31 Days Before your CCNA Exam: A Day-By-Day Review Guide for the CCNA 200-301 Certification Exam, 2nd Edition

By Allan Johnson
Published Nov 21, 2024 by Cisco Press. Part of the 31 Days series.

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Copyright 2025
Dimensions: 6" x 9"
Pages: 512
Edition: 2nd

Book
ISBN-10: 0-13-821425-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-821425-8
eBook
ISBN-10: 0-13-821410-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-821410-4

31 Days Before Your CCNA Exam: A Day-By-Day Review Guide for the CCNA 200-301 Certification Exam Second Edition is the friendliest, most practical way to understand the CCNA Routing and Switching certification process; to commit to taking your CCNA 200-301 exam; and to finish your preparation using a variety of primary and supplemental study resources.

Thoroughly updated for the current exam, this portable guide offers a complete day-by-day plan for what and how to study. From the basics of switch configuration and IP addressing through modern cloud, virtualization, SDN, SDA, and network automation concepts, youll find it here. Each day breaks down an exam topic into a short, easy-to-review summary, with

Daily Study Resource quick-references pointing to deeper treatments elsewhere. Sign up for your exam now, and use this

day-by-day guide and checklist to organize, prepare, review, and succeed!

How this book helps you fit exam prep into your busy schedule:

Visual downloadable calendar summarizes each days study topic to help you get through everything

Checklist offers expert advice on preparation activities leading up to your exam

Descriptions of exam organization and sign-up processes help make sure nothing falls between the cracks

Proven strategies help you prepare mentally, organizationally, and physically

Conversational tone makes studying more enjoyable

Primary Resources:

CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library Second Edition

ISBN: 978-0-13-822139-3

Introduction to Networks v7 Companion Guide

ISBN: 978-0-13-663366-2

Introduction to Networks v7 Labs and Study Guide

ISBN: 978-0-13-663445-4

Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials v7 Companion Guide

ISBN: 978-0-13-672935-8

Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials v7 Labs and Study Guide

ISBN: 978-0-13-663438-6

Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation v7 Companion Guide

ISBN: 978-0-13-663432-4

Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation v7 Labs and Study Guide

ISBN: 978-0-13-663469-0

Supplemental Resources:

CCNA 200-301 Portable Command Guide, Fifth Edition

ISBN: 978-0-13-593782-2

CCNA 200-301 Version 1.1 Video Course, Second Edition

ISBN: 978-0-13-821361-9

Introduction xxviii

Day 31: Networking Models, Devices, and Components 1

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 1

Key Points 1

The OSI and TCP/IP Models 1

The TCP/IP Application Layer 5

The TCP/IP Transport Layer 5

The TCP/IP Internet Layer 10

The TCP/IP Network Access Layer 11

Data Encapsulation Summary 12

Networking Icons 13

Devices 14

Physical Layer 20

LAN Device Connection Guidelines 22

LANs and WANs 23

Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) 23

Physical and Logical Topologies 25

Hierarchical Campus Designs 25

Study Resources 27

Day 30: Ethernet Switching 29

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 29

Key Topics 29

Evolution to Switching 29

Switching Logic 30

Collision and Broadcast Domains 31

Frame Forwarding 31

Ethernet Overview 32

Legacy Ethernet Technologies 33

Current Ethernet Technologies 35

UTP Cabling 36

Benefits of Using Switches 37

Ethernet Addressing 37

Ethernet Framing 38

The Role of the Physical Layer 39

Study Resources 40

Day 29: Switch Configuration Basics 41

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 41

Key Topics 41

Accessing and Navigating the Cisco IOS 41

Basic Switch Configuration Commands 46

Half Duplex, Full Duplex, and Port Speed 48

Verifying Network Connectivity 49

Troubleshoot Interface and Cable Issues 52

Study Resources 55

Day 28: IPv4 Addressing 57

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 57

Key Topics 57

IPv4 Addressing 57

Private and Public IP Addressing 60

Subnetting in Four Steps 60

VLSM 64

Study Resources 66

Day 27: IPv6 Addressing 67

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 67

Key Topics 67

Overview and Benefits of IPv6 67

The IPv6 Protocol 68

IPv6 Address Types 69

Representing the IPv6 Address 78

IPv6 Subnetting 79

EUI-64 Concept 80

Stateless Address Autoconfiguration 81

Migration to IPv6 82

Study Resources 83

Day 26: VLAN and Trunking Concepts and Configurations 85

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 85

Key Points 85

VLAN Concepts 85

Trunking VLANs 88

VLAN Configuration and Verification 90

Trunking Configuration and Verification 94

VLAN Troubleshooting 97

Trunking Troubleshooting 99

Study Resources 101

Day 25: STP 103

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topic 103

Key Topics 103

STP Concepts and Operation 103

STP Algorithm 104

STP Convergence 105

STP Varieties 106

PVST Operation 107

Rapid PVST+ Operation 109

RSTP Interface Behavior 110

RSTP Port Roles 110

Edge Ports 111

Configuring and Verifying Varieties of STP 112

Study Resources 119

Day 24: EtherChannel and HSRP 121

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 121

Key Topics 121

EtherChannel Operation 121

EtherChannel Protocols 123

Configuring EtherChannel 124

Verifying EtherChannel 125

Troubleshooting EtherChannel 127

First-Hop Redundancy Concepts 128

FHRPs 129

HSRP Operation 130

HSRP Configuration and Verification 131

HSRP Load Balancing 132

Troubleshooting HSRP 135

VRRP and GLBP 135

Study Resources 136

Day 23: DHCP and DNS 137

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 137

Key Topics 137

DHCPv4 137

DHCPv4 Configuration Options 138

DHCPv6 144

DHCPv6 Configuration Options 147

DHCP Troubleshooting 149

DNS Operation 150

Troubleshooting DNS 152

Verifying Host IP Configuration 153

Study Resources 158

Day 22: Wireless Concepts 159

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 159

Key Topics 159

Wireless Standards 159

Wireless Topologies 163

AP Architectures 165

Wireless Security Protocols 168

Study Resources 172

Day 21: WLAN Configuration 173

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 173

Key Topics 173

Logging Into a Cisco WLC 173

Configuring a WLC with a WLAN 175

Study Resources 181

Day 20: LAN Security and Device Hardening 183

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 183

Key Topics 183

Access Control 183

Port Security 189

LAN Threat Mitigation 193

Study Resources 201

Day 19: Basic Routing Concepts 203

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 203

Key Topics 203

Packet Forwarding 203

Routing Methods 205

Classifying Dynamic Routing Protocols 206

Dynamic Routing Metrics 208

Administrative Distance 209

IGP Comparison Summary 211

Routing Loop Prevention 211

Link-State Routing Protocol Features 212

Study Resources 215

Day 18: Basic Router Configuration 217

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 217

Key Topics 217

Basic Router Configuration with IPv4 217

Basic Router Configuration with IPv6 225

Verifying IPv4 and IPv6 Network Connectivity 229

Small Office or Home Office Routers 231

Basic IP Addressing Troubleshooting 233

Study Resources 234

Day 17: The Routing Table 235

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 235

Key Topics 235

Two Router Functions 235

Components of the Routing Table 236

Routing Table Principles 239

Route Entry Structure 240

Study Resources 241

Day 16: Inter-VLAN Routing 243

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 243

Key Points 243

Inter-VLAN Routing Concepts 243

Router on a Stick Configuration and Verification 245

Multilayer Switching Inter-VLAN Routing Configuration and Verification 248

Study Resources 250

Day 15: Static and Default Route Configuration 251

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 251

Key Topics 251

Static and Default Routing Overview 251

IPv4 Static Route Configuration 252

Study Resources 264

Day 14: OSPF Operation 265

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 265

Key Topics 265

Single-Area OSPF Operation 265

OSPF DR and BDR 269

OSPF Algorithm 269

Link-State Routing Process 270

OSPFv2 Versus OSPFv3 271

Multiarea OSPF Operation 272

Study Resources 274

Day 13: Single-Area OSPF Implementation 275

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 275

Key Topics 275

Single-Area OSPFv2 Configuration 275

Verifying OSPFv2 280

Study Resources 284

Day 12: Fine-Tuning and Troubleshooting OSPF 285

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 285

Key Topics 285

OSPFv2 Configuration Example 285

Modifying OSPFv2 287

Troubleshooting OSPF 291

Study Resources 293

Day 11: Network Security Concepts 295

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 295

Key Topics 295

Security Fundamentals 295

Network Attacks 299

Security Program 302

Password Vulnerabilities 303

Password Alternatives 304

Study Resources 306

Day 10: ACL Concepts 307

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 307

Key Topics 307

ACL Operation 307

Planning to Use ACLs 309

Study Resources 312

Day 9: ACL Implementation 313

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 313

Key Topics 313

Configuring Standard Numbered IPv4 ACLs 313

Configuring Extended Numbered IPv4 ACLs 315

Configuring Named IPv4 ACLs 317

Verifying IPv4 ACLs 319

Comparing IPv4 and IPv6 ACLs 320

Configuring IPv6 ACLs 321

Verifying IPv6 ACLs 323

Troubleshooting ACLs 326

Study Resources 326

Day 8: NAT 329

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 329

Key Topics 329

NAT Concepts 329

Configuring Static NAT 334

Verifying NAT 336

Troubleshooting NAT 337

Study Resources 338

Day 7: WAN, VPN, and IPsec 339

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 339

Key Topics 339

WAN Topologies 339

WAN Connection Options 340

VPN Technology 346

Study Resources 355

Day 6: QoS 357

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topic 357

Key Topics 357

QoS 357

Study Resources 364

Day 5: CDP and LLDP 365

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topic 365

Key Topics 365

CDP Overview 365

LLDP Overview 371

Study Resources 374

Day 4: Device Monitoring, Management, and Maintenance 375

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 375

Key Topics 375

SNMP Operation 375

Configuring SNMP 378

Verifying SNMP 378

Syslog 380

Network Time Protocol 384

Cisco IOS File System and Devices 385

Managing Cisco IOS Images 390

Password Recovery 392

Study Resources 393

Day 3: Cloud, Virtualization, and SDN 395

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 395

Key Topics 395

Cloud Computing 395

Software-Defined Networking 399

Study Resources 405

Day 2: Cisco SD-Access, Ansible, and Terraform 407

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 407

Key Topics 407

Cisco SD-Access 407

Configuration Management Tools: Ansible and Terraform 418

Study Resources 427

Day 1: Data Formats, REST, and AI 429

CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics 429

Key Topics 429

Data Formats 429

RESTful APIs 432

AI and ML in IT Operations 435

Study Resources 442

Exam Day 443

Post-Exam Information 445

CCNA Countdown Calendar 447

Exam Checklist 449

9780138214258, TOC, 10/11/2024

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