CompTIA Network+
  in a Nutshell




    Chapter One
Objectives
• Describe the importance of CompTIA
  Network+ certification
• Illustrate the structure and contents of the
  CompTIA Network+ certification exam
• Plan a strategy to prepare for the exam
Who Needs CompTIA
        Network+?

I just want to Learn about Networks!
What is CompTIA
Network+ Certification?
• An industry-wide, vendor-neutral
  certification
  – Developed by the Computer Technology
    Industry Association (CompTIA)
  – Passing shows a basic competency in the
    physical support of networking systems
  – Passing shows a knowledge of conceptual
    aspects of networking
• Demonstrates knowledge equivalent to a
  network technician with nine months of
  networking experience
• Requires one computer-based, multiple-
  choice exam
• Widely recognized throughout the IT industry
What is CompTIA?
• A nonprofit industry trade association
• Members include computer resellers,
  value-added resellers, distributors,
  manufacturers, and training companies
• Founded in 1982
• Offers certifications for a variety of computer
  industries
• A+, Network+, I-Net+, Security+, and more
CompTIA Network+
was revised in 2009
How do I become CompTIA
   Network+ certified?
• Pass one computer-based, multiple-choice
  exam
  – No prerequisites or networking experience
  – No special training course or materials
    required
• CompTIA recommends:
  – Nine months network tech experience
  – CompTIA A+ certification knowledge
What Is the Test Like?
• One Hundred multiple-choice questions
• Ninety-minute time limit
• Minimum pass score of 720
  on a scale of 100-900
• Objectives organized into
  CompTIA Network+ Domains
This table lists the domains,
     and the percentage of the test each represents.

CompTIA Network+ Domain                        Percentage


1.0 Network Technologies                       20%
2.0 Network Media and Topologies               20%
3.0 Network Devices                            17%
4.0 Network Management                         20%
5.0 Network Tools                              12%
6.0 Network Security                           11%
• More About the Exam
  – Practical questions involving
     •   Real-life troubleshooting scenarios
     •   Hardware and software failures
     •   “What do you do next?”
     •   “What is the most likely problem?”
• More About the Exam (cont.)
  – Know how to install and configure a PC to
    connect to a network using these skills and
    knowledge:
     •   Install and test a network card
     •   Configure drivers
     •   Load all network software
     •   Know different topologies, standards, and cabling
     •   Know the OSI seven-layer model
     •   Know the protocol suites – especially TCP/IP
How do I take the test?
• Go to an Authorized Testing Center
  – Prometric: 888-895-6116 (www.prometric.com)
  – Pearson VUE: 877-551-7587 (www.vue.com)
  – More info on centers at www.comptia.org
How much does
 the test cost?
• Price fixed by CompTIA
• At publication time, $239 (U.S.) for
  non-CompTIA members
• You can save money by purchasing an
  exam voucher through CompTIA member
  companies
• When registering:
  – Need Social Security number (or international
    equivalent)
  – Pay by credit card or unique voucher number
  – International prices vary
How to Pass the
CompTIA Network+ Exam
• Keep it simple!
  – Read the book
  – Practice the questions at the end
    of chapters
  – Take practice tests on the CD in the
    back of the book
  – Review any topics you missed
• Obligate yourself
  – Schedule the exam
  – Determine necessary study time
  – Call Prometric or Pearson VUE or register
    for the exam online
• Set aside the right amount of study time
Table 1.1       Determining How Much Study Time You Need
                                                 Amount of Experience/Study Time (in hours)
Type of Experience                        None      Once or Twice On Occasion Quite a Bit
Installing a SOHO wireless network        4          2             1           1
Installing an advanced wireless network   2          2             1           1
        (802.1X, RADIUS, etc.)
Installing structured cabling             3          2             1           1
Configuring a home router                 5          3             2           1
Configuring a Cisco router                4          2             1           1
Configuring a software firewall           3          2             1           1
Configuring a hardware firewall           2          2             1           1
Configuring an IPv4 client                8          4             2           1
Configuring an IPv6 client                3          3             2           1
Working with SOHO WAN connection          2          2             1           0
        (DSL, cable)
Working with an advanced WAN connection   3          3             2           2
        (Tx, OCx, ATM)
Configuring a DNS server                  2          2             2           1
Configuring a DHCP server                 2          1             1           0
Configuring a Web application server      4          4             2           1
        (HTTP, FTP, SSH, etc.)
Configuring a VLAN                        3          3             2           1
Configuring a VPN                         3          3             2           1
Configuring a dynamic routing protocol    2          2             1           1
• Study for the test
  – Historical/Conceptual: not on the test,
    but greatly aids understanding
  – Test-specific: topics fit within the CompTIA
    Network+ certification domains

Chapter 1 Networking

  • 1.
    CompTIA Network+ in a Nutshell Chapter One
  • 2.
    Objectives • Describe theimportance of CompTIA Network+ certification • Illustrate the structure and contents of the CompTIA Network+ certification exam • Plan a strategy to prepare for the exam
  • 3.
    Who Needs CompTIA Network+? I just want to Learn about Networks!
  • 4.
  • 5.
    • An industry-wide,vendor-neutral certification – Developed by the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) – Passing shows a basic competency in the physical support of networking systems – Passing shows a knowledge of conceptual aspects of networking
  • 6.
    • Demonstrates knowledgeequivalent to a network technician with nine months of networking experience • Requires one computer-based, multiple- choice exam • Widely recognized throughout the IT industry
  • 7.
  • 8.
    • A nonprofitindustry trade association • Members include computer resellers, value-added resellers, distributors, manufacturers, and training companies
  • 9.
    • Founded in1982 • Offers certifications for a variety of computer industries • A+, Network+, I-Net+, Security+, and more
  • 10.
  • 11.
    How do Ibecome CompTIA Network+ certified?
  • 12.
    • Pass onecomputer-based, multiple-choice exam – No prerequisites or networking experience – No special training course or materials required
  • 13.
    • CompTIA recommends: – Nine months network tech experience – CompTIA A+ certification knowledge
  • 14.
    What Is theTest Like?
  • 15.
    • One Hundredmultiple-choice questions • Ninety-minute time limit • Minimum pass score of 720 on a scale of 100-900 • Objectives organized into CompTIA Network+ Domains
  • 16.
    This table liststhe domains, and the percentage of the test each represents. CompTIA Network+ Domain Percentage 1.0 Network Technologies 20% 2.0 Network Media and Topologies 20% 3.0 Network Devices 17% 4.0 Network Management 20% 5.0 Network Tools 12% 6.0 Network Security 11%
  • 17.
    • More Aboutthe Exam – Practical questions involving • Real-life troubleshooting scenarios • Hardware and software failures • “What do you do next?” • “What is the most likely problem?”
  • 18.
    • More Aboutthe Exam (cont.) – Know how to install and configure a PC to connect to a network using these skills and knowledge: • Install and test a network card • Configure drivers • Load all network software • Know different topologies, standards, and cabling • Know the OSI seven-layer model • Know the protocol suites – especially TCP/IP
  • 19.
    How do Itake the test?
  • 20.
    • Go toan Authorized Testing Center – Prometric: 888-895-6116 (www.prometric.com) – Pearson VUE: 877-551-7587 (www.vue.com) – More info on centers at www.comptia.org
  • 21.
    How much does the test cost?
  • 22.
    • Price fixedby CompTIA • At publication time, $239 (U.S.) for non-CompTIA members • You can save money by purchasing an exam voucher through CompTIA member companies
  • 23.
    • When registering: – Need Social Security number (or international equivalent) – Pay by credit card or unique voucher number – International prices vary
  • 24.
    How to Passthe CompTIA Network+ Exam
  • 25.
    • Keep itsimple! – Read the book – Practice the questions at the end of chapters – Take practice tests on the CD in the back of the book – Review any topics you missed
  • 26.
    • Obligate yourself – Schedule the exam – Determine necessary study time – Call Prometric or Pearson VUE or register for the exam online • Set aside the right amount of study time
  • 27.
    Table 1.1 Determining How Much Study Time You Need Amount of Experience/Study Time (in hours) Type of Experience None Once or Twice On Occasion Quite a Bit Installing a SOHO wireless network 4 2 1 1 Installing an advanced wireless network 2 2 1 1 (802.1X, RADIUS, etc.) Installing structured cabling 3 2 1 1 Configuring a home router 5 3 2 1 Configuring a Cisco router 4 2 1 1 Configuring a software firewall 3 2 1 1 Configuring a hardware firewall 2 2 1 1 Configuring an IPv4 client 8 4 2 1 Configuring an IPv6 client 3 3 2 1 Working with SOHO WAN connection 2 2 1 0 (DSL, cable) Working with an advanced WAN connection 3 3 2 2 (Tx, OCx, ATM) Configuring a DNS server 2 2 2 1 Configuring a DHCP server 2 1 1 0 Configuring a Web application server 4 4 2 1 (HTTP, FTP, SSH, etc.) Configuring a VLAN 3 3 2 1 Configuring a VPN 3 3 2 1 Configuring a dynamic routing protocol 2 2 1 1
  • 28.
    • Study forthe test – Historical/Conceptual: not on the test, but greatly aids understanding – Test-specific: topics fit within the CompTIA Network+ certification domains

Editor's Notes

  • #15 Note: There is only one CompTIA Network+ exam.
  • #19 Note: Point out the note on the bottom of page 3 of the text and remind the students to check for changes to the exam and the passing score. The Total Seminars Web site (www.totalsem.com) gives up-to-date information on changes to the exam.
  • #21 Per the note on Page 4: You cannot take the exam over the Internet, but you can register online through either Prometric (www.prometric.com) or Pearson Vue (www.vue.com).
  • #23 Note: International prices vary, and students outside the United States should check the CompTIA Web site for international pricing. All prices are subject to change.
  • #29 Per the note on the top of Page 7, as you go through the text, you may need to skip back to previous chapter to get the Historical/Conceptual information you need for a later chapter. The note on the bottom of Page 7 points out that Total Seminars has helpful discussion groups at www.totalsem.com/forums. These groups are an excellent resource when you are studying for the exam.