Last Updated: 28 Jul 2021

Networking Essentials 2.0

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Table of Contents
Networking Essentials Course FAQ ................................................................................................... 2
Q1. What are the main features of the Cisco Networking Academy® Networking Essentials 2.0 curriculum? .............. 2
Q2. How should instructors use this new Networking Essentials 2.0 self-paced modality? ......................................... 3
Q3. Can I set up a self-enroll version of the course through my academy? .................................................................. 3
Q4. Will Networking Essentials 1.0 still be available? .................................................................................................... 3
Q5. How does the Networking Essentials 2.0 course compare to the CCNA curriculum? ............................................. 3
Q6. Does Networking Essentials 2.0 align to certification? ........................................................................................... 3
Q7. Will students receive a digital badge? .................................................................................................................... 3
Q8. What features and benefits does the curriculum offer?.......................................................................................... 3
Q9. How many and what types of assessments are included in Networking Essentials 2.0? ........................................ 4
Q10. What are the prerequisites for this course? .......................................................................................................... 4
Q11. Is certificate of completion available for Networking Essentials 2.0? ................................................................... 4
Q12. How many hours does the course require? .......................................................................................................... 4

Labs and Equipment FAQ ................................................................................................................. 4

Q13. What are the hardware and software requirements?............................................................................................ 4
Q14. What are the recommended browsers for Networking Essentials 2.0? ................................................................ 5

Cisco Packet Tracer FAQ .................................................................................................................. 5

Q15. Where can I find information on how to use Packet Tracer?................................................................................. 5
Q16. What version of Packet Tracer should I use? ........................................................................................................ 5
Q17. How do I install Packet Tracer on Ubuntu Linux? .................................................................................................. 5

Instructor Training FAQ ..................................................................................................................... 5

Q18. What is the instructor training requirement for Networking Essentials 2.0? ......................................................... 5
Q19. What instructor resources are available? ............................................................................................................. 6
Q20. Where can I download the instructor materials? .................................................................................................. 6

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 Networking Essentials Course FAQ
Q1. What are the main features of the Cisco Networking Academy® Networking Essentials 2.0
curriculum?
A. This course introduces a variety of topics to build students’ skills and provide a broad foundational
knowledge of networks and the Internet. The course introduces networking devices and technology
concepts. Students will learn how networks are set up, how devices are configured, how communication
takes place on a network, and the basics of implementing network security best practices. This will
enhance the students’ confidence in setting up a wireless home network or a small business network.

The networking knowledge gained from this course can also be applied to other technical or non-IT career
paths that rely on networks as a business enabler. This course includes activities that expand on the
course material presented. Upon completion of this course, the end-of-course survey, and the end-of-
course assessment, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion. Estimated time to complete the
course is 70 hours.

Networking Essentials 2.0 is designed as a self-paced modality. It is offered directly to students online or
can be offered as an instructor-led course. See a comparison of these two options in the table below:

Direct to Students (Self-Paced) Instructor-Led

Modality Self-paced course offered directly to students Instructor-led course using self-paced content. Well-
suited for a flipped classroom approach.

Access Available online through NetAcad.com Available through local academies and can be offered
as a distance learning course

Students self-enroll through NetAcad.com or Students enroll through a local academy

self-enroll through a local academy

Assessments Includes Cisco Packet Tracer activities, labs, quizzes, Includes Cisco Packet Tracer activities, labs, quizzes,
interactive activities, and Syntax Checkers interactive activities, and Syntax Checkers

Includes all Self-Activated Pretest and Module Group Includes all Self-Activated Pretest and Module Group
Exams Exams

Self-activated, static final exam Instructor-activated, secured, dynamic final exam,

plus self-activated, static practice final exam

Self-activated Packet Tracer Skills Assessment Instructor-Activated Packet Tracer Skills Assessment
Optional Physical Equipment Skills Assessment
Capstone Activity

Recognitions Leads to a Certificate of Completion (no badge) Leads to a Digital Badge and Certificate of
Completion

Support Support through Networking Academy Help Desk Instructor Resources available through NetAcad.com
Virtual Assistant and Escalation through Help Desk

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 Q2. How should instructors use this new Networking Essentials 2.0 self-paced modality?
A. Version 2.0 is designed as a self-paced modality. The instructor-led offering of Version 2.0 will
leverage this same self-paced modality, with additional features for assessment and course management.
The instructor-led offering is intended as an instructor-supported or instructor-mentored model rather
than a traditional lecture-based model. Version 2.0 would be well-suited for a flipped classroom
approach.

Q3. Can I set up a self-enroll version of the course through my academy?

Yes, with one caveat: the self-enroll version will enroll students in the truly self-paced modality where
assessments and course completion requirements are pre-established and can’t be overwritten by the
instructor. If you need to control these parameters, instructors must create the instructor-led offering,
which requires instructor to enroll the students as usual (no self-enroll).

Q4. Will Networking Essentials 1.0 still be available?

A. Networking Essentials Version 1.0 in English will reach End-of-Life (EOL) on October 31, 2021. Current
translations of Networking Essentials 1.0 will remain available while Version 2.0 translations are being
planned. End-of-life dates for translated languages will be announced when each language is released.
Dates will be a minimum of 1 year after respective language course resources are available.

Q5. How does the Networking Essentials 2.0 course compare to the CCNA curriculum?
A. Networking Essentials 2.0 provides a broad survey of many of the topics covered in the CCNA 7.0
curriculum at an introductory level. It is intended to expose students to the high-level architectures and
technologies used in networking and is not a pre-requisite for CCNA.

The course is appropriate for students at many education levels and types of institutions, especially high
schools, secondary schools, career and technical schools, community organizations, and other non-
traditional learning environments.

Q6. Does Networking Essentials 2.0 align to certification?

A. No, it does not align to certification.

Q7. Will students receive a digital badge?

A. Students who successfully complete Networking Essentials 2.0 offered by an instructor through an
academy are eligible to earn a digital learning badge. Students must obtain a minimum score of 70 or
higher during the first attempt of the secure final exam and successfully pass the course according to local
academy requirements and be mark passed by the instructor.

A digital badge is not available for the online self-paced version of this course offered directly through
NetAcad.com or through academies. Networking Academy relies on an instructor-activated secure
assessment to ensure the high integrity of digital badges for Career-level courses, and secure
assessment is only available for the instructor-led version of the course.

Q8. What features and benefits does the curriculum offer?

A. Course features and benefits include the following:

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 • Rich multimedia content, including interactive activities, videos, games, and quizzes, addressing a
variety of learning styles to help stimulate learning and increase knowledge retention.
• Hands-on labs with your devices at home and Packet Tracer simulation-based learning activities to
help students develop critical thinking abilities and complex problem-solving skills.
• Innovative assessments provide immediate feedback to support the evaluation of knowledge and
acquired skills.
• Technical concepts are explained using language that works well for learners at an introductory
level, and embedded interactive activities break up reading of the content and reinforce
understanding.
• The curriculum encourages students to consider additional IT education, but also emphasizes
applied skills and hands-on experience.

Q9. How many and what types of assessments are included in Networking Essentials 2.0?
A. Networking Essentials 2.0 contains the following assessments:
46 Check Your Understanding quizzes
5 Syntax Checkers
9 interactive activities
Embedded module quizzes
5 self-activated module group pre-test exams
5 self-activated module group exams
1 self-activated, static practice final exam
1 instructor-activated, secured, dynamic final exam (Instructor-led only)
1 instructor-activated Packet Tracer Skills Assessment (Instructor-led only)

Q10. What are the prerequisites for this course?

A. Students should have a basic understanding of how to use a computer and browse the Internet. The
course provides an entry level treatment of all topics and there is no pre-knowledge of networking
required.

Q11. Is certificate of completion available for Networking Essentials 2.0?

Yes, students who complete Networking Essentials are eligible to receive a certificate of completion.
Instructions on how to obtain the certificate of completion can be found with the course.

Q12. How many hours does the course require?

A. Estimated time to complete the course is 70 hours.

Labs and Equipment FAQ

Q13. What are the hardware and software requirements?
A. The student PC or laptop combined with a home wireless router are the only physical equipment
requirements. Cisco’s Packet Tracer simulation tool provides a rich set of features needed to develop
skills and understanding of networking. A virtual machine is also provided within the course to support
learning.

• Laptop or PC running Windows 10 with at least 4GB of RAM

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 • Internet Access
• 1 Wireless home router
• 1 Wireless NIC or USB dongle
• 1 Ethernet cable
• Latest version of Firefox or Google Chrome
• Cisco Packet Tracer 8.0 or later
• Latest version of Oracle Virtual Box

Q14. What are the recommended browsers for Networking Essentials 2.0?
A. Performance is best with the two most recent versions of the following browsers: Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer.

Cisco Packet Tracer FAQ

Q15. Where can I find information on how to use Packet Tracer?
A. The course has included a section on how to use Packet Tracer. There is also an Introduction to Packet
Tracer self-paced course available on here on Netacad.com.

Q16. What version of Packet Tracer should I use?

A. Computers should have Packet Tracer 8.0 (minimum version) downloaded to support the relevant labs.
The latest version of Packet Tracer is available for download by instructors and students from the Cisco
Packet Tracer Resource folder from NetAcad.com: https://www.netacad.com/portal/resources/packet-
tracer

Q17. How do I install Packet Tracer on Ubuntu Linux?

A. Run command "sudo apt-get install <absolute path to the .deb file>" and follow the instructions shown
on your screen. (Note that using "sudo dpkg -i <absolute path to the .deb file>" will not install the
dependencies needed).

Instructor Training FAQ

Q18. What is the instructor training requirement for Networking Essentials 2.0?
A. With the launch of Version 2.0, all training requirements for Networking Essentials will be removed and
there are no mandatory qualifications:
• Instructors no longer need to go to an in-person or remote instructor training class
• There is no need to complete any self-paced training

New instructors can take advantage of the self-paced course as your means of preparation, but not as a
mandatory requirement. If necessary, new instructors will have the option to receive training through an
ITC if available in your region.

The instructor training requirement is also being removed for Networking Essentials 1.0. As of the release
of Version 2.0, instructor training is no longer required for Version 1.0. This applies to all languages.

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 Q19. What instructor resources are available?
A. Most information will be embedded within the course. In addition, the following instructor resources are
available through the Instructor Resources page on NetAcad.com.
• Instructor PowerPoint presentations
• Instructor lab manuals
• Instructor answer keys for labs and Packet Tracer activities
• Release notes
• Scope and Sequence document

Q20. Where can I download the instructor materials?

A. The instructor materials for Networking Essentials can be found in Instructor Resource menu in
netacad.com https://www.netacad.com/portal/resources/course-resources/networking-essentials

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