CCNA NOTES

1. What is network?
A network is collection of interconnected devices (Such as computers, services, routers,
switches) that communicate with each other to share resources data and services. Network can
vary in size and type from small Local Area networks (LANs) within a home or office to vast Wide
Area Network (WANs) spanning across regions, countries or even globally (Like the internet).
Two or more connected computers that can share resources like data and applications office
machines an internet connection.
Networking: Networking also known as computer networking is the practice of transporting and
exchanging data and information and having communication between connected nodes over a
shared medium.

2. Explain the OSI model & its layers?

- The open system interconnection model is a conceptual framework used to understand
and standardize the function of a communication system, divided into seven layers.
• Physical Layer: Physical layer is responsible for the physical cable or the wireless
connection between network nodes.

• Data link layer: Data link layer establishes and terminates a connection between two
physically connected nodes on a network. It breaks up packets into frames and sends
them from source to destination. This layer is composed of two parts- logical link
control which identifies network protocols performs error checking and synchronizes
frames and media access control which uses MAC addresses to connect devices and
define permission to transmit and receive data.

• Network Layer: Network layer has two main functions. One is breaking up segments
into network packets and reassembling the packets on the receiving end. Another one
is the routing packets by discovering the best path across a physical network. The
network layer uses network addresses typically internet protocol addresses to route
packets to a destination node.

• Transport Layer: The transport layer takes data from the session layer and breaks it
into segments on the transmitting end. The THREE-WAY-HANDSHAKE is a method
used in the transport layer of the TCP/IP model to establish a reliable connection
between a client and server before data transfer begins. It’s a part of the TCP and
crucial for ensuring that both parties are synchronized and ready to exchange data.
First Handshake (SYN)- The client sends an SYN packets to the server indicating its
intent to establish a connection. The SYN packet contains a sequence number which is
used to synchronize the data transmission between the client and server.
2nd-Handshake (SYN-ACK) – The server acknowledges the clients request and
responds.
3rd Handshake (ACK)- the client acknowledges the server’s response. The three-way
handshake ensures both parties are on the starting sequence numbers and that both
the client and server are ready for communication.

• Session Layer: The session layer creates communication channels called sessions
between devices. It is responsible for opening sessions. ensuring they remains open
 and functional while data is being transferred and closing them when communication
ends.

• Presentation Layer: The presentation layer prepares data for the application layer. It
defines two devices should encode, encrypt & compress data. So, it is received correctly
on the other end.

• Application Layer: The application layer is used by end user software such as end web
browsers, email clients. It provides protocols that allow Software to send & receive
information & present meaningful data to users.

3. Difference Between TCP & UDP?

• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): A connection-oriented protocol that ensures
reliable delivery of data. it includes mechanisms for error checking acknowledgments, &
flow control (E.g. HTTP, FTP).
• UDP (User Datagram Protocol): A connectionless protocol with no error checking or
flow control. it is faster but less reliable than TCP (E.g. video Streaming, VoRP)
4. Difference between Hub, a Switch & a router?
• Hub - A basic networking device that broadcasts data to all devices on the network, its
inefficient because every device receives the data, even if it's not the intended recipient.
• Switch - A smarter device that forwards data only to the specific device (or port) it
intended for using MAC addresses.
• Router - Directs data between different network using IP addresses, Routers key for
connecting multiple networks, such as LAN to the internet.

5. What is Subnetting, and why is it used?

Subnetting is the process of dividing a larger network into smaller, more Manageable sub
networks (subnet). It improves network performance security by reducing congestion &
isolating different parts of network and subnetting also helps in efficient IP address allocation.

6. Difference Between Public & Private IP addresses Public IP address?

-Public IP Address: Globally unique IP addresses assigned by ISPs used for identifying devices on
the internet.
Private IP Address: IP address used within private networks (eg. Home or office networks). This
addresses are not routable on the internet and are reused in different networks (eg.
192.168.0.0/16).
7. Difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
-IPv4: A 32-bit addressing scheme that allows for approximately 4.3 billion unique address.
-IPv6: A 128-bit addressing scheme designed to overcome IPv4’s limitations. Providing an
enormous number of unique addresses. It also offers better security and Autoconfiguration
capabilities.

8. What is a VLAN and Why it is used?

- A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of device on different physical
networks that behave as if they are on the same physical network. VLANS improves network
management, security and efficiency by separating broadcast domain and grouping devices by
function department or application.
9. What is a MAC Address, & How is it Different from an IP address?
-> MAC (Media. Access Control) Address - A unique hardware identifier assigned to a network
interface Cand (NIC) of a device. If operates at the Data link Layer and is used for communication
within the local networks.
IP address: - A logical identifier assigned to devices in a network, used for communication
between networks (layer 3 of OSI model). Unlike a MAC address, an IP address can change,
especially in dynamic IP environments.

10. What is ARP & How Does it work?

- ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is a protocol wed to map an If address to a MAC address in a
local network, when a device want to communicate with another device on the same local
network, It broadcast an ARP request to get the MAC address corresponding to the IP address.
The device with the matching IP responds MAC address, allowing responds with its
communication to proceed.
11. What is the difference between subnet mask and IP address?
- An IP address identifies a device on a network while a subnet mask defines the network portion
of the IP address. The subnet mask is used to determine which port of an IP address refers to
network & which part refers to host (device) on that network.

12. How do you calculate the number of host in a subnet?

Host= 2^(no of host bits) -2

13. What is CIDR, & How does it relate to subnet?

- CEDR (classless Inter-Domain Routing) is a method of allocating IP addresses & routing that
replaces the old class-based system. CPDR allows for Variable-length subnet masks (VLSM),
which mean Subnets can be of different sizes. It is represented by an IP address followed by
Slash and a number. Where the number indicates number how many bits are in the network
portion of the address. (eg: 192.168.1.0/24).
14. How do you design a subnet plan for a network?
- When designing a Subnet plan, you need to Determine the number of subnets & hosts
required, choose appropriate subnet masks based on the number of required hosts. Ensure that
there is room for growth. Assign subnets logically based on geographical locali deportment or
service type Avoid IP address overlaps and ensure proper documentation.
15. What is bridge?
- A bridge operates at Layer 2 & connects two or more network segments, filtering traffic
between then based on MAC addresses, it reduces collision but is less Capable than a switch in
managing multiple devices and high traffic.

16. What is NAT & why is it important? (NAT- N/W address Translation)

-NAT allows a router to translate private, non-routable IP addresses (used inside a local
network) into a single public IP address (used for internet communication). It is a crucial for
conserving public IP addresses, as private addresses are not globally unique & can reused across
different networks. NAT is important because it allows multiple device on a local network to
share a single public IP address enabling internet access. It enhances security by hiding internal IP
addresses from external network It helps to alleviate the shortage of IP addresses.
17. What is the difference between static & dynamic routing?

-Static routing involves manually configuring routes on routers. It requires an administrator to set up
specific routes for traffic to follow and change must be updated manually, it is simple & has long
overhead but lacks scalability & adaptability to network.

-Dynamic routing on the other hand uses routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP or RIP) to
automatically adjust routes based on changes in the network topology. Routers exchange
information & build routing table dynamically, offering better scalability & flexibility specially in
larger, more complex networks.

Disadvantages of Dynamic Routing:

- Dynamic routing requires more CPU memory & B/W because routers must continuously
exchange & process routing updates.
- Complex Configuration
- Less control
- Security
17. Explain what a trunk port is & its purpose in VLAN Configuration.
A trunk port on a switch is used to carry traffic for multiple VLANs between Switches. It tags the
data. So, that switches can tell which VLAN the traffic belongs to, allowing different VLANs to
communicate.

18. What is STP & why is it necessary?

- Spanning Tree Protocol prevents network loops that can happen when switch are connected in
a looped or redundant way. Loop can cause the networks to overload, but STP keeps one path
active & puts backups on hold to avoid this issue.

19. What is HSRP & Why it is used in network?

Hot Standby routing protocol