CompTIA Network+ Certification

Duration: 40 Hrs.

The CompTIA Network+ certification is an international industry credential that validates the knowledge of networking professionals with at least nine months of experience in network support or administration or adequate academic training. A typical candidate would have CompTIA A+ certification or equivalent knowledge, but this is not a prerequisite. An accepted foundation-level, vendor-neutral certification for networking professionals, many IT certifications integrate CompTIA Network+ into their curriculums. The skills and knowledge measured by this examination were derived from an industry-wide job task analysis and validated through an industry-wide survey of more than 2,500 participants.

Earning a CompTIA Network+ certification demonstrates that a candidate can describe the features and functions of networking components, and possesses the knowledge and skills needed to install, configure and troubleshoot basic networking hardware, protocols and services. The exam tests technical ability in the areas of media and topologies, protocols and standards, network implementation, and network support. The exam also covers new technologies such as wireless networking and gigabit Ethernet.

CompTIA Network+ certification

Overview

Number of exam parts	One
Current English Exam Codes	Network+ Certification Exam 2005: N10-003

Course Objectives

Media and Topologies

Recognize the following logical or physical network topologies given a diagram, schematic or description.
pecify the main features of 802.2 (Logical Link Control), 802.3 (Ethernet), 802.5 (token ring), 802.11 (wireless), and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) networking technologies.
Specify the characteristics (For example: speed, length, topology, and cable type) of cables
Recognize the following media connectors and describe their uses.
Recognize the following media types and describe their uses.
Identify the purposes, features and functions of the following network components.
Specify the general characteristics (For example: carrier speed, frequency, transmission type and topology).
Identify factors which affect the range and speed of wireless service (For example: interference, antenna type and environmental factors).

Protocols and Standards

Identify a MAC (Media Access Control) address and its parts.
Identify the seven layers of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) model and their functions.
Identify the OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) layers at which the following network components operate
Differentiate between the following network protocols in terms of routing, addressing schemes, interoperability and naming conventions
Identify the components and structure of IP (Internet Protocol) addresses (IPv4, IPv6) and the required setting for connections across the Internet.
Identify classful IP (Internet Protocol) ranges and their subnet masks (For example: Class A, B and C).
Identify the purpose of subnetting.
Identify the differences between private and public network addressing schemes.
Identify and differentiate between the following IP (Internet Protocol) addressing methods.
Define the purpose, function and use of the following protocols used in the TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) suit.
Define the function of TCP / UDP (Transmission Control Protocol / User Datagram Protocol) ports.
Identify the well-known ports associated with the following commonly used services and protocols.
Identify the purpose of network services and protocols (For example: DNS (Domain Name Service), NAT (Network Address Translation), ICS (Internet Connection Sharing), WINS (Windows Internet Name Service), configuration), SMB (Server Message Block), AFP (Apple File Protocol), LPD (Line Printer Daemon) and Samba).
Identify the basic characteristics (For example: speed, capacity and media) of the following WAN (Wide Area Networks) technologies.
Identify the basic characteristics of the following internet access technologies.
Define the function of the following remote access protocols and services.
Identify the following security protocols and describe their purpose and function.
Identify authentication protocols (For example: CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol), MS-CHAP (Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol), PAP (Password Authentication Protocol), RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service), Kerberos and EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol).

Network Implementation

Identify the basic capabilities (For example: client support, interoperability, authentication, file and print services, application support and security) of the following server operating systems to access network resource.
Identify the basic capabilities needed for client workstations to connect to and use network resources (For example: media, network protocols and peer and server services).
Identify the appropriate tool for a given wiring task (For example: wire crimper, media tester / certifier, punch down tool or tone generator).
Given a remote connectivity scenario comprised of a protocol, an authentication scheme, and physical connectivity, configure the connection.
Identify the purpose, benefits and characteristics of using a firewall.
Identify the purpose, benefits and characteristics of using a proxy service.
Given a connectivity scenario, determine the impact on network functionality of a particular security implementation (For example: port blocking / filtering, authentication and encryption).
Identify the main characteristics of VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks).
Identify the main characteristics and purpose of extranets and intranets.
Identify the purpose, benefits and characteristics of using antivirus software.
Identify the purpose and characteristics of fault tolerance.
Identify the purpose and characteristics of disaster recovery.

Network Support

Given a troubleshooting scenario, select the appropriate network utility.
Given output from a network diagnostic utility (For example: those utilities listed in objective 4.1)
Given a network scenario, interpret visual indicators (For example: link LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) and collision LEDs (Light Emitting Diode)) to determine the nature of a stated problem.
Given a troubleshooting scenario involving a client accessing remote network services, identify the cause of the problem (For example: file services, print services, authentication failure, protocol configuration, physical connectivity and SOHO (Small Office / Home Office) router).
Given a troubleshooting scenario between a client and the following server environments, identify the cause of a stated problem.
Given a scenario, determine the impact of modifying, adding or removing network services.
Given a troubleshooting scenario involving a network with a particular physical topology (For example: bus, star, mesh or ring) and including a network diagram, identify the network area affected and the cause of the stated failure.
Given a network troubleshooting scenario involving an infrastructure (For example: wired or wireless) problem, identify the cause of a stated problem (For example: bad media, interference, network hardware or environment).
Given a network problem scenario, select an appropriate course of action based on a logical troubleshooting strategy.

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