Cisco CCNA
Follow a topic roadmap built from the published exam blueprint, with lessons, practice exercises and practice exams.
Validate your knowledge and skills in network fundamentals and access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability with the Cisco CCNA certification.
What you'll learn
Every objective CCNA publishes, and what it asks you to be able to do.
- Network fundamentalsExplain the role and function of network components. Describe characteristics of network topology architectures. Compare physical interface and cabling types. Identify interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, mismatch duplex, and/or speed). Describe switching concepts. Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting. And 7 more, each a topic in the course below.
- Network accessConfigure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches. Configure and verify interswitch connectivity. Interpret basic operations of Rapid PVST+ Spanning Tree Protocol. Configure and verify (Layer 2/Layer 3) EtherChannel (LACP). Configure and verify Layer 2 discovery protocols (Cisco Discovery Protocol and LLDP). Describe network device management access (Telnet, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, console,. And 1 more, each a topic in the course below.
- IP connectivityInterpret 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.
- Security fundamentalsExplain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network. Configure and verify DHCP client and relay. Configure and verify inside source NAT using static and pools. Configure and verify NTP operating in a client and server mode. Explain the function of SNMP in network operations. Describe the use of syslog features, including facilities and severity levels. And 2 more, each a topic in the course below.
- Automation and programmabilityConfigure and verify device access control using local passwords. Compare authentication, authorization, and accounting concepts. Configure and verify access control lists. Describe IPsec remote access and site-to-site VPNs. Describe wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, and WPA3). Configure and verify WLAN within the GUI using WPA2 PSK.
The exam at a glance
- Length
- 2 hours
- Cost
- $400
- Validity
- 3 years
- Style
- Multiple choice
100 to 120 questions delivered in 120 minutes; question types include multiple-choice drag-and-drop and simulation items. Based on 200-301 CCNA.
None
Sitting the exam
The part nobody publishes in a syllabus. For CCNA the logistics are study strategy: what you are allowed to read while the clock runs changes how you should practise, and what a second attempt costs changes when you should book.
What you are asked
- The examination lasts for 120 minutes.
How it is marked
- The grading system is pass or fail and test outcomes become accessible on the web within 48 hours.
- The grading method is pass/fail and candidates can view their results online inside of 48 hours.
Booking it
- The pricing is set at $US400, alternatively payable through Cisco Learning Credits.
- The fee is $US400, or use Cisco Learning Credits.
Read off the official exam page on 10 September 2026. Rules change without notice, so confirm anything you are about to spend money on.
What the exam covers
Cisco publishes the objectives but not a weight for each one, so treat these as equally likely to come up.
Course content
43 topics
1. Network Basics and Components
Understanding what networks are, basic terminology, and the OSI model
2. Network Components and Their Functions
- Explain the role and function of network components
3. Network Topology Architectures
- Describe characteristics of network topology architectures
4. Physical Interfaces and Cabling
- Compare physical interface and cabling types
5. Interface and Cable Issues
- Identify interface and cable issues (collisions, errors, mismatch duplex, and/or speed)
6. Switching Concepts
- Describe switching concepts
7. VLANs Spanning Multiple Switches
- Configure and verify VLANs (normal range) spanning multiple switches
8. Interswitch Connectivity
- Configure and verify interswitch connectivity
9. Rapid PVST+ Spanning Tree Protocol
- Interpret basic operations of Rapid PVST+ Spanning Tree Protocol
10. EtherChannel with LACP
- Configure and verify (Layer 2/Layer 3) EtherChannel (LACP)
11. Layer 2 Discovery Protocols
- Configure and verify Layer 2 discovery protocols (Cisco Discovery Protocol and LLDP)
12. IP Addressing Fundamentals
Understanding binary, decimal conversion, and IP address structure
13. IPv4 Addressing and Subnetting
- Configure and verify IPv4 addressing and subnetting
14. Private IPv4 Addressing
- Describe private IPv4 addressing
15. IPv6 Addressing and Prefix
- Configure and verify IPv6 addressing and prefix
16. IPv6 Address Types
- Describe IPv6 address types
17. TCP and UDP Comparison
- Compare TCP to UDP
18. Verify IP Parameters on Client OS
- Verify IP parameters for Client OS (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
19. Routing Table Basics
Understanding how routers forward packets and make routing decisions
20. Interpreting Routing Table Components
- Interpret the components of routing table
21. Router Forwarding Decisions
- Determine how a router makes a forwarding decision by default
22. IPv4 and IPv6 Static Routing
- Configure and verify IPv4 and IPv6 static routing
23. Single Area OSPFv2
- Configure and verify single area OSPFv2
24. First Hop Redundancy Protocols
- Describe the purpose, functions, and concepts of first hop redundancy protocols
25. DHCP and DNS Roles in Networks
- Explain the role of DHCP and DNS within the network
26. DHCP Client and Relay Configuration
- Configure and verify DHCP client and relay
27. Inside Source NAT with Static and Pools
- Configure and verify inside source NAT using static and pools
28. NTP Client and Server Mode
- Configure and verify NTP operating in a client and server mode
29. SNMP in Network Operations
- Explain the function of SNMP in network operations
30. Syslog Features and Severity Levels
- Describe the use of syslog features, including facilities and severity levels
31. TFTP and FTP Capabilities
- Describe the capabilities and functions of TFTP/FTP in the network
32. Device Management Access Methods
Understanding console access and basic CLI navigation
33. Device Access Control with Local Passwords
- Configure and verify device access control using local passwords
34. Remote Access Using SSH and Telnet
- Describe network device management access (Telnet, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, console,
- Configure network devices for remote access using SSH
35. Web-Based Device Management
Understanding HTTP and HTTPS for network device management
36. Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting
- Compare authentication, authorization, and accounting concepts
37. Access Control Lists
- Configure and verify access control lists
38. IPsec Remote Access and Site-to-Site VPNs
- Describe IPsec remote access and site-to-site VPNs
39. Wireless Principles
- Describe wireless principles
40. Wireless Security Protocols
- Describe wireless security protocols (WPA, WPA2, and WPA3)
41. Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP Modes
- Describe Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP modes
42. WLAN Configuration with WPA2 PSK
- Configure and verify WLAN within the GUI using WPA2 PSK
43. Virtualization Fundamentals
- Explain virtualization fundamentals (server virtualization, containers, and VRFs)
What to know before you start
- Network fundamentals
- Network access
- IP connectivity
- IP services
- Security fundamentals
- Automation and programmability
Other Cisco certifications
All Cisco certificationsFrequently asked questions
How much does the CCNA exam cost?
$400. Confirm it on Cisco's page before you book: exam fees change.
How long is the CCNA exam?
2 hours. 100 to 120 questions delivered in 120 minutes; question types include multiple-choice drag-and-drop and simulation items.
How many questions are on the CCNA exam?
100 to 120 questions delivered in 120 minutes; question types include multiple-choice drag-and-drop and simulation items. The sitting is 2 hours long. Check the current count with Cisco before you book.
How long is CCNA valid?
3 years. Check Cisco's recertification route before it lapses.
Is the CCNA exam hands-on?
No. It is a written exam, so the skill it tests is recognising the right design or command rather than executing it under time pressure.
What is on the CCNA exam?
5 objectives: Network fundamentals, Network access, IP connectivity, Security fundamentals, Automation and programmability. Cisco does not publish a weight per objective.
What should I know before starting CCNA?
Network fundamentals. Network access. IP connectivity. IP services. Security fundamentals. Automation and programmability.
Exam details from Cisco, checked August 2026. Always confirm on their page before booking.
What learners say about Acelro
About Acelro rather than the CCNA exam: what learners made of the gap analysis, the roadmap and the projects.
“The roadmap makes me focus on a learning curve, no matter the length.”
“Acelro has been really great for me, an inspiring experience. I've gained a lot of confidence doing projects I thought were rocket science.”
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