Exam Profile: Cisco 200-125 CCNA v3.0
Date: May 27, 2016
The CCNA v3.0 is the latest iteration (at the time of this writing) for the accelerated path to the hugely popular certification, the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). This exam is targeted at those students that have an extensive background in networking already, and perhaps are already certified by Cisco or in other vendor certifications. For those students that do not meet these criteria, the two exam path to CCNA (ICND1 and ICND2) is strongly recommended. Please visit the appropriate Exam Profiles if interested in those exams.
The Exam Details
Here are the raw details you want to know about this exam:
Number of Questions: 50-60
Types of Questions: Multiple Choice (single and multiple answer), Drag-and-Drop, Simulations, Simlets, and Testlets
NOTE: For a tutorial in this types of questions, be sure to visit the Cisco site—be patient, as the content does take some time to load in your browser initially
Passing score: Cisco may change this at any time, but currently it is around 800-850 out of 1000 possible points
Time Limit: 90 minutes
How to Register: Visit pearsonvue.com/cisco in order to register at a testing center near you
The Exam Topics
While Cisco can refresh their question bank for the exam at any time without warning, they will try and stick closely to the following topics that makeup what we refer to as the exam "blueprint":
1.0 Network Fundamentals (15% of your exam questions will come from this section)
1.1 Compare and contrast OSI and TCP/IP models
1.2 Compare and contrast TCP and UDP protocols
1.3 Describe the impact of infrastructure components in an enterprise network
1.3.a Firewalls
1.3.b Access points
1.3.c Wireless controllers
1.4 Describe the effects of cloud resources on enterprise network architecture
1.4.a Traffic path to internal and external cloud services
1.4.b Virtual services
1.4.c Basic virtual network infrastructure
1.5 Compare and contrast collapsed core and three-tier architectures
1.6 Compare and contrast network topologies
1.6.a Star
1.6.b Mesh
1.6.c Hybrid
1.7 Select the appropriate cabling type based on implementation requirements
1.8 Apply troubleshooting methodologies to resolve problems
1.8.a Perform and document fault isolation
1.8.b Resolve or escalate
1.8.c Verify and monitor resolution
1.9 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv4 addressing and subnetting
1.10 Compare and contrast IPv4 address types
1.10.a Unicast
1.10.b Broadcast
1.10.c Multicast
1.11 Describe the need for private IPv4 addressing
1.12 Identify the appropriate IPv6 addressing scheme to satisfy addressing requirements in a LAN/WAN environment
1.13 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv6 addressing
1.14 Configure and verify IPv6 Stateless Address Auto Configuration
1.15 Compare and contrast IPv6 address types
1.15.a Global unicast
1.15.b Unique local
1.15.c Link local
1.15.d Multicast
1.15.e Modified EUI 64
1.15.f Autoconfiguration
1.15.g Anycast
2.0 LAN Switching Technologies (21% of your exam questions will come from this section)
2.1 Describe and verify switching concepts
2.1.a MAC learning and aging
2.1.b Frame switching
2.1.c Frame flooding
2.1.d MAC address table
2.2 Interpret Ethernet frame format
2.3 Troubleshoot interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, duplex, speed)
2.4 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot VLANs (normal/extended range) spanning multiple switches
2.4.a Access ports (data and voice)
2.4.b Default VLAN
2.5 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot interswitch connectivity
2.5.a Trunk ports
2.5.b Add and remove VLANs on a trunk
2.5.c DTP, VTP (v1&v2), and 802.1Q
2.5.d Native VLAN
2.6 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot STP protocols
2.6.a STP mode (PVST+ and RPVST+)
2.6.b STP root bridge selection
2.7 Configure, verify and troubleshoot STP related optional features
2.7.a PortFast
2.7.b BPDU guard
2.8 Configure and verify Layer 2 protocols
2.8.a Cisco Discovery Protocol
2.8.b LLDP
2.9 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot (Layer 2/Layer 3) EtherChannel
2.9.a Static
2.9.b PAGP
2.9.c LACP
2.10 Describe the benefits of switch stacking and chassis aggregation
3.0 Routing Technologies (23% of your exam questions will come from this section)
3.1 Describe the routing concepts
3.1.a Packet handling along the path through a network
3.1.b Forwarding decision based on route lookup
3.1.c Frame rewrite
3.2 Interpret the components of a routing table
3.2.a Prefix
3.2.b Network mask
3.2.c Next hop
3.2.d Routing protocol code
3.2.e Administrative distance
3.2.f Metric
3.2.g Gateway of last resort
3.3 Describe how a routing table is populated by different routing information sources
3.3.a Admin distance
3.4 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot inter-VLAN routing
3.4.a Router on a stick
3.4.b SVI
3.5 Compare and contrast static routing and dynamic routing
3.6 Compare and contrast distance vector and link state routing protocols
3.7 Compare and contrast interior and exterior routing protocols
3.8 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv4 and IPv6 static routing
3.8.a Default route
3.8.b Network route
3.8.c Host route
3.8.d Floating static
3.9 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot single area and multi-area OSPFv2 for IPv4 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution, stub, virtual-link, and LSAs)
3.10 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot single area and multi-area OSPFv3 for IPv6 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution, stub, virtual-link, and LSAs)
3.11 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot EIGRP for IPv4 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution, stub)
3.12 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot EIGRP for IPv6 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution, stub)
3.13 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot RIPv2 for IPv4 (excluding authentication, filtering, manual summarization, redistribution)
3.14 Troubleshoot basic Layer 3 end-to-end connectivity issues
4.0 WAN Technologies (10% of your exam questions will come from this section)
4.1 Configure and verify PPP and MLPPP on WAN interfaces using local authentication
4.2 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot PPPoE client-side interfaces using local authentication
4.3 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot GRE tunnel connectivity
4.4 Describe WAN topology options
4.4.a Point-to-point
4.4.b Hub and spoke
4.4.c Full mesh
4.4.d Single vs dual-homed
4.5 Describe WAN access connectivity options
4.5.a MPLS
4.5.b Metro Ethernet
4.5.c Broadband PPPoE
4.5.d Internet VPN (DMVPN, site-to-site VPN, client VPN)
4.6 Configure and verify single-homed branch connectivity using eBGP IPv4 (limited to peering and route advertisement using Network command only)
4.7 Describe basic QoS concepts
4.7.a Marking
4.7.b Device trust
4.7.c Prioritization
4.7.c. [i] Voice
4.7.c. [ii] Video
4.7.c. [iii] Data
4.7.d Shaping
4.7.e Policing
4.7.f Congestion management
5.0 Infrastructure Services (10% of your exam questions will come from this section)
5.1 Describe DNS lookup operation
5.2 Troubleshoot client connectivity issues involving DNS
5.3 Configure and verify DHCP on a router (excluding static reservations)
5.3.a Server
5.3.b Relay
5.3.c Client
5.3.d TFTP, DNS, and gateway options
5.4 Troubleshoot client- and router-based DHCP connectivity issues
5.5 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic HSRP
5.5.a Priority
5.5.b Preemption
5.5.c Version
5.6 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot inside source NAT
5.6.a Static
5.6.b Pool
5.6.c PAT
5.7 Configure and verify NTP operating in a client/server mode
6.0 Infrastructure Security (11% of your exam questions will come from this section)
6.1 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot port security
6.1.a Static
6.1.b Dynamic
6.1.c Sticky
6.1.d Max MAC addresses
6.1.e Violation actions
6.1.f Err-disable recovery
6.2 Describe common access layer threat mitigation techniques
6.2.a 802.1x
6.2.b DHCP snooping
6.2.c Nondefault native VLAN
6.3 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IPv4 and IPv6 access list for traffic filtering
6.3.a Standard
6.3.b Extended
6.3.c Named
6.4 Verify ACLs using the APIC-EM Path Trace ACL analysis tool
6.5 Configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic device hardening
6.5.a Local authentication
6.5.b Secure password
6.5.c Access to device
6.5.c. [i] Source address
6.5.c. [ii] Telnet/SSH
6.5.d Login banner
6.6 Describe device security using AAA with TACACS+ and RADIUS
7.0 Infrastructure Management (10% of your exam questions will come from this section)
7.1 Configure and verify device-monitoring protocols
7.1.a SNMPv2
7.1.b SNMPv3
7.1.c Syslog
7.2 Troubleshoot network connectivity issues using ICMP echo-based IP SLA
7.3 Configure and verify device management
7.3.a Backup and restore device configuration
7.3.b Using Cisco Discovery Protocol or LLDP for device discovery
7.3.c Licensing
7.3.d Logging
7.3.e Timezone
7.3.f Loopback
7.4 Configure and verify initial device configuration
7.5 Perform device maintenance
7.5.a Cisco IOS upgrades and recovery (SCP, FTP, TFTP, and MD5 verify)
7.5.b Password recovery and configuration register
7.5.c File system management
7.6 Use Cisco IOS tools to troubleshoot and resolve problems
7.6.a Ping and traceroute with extended option
7.6.b Terminal monitor
7.6.c Log events
7.6.d Local SPAN
7.7 Describe network programmability in enterprise network architecture
7.7.a Function of a controller
7.7.b Separation of control plane and data plane
7.7.c Northbound and southbound APIs
Trouble Spots
Just because you are taking a single exam in order to achieve your CCNA with this path, it does not mean you get to skip any of the fundamental topics. You are thoroughly tested in all topic areas from ICND1 and ICND2. The big issue with this exam, as you might guess, is the fact that it is very difficult to complete in the time allotted. Students can expect to see twice the number of simulations, simlets, and testlets that they would face if they were taking either ICND1 or ICND2. Remember, this single exam option is really designed for those with a ton of existing experience. For example, as a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in the area of Routing and Switching, I would take this single exam option if I was interested in renewing my CCNA. This would be a rare choice, of course, since I renew it automatically when I renew my CCIE by taking the CCIE written exam. A more common situation is an individual certified in an area like Juniper, with many years of experience in networking, takes this exam after studying the way in which the Cisco IOS functions.
In order to properly prepare for exams with simulations and simlets like this, students must log plenty of hours on rental equipment, simulations, or their own lab equipment. The amount of time students must spend with this is certainly dependent on how much real world experience they already possess with the technologies listed in the blueprint.
Preparation Hints
The following list should prove very valuable in your success with this intense exam:
- Become expert at the simulations and simlets and testlets that you encounter in this exam using the link provided in the Exam Details section. When I recommend you become an expert at them, I am of course referring to how they operate and how you navigate inside of them. You cannot afford to waste valuable time in the actual exam trying to determine how to work with the simulation exercises themselves. You want the full compliment of your time dedicated to the technological problem solving that you must carry out.
- Enter the blueprint above into a spreadsheet or similar software in order to make a study checklist. Consider rating yourself on each item. I like to use a 1 to 5 scale. For example, 1 means I have never heard of that technology. 2 indicates I have heard of it before. 3 means that I could describe it. 4 indicates that I could configure it if necessary, while 5 means I could also troubleshoot. Note that in this exam, not all areas will be requiring you to both configure and troubleshoot, so many topics can be taken to a level 3 only for adequate preparedness.
- Read the examine blueprint topics vey carefully, notice that topics where you must "configure" or "verify" or "troubleshoot" are spelled out very clearly. Topics that are listed with verbs like "describe" are very often theory-only type questions, or at the very least, will not be featured in simulation-style questions.
- Acquire physical gear, or rent gear, or use well-rated simulators in order to practice with Cisco routing and switching technologies.
- Study using well-rated, trusted practice exams whenever possible in order to assess your readiness.
Recommended Study Resources
The following highly-rated study resources should be of tremendous benefit for your success. Notice that Pearson IT Certification provides excellent materials for your initial study, your hands-on lab practice, and your practice testing. Some products are available now, and more are coming in late 2016 and early 2017.
- CCNA Routing and Switching 200-125 Official Cert Guide Library, ISBN: 9781587205811
- CCNA Routing and Switching 200-125 Portable Command Guide, ISBN: 9781587205880