CCNA 640-801 Certification Primer (New Pattern)

Details about CCNA Certification
The certification path for CCNA is split into two. You may possess this certification by going in for the:
CCNA 640-801 Certification
Or
INTRO 640-821 and ICND 640-811
The details about the above exams is avaialable at http://www.whizlabs.com/ccna.html.
Cisco CCNA Certification has gradually evolved through several revisions to encompass the changing trends of the networking scenarios in the IT world. To know more about Cisco certifications, check out http://www.whizlabs.com/cisco-certification.html.
Details about the Exam
The CCNA 640-801 was launched on the 30th of June 2003 and allows the flexibility of achieving certification through one track the CCNA 640-801 or through two tracks the INTRO 640-821 and ICND 640-811.
The most popular or sought after track is the CCNA 640-801 as it obviously has just one exam that you need to get through.
Although Cisco claims this to be an entry level or a foundation certification, it pays to have an experience of at least 1 year in implementing at least a small sized or medium sized LAN and having a basic idea about OSI layers.
The objectives are still divided into 4 sections as mentioned below:
Planning & Designing
- Design a simple LAN using Cisco Technology
- Design an IP addressing scheme to meet design requirements
- Choose an appropriate routing protocol based on user requirements
- Design a simple internetwork using Cisco technology
- Choose WAN services to meet customer requirements
Implementation & Operation
- Configure routing protocols and router administrative functions
- Configure IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateway addresses on routers and hosts
- Configure a switch with VLANS and inter-switch communication for specified network requirements
- Implement a LAN
- IOS and Configuration files management
- Router and Switch configuration and factory default settings
- Implement access lists
- Implement simple WAN protocols
Troubleshooting
- Using OSI model for troubleshooting LAN and WAN
- Troubleshoot routing protocols
- Troubleshoot IP addressing and host configuration
- Troubleshoot a live network device
- Troubleshoot an access list
Technology
- Describe network communications using layered models
- STP and VTP
- Evaluate routing protocols for a given scenario
- TCP/IP suite and comparison with ISO model
- Describe the components of network devices
- Evaluate rules for packet control
- Evaluate key characteristics of WANs
Exam Pattern
- Number of Questions: 55 to 65
- Question types:
- Single choice
- Multiple choices
- Drag and Drop
- Simulation based
- Passing Score: must be 850 and above
- Time given: 90 minutes
The Simulator based questions will have a button on the exam screen, which when pressed will take you to an interface that looks exactly like the hyper terminal screen of a router or a switch.
Although it is a simulator, you will feel like you are configuring or troubleshooting a live router or a switch. The IOS commands possible on the live devices will be possible here too.
The drag and drop question will be mainly the match the following type. You will be presented with 3 columns, the one on left will be static, the cells in the right most will be moveable and the middle column will be empty place holders. You will be required to drag a cell from the right column to these empty place holders to match the content in the left column.
The single choice and multiple choices will usually be accompanied with instructions such as 'Choose the best' or 'Choose at least two' respectively.
Why the two track path?
Although CCNA 640-801 is the most sought after rather than the two track path, it is easier for beginners when the content gets split into two levels of foundation. The Intro exam essentially serves this purpose.
Also another reason being, the CCNAs who have a certification in the previous version only need to take up the ICND exam to recertify in the newer version, that is the 640-801 CCNA.
While the exam pattern along with the technologies keep changing with the new additions, the basic concepts of network assessment still remains intact in the CCNA 640-801 track.
Useful Resources
Preparation Kit
Whizlabs CCNA 640-801 Preparation Kit
Besides identifying your weak areas, and giving you a feel of the exam environment, Whizlabs Preparation Kit nurtures your potential to acquire domain expertise so that you not only succeed in your certification exam but succeed in your career too. To know more about Whizlabs CCNA Preparation Kit and how it can contribute to your success, please visit http://www.whizlabs.com/cisco/640-801-details.html.
Books
- CCNA Official Cisco Course Ware
- Cisco Press books
- Sybex Series
Well, with all this information you are well armed to take up the CCNA 640-801 exam and score well too! Best of Luck!