Exam Objectives

< Network Plus Certification


These objectives are up to date for the 2009 edition of the CompTIA Network+ exam.

The Network+ certification ensures that the successful candidate has the important knowledge and skills necessary to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate and configure basic network infrastructure, describe networking technologies, basic design principles, and adhere to wiring standards and use testing tools.

The skills and knowledge measured by this examination were derived from an industry-wide job task analysis and validated through an industry-wide global survey in Q2 2008. The results of this survey were used in weighing the domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the relative importance of the content.

The table to the right lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented. Network+ exams are based on these objectives.

Note: The bulleted lists below each objective are not exhaustive lists. Even though they are not included in this document, other examples of technologies, processes, or tasks pertaining to each objective may also be included on the exam.

Network Technologies - 20%

Explain the function of common networking protocols:

Objective 1.1

Identify commonly used TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) default ports:

Objective 1.2

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ports:

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) ports:

Identify the following address formats:

Objective 1.3

Given a scenario, evaluate the proper use of the following addressing technologies and addressing schemes:

Objective 1.4

Addressing Technologies:

Addressing schemes:

Identify common IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) routing protocols:

Objective 1.5

Link state:

Distance vector:

Hybrid:

Explain the purpose and properties of routing:

Objective 1.6

Compare the characteristics of wireless communication standards:

Objective 1.7

802.11 a/b/g/n:

Authentication and encryption:

Network Media and Topologies - 20%

Categorize standard cable types and their properties:

Objective 2.1

Type:

Properties:

Identify common connector types:

Objective 2.2

Identify common physical network topologies:

Objective 2.3

Given a scenario, differentiate and implement appropriate wiring standards:

Objective 2.4

Categorize WAN technology types and properties:

Objective 2.5

Type:

Properties:

Categorize LAN technology types and properties:

Objective 2.6

Types:

Properties:

Explain common logical network topologies and their characteristics:

Objective 2.7

Install components of wiring distribution:

Objective 2.8

Network Devices - 17%

Install, configure, and differentiate between common network devices:

Objective 3.1

Identify the functions of specialized network devices:

Objective 3.2

Explain the advanced features of a switch:

Objective 3.3

Implement a basic wireless network:

Objective 3.4

Network Management - 20%

Explain the function of each layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model:

Objective 4.1
  1. Physical
  2. Data Link
  3. Network
  4. Transport
  5. Session
  6. Presentation
  7. Application

Identify types of configuration management documentation:

Objective 4.2

Given a scenario, evaluate the network based on configuration management documentation:

Objective 4.3

Conduct network monitoring to identify performance and connectivity issues using the following:

Objective 4.4

Explain different methods and rationales for network performance optimization:

Objective 4.5

Methods:

Reasons:

Given a scenario, implement the following network troubleshooting methodology:

Objective 4.6
  1. Information gathering - identify symptoms and problems
  2. Identify the affected areas of the network
  3. Determine if anything has changed
  4. Establish the most probable cause
  5. Determine if escalation is necessary
  6. Create an action plan and solution identifying potential effects
  7. Implement and test the solution
  8. Identify the results and effects of the solution
  9. Document the solution and the entire process

Given a scenario, troubleshoot common connectivity issues and select an appropriate solution:

Objective 4.7

Physical issues:

Logical issues:

Issues that should be identified but escalated:

Wireless issues:

Network Tools - 12%

Given a scenario, select the appropriate command line interface tool and interpret the output to verify functionality:

Objective 5.1

Explain the purpose of network scanners:

Objective 5.2

Given a scenario, utilize the appropriate hardware tools:

Objective 5.3

Network Security - 11%

Explain the function of hardware and software security devices:

Objective 6.1

Explain common features of a firewall:

Objective 6.2

Explain the methods of network access security:

Objective 6.3

Explain methods of user authentication:

Objective 6.4

Explain issues that affect device security:

Objective 6.5

Identify common security threats and mitigation techniques:

Objective 6.6

Security threats:

Mitigation techniques:


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