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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Cisco
Exam Format
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Skills this practice test covers
- Calculate IPv4 subnets and host ranges, and assign IPv6 addresses and prefixes.
- Configure VLANs and 802.1Q trunks across several switches, and bundle links with EtherChannel.
- Read a routing table and predict the route a router will choose for a packet.
- Configure single-area OSPFv2 and static routes, including a floating static backup.
- Set up inside source NAT, NTP and DHCP relay on a router.
- Protect switch ports and device logins with ACLs, port security, DHCP snooping and SSH.
Explore related topics
200-301 exam content
6 domains · 53 topics · 875 questions
Network Fundamentals20%
This domain covers the parts every network is built from: devices, cabling, topologies and addresses. It also covers TCP and UDP, client IP settings on Windows, Mac OS and Linux, and how a switch decides where to send each frame.
Skills tested
- Explain what routers, Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches, next-generation firewalls, access points and controllers each do.
- Spot collisions, errors and duplex or speed mismatches on an interface.
- Calculate IPv4 subnets and host ranges, and tell private RFC 1918 addresses from public ones.
- Identify IPv6 address types: global unicast, unique local, link local, anycast and multicast.
- Describe how a switch learns, ages and floods MAC addresses.
Official topics
- Explain the role and function of network components
- Describe characteristics of network topology architectures
- Compare physical interface and cabling types
- Identify interface and cable issues
- Compare TCP to UDP
- Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting
- Describe private IPv4 addressing
- Configure and verify IPv6 addressing and prefix
- Describe IPv6 address types
- Verify IP parameters for Client OS
- Describe wireless principles
- Explain virtualization fundamentals
- Describe switching concepts
Network Access20%
Network Access is about how devices join the network at Layer 2. Candidates configure VLANs, trunks and EtherChannel, read Spanning Tree port roles, and connect access points to wireless LAN controllers.
Skills tested
- Configure data and voice VLANs on access ports, and 802.1Q trunks with a native VLAN.
- Build an EtherChannel with LACP and verify that the links bundle.
- Identify the root bridge, root ports and port states in Rapid PVST+, and apply PortFast and BPDU guard.
- Compare Cisco wireless architectures and AP modes, and create a WLAN in the controller GUI.
- Choose secure management access, such as SSH or HTTPS with TACACS+ or RADIUS, over Telnet or HTTP.
Official topics
- Configure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches
- Configure and verify interswitch connectivity
- Configure and verify Layer 2 discovery protocols
- Configure and verify (Layer 2/Layer 3) EtherChannel (LACP)
- Interpret basic operations of Rapid PVST+ Spanning Tree Protocol
- Describe Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP modes
- Describe physical infrastructure connections of WLAN components
- Describe network device management access
- Interpret the wireless LAN GUI configuration
IP Connectivity25%
The largest domain is about routing. Candidates read every part of a routing table, predict which route a router uses, and configure static routes and single-area OSPFv2.
Skills tested
- Read a routing table entry: protocol code, prefix, mask, next hop, administrative distance and metric.
- Pick a route by longest prefix match first, then administrative distance, then metric.
- Configure default, network, host and floating static routes for IPv4 and IPv6.
- Form OSPFv2 neighbor adjacencies and predict the DR and BDR on a broadcast network.
- Explain how a first hop redundancy protocol keeps a default gateway available.
Official topics
- Interpret the components of routing table
- Determine how a router makes a forwarding decision by default
- Configure and verify IPv4 and IPv6 static routing
- Configure and verify single area OSPFv2
- Describe the purpose, functions, and concepts of first hop redundancy protocols
IP Services10%
This domain covers the services that run on top of routing: address translation, time, name resolution, monitoring and file transfer. It also covers how quality of service treats traffic at each hop.
Skills tested
- Configure inside source NAT with static entries and with a NAT pool.
- Set a router as an NTP client or server and verify that its clock is synchronized.
- Configure a DHCP relay so clients reach a DHCP server on another subnet.
- Read syslog severity levels and explain what SNMP collects from devices.
- Describe QoS classification, marking, queuing, policing and shaping.
Official topics
- Configure and verify inside source NAT using static and pools
- Configure and verify NTP operating in a client and server mode
- Explain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network
- Explain the function of SNMP in network operations
- Describe the use of syslog features including facilities and severity levels
- Configure and verify DHCP client and relay
- Explain the forwarding per-hop behavior (PHB) for QoS
- Configure network devices for remote access using SSH
- Describe the capabilities and functions of TFTP/FTP in the network
Security Fundamentals15%
Security Fundamentals mixes ideas with configuration. Candidates name threats and the ways to reduce them, then secure devices and switch ports with passwords, ACLs and Layer 2 features.
Skills tested
- Configure local passwords and SSH so only authorized staff can manage a device.
- Write an access control list and apply it where it filters the right traffic.
- Block rogue DHCP servers and ARP spoofing with DHCP snooping and dynamic ARP inspection.
- Limit the MAC addresses allowed on a switch port with port security.
- Compare WPA, WPA2 and WPA3, and set up a WLAN with WPA2 PSK in the GUI.
Official topics
- Define key security concepts
- Describe security program elements
- Configure and verify device access control using local passwords
- Describe security password policy elements
- Describe IPsec remote access and site-to-site VPNs
- Configure and verify access control lists
- Configure and verify Layer 2 security features
- Compare authentication, authorization, and accounting concepts
- Describe wireless security protocols
- Configure and verify WLAN within the GUI using WPA2 PSK
Automation and Programmability10%
This domain asks how automation changes network management. Candidates compare traditional and controller-based networks, describe REST APIs and JSON, and explain where AI and machine learning help network operations.
Skills tested
- Explain the split between the control plane and the data plane in a controller-based network.
- Describe northbound and southbound APIs and the HTTP verbs behind CRUD operations.
- Pick out objects, arrays and key-value pairs in JSON-encoded data.
- Compare what Ansible and Terraform do for configuration management.
- Explain how generative and predictive AI support network operations.
Official topics
- Explain how automation impacts network management
- Compare traditional networks with controller-based networking
- Describe controller-based, software defined architecture
- Explain AI (generative and predictive) and machine learning in network operations
- Describe characteristics of REST-based APIs
- Recognize the capabilities of configuration management mechanisms
- Recognize components of JSON-encoded data
Requirements
- No formal prerequisites: anyone can book the exam.
- Recommended: basic computer and operating system skills, and everyday use of the internet.
- Recommended: basic knowledge of IP addresses before starting on subnetting.
About the 200-301 exam
Early-career network engineers take 200-301 to prove they can build and troubleshoot a small to medium-sized network: the switches, routers and wireless that connect a company's users. Passing it earns the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) at Cisco's associate level. Much of it is hands-on configuration on Cisco devices, such as VLANs, OSPF and access control lists. The automation topics ask candidates to read JSON and compare tools such as Ansible and Terraform, not to write programs.
IP Connectivity is the largest domain, and study mode in the PlanetCert practice test suits it best. Its routing-table and subnetting questions reward slow, step-by-step checking. Every explanation says why the other options fail, such as a command that works on one interface but not on the whole router. Flashcard mode helps with the port roles, protocol names and security features in Network Access and Security Fundamentals. Brainy AI Assistant can rework a subnet calculation step by step, or explain why a router prefers one route over another.
How to earn the certification
- Earns
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)Associate
The CCNA stays valid for three years. Holders renew it by passing another qualifying Cisco exam or by earning Continuing Education credits.
- Before
- 100-150 Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking
Optional. Cisco's entry-level networking exam suits candidates who want a smaller first step before the CCNA.
- 100-150 Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking
- After
- 350-401 Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (350-401 ENCOR)
The core exam for CCNP Enterprise. It is the usual next step for engineers who run campus and branch networks.
- 350-701 Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (350-701 SCOR)
The core exam for CCNP Security, for network engineers moving into firewalls, VPNs and secure access.
- 350-601 Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (350-601 DCCOR)
The core exam for CCNP Data Center, covering data center networks, compute and storage networking.
- 350-501 Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies (350-501 SPCOR)
The core exam for CCNP Service Provider, for engineers who run carrier networks and large WANs.
- 350-801 Implementing Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies (350-801 CLCOR)
The core exam for CCNP Collaboration, which covers voice, video and messaging systems.
- 350-401 Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (350-401 ENCOR)
How to prepare for 200-301
- 1
Subnet by hand until it is quick
Practise IPv4 subnetting on paper: the network address, broadcast address and host range for any prefix. Subnetting comes back in routing, NAT and ACL questions, so speed here saves time everywhere.
- 2
Build a Packet Tracer lab
Cisco Packet Tracer is free from Cisco Networking Academy. Connect two switches and two routers, configure VLANs, a trunk, OSPFv2 and NAT, and check each step with show commands.
- 3
Break spanning tree on purpose
Add a redundant link between two switches and watch Rapid PVST+ block a port. Then change a bridge priority and predict the new root bridge before checking it.
- 4
Read routing tables line by line
IP Connectivity carries the most weight. Work through real routing tables until the code, prefix, administrative distance, metric and next hop of each line are clear, then predict which route wins.
- 5
Sit timed runs across every domain
Use the 200-301 practice test in study mode for the weakest domains first. Then take timed runs, and reread the explanations wherever two commands looked alike.
Start a timed 200-301run
Cisco's official course is Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA), taught by Cisco Learning Partners. A self-paced CCNA learning path with labs is also available on Cisco U.
Who 200-301 is for
- Entry-level network engineers and network support technicians.
- Help desk technicians who want to move into networking.
- Systems administrators who look after switches and routers as well as servers.
- Students and career changers who are starting out in networking.
Typical job titles: Network engineer · Network administrator · Network support specialist · Network technician · Systems administrator · Help desk technician
200-301 glossary
16 terms from the exam objectives and the vendor's official material, each defined in a sentence.
- 802.1Q
- The standard that tags each frame on a trunk with its VLAN number, so one link can carry many VLANs.
- Administrative distance
- A number that rates how much a router trusts a route source. When two sources offer the same prefix, the lower number wins.
- BPDU guard
- A protection that shuts down a PortFast port when a spanning tree message arrives on it. That message means a switch was plugged in.
- DHCP snooping
- A switch feature that accepts DHCP server replies only on trusted ports, which blocks rogue DHCP servers.
- EtherChannel
- A bundle of several physical links between two switches that works as one logical link.
- First hop redundancy protocol (FHRP)
- A protocol that lets two or more routers share one virtual gateway address, so hosts keep a working gateway if one router fails.
- Floating static
- A static route with a higher administrative distance than the main route, so the router uses it only when the main route fails.
- Inside source NAT
- Translating the private source addresses of inside hosts into public addresses as their traffic leaves the network.
- JSON
- A text format for structured data, written as key-value pairs and arrays, that REST APIs use to send and receive information.
- Longest prefix match
- The rule that a router forwards a packet using the most specific matching route in its routing table.
- Native VLAN
- The one VLAN whose frames cross an 802.1Q trunk without a tag.
- OSPFv2
- The version of the OSPF routing protocol for IPv4. Routers share link information and calculate the shortest path to each network.
- PortFast
- A port setting that moves an access port straight to forwarding. It is meant for ports that connect to end devices.
- Rapid PVST+
- Cisco's version of Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol that runs one tree per VLAN and blocks redundant links to prevent loops.
- RFC 1918
- The standard that reserves three IPv4 ranges for private networks: 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12 and 192.168.0.0/16.
- VLAN
- A virtual LAN. It splits one physical switch network into separate networks, so traffic in one VLAN stays apart from the others.
Related practice tests
- 300-535Automating and Programming Cisco Service Provider Solutions (SPAUTO)
- 200-901CCNA Automation (DevNet Associate)
- 200-201CCNA Cybersecurity (CyberOps Associate)
- 300-420Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks (ENSLD)
- 300-410Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (ENARSI)