Exam Objectives

«	Network Plus Certification Exam Objectives	»
Introduction	Network Plus Certification Exam Objectives	Domain 1: Network Technologies

Domain	% of Examination
Network Technologies	20%
Network Media and Topologies	20%
Network Devices	17%
Network Management	20%
Network Tools	12%
Network Security	11%
Total	100%

These objectives are up to date for the 2009 edition of the CompTIA Network+ exam.

The Network+ certification ensures that the successful candidate has the important knowledge and skills necessary to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate and configure basic network infrastructure, describe networking technologies, basic design principles, and adhere to wiring standards and use testing tools.

The skills and knowledge measured by this examination were derived from an industry-wide job task analysis and validated through an industry-wide global survey in Q2 2008. The results of this survey were used in weighing the domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the relative importance of the content.

The table to the right lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented. Network+ exams are based on these objectives.

Note: The bulleted lists below each objective are not exhaustive lists. Even though they are not included in this document, other examples of technologies, processes, or tasks pertaining to each objective may also be included on the exam.

Network Technologies - 20%

Explain the function of common networking protocols:

Objective 1.1

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
DNS (Domain Name System)
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol)
IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol)
IMAP4 (Internet Message Access Protocol version 4)
NTP (Network Time Protocol)
POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3)
RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) - VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) - VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
SNMP2/3 (Simple Network Management Protocol version 2 or 3)
SSH (Secure Shell)
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) suite
Telnet
TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol)
TLS (Transport Layer Security)
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

Identify commonly used TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) default ports:

Objective 1.2

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ports:

20 - FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
21 - FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
22 - SSH (Secure Shell)
23 - Telnet
25 - SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
53 - DNS (Domain Name System)
80 - HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
110 - POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3)
123 - NTP (Network Time Protocol)
143 - IMAP4 (Internet Message Access Protocol version 4)
443 - HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) ports:

53 - DNS (Domain Name System)
67 - BOOTPS/DHCP (Bootstrap Protocol/Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
69 - TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol)
161 - SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

Identify the following address formats:

Objective 1.3

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)
MAC (Media Access Control) addressing

Given a scenario, evaluate the proper use of the following addressing technologies and addressing schemes:

Objective 1.4

Addressing Technologies:

Subnetting
Classful vs. classless - e.g. CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing), Supernetting
NAT (Network Address Translation)
PAT (Port Address Translation)
SNAT (Static Network Address Translation)
Public vs. private
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - static, dynamic APIPA (Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing)

Addressing schemes:

Unicast
Multicast
Broadcast

Identify common IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) routing protocols:

Objective 1.5

Link state:

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)
IS-IS (Intermediate System - Intermediate System)

Distance vector:

RIP (Routing Information Protocol)
RIPv2 (Routing Information Protocol version 2)
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)

Hybrid:

EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol)

Explain the purpose and properties of routing:

Objective 1.6

IGP (Interior Gateway Protocol) vs. EGP (Exterior Gateway Protocol)
Static vs. dynamic
Next hop
Understanding routing tables and how they pertain to path selection
Explain convergence (steady state)

Compare the characteristics of wireless communication standards:

Objective 1.7

802.11 a/b/g/n:

Speeds
Distance
Channels
Frequency

Authentication and encryption:

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service)
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)

Network Media and Topologies - 20%

Categorize standard cable types and their properties:

Objective 2.1

Type:

Category 3, 5, 5e, and 6
STP (Shielded Twisted Pair), UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)
Multimode fiber, single-mode fiber
Coaxial
- RG-59
- RG-6
Serial
Plenum vs. Non-plenum

Properties:

Transmission speeds
Distance
Duplex
Noise immunity - security, EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)
Frequency

Identify common connector types:

Objective 2.2

RJ-11 (Registered Jack 11)
RJ-45 (Registered Jack 45)
BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman)
SC (Subscriber Connector or Standard Connector or Siemon Connector)
ST (Straight Tip)
LC (Local Connector)
RS-232 (Recommended Standard 232)

Identify common physical network topologies:

Objective 2.3

Star
Mesh
Bus
Ring
Point to point
Point to multipoint
Hybrid

Given a scenario, differentiate and implement appropriate wiring standards:

Objective 2.4

568A
568B
Straight vs. crossover
Rollover
Loopback

Categorize WAN technology types and properties:

Objective 2.5

Type:

Frame relay
E1/T1 (E-Carrier Level 1/T-Carrier Level 1)
E3/T3 (E-Carrier Level 3/T-Carrier Level 3)
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
VDSL (Very High Bitrate Digital Subscriber Line)
Cable modem
Satellite
OC-x (Optical Carrier)
Wireless
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)
SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking)
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)
ISDN BRI (Integrated Services Digital Network Basic Rate Interface)
ISDN PRI (Integrated Services Digital Network Primary Rate Interface)
POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service)
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)

Properties:

Circuit switch
Packet switch
Speed
Transmission media
Distance

Categorize LAN technology types and properties:

Objective 2.6

Types:

Ethernet
10BaseT
100BaseTX
100BaseFX
1000BaseT
1000BaseX
10GBaseT
10GBaseSR
10GBaseLR
10GBaseER
10GBaseSW
10GBaseLW
10GBaseEW

Properties:

CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection)
Broadcast
Collision
Bonding
Speed
Distance

Explain common logical network topologies and their characteristics:

Objective 2.7

Peer to peer
Client/server
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)

Install components of wiring distribution:

Objective 2.8

Vertical and horizontal cross connects
Patch panels
66 block
110 block
MDFs (Main Distribution Frames)
IDFs (Intermediate Distribution Frames)
25 pair
100 pair
Demarc
Demarc extension
Smart jack
Verify wiring installation
Verify wiring termination

Network Devices - 17%

Install, configure, and differentiate between common network devices:

Objective 3.1

Hub
Repeater
Modem
NIC (Network Interface Card)
Media converters
Basic switch
Bridge
Wireless access point
Basic router
Basic firewall
Basic DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server

Identify the functions of specialized network devices:

Objective 3.2

Multilayer switch
Content switch
IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection System/Intrusion Prevention System)
Load balancer
Multifunction network devices
DNS (Domain Name System) server
Bandwidth shaper
Proxy server
CSU/DSU (Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit)

Explain the advanced features of a switch:

Objective 3.3

PoE (Power over Ethernet)
Spanning tree
VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)
Trunking
Port mirroring
Port authentication

Implement a basic wireless network:

Objective 3.4

Install client
Access point placement
Install access point
- Configure appropriate encryption
- Configure channels and frequencies
- Set ESSID (Enhanced Service Set Identifier) and beacon
Verify installation

Network Management - 20%

Explain the function of each layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model:

Objective 4.1

Physical
Data Link
Network
Transport
Session
Presentation
Application

Identify types of configuration management documentation:

Objective 4.2

Wiring schematics
Physical and logical network diagrams
Baselines
Policies, procedures, and configurations
Regulations

Given a scenario, evaluate the network based on configuration management documentation:

Objective 4.3

Compare wiring schematics, physical and logical network diagrams, baselines, policies and procedures, and configurations to network devices and infrastructure
Update wiring schematics, physical and logical network diagrams, configurations, and job logs as needed

Conduct network monitoring to identify performance and connectivity issues using the following:

Objective 4.4

Network monitoring utilities (e.g. packet sniffers, connectivity software, load testing, throughput testers)
System logs, history logs, event logs

Explain different methods and rationales for network performance optimization:

Objective 4.5

Methods:

QoS (Quality of Service)
Traffic shaping
Load balancing
High availability
Caching engines
Fault tolerance

Reasons:

Latency sensitivity
High bandwidth applications
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
- Video applications
Uptime

Given a scenario, implement the following network troubleshooting methodology:

Objective 4.6

Information gathering - identify symptoms and problems
Identify the affected areas of the network
Determine if anything has changed
Establish the most probable cause
Determine if escalation is necessary
Create an action plan and solution identifying potential effects
Implement and test the solution
Identify the results and effects of the solution
Document the solution and the entire process

Given a scenario, troubleshoot common connectivity issues and select an appropriate solution:

Objective 4.7

Physical issues:

Crosstalk
Near End crosstalk
Attenuation
Collisions
Shorts
Open impedance mismatch (echo)
Interference

Logical issues:

Port speed
Port duplex mismatch
Incorrect VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)
Incorrect IP (Internet Protocol) address
Wrong gateway
Wrong DNS (Domain Name System) server
Wrong subnet mask

Issues that should be identified but escalated:

Switching loop
Routing loop
Route problems
Proxy arp
Broadcast storms

Wireless issues:

Interference (bleed, environmental factors)
Incorrect encryption
Incorrect channel
Incorrect frequency
ESSID (Enhanced Service Set Identifier) mismatch
Standard mismatch (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Distance
Bounce
Incorrect antenna placement

Network Tools - 12%

Given a scenario, select the appropriate command line interface tool and interpret the output to verify functionality:

Objective 5.1

traceroute
ipconfig
ifconfig
ping
arping
arp
nslookup
hostname
dig
mtr
route
nbtstat
netstat

Explain the purpose of network scanners:

Objective 5.2

Packet sniffers
Intrusion detection software
Intrusion prevention software
Port scanners

Given a scenario, utilize the appropriate hardware tools:

Objective 5.3

Cable testers
Protocol analyzer
Certifiers
TDR (Time-domain Reflectometer)
OTDR (Optical Time-domain Reflectometer)
Multimeter
Toner probe
Butt set
Punch down tool
Cable stripper
Snips
Voltage event recorder
Temperature monitor

Network Security - 11%

Explain the function of hardware and software security devices:

Objective 6.1

Network-based firewall
Host-based firewall
IDS (Intrusion Detection System)
IPS (Intrusion Prevention System)
VPN (Virtual Private Network) concentrator

Explain common features of a firewall:

Objective 6.2

Application layer vs. network layer
Stateful vs. stateless
Scanning services
Content filtering
Signature identification
Zones

Explain the methods of network access security:

Objective 6.3

ACL (Access Control List)
- MAC (Media Access Control) filtering
- IP (Internet Protocol) address filtering
Tunneling and encryption
- SSL VPN (Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network)
- VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol)
- PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)
- IPSEC (Internet Protocol Security)
Remote access
- RAS (Remote Access Service)
- RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)
- PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet)
- PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)
- VNC (Virtual Network Computing)
- ICA (Independent Computing Architecture)

Explain methods of user authentication:

Objective 6.4

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)
Kerberos
AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting)
- RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service)
- TACACS+ (Terminal Access Control Access Control System+)
Network access control
- 802.1x
CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol)
MS-CHAP (Microsoft Handshake Authentication Protocol)
EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol)

Explain issues that affect device security:

Objective 6.5

Physical security
Restricting local and remote access
Secure methods vs. unsecure methods
- SSH (Secure Shell), HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), SNMPv3 (Simple Network Management Protocol version 3), SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol), SCP (Secure Copy Protocol)
- Telnet, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), RSH (Remote Shell), RCP (Remote Copy Protocol), SNMPv1/2 (Simple Network Management Protocol version 1 or 2)

Identify common security threats and mitigation techniques:

Objective 6.6

Security threats:

DoS (Denial of Service)
Viruses
Worms
Attackers
Man in the middle
Smurf
Rogue access points
Social engineering (phishing)

Mitigation techniques:

Policies and procedures
User training
Patches and updates

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Introduction	Network Plus Certification Exam Objectives	Domain 1: Network Technologies