January 2022

Skills For All with Cisco

Networking Academy
Networking Essentials 2.0.1
Scope and Sequence

Table of Contents
Target Audience ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Prerequisites ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Certification Alignment..................................................................................................................................................... 2
Course Description ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
Course Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Equipment Requirements................................................................................................................................................. 3
Course Outline .................................................................................................................................................................. 3

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 Target Audience
The Networking Essentials course is designed for high school, college, and any learner interested in developing
introductory networking knowledge.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course although learners should have a basic understanding using a
laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and browsing the Internet. While it is not required, it is recommended that
learners complete Introduction of Cybersecurity course.

Certification Alignment
This course, from the Cybersecurity Pathway, aligns with the IT Specialist Cybersecurity certification from Certiport.

Course Description
Networking Essentials teaches the fundamentals of networking. It covers how devices communicate, network
addressing and network services, how to build a home network and configure basic security, the basics of
configuring Cisco devices, and testing and troubleshooting network problems. The course has many features to help
learners understand these concepts. The course design includes:

• Twenty modules comprised of key topics.

• Modules emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and the practical application of skills.
• Each module contains practice and assessment activities such as a Check Your Understanding activity, a lab,
or an activity using our network simulation tool, Cisco® Packet Tracer.
• Topic-level activities are designed to indicate a learner’s mastery of course skills, enabling learners to gage
understanding before taking a graded quiz or exam.
• Language describing concepts is designed to be easily understood by learners at a high school level.
• Assessments and practice activities focused on specific competencies are designed to increase retention and
provide flexibility in the learning path.
• Multimedia learning tools, including videos and quizzes, address a variety of learning styles, stimulating
learning and promoting knowledge retention.
• Labs and Packet Tracer simulation-based activities help learners develop critical thinking and complex
problem-solving skills.
• Innovative assessments provide immediate feedback to support the evaluation of knowledge and skills.
• Technical concepts are explained using introductory-level language.
• Embedded interactive activities break up reading of large content blocks and reinforce understanding.
• The course emphasizes applied skills, hands-on experience, and encourages learners to consider additional
IT education.
• Packet Tracer activities are designed for use with the latest version of Packet Tracer.

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 Course Objectives
Networking Essentials 2.0 is designed to develop knowledge and skills needed to work in Information
Technology (IT) and networking. The course material will assist you in developing learner skills, including:
• Explain the concept of network communication
• Explain the basic requirements for getting online
• Create a simulated network using Packet Tracer
• Build a simple home network
• Explain the importance of standards and protocols in network communications
• Explain how protocols enable network operations.
• Explain how communication occurs on Ethernet networks
• Create a fully connected Local Area Network (LAN)
• Explain the features of an Internet Protocol (IP) address
• Explain the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) address assignment process
• Explain the principles of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and IPv6 address management
• Explain how clients access internet services
• Explain the function of common application layer services
• Configure an integrated wireless router and wireless client to securely connect to the internet
• Implement virtualization and cloud technologies
• Explain how to use security best practices to mitigate attacks.
• Configure basic network security.
• Compare in-band and out-of-band management access.
• Use the Cisco IOS
• Build a simple computer network using Cisco devices.

Equipment Requirements
The below equipment is required for the Networking Essentials:

● 1 PC running Windows 10
● A smartphone or tablet as a host device
● 1 Ethernet cable

Course Outline
Table 1 below details the modules and their associated competencies. Each module is an integrated unit of learning
that consists of content, activities, and assessments that target a specific set of competencies. The size of the
module depends on the depth of knowledge and skill needed to master the competency.

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 Table 1: Module Title and Objective

Module Title / Topic Title Objective

Module 1: Communications in a Connected World

1.0: Communications in a Connected World Explain the concept of network communication.

1.1 Network Types Explain the concept of a network

1.2 Data Transmission Describe network data

1.3 Bandwidth and Throughput Explain the network transmission speed and capacity.

1.4 Clients and Servers Explain the roles of clients and servers in a network.

1.5 Network Components Explain the roles of network infrastructure devices.

Module 2: Online Connections

2.0: Online Connections Explain the basic requirements for getting online.

2.1 Wireless Networks Describe the different types of networks used by cell phones
and mobile devices.

2.2 Local Network Connections Describe the requirements for host connectivity.

2.3 Network Documentation Explain the importance of network documentation.

Module 3: Explore Networks with Packet Tracer

3.0 Explore Networks with Packet Tracer Create a simulated network using Packet Tracer.

3.1 Packet Tracer Network Simulator Describe the purpose and function of Packet Tracer.

3.2 Packet Tracer Installation Install Packet Tracer on a local device.

3.3 The Packet Tracer User Interface Investigate the Packet Tracer user interface.

3.4 Packet Tracer Network Configuration Configure a Packet Tracer network.

Module 4: Build A Simple Network

4.0 Build A Simple Network Build a simple home network.

4.1 Network Media Types Describe common types of network cables.

4.2 Ethernet Cabling Describe Ethernet twisted-pair cables.

4.3 Coaxial and Fiber-Optic Cabling Describe coaxial and fiber-optic cabling.

4.4 Twisted Pair Operation Explain how a twisted-pair cable transmits and receives
signals.

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 4.5 Verify Connectivity Verify connectivity in a simple routed network.

Module 5: Communication Principles

5.0 Communication Principles Explain the importance of standards and protocols in network
communications.

5.1 The Rules Describe network communication protocols.

5.2 Communication Standards Describe network communication standards.

5.3 Network Communication Models Compare the OSI and TCP/IP models.

5.4 Ethernet Explain the OSI model Layer 1 and Layer 2 functions in an
Ethernet network.

Module 6: Network Protocols

6.0 Network Protocols Explain how protocols enable network operations.

6.1 Network Communications Process Explain the basic operation of data-networked

communications.

6.2 Communications Protocols Explain how protocols enable network operations.

6.3 Data Encapsulation Explain how data encapsulation allows data to be transported
across the network.

6.4 Ethernet Explain how Ethernet supports network communication.

6.5 IPv4 Explain how the IPv4 protocol supports network

communications.

Module 7: Network Design and the Access Layer

7.0 Network Design and the Access Layer Explain how communication occurs on Ethernet networks.

7.1 Encapsulation and the Ethernet Frame Explain the process of encapsulation and Ethernet framing.

7.2 Hierarchical Network Design Explain the function at each layer of the 3-layer network
design model.

7.3 The Access Layer Explain how to improve network communication at the access
layer.

7.4 Broadcast Containment Explain why it is important to contain broadcasts within a

network.

Module 8: Routing Between Networks

8.0 Routing Between Networks Create a fully connected LAN.

8.1 The Need for Routing Explain the need for routing.

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 8.2 The Routing Table Explain how routers use tables.

8.3 Create a LAN Build a fully connected network.

Module 9: The Internet Protocol

9.0 The Internet Protocol Explain the features of an IP address.

9.1 Purpose of an IPv4 Address Explain the purpose of an IPv4 address.

9.2 Binary Conversion of an IPv4 Address Calculate numbers between decimal and binary systems.

9.3 The IPv4 Address Structure Explain how IPv4 addresses and subnets are used together.

9.4 Classful IPv4 Addressing Describe the different IPv4 address classes.

9.5 Public and Private IPv4 Addresses Describe the public and private IPv4 address ranges.

9.6 Unicast, Broadcast, and Multicast Addresses Compare unicast, multicast, and broadcast addresses.

Module 10: Dynamic Addressing with DHCP

10.0 Dynamic Addressing with DHCP Explain the DHCP address assignment process.

10.1 Static and Dynamic Addressing Compare static and dynamic IPv4 addressing.

10.2 DHCPv4 Configuration Configure a DHCPv4 server to dynamically assign IPv4

addresses.

Module 11: IPv6 Addressing

11.0 IPv6 Addressing Implement an IPv6 addressing scheme.

11.1 IPv4 Issues Explain the need for IPv6 addressing.

11.2 IPv6 Addressing Explain how IPv6 addresses are represented.

11.3 IPv6 Address Types Compare types of IPv6 network addresses.

11.4 Dynamic Addressing for IPv6 GUAs Explain how to configure global unicast addresses
dynamically.

Module 12: IPv4 and IPv6 Address Management

12.0 IPv4 and IPv6 Address Management Explain the principles of IPv4 and IPv6 address management.

12.1 Network Boundaries Describe network boundaries.

12.2 Network Address Translation Explain the purpose of Network Address Translation in small
networks.

12.3 IPv4 Issues Explain why IPv6 addressing will replace IPv4 addressing.

12.4 IPv6 Features Explain features of IPv6

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 Module 13. Transport Layer Services

13.0 Transport Layer Services Explain how clients access internet services.

13.1 The Client Server Relationship Explain client and server interaction.

13.2 TCP and UDP Compare TCP and UDP transport layer functions.

13.3 Port Numbers Explain how TCP and UDP use port numbers.

Module 14. Application Layer Services

14.0 Application Layer Services Explain the function of common application layer services.

14.1 Network Application Services Describe common network applications.

14.2 Domain Name System Describe DNS.

14.3 Web Clients and Servers Describe HTTP and HTML.

14.4 FTP Clients and Servers Describe FTP.

14.5 Virtual Terminals Describe Telnet and SSH.

14.6 Email and Messaging Describe email protocols.

Module 15. Build a Home Network

15.0. Build a Home Network Configure an integrated wireless router and wireless client to
connect securely to the internet.

15.1 Home Network Basics Describe the components required to build a home network.

15.2 Network Technologies in the Home Describe wired and wireless network technologies.

15.3 Wireless Standards Describe Wi-Fi.

15.4 Mobile Device Connectivity Configure mobile devices for wireless connectivity.

15.5 Wireless Traffic Controls Explain how wireless traffic is controlled.

15.6 ISP Connectivity Options Describe ISP connectivity options.

15.7 Set Up a Home Router Configure a wireless LAN device.

Module 16: Virtualization, SDN, and Cloud-Based Services

16.0 Virtualization, SDN, and Cloud-Based Services Implement virtualization and cloud technologies

16.1 Network Virtualization On a computer, configure a virtual machine that includes an

operating system.

16.2 Introduction to AWS Explain how to create a basic EC2 instance for specified
requirements.

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 Module 17: Security Considerations

17.0 Security Considerations Explain how to use security best practices to mitigate attacks.

17.1 Security Threats Describe different types of network security threats.

17.2 Social Engineering Attacks Describe social engineering attacks.

17.3 Malware Describe various types of malicious software.

17.4 Denial of Service Describe denial of service attacks.

17.5 Security Tools Explain how security tools and software updates mitigate
network security threats.

17.6 Antimalware Software Explain how antimalware software mitigates data loss and
service disruptions.

Module 18. Configure Network and Device Security

18.0 Configure Network and Device Security Configure basic network security.

18.1 Wireless Security Measures Describe basic ways to address wireless security
vulnerabilities.

18.2 Implement Wireless Security Configure user authentication.

18.3 Configure a Firewall Configure firewall settings.

Module 19. Cisco Switches and Routers

Module 19. Cisco Switches and Routers Compare in-band and out-of-band management access.

19.1 Cisco Switches Describe Cisco LAN switches.

19.2 Switch Boot Process Describe the Cisco LAN switch boot process.

19.3 Cisco Routers Describe Cisco small business routers.

19.4 Router Boot Process Describe the Cisco router boot process.

Module 20. The Cisco IOS Command Line

20.0 The Cisco IOS Command Line Use the Cisco IOS.

20.1 IOS Navigation Use the correct commands to navigate the Cisco IOS modes.

20.2 The Command Structure Explain how to navigate the Cisco IOS to configure network
devices.

20.3 View Device Information Use show commands to monitor device operations.

Module 21: Build a Small Cisco Network

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 21.0 Build a Small Cisco Network Build a simple computer network using Cisco devices.

21.1 Basic Switch Configuration Configure initial settings on a Cisco switch.

21.2 Configure Initial Router Settings Configure initial settings on a router.

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