Networking & Cisco: CCNA foundations
Understand networking and configure a Cisco lab: protocols, IPv4/IPv6, subnetting, VLANs, routing, Packet Tracer and an introduction to GNS3.
Nexorix IT training
Networking & Cisco: CCNA foundations
A practical course to understand how devices communicate, build a small network and troubleshoot methodically. Basic computer skills are required, but no networking experience is assumed. Concepts come before hands-on Packet Tracer exercises, followed by a limited introduction to GNS3.
Format
Limited offer
Be comfortable using a computer to build foundations in a technical specialty.
Trainer profile
Training led by our senior IT experts with 10+ years of experience on demanding projects for major companies. The approach is practical, field-tested and focused on skills you can reuse immediately.
Path objective
Move step by step with clear explanations, guided exercises and a concrete project to validate what you learn.
Request informationWhat you will learn
- Distinguish switches, routers, access points, LAN/WAN and the roles of the OSI and TCP/IP models.
- Read IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, prepare an addressing plan and divide an IPv4 network into subnets.
- Use Cisco IOS, configure interfaces and save a lab configuration.
- Build VLANs, trunks and inter-VLAN routing, then verify static routes and single-area OSPF.
- Understand and test ARP, ICMP, TCP/UDP, DHCP, DNS, NAT/PAT and simple ACL rules.
- Simulate traffic in Packet Tracer, explore GNS3 and document troubleshooting with authorized tests and captures.
Session-by-session program
Discover networks with Packet Tracer
Identify hosts, switches, routers and LAN/WAN. Connect a first topology and follow a simple exchange using OSI and TCP/IP concepts.
Ethernet, MAC addresses and ARP
Understand frames, switching and ARP resolution. Observe MAC and ARP tables and explain why a cabling loop causes problems.
IPv4, subnet masks and gateways
Read an address and its mask, distinguish local and remote destinations, assign addresses and test with ping and ICMP.
Subnetting and addressing plans
Calculate IPv4 subnets using CIDR in guided examples. Introduce VLSM with two different capacity needs and verify host ranges.
First steps with IPv6
Read addresses and compressed notation. Distinguish link-local and global unicast, explore ICMPv6 and Neighbor Discovery and test a simple link.
Cisco IOS essentials
Navigate CLI modes, name a device, configure an interface and lab SSH access, then save and inspect the configuration.
VLANs: separating uses
Create two VLANs and assign access ports. Observe broadcast domains and verify communication within each VLAN.
802.1Q trunks and inter-VLAN routing
Carry two VLANs over a trunk, explore the native VLAN and configure a router-on-a-stick example. Verify interfaces, gateways and connectivity.
Static routes and default routes
Connect two small networks, read a routing table and configure static and default routes. Correct an incorrect next hop.
Single-area OSPF
Understand the purpose of dynamic routing. Establish a simple adjacency, advertise lab networks and verify neighbors and learned routes.
Network services: DHCP, DNS and TCP/UDP
Follow DHCP allocation, test DNS resolution and distinguish ports and transport protocols. Compare addressing and DNS failures.
ACLs: filtering a specific flow
Understand rule order and implicit denial. Apply a simple ACL to a supplied topology and explicitly test permitted and denied traffic.
NAT/PAT and a simulated external network
Distinguish private addressing and translation. Configure a PAT example and read translations without equating NAT with a security policy.
Wi-Fi and device protection
Understand access points, SSIDs and wireless authentication. Explore guest and internal use, management access and suitable protections.
GNS3 and structured troubleshooting
Distinguish simulation and emulation. Explore a small GNS3 topology using authorized images; use show commands, ping, traceroute and Wireshark captures to locate a fault.
Final project: the VestiMode network
Assemble addressing, two VLANs, routing, DHCP and an ACL rule in Packet Tracer. Present configurations, test results and a corrected fault.
Practical project
Design the fictional VestiMode network: separate store and management devices into VLANs, document addressing and configure DHCP, routing and a simple filtering rule. Deliver the Packet Tracer topology, configurations, a test table and concise documentation. GNS3 exploration uses only equipment or images with authorized usage; proprietary Cisco images are not distributed. This course introduces useful CCNA concepts but does not cover the entire blueprint or guarantee an exam pass. It is not official Cisco training; the exam and any required licenses are not included. The completion certificate is issued by Nexorix.