CompTIA Network+

 CompTIA Network+ is the premier certification for validating your knowledge of essential networking tools and concepts. You will be assessed on your abilities in network connectivity, documentation, service configuration, data centers, cloud, virtual networking, monitoring, troubleshooting, and security hardening. This certification prepares you for jobs in technical support, network operation, and system administration.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Networks

• Define networks, purposes, and benefits

• Identify physical network topologies: bus, star, mesh, hybrid, point-to-point

• Discuss topology selection, backbones, and segment design considerations

• Relate topology choice to scalability, fault tolerance, and cost

• Apply concepts in written lab and review questions

Lesson 2: The OSI Reference Model

• Explain internetworking models (OSI vs. TCP/IP) and their relevance

• Describe data encapsulation/decapsulation processes

• Understand modulation techniques and how data is transmitted over media

• Map protocols to OSI layers and identify troubleshooting points

Lesson 3: Networking Connectors and Wiring Standards

• Compare physical media types: twisted pair, coaxial, fiber

• Explain cable properties: bandwidth, attenuation, interference, shielding

• Understand wiring standards (TIA/EIA-568A/B) and crossover vs. straight-through

• Plan and install wiring distributions, patch panels, and termination points

Lesson 4: Current Ethernet Specifications

• Review Ethernet fundamentals and IEEE standards

• Understand Ethernet operation at Data Link and Physical layers

• Recognize Ethernet over other standards (IEEE 1905.1) for mixed media networks

• Identify speed, duplex, and cabling requirements

Lesson 5: Networking Devices

• Identify connectivity devices: hubs, switches, routers, wireless APs

• Explore specialized devices: load balancers, proxies, firewalls, VPN concentrators

• Recognize networked devices: printers, IP cameras, VoIP phones

• Plan and implement a basic SOHO network with segmentation

Lesson 6: Introduction to the Internet Protocol

• Introduce TCP/IP architecture and core protocols

• Describe encapsulation within TCP/IP model layers

• Identify addressing, transport, and application layer interactions

Lesson 7: IP Addressing

• Define IP terminology (host, network ID, broadcast)

• Explain hierarchical addressing schemes

• Compare IPv4 address types (unicast, multicast, broadcast)

• Understand IPv6 structure and benefits

Lesson 8: IP Subnetting, Troubleshooting IP, and NAT

• Apply subnetting basics to divide networks efficiently

• Troubleshoot IP addressing issues (conflicts, misconfigurations)

• Understand NAT concepts (static, dynamic, PAT)

Lesson 9: Introduction to IP Routing

• Explain routing fundamentals and decision processes

• Illustrate IP routing process and packet flow

• Compare static vs. dynamic routing

Lesson 10: Routing Protocols

• Describe routing protocol purposes and metrics

• Compare distance-vector (RIP) vs. link-state (OSPF, IS-IS) protocols

• Explore high-availability routing strategies

• Introduce IPv6 routing protocols

Lesson 11: Switching and Virtual LANs

• Describe pre-Layer 2 switching methods

• Understand switching services and MAC address learning

• Explain Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

• Configure VLANs and VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP)

• Explore advanced switch features (port security, QoS)

Lesson 12: Wireless Networking

• Introduce wireless technologies and standards (802.11 variants)

• Compare frequency bands and regulatory impacts

• Identify wireless components and installation practices

• Perform site surveys and implement wireless security measures

Lesson 13: Remote Network Access

• Configure site-to-site and client-to-site VPNs

• Use remote desktop and VNC solutions

• Understand jump boxes, in-band vs. out-of-band management

Lesson 14: Using Statistics and Sensors to Ensure Network Availability

• Monitor performance metrics and sensors

• Use SNMP for network management

• Capture packets with protocol analyzers

• Analyze flow data and aggregate logs

Lesson 15: Organizational Documents and Policies

• Create and manage plans, procedures, and policies

• Implement hardening standards and security policies

• Maintain network documentation and IP address management

• Understand common agreements (SLAs, NDAs)

Lesson 16: High Availability and Disaster Recovery

• Implement load balancing, multipathing, NIC teaming

• Deploy redundant hardware and clustering solutions

• Support facilities with UPS, generators, and cooling

• Plan backup strategies and conduct testing

Lesson 17: Data Center Architecture and Cloud Concepts

• Explain cloud computing models and service types

• Use infrastructure as code (IaC)

• Apply software-defined networking principles

• Understand VXLAN, zero trust, and SASE/SSE architectures

Lesson 18: Network Troubleshooting Methodology

• Narrow down issues with structured troubleshooting steps

• Apply tips for effective diagnostics

• Document and verify solutions

Lesson 19: Network Software Tools and Commands

• Use software tools: traceroute, ping, nslookup, arp, mtr/pathping, nmap, netstat, tcpdump

• Apply ipconfig, ifconfig, ip, and iptables commands

• Resolve names via hosts file or DNS utilities

• Utilize hardware tools for cable and signal testing

Lesson 20: Network Security Concepts

• Define common security terms and models (AAA)

• Understand regulatory compliance requirements

• Relate security concepts to network design and defense

Lesson 21: Common Types of Attacks

• Identify technology-based threats (DoS, spoofing, MITM)

• Recognize human and environmental risks (phishing, natural disasters)

• Apply security hardening and segmentation

• Implement physical security controls