CCNA 200-301 Certification FAQs

CCNA 200-301 is a single exam that is 120-minutes in duration with approximately 100 questions. Cisco has updated 10% of the CCNA exam with new topics effective 08/20/2024. Cisco permits the option of either in-person or online testing.

Cisco Exam NumberCCNA 200-301 (v1.1)
Number of Questions100
Duration120 minutes
Pass Score800/1000 (80%)
Cost300 USD
Types of Questionmultiple choice, drag and drop, performance-based labs

New CCNA 200-301 Exam Topics

Cisco has added new topics to the CCNA 200-301 exam that include artificial intelligence (AI), spanning tree protocols, and automation. You will notice keywords such as describe, explain, and compare that are used in the official exam syllabus. There are traditional configuration core topics and performance-based labs.

  • Generative AI and Predictive AI
  • Machine Learning
  • STP Root Guard, Loop Guard, and BPDU Filter
  • InterVLAN Connectivity
  • Server Virtualization, Containers, and VRFs
  • Terraform (Chef and Puppet removed)
  • API Authentication Methods
  • Cloud Device Management

Cisco has aligned CCNA 200-301 exam with a shift to open standards that include OSPF routing protocol. The management of network infrastructure now includes automation, SDN, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Cisco devices support programmable features and virtualization of network services. Troubleshooting topics have been moved to CCNP exam so that CCNA is now a foundational certification. The syllabus is based on six knowledge domains with assigned percentage weights.

Knowledge DomainsScoring
Network Fundamentals20%
Network Access20%
IP Connectivity25%
IP Services10%
Security Fundamentals15%
Automation and Programmability10%

It is important to dispel the confusion and hype that surrounds Cisco CCNA certification. OSPF is the primary routing protocol, however you should know the administrative distances of EIGRP, RIP, BGP, and IS-IS. You could also have questions on routing metrics since it is a route selection topic as well.

Cisco CCNA 200-301 (v1.1) Syllabus

Microsoft Visio For Network Engineers

Visio is an essential drawing tool that enables network engineers to create physical and logical drawings. Visio includes templates, standard shapes, and stencils for devices such as routers, switches, servers, firewalls, and host endpoints. In addition there are connectors to represent network topology. Visio is key to creating and managing your network documentation.

Advantages of Visio

There is an old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” This means that you can convey much more information faster and easier with an image than text. Visio is really an essential tool for communicating ideas effectively to multiple audiences. In fact, written communication is among the most in-demand soft skills that employers require today.

    • Troubleshooting: Visio allows network engineers to create detailed network diagrams that document both physical and logical layout of the network. This includes device hardware, topologies, addressing, and protocols. Visio drawings provide a summary reference with key information when diagnosing network issues, root cause analysis, and data flows.
    • Implementation: Maintaining up-to-date Visio diagrams is crucial since you are often integrating new equipment into an existing infrastructure. This helps identify rack space, available ports, protocol configuration, IP address blocks, and naming conventions.
    • Knowledge Transfer: Visio drawings are essential to training and communication between multiple groups within an enterprise. For example, new employees and contractors rely on network drawings to “learn” the design and configuration of a network. It also enables transition to existing engineers when an employee suddenly quits or goes on vacation.
    • Presentations: Visio enables network engineers to convey ideas and concepts to different types of audiences. For example help desk support, implementation engineers, and third party vendors. There are also powerpoint icons for presentation to management-level audience. You would have versions of each drawing adapted to your audience and based on proper security compliance.

Network Documentation Tips and Tricks

The following is a list of network documentation tips and tricks for network engineers. Most of the recommendations are added to Cisco configuration scripts with examples in quotes for reference.

Interface Description: The description command permits adding a description to an interface. For example description 10 Mbps WAN primary connection to ISP router.

Access List Remark: The remark command is added to an access control list (ACL) to explain the purpose of an ACL. For example remark ACL will deny all HTTP and FTP traffic from 192.168.0.0/16 subnets to any destination.

Static Route Name: The name command allows you to add a description to a static route. For example ip route 172.16.1.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1 name static-route-to-ISP

VLAN Name: The name command allows you to configure a descriptive name for a VLAN. For example create VLAN 10 and assign a description with name wireless command.

SNMP Location: The location command allows you to specify location of a network device. For example snmp-server location dc-1 rack a27 references the data center location code and rack number of network device.

SNMP Contact: The contact command allows you to add a mobile phone number, email, or support contact. For example snmp-server contact 1-800-network / call@netops.com

Configuration Script Comments: TFTP server preserves any comments added to the running configuration script when preceded with an exclamation point (!). For example ! this line enables OSPF on interface Gi1/0. Cisco will strip out all comments when it is saved to NVRAM.

Data Rack Pictures: Take a picture of the data center rack after any implementation that includes both front and rear view. This also applies to wiring closets and then convert to PNG format. Include a hyperlink from your rack drawing to the image file for reference.

Baseline Operational State: Create a text file with snapshot of the working operational state of devices as a reference point. The most common network discovery commands include show run, show ip route, show cdp neighbors, show lldp neighbors, and show ip arp.

L2 / L3 Drawings: Avoid clutter with separate L2/L3 drawings for complex data center topologies. Include physical rack drawings for data center and wiring closets.

Document Version Control: Share documents from a centralized intranet location where file locking and version control is enabled. Permit access to drawings from the internet so they are available to network engineers for troubleshooting and add security.

Change Management Updates: Add a step with your change management plan to update any existing network drawings that are affected.

Layer 2 Network Drawing

The purpose of a network drawing is to document network design and configuration of your current network. This is primarily for troubleshooting, support, implementation, knowledge transfer, and presentation purposes.

There are both physical and logical network drawings created to fully document your current network. Physical drawings represent Layer 1 connectivity for devices implemented to data center and wiring closets. By contrast, logical drawings represent Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking features. They also convey how data traffic flows and communication between network devices.

Layer 2 logical drawings are comprised of only switches and do not include routers. There is no L3 addressing except for the device management IP address. The connections between network devices represent the logical topology that could span multiple racks or even locations. There is also L2 addressing that include VLANs and MAC addressing where relevant.

    • Switches, access points, and wireless controllers
    • Topology connections (interface labels)
    • Device hostname
    • Management IP address
    • VLANs and MAC addressing
    • Trunking and Etherchannel links
    • Spanning tree information
    • Network servers (DNS, DHCP, TFTP etc)
    • Title block with location, date, contact

Trunking and EtherChannel links should be included on your drawing. Data center drawings should document spanning tree root/secondary bridges. Wireless access points and controllers are also added unless you have a sizable wireless network. In that case you would create a separate drawing for wireless connectivity. Typically you would create a single drawing for branch offices unless you have multi-floor building for example.

Layer 3 Network Drawing

Layer 3 network drawings are comprised of routers, L3 switches, and firewalls devices. There is also subnet addressing, loopbacks, and management IP address. You could also include VLANs associated with subnets particularly for L3 switch links. Routing protocol design is represented along with redundant routing paths, VRFs, and FHRP (default gateway). Add your ISP connection with telco circuit ID, link speed, and WAN protocol.

    • Routers, L3 switches, and firewalls
    • Topology connections (interface labels)
    • Device hostname
    • Management IP address
    • VLANs and SVIs
    • Network subnets and loopbacks
    • Port channels (L3)
    • Routing protocol design (areas etc.)
    • FHRP redundancy
    • WAN link speed, ISP, and circuit id
    • Data flow lines
    • Network servers (DNS, DHCP, TFTP)
    • Title block with location, date, contact

The following network drawing represents a data center topology with full redundancy. As mentioned there is often a single integrated drawing for branch offices and a hyperlink to the upstream data center switch connection. Consider a hierarchical approach to network drawings with links from data center master drawing to branch offices and cloud.

Layer 1 Physical Drawing

Visio physical drawings represent Layer 1 connectivity with the option of rack or standard topology drawings. The figure shown is based on Cisco device stencils with switch chassis, supervisor engine, line cards, and power supplies. There is also wireless access points, fixed module switches, and associated cabling media. This drawing type is useful for implementation and troubleshooting.

You have to “build” each network device that has a modular architecture. Create design templates within Visio for faster drawings and minimize duplication. For example, you could create templates for branch office, cloud, and internet DMZ. This applies to both physical and logical drawings.

Proper network documentation is essential to managing network infrastructure. It is also key to effective communication with other audiences and groups within the enterprise. Hyperlinks from devices to Infoblox, scripts, or associated drawings for example enable quick access to network addressing and configuration.

Microsoft Visio For Network Engineers Course