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CompTIA Network+ (N10-004) Cert GuideCompTIA Network+ (N10-004) Cert Guide

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CompTIA Network+ (N10-004) Cert GuideCompTIA Network+ (N10-004) Cert Guide

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Exam Objectives

Network+ N10-004 Exam Objectives

The CompTIA Network+ N10-004 exam is based on the following objectives. The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.

1.0 Network Technologies (20% of examination)

1.1 Explain the function of common networking protocols

  • TCP
  • FTP
  • UDP
  • TCP/IP suite
  • DHCP
  • TFTP
  • DNS
  • HTTP(S)
  • ARP
  • SIP (VoIP)
  • RTP (VoIP)
  • SSH
  • POP3
  • NTP
  • IMAP4
  • Telnet
  • SMTP
  • SNMP2/3
  • ICMP
  • IGMP
  • TLS

1.2 Identify commonly used TCP and UDP default ports

TCP ports

  • FTP — 20, 21
  • SSH — 22
  • TELNET — 23
  • SMTP — 25
  • DNS — 53
  • HTTP — 80
  • POP3 — 110
  • NTP — 123
  • IMAP4 — 143
  • HTTPS — 443

UDP ports

  • TFTP — 69
  • DNS — 53
  • BOOTPS/DHCP — 67
  • SNMP — 161

1.3 Identify the following address formats

  • IPv6
  • IPv4
  • MAC addressing

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

Addressing Technologies

  • Subnetting
  • Classful vs. classless (e.g. CIDR, Supernetting)
  • NAT
  • PAT
  • SNAT
  • Public vs. private
  • DHCP (static, dynamic APIPA)

Addressing schemes

  • Unicast
  • Multicast
  • Broadcast

1.5 Identify common IPv4 and IPv6 routing protocols

Link state

  • OSPF
  • IS-IS

Distance vector

  • RIP
  • RIPv2
  • BGP

Hybrid

  • EIGRP

1.6 Explain the purpose and properties of routing

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

1.7 Compare the characteristics of wireless communication standards

802.11 a/b/g/n

  • Speeds
  • Distance
  • Channels
  • Frequency

Authentication and encryption

  • WPA
  • WEP
  • RADIUS
  • TKIP

2.0 Network Media and Topologies (20% of examination)

2.1 Categorize standard cable types and their properties

Type:

  • CAT3, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6
  • STP, UTP
  • Multimode fiber, single-mode fiber
  • Coaxial
    • RG-59
    • RG-6
  • Serial
  • Plenum vs. Non-plenum

Properties:

  • Transmission speeds
  • Distance
  • Duplex
  • Noise immunity (security, EMI)
  • Frequency

2.2 Identify common connector types

  • RJ-11
  • RJ-45
  • BNC
  • SC
  • ST
  • LC
  • RS-232

2.3 Identify common physical network topologies

  • Star
  • Mesh
  • Bus
  • Ring
  • Point to point
  • Point to multipoint
  • Hybrid

2.4 Given a scenario, differentiate and implement appropriate wiring standards

  • 568A
  • 568B
  • Straight vs. cross-over
  • Rollover
  • Loopback

2.5 Categorize WAN technology types and properties

Type:

  • Frame relay
  • E1/T1
  • ADSL
  • SDSL
  • VDSL
  • Cable modem
  • Satellite
  • E3/T3
  • OC-x
  • Wireless
  • ATM
  • SONET
  • MPLS
  • ISDN BRI
  • ISDN PRI
  • POTS
  • PSTN

Properties

  • Circuit switch
  • Packet switch
  • Speed
  • Transmission media
  • Distance

2.6 Categorize LAN technology types and properties

Types:

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

Properties

  • CSMA/CD
  • Broadcast
  • Collision
  • Bonding
  • Speed
  • Distance

2.7 Explain common logical network topologies and their characteristics

  • Peer to peer
  • Client/server
  • VPN
  • VLAN

2.8 Install components of wiring distribution

  • Vertical and horizontal cross connects
  • Patch panels
  • 66 block
  • MDFs
  • IDFs
  • 25 pair
  • 100 pair
  • 110 block
  • Demarc
  • Demarc extension
  • Smart jack
  • Verify wiring installation
  • Verify wiring termination

3.0 Network Devices (17% of examination)

3.1 Install, configure and differentiate between common network devices

  • Hub
  • Repeater
  • Modem
  • NIC
  • Media converters
  • Basic switch
  • Bridge
  • Wireless access point
  • Basic router
  • Basic firewall
  • Basic DHCP server

3.2 Identify the functions of specialized network devices

  • Multilayer switch
  • Content switch
  • IDS/IPS
  • Load balancer
  • Multifunction network devices
  • DNS server
  • Bandwidth shaper
  • Proxy server
  • CSU/DSU

3.3 Explain the advanced features of a switch

  • PoE
  • Spanning tree
  • VLAN
  • Trunking
  • Port mirroring
  • Port authentication

3.4 Implement a basic wireless network

  • Install client
  • Access point placement
  • Install access point
    • Configure appropriate encryption
    • Configure channels and frequencies
    • Set ESSID and beacon
  • Verify installation

4.0 Network Management (20% of examination)

4.1 Explain the function of each layer of the OSI model

  • Layer 1 — physical
  • Layer 2 — data link
  • Layer 3 — network
  • Layer 4 — transport
  • Layer 5 — session
  • Layer 6 — presentation
  • Layer 7 — application

4.2 Identify types of configuration management documentation

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

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

  • 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

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

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

4.5 Explain different methods and rationales for network performance optimization

Methods:

  • QoS
  • Traffic shaping
  • Load balancing
  • High availability
  • Caching engines
  • Fault tolerance

Reasons:

  • Latency sensitivity
  • High bandwidth applications
    • VoIP
    • Video applications
  • Uptime

4.6 Given a scenario, implement the following network troubleshooting methodology

  • 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

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

Physical issues:

  • Cross talk
  • Nearing crosstalk
  • Near End crosstalk
  • Attenuation
  • Collisions
  • Shorts
  • Open impedance mismatch (echo)
  • Interference

Logical issues:

  • Port speed
  • Port duplex mismatch
  • Incorrect VLAN
  • Incorrect IP address
  • Wrong gateway
  • Wrong DNS
  • 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 mismatch
  • Standard mismatch (802.11 a/b/g/n)
  • Distance
  • Bounce
  • Incorrect antenna placement

5.0 Network Tools (12% of examination)

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

  • Traceroute
  • Ipconfig
  • Ifconfig
  • Ping
  • Arp ping
  • Arp
  • Nslookup
  • Hostname
  • Dig
  • Mtr
  • Route
  • Nbtstat
  • Netstat

5.2 Explain the purpose of network scanners

  • Packet sniffers
  • Intrusion detection software
  • Intrusion prevention software
  • Port scanners

5.3 Given a scenario, utilize the appropriate hardware tools

  • Cable testers
  • Protocol analyzer
  • Certifiers
  • TDR
  • OTDR
  • Multimeter
  • Toner probe
  • Butt set
  • Punch down tool
  • Cable stripper
  • Snips
  • Voltage event recorder
  • Temperature monitor

6.0 Network Security (11% of examination)

6.1 Explain the function of hardware and software security devices

  • Network based firewall
  • Host based firewall
  • IDS
  • IPS
  • VPN concentrator

6.2 Explain common features of a firewall

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

6.3 Explain the methods of network access security

Filtering:

  • ACL
    • MAC filtering
    • IP filtering
  • Tunneling and encryption
    • SSL VPN
    • VPN
    • L2TP
    • PPTP
    • IPSEC
  • Remote access
    • RAS
    • RDP
    • PPPoE
    • PPP
    • VNC
    • ICA

    6.4 Explain methods of user authentication

    • PKI
    • Kerberos
    • AAA
      • RADIUS
      • TACACS+
    • Network access control
      • 802.1x
    • CHAP
    • MS-CHAP
    • EAP

    6.5 Explain issues that affect device security

    • Physical security
    • Restricting local and remote access
    • Secure methods vs. unsecure methods
      • SSH, HTTPS, SNMPv3, SFTP, SCP
      • TELNET, HTTP, FTP, RSH, RCP, SNMPv1/2

    6.6 Identify common security threats and mitigation techniques

    Security threats

    • DoS
    • 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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