Book Image

Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions: 200-301 CCNA Exam Guide

By : Glen D. Singh
Book Image

Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions: 200-301 CCNA Exam Guide

By: Glen D. Singh

Overview of this book

In the dynamic technology landscape, staying on top of the latest technology trends is a must, especially if you want to build a career in network administration. Achieving CCNA 200-301 certification will validate your knowledge of networking concepts, and this book will help you to do just that. This exam guide focuses on the fundamentals to help you gain a high-level understanding of networking, security, IP connectivity, IP services, programmability, and automation. Starting with the functions of various networking components, you’ll discover how they are used to build and improve an enterprise network. You’ll then delve into configuring networking devices using a command-line interface (CLI) to provide network access, services, security, connectivity, and management. The book covers important aspects of network engineering using a variety of hands-on labs and real-world scenarios that will help you gain essential practical skills. As you make progress, this CCNA certification study guide will help you get to grips with the solutions and technologies that you need to implement and administer a broad range of modern networks and IT infrastructures. By the end of this book, you’ll have gained the confidence to pass the Cisco CCNA 200-301 exam on the first attempt and be well-versed in a variety of network administration and security engineering solutions.
Table of Contents (26 chapters)
1
Section 1: Network Fundamentals
6
Section 2: Network Access
9
Section 3: IP Connectivity
12
Section 4: IP Services
15
Section 5: Security Fundamentals
20
Section 6: Automation and Programmability
22
Chapter 16: Mock Exam 1
23
Chapter 17: Mock Exam 2

What is Spanning-Tree Protocol?

One of the major topics in the CCNA certification is understanding how the Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) works on a Layer 2 switch network. In networks of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises and multiple branch sites, there are many interconnected switches that provide connectivity to end devices. In Chapter 1, Introduction to Networking, we spoke about the Cisco hierarchical three-tier design, which contains the core, distribution, and access layers.

To recap, the following is a diagram showing the Cisco three-tier switch model:

Figure 6.1 – Cisco three-tier model

Cisco recommends that this model should be implemented in any sized network as it provides the following benefits:

  • Allows scalability
  • Allows EtherChannels between devices
  • Provides redundancy

Scalability allows us to simply add more access switches and connect the newly added switches to the distribution layer to support...