy. It provides the information you need to build a strong foundation for the varied CCNP certification tracks from Cisco Systems.

Whether this is your first or your fifteenth Exam Cram, you’ll find information here that will ensure your success as you pursue knowledge, experience, and certification. This Introduction covers how the Exam Cram series can help you prepare for the CCNA exam.

This Introduction discusses the basics of the CCNA exam. Included are sections covering preparation, how to take an exam, a description of this book’s contents, how this book is organized, and, finally, author contact information.

Each chapter in this book contains practice questions. There are also two full-length Practice Exams at the end of the book. Practice Exams in this book should help you accurately assess the level of expertise you need in order to pass the test. Answers and explanations are included for all test questions. It is best to obtain a level of understanding equivalent to a consistent pass rate of at least 90% on the Review Questions and Practice Exams in this book before you take the real exam.

Let’s begin by looking at preparation for the exam.

How to Prepare for the Exam

This text follows the official exam objectives closely to help ensure your success. The official objectives from Cisco Systems can be found at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/exams/current-list/ccna-200-301.html.

As you examine the numerous exam Topics now covered on the CCNA exam, resist the urge to panic! This book you are holding will provide you with the knowledge (and confidence) you need to succeed in this new CCNA exam. You just need to make sure you read it and follow the guidance it provides throughout your CCNA journey.

Practice Questions

This book is filled with practice questions to get you ready. Enjoy the following:

• ▸ CramSaver questions before each and every section: These difficult, open-ended questions ensure that you really know the material. Some readers use these questions to “test out of” reading a particular section.

• ▸ CramQuizzes ending each section: These quizzes provide a chance to demonstrate your knowledge after completing a section.

• ▸ Review Questions ending each chapter: These questions give you a final pass through the material covered in the chapter.

• ▸ Two full Practice Exams: The Answer Keys for the Practice Exams include explanations and tips for approaching each Practice Exam question.

In addition, the book includes two additional full practice tests in the Pearson Test Prep software available to you either online or as an offline Windows application. To access these practice tests, please see the instructions in the card inserted in the sleeve in the back of the book. This card includes a unique access code that enables you to activate your exams in the Pearson Test Prep software.

If you are interested in more practice exams than are provided with this book, check out the Pearson IT Certification Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test product. In addition to providing you with three eBook files (EPUB, PDF, and Kindle), this product provides you with two additional exams’ worth of questions. The Premium Edition version also offers you a link to the specific section in the book that presents an overview of the Topic covered in the question, allowing you to easily refresh your knowledge. The insert card in the back of the book includes a special offer for a 80% discount on this Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test product, which is an incredible deal.

Taking a Certification Exam

When you have prepared for the CCNA 200-301 exam, you must register with Cisco Systems to take the exam. The CCNA exam is given at Pearson VUE testing centers. Check the Pearson VUE website at www.pearsonvue.com to get specific details.

You can register for an exam online or by phone. After you register, you will receive a confirmation notice. Some locations may have limited test centers available, so you should schedule your exam in advance to make sure you can get the specific date and time you would like.

Arriving at the Exam Location

As with any other examination, you should arrive at the testing center early. Be prepared! You need to bring two forms of identification (one with a picture). The testing center staff requires proof that you are who you say you are and that someone else is not taking the test for you. Arrive early because if you are late, you will be barred from entry and will not receive a refund for the cost of the exam.

In the Testing Center

You will not be allowed to take into the examination room study materials or anything else that could raise suspicion that you’re cheating. This includes practice test material, books, exam prep guides, or other test aids. The testing center will provide you with scratch paper and a pen or pencil—or possibly an erasable whiteboard.

After the Exam

Examination results are available immediately after the exam. If you pass the exam, you will simply receive a passing grade; your exact score will not be provided. Candidates who do not pass will receive a complete score breakdown by domain. This allows those individuals to see what areas they are weak in.

About This Book

The ideal reader for an Exam Cram book is someone seeking certification. However, it should be noted that an Exam Cram book is a very easily readable book that rapidly presents facts. Therefore, an Exam Cram book is also extremely useful as a quick reference manual.

Most people seeking certification use multiple sources of information. Check out the links at the end of each chapter to get more information about subjects you’re weak in.

This book includes other helpful elements in addition to the actual logical, step-by-step learning progression of the chapters themselves. Exam Cram books use elements such as ExamAlerts, Notes, and Review Questions to make information easier to read and absorb. This text also includes a very helpful Glossary to assist you.

Use the Cram Sheet to remember last-minute facts immediately before taking the exam. Use the Review Questions and Practice Exams to test your knowledge. You can always brush up on specific Topics in detail by referring to the table of contents and the index. Even after you achieve certification, you can use this book as a rapid-access reference manual.

The Exam Blueprint

The table that follows outlines the CCNA exam domains and objectives and maps the objectives to the chapter or chapters in the book that cover them in detail.

The Chapter Elements

Each Exam Cram book has chapters that follow a predefined structure. This structure makes Exam Cram books easy to read and provides a familiar format for all Exam Cram books. The following elements typically are used:

• ▸ Chapter Topics

• ▸ Essential terms and components

• ▸ CramSavers

• ▸ CramQuizzes

• ▸ ExamAlerts

• ▸ Notes

• ▸ Exam preparation practice questions and answers

• ▸ Packet Tracer practice labs (though not all chapters have accompanying Packet Tracer lab assignments)

• ▸ Additional Resources

Now let’s look at each of the elements in detail:

• ▸ Chapter Topics: Each chapter contains details of all the subject matter listed in the table of contents for that particular chapter. The objective of an Exam Cram book is to cover all the important facts without giving too much detail. When examples are required, they are included.

• ▸ Essential terms and components: The start of every chapter contains a list of terms and concepts you should understand. These are all defined in the book’s accompanying Glossary.

• ▸ CramSavers: Each major section in the chapter kicks off with a brief short-answer-question quiz to help you assess your knowledge of the section Topic. This chapter element is designed to help you determine if you need to read the whole section in detail or merely skim the material and skip ahead to the CramQuiz at the end of the section.

• ▸ CramQuizzes: Each major section in the chapter concludes with a multiple-choice-question quiz to help ensure that you have gained familiarity with the section content.

• ▸ ExamAlerts: ExamAlerts address exam-specific, exam-related information. An ExamAlert addresses content that is particularly important, tricky, or likely to appear on the exam. An ExamAlert looks like this:

• ▸ Notes: Notes typically contain useful information that is not directly related to the Topic currently under consideration. To avoid breaking up the flow of the text, they are set off from the regular text.

• ▸ Review Questions: At the end of every chapter is a battery of practice questions similar to those in the actual exam. Each chapter contains a list of questions relevant to that chapter, including answers and explanations. Test your skills as you read.

• ▸ Hands-On Lab Practice Assignments: Since much of your success in Cisco networking depends on your ability to configure the various technologies presented in this text, we provide you with the ability to practice configuring many scenarios. The Hands-On Lab Practice Assignments use Packet Tracer as the engine to present the challenges. You are always provided with full, optimal solutions for these labs to compare your work to.

• ▸ Additional Resources: This section at the end of each chapter describes other relevant sources of information related to the chapter Topics covered.

Other Book Elements

Most of this Exam Cram book follows the consistent chapter structure already described. However, there are various important elements that are not part of the standard chapter format. These elements apply to the entire book as a whole.

• ▸ Practice Exams: In addition to including exam-preparation questions at the end of each chapter, this book provides two full Practice Exams.

• ▸ Answers and explanations for practice exams: An Answer Key follows each practice exam, providing answers to and explanations for the questions in the exams.

• ▸ Glossary: The Glossary defines important terms used in this book.

• ▸ Cram Sheet: The Cram Sheet is a quick-reference, tearout cardboard sheet of important facts that is useful for last-minute preparation. The Cram Sheet includes simple summaries of the facts that are most difficult to remember.

• ▸ Companion website: The companion website for this book allows you to access several digital assets that come with your book:

  • ▸ Pearson Test Prep software (both online and Windows desktop versions)

  • ▸ Key Terms Flash Cards application

  • ▸ A PDF version of the Command Reference

  • ▸ A PDF version of the Cram Sheet

• ▸ The Packet Tracer Hands-On Lab Practice Assignments

To access the book’s companion website, simply follow these steps:

1. Register your book by going to PearsonITCertification.com/register and entering the ISBN 9780136632887.

2. Respond to the challenge questions.

3. Go to your account page and select the Registered Products tab.

4. Click on the Access Bonus Content link under the product listing.

Packet Tracer Hands-On Lab Practice Assignments

If you are reading a chapter that has a Hands-On Lab Practice Assignment mentioned at the end of the chapter, use the online companion website to download your assignment instructions and solution walkthrough, as well as the starting Packet Tracer file. We even include the final solution Packet Tracer file as well, in case you would like to compare the solution with your own or do extra practice with it.

If you do not have Packet Tracer (or if you have an older version that does not work with our files), be sure to register and download the latest free version from Cisco Networking Academy (https://www.netacad.com). As of the time of this writing, Packet Tracer is available at https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer.

Once you have Packet Tracer installed, you can simply double-click one of the PKT files to launch the topology and preexisting configurations in your version of Packet Tracer.

Pearson Test Prep Practice Test Software

As noted previously, this book comes complete with the Pearson Test Prep practice test software and four full exams (the two Practice Exams from the back of the book as well as two additional tests). These practice tests are available to you either online or in the offline Windows application. To access the practice exams that were developed with this book, please see the instructions in the card inserted in the sleeve in the back of the book. This card includes a unique access code that enables you to activate your exams in the Pearson Test Prep software.

Accessing the Pearson Test Prep Software Online

The online version of the Pearson Test Prep software can be used on any device with a browser and connectivity to the Internet, including desktop machines, tablets, and smartphones. To start using your practice exams online, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to www.PearsonTestPrep.com.

2. Select Pearson IT Certification as your product group.

3. Enter the email/password for your account. (If you don’t have an account on PearsonITCertification.com or CiscoPress.com, you need to establish one by going to PearsonITCertification.com/join.)

4. In the My Products tab, click the Activate New Product button.

5. Enter the access code printed on the insert card in the back of your book to activate your product.

6. The product should now be listed on your My Products page. Click the Exams button to launch the exam settings screen and start taking an exam for practice.

Accessing the Pearson Test Prep Software Offline

If you wish to study offline, you can download and install the Windows version of the Pearson Test Prep software. There is a download link for this software on the book’s companion website, or you can just enter this link in your browser: www.pearsonitcertification.com/content/downloads/pcpt/engine.zip.

To access the book’s companion website and the software, simply follow these steps:

1. Register your book by going to PearsonITCertification.com/register and entering the ISBN 9780136632887.

2. Respond to the challenge questions.

3. Go to your account page and select the Registered Products tab.

4. Click on the Access Bonus Content link under the product listing.

5. Click the Install Pearson Test Prep Desktop Version link under the Practice Exams section of the page to download the software.

6. After the software finishes downloading, unzip all the files onto your computer.

7. Double-click the application file to start the installation and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the registration.

8. When the installation is complete, launch the application and click the Activate Exam button on the My Products tab.

9. Click the Activate a Product button in the Activate Product Wizard.

10. Enter the unique access code from the card in the sleeve in the back of your book and click the Activate button.

11. Click Next and then click the Finish button to download the exam data to your application.

12. You can now start using the practice exams by selecting the product and clicking the Open Exam button to open the exam settings screen.

Note that the offline and online versions will sync together, so saved exams and grade results recorded on one version will be available to you on the other as well.

Customizing Your Exams

Once you are in the exam settings screen, you can choose to take exams in one of three modes:

• ▸ Study Mode

• ▸ Practice Exam Mode

• ▸ Flash Card Mode

Study Mode allows you to fully customize your exams and review answers as you are taking the exam. This is typically the mode you use first to assess your knowledge and identify information gaps. Practice Exam Mode locks certain customization options, as it presents a realistic exam experience. Use this mode when you are preparing to test your exam readiness. Flash Card Mode strips out the answers and presents you with only the question stem. This mode is great for late-stage preparation, when you really want to challenge yourself to provide answers without the benefit of seeing multiple-choice options. This mode will not provide the detailed score reports that the other two modes will, so it should not be used if you are trying to identify knowledge gaps.

In addition to these three modes, you can select the source of your questions. You can choose to take exams that cover all of the chapters, or you can narrow your selection to just a single chapter or the chapters that make up specific parts in the book. All chapters are selected by default. If you want to narrow your focus to individual chapters, simply deselect all the chapters and then select only those on which you wish to focus in the Objectives area.

You can also select the exam banks on which to focus. Each exam bank comes complete with a full exam of questions that cover Topics in every chapter. The two Practice Exams printed in the book are available to you, as are two additional exams of unique questions. You can have the test engine serve up exams from all four banks or just from one individual bank by selecting the desired banks in the exam bank area.

There are several other customizations you can make to your exam from the exam settings screen, such as the time you are allowed for taking the exam, the number of questions served up, whether to randomize questions and answers, whether to show the number of correct answers for multiple-answer questions, or whether to serve up only specific types of questions. You can also create custom test banks by selecting only questions that you have marked or questions on which you have added notes.

Updating Your Exams

If you are using the online version of the Pearson Test Prep software, you should always have access to the latest version of the software as well as the exam data. If you are using the Windows desktop version, every time you launch the software, it will check to see if there are any updates to your exam data and automatically download any changes that made since the last time you used the software. You must be connected to the Internet at the time you launch the software.

Sometimes, due to many factors, the exam data may not fully download when you activate an exam. If you find that figures or exhibits are missing, you may need to manually update your exams. To update a particular exam you have already activated and downloaded, simply select the Tools tab and click the Update Products button. Again, this is only an issue with the desktop Windows application.

If you wish to check for updates to the Pearson Test Prep exam engine software, Windows desktop version, simply select the Tools tab and click the Update Application button. This will ensure you are running the latest version of the software engine.

Contacting the Author

Hopefully, this book provides you with the tools you need to pass the CCNA exam. Feedback is appreciated. You can contact the author at [email protected].

Thank you for selecting my book; I have worked to apply the same concepts in this book that I have used in the hundreds of training classes I have taught. Spend your study time wisely and you, too, can become a CCNA. Good luck with the exam, although if you carefully work through this text, you will certainly minimize the amount of luck required!