Course Description

The 200-301 CCNA exam takes 120 minutes and is available in English and Japanese. It breaks down as follows:

• Network fundamentals : Network components such as routers, switches, and access points; network topology architectures; physical interfaces and cabling types; IPv4 and IPv6 configuration; IP parameters; wireless, virtualization, and switching fundamentals

• Network access : Configuring and verifying virtual local area networks (VLANs), interswitch connectivity, Layer 2 discovery protocols, and EtherChannel; Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol operations; Cisco wireless architectures, AP modes, physical wireless local area network (WLAN) components, access point (AP) and wireless LAN controller (WLC) management access connections; and wireless local area network (LAN) access 

• IP connectivity : Routing tables; router decision-making; configuring and verifying IPv4 and IPv6 static routing and single-area OSPFv2; first hop redundancy protocol

• IP services : Configuring and verifying network address translation (NAT) and network time protocol (NTP); describing dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), domain name system (DNS), simple network management protocol (SNMP), and syslog features; per-hop behavior; using SSH; describing trivial fire transfer protocol (TFTP)/fire transfer protocol (FTP)

• Security fundamentals : Security concepts such as threats and mitigation; physical access control; password policies; access control lists; Layer 2 security features; wireless security protocols

• Automation and programmability : Comparing traditional networks with controller-based networks; automation concepts; interpreting JavaScript object notation (JSON) data

In order to become CCNA certified, you’ll have to take the 200-301 CCNA exam offered by Cisco. The exam has no prerequisites, but Cisco reports that CCNA candidates generally have the following experience prior to taking the exam:

• At least one year of using and implementing Cisco products and solutions

• Basic knowledge of IP addressing

• Knowledge of network fundamentals

What salary could I earn with the CCNA certification?

Based on industry data for 2026, the median total salaries for IT positions requiring the CCNA certification or equivalent experience are as follows:

• IT Support Specialist: $70,000
• Network Specialist: $107,000
• Network Administrator: $99,000
• Network Engineer: $122,000
• Senior Network Engineer: $165,000