Exam Profile: Cisco 100-101 ICND1
Date: May 9, 2013
The Cisco ICND1 exam has completed a journey from its introduction in 2003, as simply a tool to give new networkers an easier path to CCNA, to now being a focal point of most people’s journey into Cisco certifications. As for content, the most recent ICND1 exam, the 100-101 exam, has more content with more updated topics than the earlier versions of this same exam.
Along with the ICND1 exam itself, the related certification, Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) certification, has also grown up. In the past, the CCENT certification was just an afterthought for many. Today, it serves as a reasonable end goal in the Cisco routing and switching space, because it is the minimum prerequisite for many Cisco certs, including moving out to CCNA Voice, CCNA Security, and CCNA Wireless.
The ICND1 100-101 exam covers the most fundamental concepts, devices, and configurations on how to build a modern TCP/IP network using routers and switches. TCP/IP defines many of the rules (called protocols) used to create networks today. Devices call routers perform one role in those networks, while devices called switches, or Local Area Network (LAN) Switches, perform another role. The networks discussed for the ICND1 exam include routers, switches, some cables that connect between the routers and switches, and the rules (protocols) that tell the devices how to send data from one device to the next over that network.
Note that this exam requires skills as much as it requires knowledge. It introduces the Cisco Command Line Interface (CLI), a text-based user interface used to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot problems on Cisco routers and switches. You also have to be ready to apply knowledge about protocols to predict how those routers and switches will work.
Exams and Certifications
For about 15 years, from Cisco’s announcement of the Cisco Certified Network Associated (CCNA) certification in 1998 until 2013, the vast majority of people started with the CCNA certification. Why? CCNA was the minimum required prerequisite for almost every other Cisco certification. In fact, on a historical note, CCENT (the certification gained by passing the ICND1 100-101 exam) did not even exist until 2007. Even so, Cisco did not make CCENT the prerequisite for other certifications at the time, preferring to keep CCNA as the minimum required prerequisite for the most popular Cisco certifications.
In March 2013, Cisco made the CCENT certification the minimum prerequisite to move on to other technology areas like voice, wireless, and security. Cisco still wants us to start with some study of routing and switching, by getting at least to the CCENT certification by passing the ICND1 100-101 exam. At that point, you can ignore CCNA Routing and Switching, and choose to go into other technology areas. Or, you can keep getting deeper into routing and switching, pursuing CCNA Routing and Switching next. Figure 1 shows the most common options people choose after getting their CCENT Certification.
Figure 1 Most Common Options after CCENT Certification
For many of you starting your Cisco certification journey, the starting point can be as simple as shown in Figure 1: start with CCENT. However, Cisco does offer some flexible options that happen to make your first choice of exams a little more confusing.
Cisco gives us two paths to achieve CCNA Routing and Switching: a two-exam path that includes the ICND1 100-101 exam (as discussed in this exam profile), as well as a one-exam option, as shown in Figure 2.
Why use the one-exam path to CCNA Routing and Switching? While many small reasons may exist, the two biggest reasons are:
- You already have routing and switching skills and knowledge, so passing one exam that covers the same material as in both the 100-101 and 200-101 exams is not too much to learn.
- You know you plan to go deep into routing and switching, and move on to CCNP Routing and Switching next, so there is no advantage of getting CCENT and stopping with your routing and switching studies.
If those two points apply to you, make sure to check out the exam profile for the 200-120 exam, and consider that option. If not, you will likely begin with the ICND1 100-101 exam, regardless whether you need up going further with your routing and switching studies or moving on to another technology area.
Exam Details
- Number of Questions: 40-50
- Types of Questions: Multiple Choice (single and multiple answer), drag-and-drop, Sim, Simlet, Testlet (see an exam tutorial here)
- Passing score: varies, but it is around 800-850 out of 1000
- Time Limit: 90 minutes
- How to Register: vue.com
Trouble Spots
The biggest challenge on today’s ICND1 100-101 exam is simply an issue of the large number of topics. As a first exam in the Cisco hierarchy of certification exams, it has a relatively large number of different topics. Especially for anyone who begins their studying knowing little about networking, this exam can be a lot to learn. To help, make sure you learn thoroughly, review, and think about what you learn as you work through your resources.
Two large skill challenges exist: hands-on skills with the CLI, and skills in working with IP Version 4 (IPv4) subnetting. IPv4 subnetting, at a purely conceptual level, can be simple: take a large list of consecutive numbers, and subdivide them into smaller ranges of consecutive numbers—following specific rules—creating many smaller groups (subnets) instead of one large group. The challenge with subnetting comes from many other related issues, like:
- Interpreting the terminology surrounding subnetting, which may vary from person to person, to understand written problems on the exam
- Remembering which math process to use to find particular facts
- Mastering the use of a particular math process to find the answer
- Applying the related IP addressing and routing concepts while also working with the math
- Working through the analysis and math very quickly on the exam
Skills with the Command Line Interface (CLI), the user interface to Cisco routers and switches, takes practice. The actual exams ask two question types—Sims and Simlets—require you to have practiced and become comfortable with typing commands on a Cisco router or switch CLI as if you were configuring and monitoring real equipment. These questions can be intimidating, but much less intimidating if you spend the time practicing before the exam.
Finally, all these trouble spots help create time pressure. The exam does not allow you to skip a question and go back later, so there's a tendency to take extra time when unsure. The exam includes a couple of types of particularly time-consuming problem types: Sims, Simlets, and Testlets. Additionally, subnetting questions often require you to find several related values for a single question, so if you subnet well, but slowly, you may not have enough time. Finally, it is everyone's first Cisco exam, so there's simply the issue of getting accustomed to the testing environment. So, think about time management before the exam.
Preparation Hints
First, plan to study to learn deeply. No matter what tool you use for your primary study source, plan to do more than just read the book once and take the exam. Plan to read, review, apply the concepts and hands-on using lab exercises and question sets. Many people have passed and succeeded with ICND1, but there are so many variables impacting your chances of passing on the first attempt, that to get a passing score you will need to be well prepared.
Practice on the CLI. Buy used gear, use emulators, use the simulator, rent or borrow gear, but plan to practice the configurations and spend time understanding the router and switch commands. Certskills.com has some links to help you work through the topic of building a CCNA lab.
Practice subnetting until you can do it all, do it well, and do it fast.
Finally, collaborate when you hit the wall by plugging in to the Cisco Learning Network. This is a wonderful place where you can pose questions and often get multiple answers in minutes or hours. It's a hugely popular place for folks to collaborate on their path towards Cisco certification.
Recommended Study Resources
The products you buy from Cisco Press related to the ICND1 100-101 depends on your study plan. If you know for a fact that you will get your CCENT, and then move away from routing and switching, moving on to say voice, or security, then you can buy one set of products. If you know you will continue with routing and switching, and get your CCNA Routing and Switching certification, you can save money buy buying products for all of CCNA Routing and Switching in bundles (usually called a “Library”), which comes at a smaller price per item.
For instance, many people use the best selling Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide. It can be purchased
- by itself
- as part of the Cisco CCNA 200-120 Official Cert Library (which includes the ICND1 book, plus a book about the ICND2 200-101 exam)
- as part of the Cisco CCNA 200-120 Exam Cert Library, Simulator Edition (includes both books, plus the simulator)
If you decide to pursue CCNA, you can save money by purchasing the bundles and libraries that include products for both ICND1 and ICND2. If you do not know yet, you can start with ICND1 products.
Focusing on ICND1, you need a primary study book, hands-on equipment, and practice. For primary study, the aforementioned Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide provides many tools to help you prepare. Like all Cisco Press Certification Guides, besides explaining the technology, this book offers many other tools to help with exam prep, including planning review tables, notations of the most important topics in each chapter, and a CD question bank with exam software.
To get hands-on skills, use the CCENT Network Simulator. This software product acts like small networks built with Cisco routers and switches; you type commands, and the software reacts as if you were doing the same thing on real gear. More importantly, this product is far more than just a place to type commands. It includes hundreds of scripted lab exercises that focus on the points you must know to do well on the exam.
These products also help round out your study library, with extra reference and practice tools:
- Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching 200-120 Flash Cards and Exam Practice Pack provides you with more than 1,400 flash cards, practice questions and study sheets for the CCNA exams. This product includes three proven study methods: print and online flash cards challenge you to test your knowledge of exam topics with long answer questions. The Pearson IT Certification Practice Test is a customizable software product that allows you to take exam realistic practice tests that help you assess your exam readiness. Finally, the quick reference guide contains hundreds of study sheets that help you do quick reviews of key exam topics.
- CCNA Routing and Switching Portable Command Guide, 3rd edition (ISBN: 1587204304) summarizes all CCNA R&S certification-level Cisco IOS® Software commands, keywords, command arguments, and associated prompts. You’ll find dozens of tips and examples for applying these commands in real-world networking scenarios. Configuration examples throughout the book provide you with a better understanding of how these commands are used in basic network designs.
- If you need help organizing, preparing, and reviewing all the CCNA objectives, use the “31 Days” books from Cisco Press. There will be one focused on the ICND1/CCENT and another for ICND2/CCNA. As a day-by-day guide, the features of each book empower you to fit exam preparation into an otherwise busy schedule. 31 Days Before Your CCENT or 31 Days Before Your CCNA Exam offer you a personable and practical way to understand the certification process, commit to taking the exam, and finish your preparation using a variety of Foundational and Supplemental study resources like those mentioned here.
Finally, studies show that many people that pursue Cisco certification use two separate primary reading sources. The Cisco ICND1 100-101 Foundation Learning Guide, also from Cisco Press, uses the same examples, figures, and sequence as those courses. This is an excellent source for alternate explanations and examples as compared to the CCNA Exam Certification Guides.
Exam Objectives
The following information provides general guidelines for the content likely to be included on the exam, as outlined on Cisco’s website. However, other related topics may also appear on any specific delivery of the exam.
Operation of IP Data Networks
- Recognize the purpose and functions of various network devices such as Routers, Switches, Bridges and Hubs.
- Select the components required to meet a given network specification.
- Identify common applications and their impact on the network
- Describe the purpose and basic operation of the protocols in the OSI and TCP/IP models.
- Predict the data flow between two hosts across a network.
- Identify the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect Cisco network devices to other network devices and hosts in a LAN
LAN Switching Technologies
- Determine the technology and media access control method for Ethernet networks
- Identify basic switching concepts and the operation of Cisco switches.
- Collision Domains
- Broadcast Domains
- Types of switching
- CAM Table
- Configure and verify initial switch configuration including remote access management.
- Cisco IOS commands to perform basic switch setup
- Verify network status and switch operation using basic utilities such as ping, telnet and ssh.
- Describe how VLANs create logically separate networks and the need for routing between them.
- Explain network segmentation and basic traffic management concepts
- Configure and verify VLANs
- Configure and verify trunking on Cisco switches
- DTP
- Auto negotiation
IP addressing (IPv4 / IPv6)
- Describe the operation and necessity of using private and public IP addresses for IPv4 addressing
- Identify the appropriate IPv6 addressing scheme to satisfy addressing requirements in a LAN/WAN environment.
- Identify the appropriate IPv4 addressing scheme using VLSM and summarization to satisfy addressing requirements in a LAN/WAN environment.
- Describe the technological requirements for running IPv6 in conjunction with IPv4 such as dual stack
- Describe IPv6 addresses
- Global unicast
- Multicast
- Link local
- Unique local
- eui 64
- autoconfiguration
IP Routing Technologies
- Describe basic routing concepts
- CEF
- Packet forwarding
- Router lookup process
- Configure and verify utilizing the CLI to set basic Router configuration
- Cisco IOS commands to perform basic router setup
- Configure and verify operation status of an ethernet interface
- Verify router configuration and network connectivity
- Cisco IOS commands to review basic router information and network connectivity
- Configure and verify routing configuration for a static or default route given specific routing requirements
- Differentiate methods of routing and routing protocols
- Static vs. Dynamic
- Link state vs. Distance Vector
- next hop
- ip routing table
- Passive interfaces
- Configure and verify OSPF (single area)
- Benefit of single area
- Configure OSPF v2
- Configure OSPF v3
- Router ID
- Passive interface
- Configure and verify interVLAN routing (Router on a stick)
- sub interfaces
- upstream routing
- encapsulation
- Configure SVI interfaces
IP Services
- Configure and verify DHCP (IOS Router)
- configuring router interfaces to use DHCP
- DHCP options
- excluded addresses
- lease time
- Describe the types, features, and applications of ACLs
- Standard: Sequence numbers, Editing
- Extended
- Named
- Numbered
- Log option
- Configure and verify ACLs in a network environment
- Named
- Numbered
- Log option
- Identify the basic operation of NAT
- Purpose
- Pool
- Static
- 1 to 1
- Overloading
- Source addressing
- One way NAT
- Configure and verify NAT for given network requirements
- Configure and verify NTP as a client
Network Device Security
- Configure and verify network device security features such as
- Device password security
- Enable secret vs enable
- Transport
- Disable telnet
- SSH
- VTYs
- Physical security
- Service password
- Describe external authentication methods
- Configure and verify Switch Port Security features such as
- Sticky MAC
- MAC address limitation
- Static / dynamic
- Violation modes: Err disable, Shutdown, Protect restrict
- Shutdown unused ports
- Err disable recovery
- Assign unused ports to an unused VLAN
- Setting native VLAN to other than VLAN 1
- Configure and verify ACLs to filter network traffic
- Configure and verify ACLs to limit telnet and SSH access to the router
Troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot and correct common problems associated with IP addressing and host configurations.
- Troubleshoot and Resolve VLAN problems
- identify that VLANs are configured
- port membership correct
- IP address configured
- Troubleshoot and Resolve trunking problems on Cisco switches
- correct trunk states
- correct encapsulation configured
- correct VLANs allowed
- Troubleshoot and Resolve ACL issues
- Statistics
- Permitted networks
- Direction: Interface
- Troubleshoot and Resolve Layer 1 problems
- Framing
- CRC
- Runts
- Giants
- Dropped packets
- Late collision
- Input / Output errors
Where to Go from Here
Passing the ICND1 100-101 exam opens the door to many options for your next step. Basically, you can pick any Cisco cert path at that point, and get busy. Take the time to think about your career, and the types of work you would like to do, and go for it!