The CCNA covers a broad range of networking topics from Layer 2 switching through Layer 3 routing, security, and automation. Below are the labs and projects I built while studying for and applying the material from this certification.
Certification
Network fundamentals, routing & switching, security, and automation. Study notes, lab configs, and hands-on projects.
Certified in network fundamentals, IP connectivity, security fundamentals, and network automation. Covers routing, switching, and modern enterprise networking.
In ProgressThe CCNA covers a broad range of networking topics from Layer 2 switching through Layer 3 routing, security, and automation. Below are the labs and projects I built while studying for and applying the material from this certification.
First lab in the CCNA journey. Built a multi-branch network in Cisco Packet Tracer with routers, switches, firewalls, PCs, servers, and an attacker laptop connecting a New York and Tokyo branch through the internet.
Day 2 Lab — Connected a multi-site network in Packet Tracer using the correct cable types based on distance and device pairing. Straight-through, crossover, and fiber across routers, switches, PCs, and servers.
Day 3 Lab — Used Packet Tracer's simulation mode to observe STP, OSPF, and DHCP traffic across a small network. Inspected each protocol's PDU layer by layer and generated Layer 7 traffic by releasing and renewing PC1's IP address.
Day 4 Lab — Logged into a router and switch via the Cisco IOS CLI to set hostnames, configure enable passwords, and learn why service password-encryption isn't enough — and why enable secret is the right call.
Day 6 Lab — Explored how switches learn MAC addresses by pinging across a two-switch network, observing ARP and ICMP traffic in simulation mode, reading MAC address tables with show commands, and clearing them.
Day 8 Lab — Configured IP addresses on all three of R1's interfaces, brought them up with no shutdown, set descriptions, verified with show commands, and confirmed inter-subnet connectivity by pinging from PC1 to PC2 and PC3.
Day 9 Lab — Configured hostnames and IPs on R1, SW1, and SW2, manually set speed and duplex on inter-device links, added descriptions to every interface, and shut down all unused switch ports.