Bridging/Switching

- Name and describe two switching methods.
- Distinguish between cut-through and store-and-forward LAN switching.
- Describe the operation of the Spanning Tree Protocol and its benefits.
- Describe the benefits of virtual LANs.

OSI Reference Model & Layered Communications

- Describe data link and network addresses and identify key differences between them.
- Define and describe the function of the MAC address.
- List the key internetworking functions for the OSI Network layer
- Identify at least three reasons why the industry uses a layered model
- Describe the two parts of network addressing; then identify the parts in specific protocol address examples
- Define and explain the five conversion steps of data encapsulation.
- Describe connection-oriented network service and connectionless network service, and identify their key differences
- Identify the parts in specific protocol address examples
- Describe the advantages of LAN segmentation
- Describe LAN segmentation using bridges.
- Describe LAN segmentation using routers
- Describe LAN segmentation using switches
- Describe the benefits of network segmentation with bridges
- Describe the benefits of network segmentation with routers
- Describe the benefits of network segmentation with switches

Network Protocols

- Describe the different classes of IP addresses and subnetting
- Identify the functions of the TCP/IP network-layer protocol
- Identify the functions performed by ICMP
- Configure IP addresses
- Verify IP addresses
- List the required IPX address and encapsulation type

Routing

- Define flow control and describe the three basic methods used in networking
- Add the RIP routing protocol to your configuration
- Add the IGRP routing protocol to your configuration
 

WAN Protocols

- Recognize key Frame Relay terms and features
- List commands to configure Frame Relay LMIs, maps, and subinterfaces
- List commands to monitor Frame Relay operation in the router
- State a relevant use and context for ISDN networking
- Identify ISDN protocols, function groups, reference points, and channels
- Identify PPP operations to encapsulate WAN data on Cisco routers

Network Management

- Configure standard access lists to figure IP traffic
- Configure extended access lists to filter IP traffic
- Monitor and verify selected access list operations on the router

LAN Design

- Describe full- and half-duplex Ethernet operation.
- Describe network congestion problem in Ethernet networks
- Describe the features and benefits of Fast Ethernet
- Describe the guidelines and distance limitations of Fast Ethernet

Cisco Basics, IOS & Network Basics

- Examine router elements
- Manage configuration files from the privilege EXEC mode
- Control router passwords, identification, and banner
- Identify the main Cisco IOS software commands for router startup
- Log in to a router in both user and privilege modes
- Check an initial configuration using the setup command
- Use the context-sensitive help facility
- Use the command history and editing features.
- List the commands to load Cisco IOS software from: Flash memory, a TFTP server, or ROM
- Prepare to backup, upgrade, and load a backup Cisco IOS software image
- List problems that each routing type encounters when dealing with topology changes, and describe techniques to reduce the number of these problems
- Prepare the initial configuration of your router and enable IP