Title Details

Bill Ferguson, A+, Network+, Server+, Security+, has over 15 years of IT experience. He currently runs Parallel Connections and is an independent contractor, teaching classes worldwide. He also writes and produces technical training videos for Specialized Solutions, Virtual Training Company, and Palaestra Training Company. Bill has written several books, including the first edition of the CompTIA Network+ Review Guide.

Chapter 1 Domain 1 Network Technologies 1

1.1 Compare the layers of the OSI and TCP/IP models 7

OSI model 7

TCP/IP model 8

Exam Essentials 10

1.2 Classify how applications, devices, and protocols relate to the OSI model layers 10

MAC addresses 10

IP Addresses 11

EUI-64 11

Frames 11

Packets 11

Switch 12

Router 13

Multilayer Switch 13

Hub 13

Encryption devices 14

Cable 14

NIC 14

Bridge 15

Exam Essentials 15

1.3 Explain the purpose and properties of IP addressing 15

Classes of addresses 16

Classless (CIDR) 18

IPv4 vs. IPv6 (formatting) 19

MAC address format 21

Subnetting 22

Multicast vs. unicast vs. broadcast 26

APIPA 26

Exam Essentials 27

1.4 Explain the purpose and properties of routing and switching 27

EIGRP 28

OSPF 28

RIP 28

Link state vs. distance vector vs. hybrid 29

Static vs. dynamic 29

Routing metrics 30

Next hop 30

Spanning Tree Protocol 31

VLAN (802.1q) 31

Port mirroring 32

Broadcast domain vs. collision domain 32

IGP vs. EGP 33

Routing tables 33

Convergence (steady state) 34

Exam Essentials 34

1.5 Identify common TCP and UDP default ports 35

Exam Essentials 36

1.6 Explain the function of common networking protocols 36

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) 41

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) 41

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) 41

TCP/IP suite 42

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) 42

Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) 42

Domain Name System (DNS) 42

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 43

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) 43

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) 43

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) 44

Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) 44

Secure Shell (SSH) 44

Post Office Protocol Version 3 (POP3) 44

Network Time Protocol (NTP) 45

Internet Message Access Protocol version 4 (IMAPv4) 45

Telnet 45

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) 45

Simple Network Management Protocol 2/3 (SNMP 2/3) 46

Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) 46

Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP) 46

Transport Layer Security (TLS) 47

Exam Essentials 47

1.7 Summarize DNS concepts and its components 47

DNS servers 47

DNS records 47

Dynamic DNS 48

Exam Essentials 48

1.8 Given a scenario, implement the following network troubleshooting methodology 48

Identify the problem 49

Establish a theory of probable cause 49

Test the theory to determine cause 50

Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and identify potential effects 50

Implement the solution or escalate as necessary 50

Verify full system functionality and if applicable implement preventive measures 51

Document findings, actions, and outcomes 51

Exam Essentials 51

1.9 Identify virtual network components 51

Virtual Switches 52

Virtual Desktops 52

Virtual Servers 52

Virtual PBX 53

Onsite vs. Offsite 53

Network as a Service (NaaS) 53

Exam Essentials 54

Review Questions 55

Chapter 2 Domain 2 Network Installation and Configuration 57

2.1 Given a scenario, install and configure routers and switches 60

Routing tables 60

NAT 61

PAT 61

VLAN (trunking) 63

Managed vs. unmanaged 63

Interface configurations 63

PoE 65

Traffic filtering 65

Diagnostics 65

VTP configuration 65

QoS 66

Port mirroring 66

Exam Essentials 66

2.2 Given a scenario, install and configure a wireless network 67

WAP placement 67

Antenna types 67

Interference 67

Frequencies 68

Channels 68

SSID (enable/disable) 68

Wireless standards and Compatibility 69

Exam Essentials 69

2.3 Explain the purpose and properties of DHCP 70

Static vs. dynamic IP addressing 70

Reservations 71

Scopes 71

Leases 72

Options (DNS servers, suffixes) 72

Exam Essentials 72

2.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common wireless problems 73

Interference 73

Signal strength 73

Configurations 74

Incompatibilities 74

Incorrect channel 74

Latency 74

Encryption type 75

Bounce 75

SSID mismatch 75

Incorrect switch placement 75

Exam Essentials 76

2.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common router and switch problems 76

Switching loop 76

Bad cables/improper cable types 77

Port configuration 77

VLAN assignment 77

Mismatched MTU/MTU black hole 77

Power failure 78

Bad/missing routes 78

Bad modules (SFPs, GBICs) 78

Wrong subnet mask 78

Wrong gateway 78

Duplicate IP address 79

Wrong DNS 79

Exam Essentials 80

2.6 Given a set of requirements plan and implement a basic SOHO network 80

List of requirements 80

Cable length 81

Device types/requirements 81

Environment limitations 81

Equipment limitations 81

Compatibility requirements 82

Exam Essentials 82

Review Questions 83

Chapter 3 Network Media and Topologies 85

3.1 Categorize standard media types and associated properties 90

Fiber 90

Copper 91

Plenum vs. non-plenum 95

Media converters 96

Distance limitations and speed limitations 97

Broadband over powerline 98

Exam Essentials 98

3.2 Categorize standard connector types on network media 99

Fiber 99

Copper 101

Exam Essentials 105

3.3 Compare and contrast different wireless standards 106

802.11 a/b/g/n standards 106

Exam Essentials 108

3.4 Categorize WAN technology types and properties 108

Types 108

Properties 116

Exam Essentials 118

3.5 Describe different network topologies 118

Exam Essentials 123

3.6 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common physical connectivity problems 124

Exam Essentials 126

3.7 Compare and contrast different LAN technologies 126

Exam Essentials 129

3.8 Identify components of wiring distribution 130

Exam Essentials 132

Review Questions 133

Chapter 4 Network Management 135

4.1 Explain the purpose and features of various network appliances 138

Load balancer 138

Proxy server 139

Content filter 139

VPN Concentrator 140

Exam Essentials 140

4.2 Given a scenario, use the appropriate hardware tools to troubleshoot connectivity issues 140

Cable tester 140

Cable certifier 141

Crimper 141

Butt set 142

Toner probe 142

Punch down tool 143

Protocol analyzer 144

Loop back plug 144

TDR 144

OTDR 145

Multimeter 145

Environmental monitor 146

Exam Essentials 146

4.3 Given a scenario, use the appropriate software tools to troubleshoot connectivity issues 147

Protocol analyzer 147

Throughput testers 147

Connectivity software 148

Ping 148

Tracert/traceroute 148

Dig 150

Ipconfig/ifconfig 150

Nslookup 151

Arp 152

Nbtstat 154

Netstat 155

Route 156

Exam Essentials 158

4.4 Given a scenario, use the appropriate network monitoring resource to analyze traffic 158

SNMP 159

SNMPv2 159

SNMPv3 159

Syslog 160

System logs, History logs, and General logs 160

Traffic analysis 160

Network sniffer 161

Exam Essentials 161

4.5 Describe the purpose of configuration management documentation 162

Wire schemes 162

Network maps 163

Documentation 163

Cable management 163

Asset management 164

Baselines 164

Change management 164

Exam Essentials 165

4.6 Explain different methods and rationales for network performance optimization 165

Methods 165

Reasons 167

Exam Essentials 169

Review Questions 170

Chapter 5 Domain 5 Network Security 173

5.1 Given a scenario, implement appropriate wireless security measures 177

Encryption Protocols 177

MAC address filtering 179

Device placement 179

Signal strength 179

Exam Essentials 180

5.2 Explain the methods of network access security 180

ACL 180

Tunneling and encryption 182

Remote Access 184

Exam Essentials 187

5.3 Explain the methods of user authentication 188

PKI 188

Kerberos 189

AAA 190

Network access control 191

CHAP 191

MS-CHAP 192

EAP 192

Two-factor authentication 192

Multifactor authentication 193

Single sign-on 193

Exam Essentials 193

5.4 Explain common threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation techniques 194

Wireless 195

Attacks 197

Mitigation techniques 200

Exam Essentials 201

5.5 Given a scenario, install and configure a basic firewall 201

Types 202

Port Security 202

Stateful inspection vs. packet filtering 203

Firewall rules 203

NAT/PAT 204

DMZ 204

Exam Essentials 205

5.6 Categorize different types of network security appliances and methods 205

IDS and IPS 206

Vulnerability scanners 207

Methods 208

Exam Essentials 208

Review Questions 210

Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 213

Chapter 1: Domain 1 Network Technologies 214

Chapter 2: Domain 2 Network Installation and Configuration 215

Chapter 3: Network Media and Topologies 216

Chapter 4: Network Management 217

Chapter 5: Domain 5 Network Security 219

Appendix B About the Additional Study Tools 221

Additional Study Tools 222

Sybex Test Engine 222

Electronic Flashcards 222

PDF of Glossary of Terms 222

Adobe Reader 222

System Requirements 223

Using the Study Tools 223

Troubleshooting 223

Customer Care 224

Index 225