CCNA
7
stories in this section
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TCP vs UDP Compared
TCP vs UDP comes down to one trade-off: choose TCP when every byte must arrive complete and in order, and UDP when speed matters more than occasional data loss, as in a live video call. Picture two laptops on the same network. One downloads a file and must receive every byte intact. The other runs…
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Networking Fundamentals and CCNA Preparation
Knowing how to prepare for CCNA starts with one decision: your background. Absolute beginners often need 10–12 weeks of lab-based study, while people with helpdesk or junior network experience can compress that to about eight weeks. This guide sequences networking fundamentals into CCNA-level skills, with a practical lab step at each stage. For a domain-by-domain…
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TCP/IP Model vs OSI Model Compared
In the TCP/IP model vs OSI model comparison, OSI’s seven layers suit learning and troubleshooting, while TCP/IP’s four layers describe how the internet actually runs, according to Lightyear. Learn both. Readers working towards certification can pair this comparison with a guide on how to prepare for ccna. The 7 layers of the osi model guide…
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VLANs and Trunking Explained
What is a VLAN? It is a logical, software-based segmentation of a physical network, so devices on shared switches behave as separate networks and reach each other only through routing. A trunk carries several VLANs over one link by tagging frames, and a router or Layer 3 switch joins them. The sections below follow that…
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Ethernet and MAC Addresses
What is a MAC address? It is a unique identifier that a manufacturer assigns to a network interface controller (NIC). It is 48 bits long and identifies a device on the local network, not across the internet. A laptop is plugged into an office switch, and a colleague asks which address the switch reads when…
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OSI Model Explained
The 7 layers of the OSI model, from bottom to top, are Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation and Application. Each layer handles one job in moving data between devices, and the layers work together rather than one after another. This guide follows a single web request through the stack. For exam context, see…
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Cisco Certification Paths Beyond CCNA
Level Credential and exam structure Planning use Entry CCST, the foundational credential for entry-level IT roles Suits people with no networking background who want a first Cisco credential before CCNA. Associate CCNA, earned by passing a single exam, 200-301 The standard starting point for network roles and the base for every higher Cisco level. Professional…