Resources & Acknowledgments
Curated links, licensing notes, and recommended study tools. This course uses original practice content only — for what Cisco actually tests, start with the official exam topics.
Official CCNA exam topics
The authoritative exam blueprint from Cisco — domain weights, objectives, and what Cisco says is in scope for CCNA 200-301. Always verify your study plan against this page before you sit the exam.
Video training playlists
60curated CCNA videos embedded in lessons and mapped to each training week — Jeremy's IT Lab (primary) plus David Bombal supplemental lectures from the linked playlist.
CCNA Notes — jdepew88
The original CCNA 200-301 study notes this course is built from — markdown, PDF, and Word collections on GitHub. On-site topic guides amalgamate the markdown sources into unified study pages.
https://github.com/jdepew88/CCNA-Notes---jdepew88/tree/main/CCNA%20Notes%20-%20markdown
CCNA Notes — Chris Bryant Bootcamp Course
CCNA study notes aligned with Chris Bryant's Bootcamp course — a companion note set on GitHub from the same author as the primary jdepew88 collections.
https://github.com/jdepew88/CCNA-Notes---Chris-Bryant-Bootcamp-Course
Amalgamated topic guides (28)
One unified study guide per topic — synthesized from Panagiss CCNAmd, jdepew88 markdown, and p-saumur CCNA Course Notes, cross-checked with Jeremy's IT Lab, official Cisco exam topics, and on-site lessons. Wireless is split into four focused guides; WAN content includes p-saumur WAN Architectures. Not side-by-side copies: deduplicated, exam-focused notes.
Free printable cheat sheets
Reference charts by Jeremy Stretch (PacketLife.net — no longer active), hosted on The IT Cave. Originally free to download; we link to hosted copies for study convenience.
Network topologies & architecture
Exam topic 1.2 — 3-tier, collapsed core, spine-leaf, SOHO, and cloud models plus physical vs logical topologies (bus, star, ring, mesh). Includes north-south vs east-west and the classic hub trap: physical star + logical bus.
Study charts (64)
Reference tables from your notes repo — administrative distance, CIDR conversion, STP port states, OSPF neighbors, FHRP, and more. Duplicates removed.
Topic Guides
Supplementary markdown guides — amalgamated on-site with jdepew88 and p-saumur into unified topic pages. Figures are embedded in matching lessons.
Topic guide index
View all 28 topicsOSI Model & Packet Flow
Layer responsibilities, PDUs, encapsulation, and end-to-end traffic flow.
Network Devices & Cabling
Router, switch, firewall roles, copper/fiber cabling, and physical vs logical topology.
IP Addressing & Subnetting
IPv4 classes, private ranges, CIDR, VLSM context, and hexadecimal for networking.
Router & Switch Configuration
Initial setup, VLANs on switches, router-on-a-stick, static routes, and verification.
VLANs, Trunks & DTP
Broadcast domains, 802.1Q, native VLAN, voice VLAN, VTP awareness, and DTP negotiation.
Spanning Tree & EtherChannel
Loop prevention, port roles, Rapid PVST+, and link aggregation.
Switch Security
Port security, DHCP snooping, DAI, and BPDU Guard.
Voice VLAN & IP Telephony
Voice VLAN, Cisco IP phones, CUCME basics, and QoS priority for voice.
Routing Protocols Overview
Distance vector vs link state, administrative distance, and protocol selection.
OSPF Fundamentals
Link-state behavior, LSAs and LSDB, SPF, packet types, timers, Router ID, and single-area configuration.
OSPF Neighbors, DR/BDR, Cost, and Areas
Adjacency requirements, neighbor states, DR/BDR election, OSPF cost, inter-area routes, stub areas, and troubleshooting.
OSPFv3 for IPv6
OSPF for IPv6 — per-interface config, link-local neighbors, multicast addresses, and verification.
EIGRP
DUAL, feasible successor, metrics, and EIGRP for IPv6 basics.
HSRP & First-Hop Redundancy
Active/standby routers, priorities, preempt, STP alignment, and FHRP virtual MAC mnemonics.
NAT & PAT
Static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT overload, and inside/outside interfaces.
IPv6 Implementation
Addressing, SLAAC, DHCPv6, transition mechanisms, routing, and IPv6 ACLs.
DHCP
DORA process, DHCP relay, router DHCP server, and snooping context.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Classification, marking, queuing, shaping, and trust boundaries.
Access Control Lists
Standard vs extended ACLs, wildcard masks, placement, and named ACLs.
Device Security & Management
SSH, passwords, AAA, SNMP, Syslog, and management plane protection.
Security Threat Landscape
Common attacks, malware types, and defense strategies at CCNA scope.
Wireless Fundamentals
802.11 RF, channels, service sets, and distribution system basics.
Wireless Architectures
802.11 frames, autonomous vs lightweight APs, CAPWAP, split-MAC, and WLC deployments.
Wireless Configuration & WLC GUI
WLC ports/interfaces, GUI WLAN workflow, WPA2-PSK, QoS profiles, and client verification (exam 2.9, 5.10).
Wireless Security
WEP through WPA3, 802.1X/EAP, PSK vs enterprise, and integrity protocols.
WAN, VPN & GRE
WAN link types, MPLS roles, site-to-site IPsec, GRE tunnels, and remote-access VPN.
Network Automation & APIs
Controllers, REST APIs, JSON payloads, and southbound/northbound interfaces.
Cloud, SDN & Cisco DNA
Cloud delivery models, SDN architecture, and DNA Center overview.
Source acknowledgments
Cisco CCNA Exam Topics (Official)
CCNA Notes — jdepew88
CCNA Notes — Chris Bryant Bootcamp Course
https://github.com/jdepew88/CCNA-Notes---Chris-Bryant-Bootcamp-Course
Panagiss CCNAmd — topic notes
psaumur CCNA Course Notes
SubnetIPv4.com — subnetting practice format
JITL — Subnetting Mastery (YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxbwE86jKRgMpuZuLBivzlM8s2Dk5lXBQ
Jeremy's IT Lab — Free CCNA 200-301 course
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhTW6Fulbw1Tqaa9cTEpAZo86TCO6xfYS
David Bombal — Free CCNA 200-301 course (playlist)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhfrWIlLOoKPc2RecyiM_A9nf3fUU3e6g
NetworkChuck — Free CCNA course
PowerCert Animated Videos
Recommended tools
- • Cisco Packet Tracer
- • Wireshark
- • Boson or other legitimate practice exams
- • Cisco official documentation
- • Original subnetting drills on this platform