CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Crash Course

Video description

This course is an intensive path to CompTIA Network+ certification, offering a complete dive into essential networking skills. Begin with foundational topics like network types, classifications, and topologies, then move into the OSI model and core protocols crucial for network design and management. Hands-on sessions deepen your understanding of Ethernet, MAC addressing, routers, and VLANs, helping you to develop practical, ready-to-use skills.

As you progress, the course explores IP addressing (IPv4 and IPv6), subnetting, and routing, providing clarity on these often challenging areas. You'll also cover security essentials, including network hardening, access control, and encryption, preparing you for real-world scenarios involving common attacks like DoS and VLAN hopping. This in-depth security training ensures you're ready to identify and mitigate potential threats effectively.

The course concludes with advanced topics in troubleshooting, monitoring, and disaster recovery, plus a focus on cloud technologies like NFV and VPCs. With exam preparation strategies and practical exercises, you'll finish with the confidence and skill set needed for the CompTIA Network+ exam and to succeed in your networking career.

What you will learn

  • Explain OSI model layers and key network protocols effectively
  • Configure and manage network devices, VLANs, and topologies
  • Differentiate IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and perform subnetting
  • Apply secure network practices and implement access controls
  • Troubleshoot network performance and connectivity issues
  • Prepare confidently for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam

Audience

This course is designed for aspiring network administrators, IT support technicians, and anyone pursuing the CompTIA Network+ certification. Prior foundational knowledge in basic computer operations and network concepts is recommended but not required, as the course begins with fundamentals before advancing to complex topics.

About the Author

Kevin Wallace: Kevin Wallace, a double CCIE Emeritus, earned his first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert certification in 2001, specializing in Collaboration and Enterprise Infrastructure. With experience dating back to Cisco's early innovations in the late 1980s, Kevin has worked with Cisco technology from foundational routers to today's advanced systems. He holds multiple Cisco certifications in Route/Switch, Collaboration, Security, Design, and Data Center tracks. For over 14 years, Kevin has been an influential Cisco instructor and hands-on practitioner. He served as one of five Network Design Specialists for Walt Disney World, overseeing a major network upgrade spanning the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and other properties. His career also includes roles as a Network Manager at Eastern Kentucky University and a Cisco instructor with Skillsoft. Now, through Kevin Wallace Training, LLC, Kevin offers accessible, self-paced courses, has authored books for Cisco Press, and has presented at Cisco Live, continuing to shape the field of networking education.

Table of contents

  1. Chapter 1 : Course Introduction
    1. Welcome to the Course!
  2. Chapter 2 : Categorizing Network Types
    1. Defining a Network and its Benefits
    2. Common Network Classifications
    3. Physical vs. Logical Topologies
    4. Enterprise Network Design
    5. Data Center Network Design
  3. Chapter 3 : Introducing Key Protocols of the OSI Model
    1. OSI Model
    2. Network Layer Protocols
    3. Transport Layer Protocols
    4. TCP's 3-Way Handshake
    5. Application Layer Protocols
  4. Chapter 4 : Exploring a Network's Pieces and Parts
    1. Ethernet Clients
    2. MAC Addresses
    3. Ethernet Switch Operation
    4. VLANs
    5. Router Operation
    6. Security Appliances
    7. Load Balancer
    8. Proxy Server
    9. Network Storage Options
    10. Wireless Access Points and Controllers
    11. Content Delivery Network (CDN) Operation
    12. Virtual Private Network (VPN) Operation
    13. Quality of Service (QoS) Fundamentals
    14. QoS Markings
    15. QoS Traffic Shaping and Policing
  5. Chapter 5 : Introducing Cloud Technologies
    1. Benefits of Cloud Computing
    2. Cloud Deployment Models
    3. Cloud Service Models
    4. Scalability vs. Elasticity
    5. Multi-Tenancy
    6. Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)
    7. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
    8. Options for Cloud Connectivity
  6. Chapter 6 : Physically Connecting Network Devices
    1. Coax Cables and Connectors
    2. Twisted Pair Cables and Connectors
    3. Twinax and DAC Cables
    4. Ethernet Standards for Twisted Pair Cables
    5. Straight Through vs. Crossover Cables
    6. Fiber Optic Cables
    7. Fiber Optic Connectors
    8. Ethernet Standards for Fiber Cabling
    9. Transceivers
  7. Chapter 7 : Wirelessly Connecting Network Devices
    1. Wireless Network Types
    2. Service Set Identifier (SSID) Types
    3. Frequency Bands
    4. Wireless Standards
    5. Transmission Methods
    6. Spatial Streams
    7. Channel Bonding
    8. WLAN Antennas
    9. Wi-Fi Security Standards
    10. Cellular Networks
    11. Satellite
  8. Chapter 8 : IP version 4 (IPv4) Addressing
    1. IPv4 Addressing Overview
    2. Binary Numbering
    3. Binary Practice Exercise #1
    4. Binary Practice Exercise #2
    5. IPv4 Address Format
    6. Public vs. Private IPv4 Addresses
    7. Network Address Translation
    8. IPv4 Autoconfiguration
    9. IPv4 Traffic Flows
  9. Chapter 9 : IPv4 Subnetting
    1. The Need for Subnetting
    2. Calculating Available Subnets
    3. Calculating Available Hosts
    4. Subnetting Practice Exercise #1
    5. Subnetting Practice Exercise #2
    6. Calculating Usable Ranges of IPv4 Addresses
    7. Subnetting Practice Exercise #3
  10. Chapter 10 : IP version 6 (IPv6) Addressing
    1. Hexadecimal Numbering
    2. IPv6 Address Format
    3. Shortening an IPv6 Address
    4. IPv6 Address Shortening Exercise
    5. EUI-64 Address
    6. IPv6 Autoconfiguration
    7. Traffic Flows
    8. Dual Stack
    9. Tunneling IPv6 Through an IPv4 Network
    10. NAT64
  11. Chapter 11 : Exploring Emerging Network Technologies
    1. Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
    2. Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN)
    3. Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN)
    4. Zero Touch Architecture (ZTA)
    5. Secure Access Secure Edge (SASE) vs. Secure Service Edge (SSE)
    6. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Fundamentals
  12. Chapter 12 : Working with IP Routing
    1. Static and Default Routes
    2. Routing Protocols
    3. OSPF
    4. EIGRP
    5. BGP
    6. First-Hop Redundancy Protocols (FHRPs)
    7. Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU)
    8. Subinterfaces
  13. Chapter 13 : Working with Ethernet Switches
    1. Routing Between VLANs with an SVI
    2. Trunking Theory
    3. Voice VLANs
    4. Power over Ethernet (PoE)
    5. Introducing Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
    6. STP Port States
    7. STP Example
    8. STP Convergence Times
    9. STP Variants
    10. Link Aggregation
  14. Chapter 14 : Physical Installation Considerations
    1. Safety Procedures
    2. Wiring Management
    3. Power Management
    4. Rack Management
    5. Environment Monitoring
  15. Chapter 15 : Network Management Best Practices
    1. Documentation
    2. IP Address Management (IPAM)
    3. Service-Level Agreement
    4. Wireless Survey
    5. Software Management
    6. System Lifecycle Management
    7. Change Management
    8. Configuration Management
  16. Chapter 16 : Network Monitoring
    1. Device Monitoring Tools
    2. Packet Analyzers
    3. Overview of Wireshark
    4. Network Discovery
    5. Performance and Availability Monitoring
    6. Options for Accessing Network Devices
    7. Connecting via a Jump Box
  17. Chapter 17 : Disaster Recovery
    1. Active-Active vs. Active-Passive
    2. Restoring Network Operations
  18. Chapter 18 : Network Services
    1. DNS
    2. Local Hosts File
    3. Network Time Protocol
    4. Network Time Security
    5. Precision Time Protocol (PTP)
  19. Chapter 19 : Introduction to Network Security
    1. 3 Goals of Network Security
    2. Common Security Terminology
    3. Encryption
    4. Data in Transit vs. Data at Rest
    5. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
    6. Authentication Types
    7. Physical Security
    8. Security Audits
  20. Chapter 20 : Common Network Attacks
    1. Denial-of-Service Attacks
    2. VLAN Hopping Attacks
    3. MAC Flooding Attacks
    4. ARP Poisoning Attack
    5. DNS Spoofing Attack
    6. Social Engineering Attacks
  21. Chapter 21 : Network Defense Strategies
    1. Device Hardening
    2. Network Access Control (NAC)
    3. Key Management
    4. Traffic Rules
    5. Luring Attackers with Honeypots and Honey Nets
  22. Chapter 22 : Network Troubleshooting
    1. Troubleshooting Methodology
    2. Troubleshooting Network Cable Issues
    3. Troubleshooting Network Interface Issues
    4. Troubleshooting Hardware Issues
    5. Troubleshooting Network Services
    6. Troubleshooting Network Performance Issues
    7. Troubleshooting Wireless Issues
    8. Hardware Troubleshooting Tools
    9. Troubleshooting with Operating System Commands
    10. CDP vs. LLDP
    11. iPerf
    12. Basic Switch Router Commands
  23. Chapter 23 : Exam Preparation
    1. Study Strategies
    2. What to do on Exam Day
  24. Chapter 24 : Next Steps
    1. Congratulations and Next Steps

Product information

  • Title: CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Crash Course
  • Author(s): Kevin Wallace
  • Release date: October 2024
  • Publisher(s): Packt Publishing
  • ISBN: 9781836204299