Greetings, Tech Talkers!
This is Tor from Tors Tech Talk, your trusted network engineering uplink. If you’re here, I’m guessing you’ve got your sights set on the CCNA certification—a huge milestone for anyone getting serious about networking. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of routers and switches or you’re ready to take the plunge, this series is here to guide you every step of the way.
We’re about to dive into everything you need to know for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam. We’re talking routing, switching, IP addressing, VLANs, and yes—there will be subnetting (I promise it won’t be as scary as it sounds). Over the next series of articles, we’ll break down the exam topics in bite-sized, understandable pieces. My goal? To get you feeling confident, prepared, and excited to crush your CCNA!
What is the CCNA and Why Should You Care?
Before we jump into the meat of the series, let’s take a second to talk about why the CCNA matters. This certification is a gateway into the world of network engineering. Whether you’re looking to land your first gig in IT, or you’re already in the field and want to level up, the CCNA is a respected, industry-recognized certification that proves you know foundational networking topics.
Here’s the deal: passing the CCNA means you’ve got a solid foundation in networking concepts. You’ll understand how devices communicate, how to build and manage networks, and how to troubleshoot issues like a pro. Basically, you’ll be walking around with the knowledge to build networks that don’t break—and that’s a pretty sweet superpower.
Speaking from experience - When I passed my CCNA I was able to land a new job that increased my income by 100%!
The Road Ahead: Overview of CCNA Topics
The CCNA exam blueprint covers a wide range of topics. We’ll break down each of them in our articles, making sure you understand the concepts and can apply them in real-world scenarios. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll be covering:
1. Network Fundamentals: We’ll kick things off with the basics—like understanding what the heck terms like 'IP addressing', 'subnetting', and 'network topology' really mean. Don’t worry, we’ll take it slow at first, then build up speed.
2. Network Access: Here’s where we dig into things like switching, VLANs, and how data actually moves through a network. You’ll learn how to configure and verify VLANs like a boss.
3. IP Connectivity: This is where the fun begins. We’ll talk routing protocols like OSPF, EIGRP, and static routing. By the end, you’ll be able to configure routing tables like it’s second nature.
4. IP Services: DNS, DHCP, NTP, SNMP—if it has a bunch of letters and makes your head spin, don’t worry, we’ve got it covered. We’ll make these services click.
5. Security Fundamentals: We can’t have networks without security, right? You’ll learn about access control lists (ACLs), device hardening, and how to keep your network safe from the bad actors.
6. Automation and Programmability: The future is now, my friends. We’ll take a look at how network automation and tools like Python are changing the game.
Below is your FREE CCNA road map provided by Tors Tech Talk.. You're Welcome 😊
Ready to start? Below is the master list of articles that will guide you through every single topic on the CCNA exam blueprint. We’ll take these one at a time—so get ready to start checking them off your list!
Here’s a refined and organized breakdown of the articles, matching the exam sections and topics:
Section | Topic Title |
1.0 Network Fundamentals | |
1.1 | |
1.2 | |
1.3 | |
1.4 | |
1.5 | |
1.6 | |
1.7 | |
1.8 | |
1.9 | |
1.10 | |
1.11 | |
1.12 | |
1.13 | |
2.0 Network Access | |
2.1 | |
2.2 | |
2.3 | |
2.4 | |
2.5 | |
2.6 | |
2.7 | |
2.8 | |
2.9 | |
3.0 IP Connectivity | |
3.1 | |
3.2 | |
3.3 | |
3.4 | |
3.5 | |
4.0 IP Services | |
4.1 | |
4.2 | |
4.3 | |
4.4 | |
4.5 | |
4.6 | |
4.7 | |
4.8 | |
4.9 | |
5.0 Security Fundamentals | |
5.1 | |
5.2 | |
5.3 | |
5.4 | |
5.5 | |
5.6 | |
5.7 | |
5.8 | |
5.9 | |
5.10 | |
6.0 Automation and Programmability | |
6.1 | |
6.2 | |
6.3 | |
6.4 | |
6.5 | |
6.6 | |
6.7 | |
Course Outro |
This breakdown organizes your articles clearly by exam section and topic, making it easy to follow and refer to specific content for study or reference. Please share it with your peers!
A Word of Motivation from Your Trusted Network Uplink
Here’s the thing, Tech Talkers—getting your CCNA is no small feat, but I’m here to tell you that you can do this.
It’s going to take some grit and determination, some late nights, and probably a few moments of "What the heck does that mean?”
But that’s what learning is all about!
I’ll be here to help break down the concepts, give tips, motivation and make sure you’re not just memorizing stuff for the test—but actually understanding it. Networking is all about problem-solving, and by the end of this series, you’ll be able to solve problems that stand in your way!
What to Expect from This Series
Each article will be packed with:
Explanations of the key concepts.
Real-world examples to show you how the theory works in practice.
Configuration steps you can try out in your own lab.
Verification commands to test and confirm your configurations.
Fun and humor (because if we can’t have a little fun while learning, what’s the point?).
So, buckle up, Tech Talkers—we’re in for a wild ride through the world of networking. Whether you’re just starting out or polishing your skills, these articles are here to help you on your way to earning that CCNA badge.
REMEMBER: Every networking expert started where you are right now. You’ve got this.
Discord Community
Please join my Discord community as you work through the series. You can leave comments on each article, and you should, but nothing beats having a community of there people going through the same journey as you are in your back pocket. Its great for networking, asking questions when you are stuck and keeping up with all things within the Tors Tech Talk universe, as well as participating in AMA's and future live events. Plus, you never know who might be lurking the Discord Server. You don't want to miss out!
Let’s do this together—your CCNA journey awaits!
Thanks,
Tor – Your trusted network engineering uplink
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