CCNA Interview Study Guide (Detailed Version)

1. Networking Basics

What is Networking?
• A network connects multiple devices to share data and resources.
• Uses wired (Ethernet, Fiber) or wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared)
technologies.

Types of Network Topologies

Topology Description Advantages Disadvan-

tages
Bus Devices Simple, low Collision-
share a single cost. prone, single
cable point of
(backbone). failure.
Star Devices Reliable, Central
connect to a scalable. device failure
central affects all
switch. nodes.
Ring Devices No collisions, Failure in one
connect in a predictable node disrupts
closed loop. performance. the entire
ring.
Mesh Every device Highly Expensive,
connects to reliable, no complex
every other single point setup.
device. of failure.
Hybrid Combination Flexible, More
of two or scalable. complex
more management.
topologies.

2. OSI Model

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model has 7 layers.

• Mnemonic: “Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away” (P-D-N-T-S-P-A)

Layer Function Devices Protocols

7. Application User Computers, HTTP, FTP,
interaction Phones SMTP, DNS
with
applications.
6. Data Gateway SSL, TLS,
Presentation encryption, JPEG, PNG
compression,
translation.
5. Session Manages NetBIOS,
Gateway
communica- RPC, PPTP
tion sessions.
4. Transport Data Firewall TCP, UDP
segmentation
, error
recovery.
3. Network Routing and Router IP, ICMP, ARP,
addressing. OSPF, EIGRP
2. Data Link MAC Switch, Ethernet,
addressing, Bridge PPP, VLAN,
frame STP
transmission.
1. Physical Converts Hubs, Ethernet,
data to Cables, NIC Fiber, RS-232
electrical,
optical, or
radio signals.

3. IP Addressing & Subnetting

IP Address Classes

Class Range Subnet Mask Hosts Per

Network
A 1.0.0.0 – 255.0.0.0 16 million
126.255.255.
255
B 128.0.0.0 – 255.255.0.0 65,000
191.255.255.
255
C 192.0.0.0 – 255.255.255. 254
223.255.255. 0
255
D 224.0.0.0 – N/A Multicast
239.255.255.
255
E 240.0.0.0 – N/A Experimental
255.255.255.
255

Subnetting Example
• IP Address: 192.168.1.0/26
• Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.192
• Usable Hosts: 2^6 - 2 = 62

⸻
⸻

4. Routing & Switching

Routing Protocols & AD Values

Protocol Type AD Value

Connected Direct 0
Static Route Manual 1
EIGRP (Internal) Distance-vector 90
OSPF Link-state 110
RIP Distance-vector 120
EIGRP (External) Hybrid 170
BGP (External) Path-vector 20

Switching Concepts
• MAC Address Table (CAM Table) – Used by switches to forward frames.
• VLAN (Virtual LANs) – Separates network into logical groups for security.
• STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) – Prevents network loops.

5. Security & Troubleshooting

Basic Network Security Measures

• ACL (Access Control List) – Filters network traffic.
• Port Security – Restricts MAC addresses on a switch port.
• NAT (Network Address Translation) – Hides private IPs from the internet.

Troubleshooting Commands

Command Function
 ping <IP> Tests network connectivity.
traceroute <IP> Shows the path to the
destination.
show ip route Displays routing table.
show interfaces Checks interface status.
debug ip eigrp Troubleshoots EIGRP issues.

6. Practical Lab Configurations

Basic Router Configuration

Router> enable
Router# configure terminal
Router(config)# hostname MyRouter
Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0
Router(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
Router(config-if)# no shutdown
Router(config)# exit
Router# write memory

VLAN Configuration

Switch> enable
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# vlan 10
Switch(config-vlan)# name HR_Department
Switch(config)# interface FastEthernet0/1
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 10
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory

EIGRP Configuration

Router(config)# router eigrp 100

Router(config-router)# network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255
Router(config-router)# no auto-summary
Router(config-router)# end

OSPF Configuration

Router(config)# router ospf 1

Router(config-router)# network 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
Router(config-router)# end

7. Interview Questions & Answers

Basic Questions
1. What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
• TCP: Connection-oriented, reliable (e.g., HTTP, FTP).
• UDP: Connectionless, faster but unreliable (e.g., VoIP, DNS).
2. What is VLAN and why is it used?
• VLAN (Virtual LAN) separates a physical network into multiple logical
networks for security and efficiency.
3. What are the functions of a router?
• Directs traffic between different networks based on IP addresses.
• Uses Routing Tables to forward packets efficiently.
⸻

Final Tips for Interview Preparation

Understand fundamental concepts (OSI Model, Subnetting, VLANs, Routing Protocols).

Practice configuring routers and switches using Packet Tracer or GNS3.
Learn troubleshooting commands (ping, traceroute, show commands).
Be ready for scenario-based questions (troubleshooting network issues).

CCNA Study Guide (Detailed & Simplified)

For Interview Preparation & Certification Success

Table of Contents
1. Networking Basics
2. Network Topologies
3. OSI Model (With Real-World Examples)
4. TCP/IP Model
5. IP Addressing & Subnetting
6. Routing & Switching
7. Network Security (Firewalls, VPNs, ACLs, NAT, Port Security)
8. WAN Technologies (MPLS, Frame Relay, PPP, HDLC, Leased Lines)
9. Wireless Networking (Wi-Fi, Security, Authentication Methods)
10. Network Troubleshooting & Commands
11. Practical Labs (Cisco Router & Switch Configurations)
12. Interview Questions with Answers

1. Networking Basics

What is Networking?
• Networking is the process of connecting two or more devices (computers,
routers, switches) to share resources, such as files, internet, and printers.
 • It involves wired (Ethernet, Fiber Optics) or wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G/
5G) communication.

Types of Networks
Network Type Description Range
PAN (Personal Connects personal 1 - 10 meters
Area Network) devices (e.g.,
Bluetooth,
Infrared, AirDrop).
LAN (Local Area Connects devices 10m - 2 km
Network) in a small area like
homes, offices, or
schools.
CAN (Campus Connects multiple 1 - 5 km
Area Network) LANs in a campus,
university, or
corporate
environment.
MAN Covers a city using 5 - 50 km
(Metropolitan Area Fiber, Metro
Network) Ethernet.
WAN (Wide Area Covers large 50+ km
Network) geographical
areas, like the
 areas, like the
internet.

Networking Devices & Their Roles

Device Function
Router Directs traffic between
different networks (Layer 3).
Switch Connects multiple devices
within a LAN (Layer 2).
Hub Broadcasts data to all
devices (outdated, not
efficient).
Modem Converts digital signals to
analog for internet access.
Firewall Protects networks by
filtering traffic (security
device).

2. Network Topologies

Network topology defines how devices are arranged in a network.

Types of Network Topologies

Topology Description Advantages Disadvan-

 tages
Bus Devices Simple, low Collision-
share a single cost. prone, single
backbone point of
cable. failure.
Star Devices Reliable, Central
connect to a scalable. device failure
central affects all
switch. nodes.
Ring Devices No collisions, Failure in one
connect in a predictable node disrupts
closed loop. performance. the entire
ring.
Mesh Every device Highly Expensive,
connects to reliable, no complex
every other single point setup.
device. of failure.
Hybrid Combination Flexible, More
of two or scalable. complex
more management.
topologies.
3. OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection Model)

The OSI Model is a 7-layer model that defines how data travels over a network.

Layers of the OSI Model

Layer Function Devices Protocols

7. Application User Computers, HTTP, FTP,
interaction Phones SMTP, DNS
with
applications.
6. Data Gateway SSL, TLS,
Presentation encryption, JPEG, PNG
compression,
translation.
5. Session Manages NetBIOS,
Gateway
communica- RPC, PPTP
tion sessions.
4. Transport Data Firewall TCP, UDP
segmentation
, error
recovery.
3. Network Routing and Router IP, ICMP, ARP,
addressing. OSPF, EIGRP
 2. Data Link MAC Switch, Ethernet,
addressing, Bridge PPP, VLAN,
frame STP
transmission.
1. Physical Converts Hubs, Ethernet,
data to Cables, NIC Fiber, RS-232
electrical,
optical, or
radio signals.

Real-World Example of OSI Model

Scenario: Accessing a Website

1. Application Layer (7) – You type “www.google.com” into a browser.
2. Presentation Layer (6) – The browser encrypts data using SSL/TLS.
3. Session Layer (5) – A session is established between your computer and
Google’s server.
4. Transport Layer (4) – TCP ensures reliable delivery of data.
5. Network Layer (3) – The router uses the IP address to forward the request.
6. Data Link Layer (2) – MAC address of the next-hop device is identified.
7. Physical Layer (1) – Data is transmitted over cables or Wi-Fi.

4. TCP/IP Model

The TCP/IP Model is a simplified 4-layer version of the OSI Model.

Layer OSI Equivalent Protocols

Application Application, HTTP, FTP, SMTP,
Presentation,
 HTTP, FTP, SMTP,
Presentation, DNS
Session
Transport Transport TCP, UDP
Internet Network IP, ICMP, ARP
Network Access Data Link + Ethernet, Wi-Fi,
Physical PPP

Differences Between OSI and TCP/IP

Feature OSI Model TCP/IP Model

Number of Layers 7 4
Standardized By ISO DoD (U.S. Dept. of
Defense)
Security Defined at Handled at
Presentation layer Application layer
Widely Used? More theoretical Practical model
used in real
networks

5. IP Addressing & Subnetting

IP (Internet Protocol) addressing is essential for identifying devices on a network.

Types of IP Addresses

Type Description
Public IP Used on the Internet,
assigned by ISPs (e.g.,
8.8.8.8 - Google DNS).
Private IP Used inside local networks
(e.g., 192.168.1.1, 10.0.0.1).
Static IP Manually assigned; remains
fixed.
Dynamic IP Assigned automatically via
DHCP; changes over time.

IPv4 Address Classes

Class IP Range Subnet Mask Hosts Per
Network
A 1.0.0.0 – 255.0.0.0 16 million
126.255.255.
255
B 128.0.0.0 – 255.255.0.0 65,000
191.255.255.
255
C 192.0.0.0 – 255.255.255. 254
223.255.255. 0
255
 255
D 224.0.0.0 – N/A Multicast
239.255.255.
255
E 240.0.0.0 – N/A Experimental
255.255.255.
255

Subnetting Basics
• Subnetting divides a large network into smaller sub-networks (subnets).
• Helps in efficient IP management and reduces network congestion.
• Formula to calculate subnets:

2^n (where n = number of borrowed bits)

Formula to calculate usable hosts per subnet: 2^h - 2 (where h = number of host bits,
subtracting 2 for network & broadcast addresses)

Subnetting Example

Given:
• IP Address: 192.168.1.0/26
• Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.192
• Usable Hosts: 2^6 - 2 = 62 (since 6 bits are used for host addresses)

• Subnet Ranges: 192.168.1.0 – 192.168.1.63 (1st subnet)

192.168.1.64 – 192.168.1.127 (2nd subnet)

⸻
6. Routing & Switching

Routing is the process of directing data packets between networks, while switching is used to
forward frames within the same network.

Routing Protocols & Their Administrative Distance (AD)

Protocol Type AD Value

Connected Direct 0
Static Route Manual 1
EIGRP (Internal) Distance-vector 90
OSPF Link-state 110
RIP Distance-vector 120
EIGRP (External) Hybrid 170
BGP (External) Path-vector 20

Types of Routing

Type Description
Static Routing Manually configured routes
(used for small networks).
Dynamic Routing Uses protocols like RIP,
OSPF, EIGRP, BGP to
discover the best path.
 Default Routing Routes all unknown
destinations to a single
default route.

Basic Static Routing Configuration

Router(config)# ip route 10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1

Dynamic Routing Configuration (OSPF)

Router(config)# router ospf 1

Router(config-router)# network 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
Router(config-router)# end

7. Network Security

Security is essential in networking to protect against unauthorized access, malware, and attacks.

Common Network Security Features

Feature Function
Firewall Filters incoming & outgoing
traffic based on security
rules.
Access Control List (ACL) Controls network access
based on IP, MAC, port
 numbers.
NAT (Network Address Converts private IPs to
Translation) public IPs for internet
access.
Port Security Restricts unauthorized MAC
addresses on a switch port.
VPN (Virtual Private Secures data transmission
Network) over public networks.

Basic ACL Configuration

Router(config)# access-list 10 permit 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255

Router(config)# access-list 10 deny any
Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0
Router(config-if)# ip access-group 10 in

8. WAN Technologies

A WAN (Wide Area Network) connects multiple remote locations using various technologies.

WAN Technologies & Protocols

Technology Description
MPLS High-speed packet
forwarding technology used
by ISPs.
Frame Relay Legacy WAN technology
 using virtual circuits.
PPP (Point-to-Point Used for direct router-to-
Protocol) router connections.
HDLC (High-Level Data Link Default Cisco WAN
Control) encapsulation method.

PPP Configuration

Router(config)# interface serial 0/0/0

Router(config-if)# encapsulation ppp
Router(config-if)# no shutdown
Router(config-if)# exit

9. Wireless Networking

Wireless networks use Wi-Fi (802.11 standards) for communication.

Wi-Fi Standards

Standard Speed Frequency

802.11b 11 Mbps 2.4 GHz
802.11g 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz
802.11n 600 Mbps 2.4/5 GHz
802.11ac 1 Gbps 5 GHz

10. Troubleshooting Commands

Command Function
 ping <IP> Tests network connectivity.
traceroute <IP> Shows the path to the
destination.
show ip route Displays routing table.
show interfaces Checks interface status.

11. Practical Lab Configurations

Basic Router Setup

Router> enable
Router# configure terminal
Router(config)# hostname MyRouter
Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0
Router(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
Router(config-if)# no shutdown
Router(config)# exit
Router# write memory

Basic Switch Setup

Switch> enable
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# vlan 10
Switch(config-vlan)# name HR_Department
Switch(config)# interface FastEthernet0/1
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 10
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory

12. VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks)

A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) allows network administrators to logically segment a LAN
into different groups, improving security and performance.

Why Use VLANs?

Enhances Security – Prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Reduces Broadcast Traffic – Limits broadcast domains within VLANs.
Improves Network Performance – Reduces congestion by dividing networks.
Better Network Management – Devices can be grouped logically, not based on physical
location.

Types of VLANs

VLAN Type Function

Default VLAN All switch ports are initially
part of VLAN 1.
Data VLAN Used for regular user data
traffic (e.g., VLAN 10 for HR,
VLAN 20 for Sales).
Voice VLAN Dedicated for VoIP traffic to
ensure QoS (Quality of
Service).
Management VLAN Used for switch
management (e.g., VLAN
99).
Native VLAN Handles untagged traffic on
 trunk links (default is VLAN
1).

VLAN Configuration on a Switch

Switch> enable
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# vlan 10
Switch(config-vlan)# name HR_Department
Switch(config-vlan)# exit
Switch(config)# interface FastEthernet0/1
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 10
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory

This assigns port F0/1 to VLAN 10 for the HR department.

13. Inter-VLAN Routing

By default, devices in different VLANs cannot communicate because a VLAN is an isolated

network. To enable communication between VLANs, we use Inter-VLAN Routing.

Methods of Inter-VLAN Routing

Method Description
Router-on-a-Stick A single router interface
connects to multiple VLANs
using sub-interfaces.
 Layer 3 Switch A multilayer switch (MLS)
performs routing without
needing an external router.

Router-on-a-Stick Configuration

Router> enable
Router# configure terminal
Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0
Router(config-if)# no shutdown
Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0.10
Router(config-subif)# encapsulation dot1Q 10
Router(config-subif)# ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0
Router(config-subif)# exit
Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0.20
Router(config-subif)# encapsulation dot1Q 20
Router(config-subif)# ip address 192.168.20.1 255.255.255.0
Router(config-subif)# exit
Router# write memory

This enables communication between VLAN 10 and VLAN 20 using sub-interfaces.

14. Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

STP prevents switching loops, which occur when multiple redundant links exist in a network.

How STP Works

1. Elects a Root Bridge – All switches select a root switch based on the lowest
Bridge ID.
2. Calculates the Best Path – Switches determine the shortest path to the root
bridge.
3. Blocks Redundant Links – Prevents loops by disabling unnecessary paths.
 4. Reconfigures if Needed – If a failure occurs, STP reactivates backup links.

STP Port States

State Function
Blocking Does not forward traffic;
listens for BPDUs.
Listening Prepares to forward traffic
but does not learn MAC
addresses.
Learning Learns MAC addresses but
does not forward traffic.
Forwarding Fully operational and
forwarding traffic.

Basic STP Configuration

Switch> enable
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# spanning-tree mode pvst
Switch(config)# spanning-tree vlan 10 root primary
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory

This enables STP and makes the switch the primary root bridge for VLAN 10.

15. EtherChannel
EtherChannel groups multiple physical links into one logical link, increasing bandwidth and
redundancy.

Benefits of EtherChannel

Increases Bandwidth – Combines multiple links into one logical channel.

Provides Redundancy – If one link fails, the others continue functioning.
Reduces STP Complexity – STP sees all links as a single logical link.

EtherChannel Modes

Protocol Mode Description

PAgP (Cisco Auto Passive mode,
Proprietary) waits for
negotiation.
PAgP (Cisco Desirable Actively
Proprietary) negotiates
EtherChannel.
LACP (IEEE Passive Waits for LACP
Standard) initiation.
LACP (IEEE Active Initiates LACP
Standard) negotiation.

EtherChannel Configuration (LACP)

Switch> enable
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# interface range FastEthernet0/1 - 2
Switch(config-if-range)# channel-group 1 mode active
Switch(config-if-range)# exit
Switch# write memory

This groups F0/1 and F0/2 into an EtherChannel using LACP Active Mode.

16. Network Address Translation (NAT)

NAT translates private IP addresses to public IPs, allowing internet access.

Types of NAT

Type Function
Static NAT Maps one private IP to one
public IP.
Dynamic NAT Maps a range of private IPs
to a pool of public IPs.
PAT (Port Address Many private IPs share one
Translation) public IP (most common).

PAT Configuration

Router> enable
Router# configure terminal
Router(config)# access-list 1 permit 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255
Router(config)# ip nat inside source list 1 interface GigabitEthernet0/0 overload
Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0
Router(config-if)# ip nat outside
Router(config-if)# exit
Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/1
Router(config-if)# ip nat inside
Router(config-if)# exit
Router# write memory

This configures PAT (NAT Overload) so multiple devices can share a single public IP.

17. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel over the internet to protect data.

Types of VPNs

VPN Type Usage

Remote Access VPN Securely connects remote
users (e.g., Work-from-
Home).
Site-to-Site VPN Connects entire offices
securely.

VPN Security Protocols

Protocol Function
IPSec Encrypts and secures VPN
tunnels.
SSL VPN Uses web browsers for
encrypted VPN access.
 GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulates various
Encapsulation) network protocols.
18. Final CCNA Interview Questions

Basic Questions
1. What are the differences between TCP and UDP?
• TCP: Reliable, connection-oriented (HTTP, FTP).
• UDP: Unreliable, faster, connectionless (VoIP, DNS).
2. What is a VLAN and why is it used?
• VLAN divides a LAN into multiple logical networks for security and
efficiency.
3. What is the purpose of ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)?
• ARP maps IP addresses to MAC addresses.

19. IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)

IPv6 is the next-generation internet protocol designed to replace IPv4.

Why IPv6?

Larger Address Space – Uses 128-bit addresses (IPv4 uses only 32-bit).
Better Performance – No need for NAT, supports direct end-to-end communication.
Improved Security – IPv6 natively supports IPsec encryption.
Efficient Routing – Uses simpler headers, reducing processing time.

IPv6 Address Format

IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long and written in hexadecimal notation:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

Can be shortened using “::” (Double Colon) Rule:

2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334

(Leading zeros can be omitted, and “::” replaces consecutive 0s.)

IPv6 Address Types

Type Example Description

Unicast 2001:db8::1 Identifies a single
interface.
Multicast FF02::1 One-to-many
communication.
Anycast Assigned to Routes to the
multiple devices nearest device.
Link-Local FE80::1 Used for local
network
communication.

IPv6 Addressing Configuration

Assigning an IPv6 Address to an Interface

Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0

Router(config-if)# ipv6 address 2001:db8:1::1/64
Router(config-if)# no shutdown
Router(config)# exit

This assigns the IPv6 address 2001:db8:1::1 to the interface.

Enabling IPv6 Routing

Router(config)# ipv6 unicast-routing

20. SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network)

SD-WAN improves WAN management by using software-based control over network traffic.

Benefits of SD-WAN

Cost-Effective – Uses cheap broadband instead of expensive MPLS.

Improved Performance – Dynamically selects best traffic paths.
Enhanced Security – Supports encryption and centralized control.

SD-WAN vs. Traditional WAN

Feature Traditional WAN SD-WAN

Management Manual, complex Centralized,
automated
Traffic Routing Static routes Dynamic, real-time
routing
Security Separate devices Built-in encryption
(firewalls, VPNs)

SD-WAN Components
Component Function
Orchestrator Central controller for traffic
policies.
vEdge Routers Virtual routers used at
 branch locations.
Controller Manages network
configuration and
monitoring.

21. Network Automation & Programmability

Modern networks are becoming automated using scripting and APIs.

Why Network Automation?

Reduces Errors – No more manual misconfigurations.

Saves Time – Automates repetitive tasks like configuring routers.
Improves Scalability – Can manage thousands of devices efficiently.

Common Network Automation Tools

Tool Purpose
Python Used for scripting network
configurations.
Ansible Automates network device
provisioning.
Terraform Manages cloud networking
infrastructure.

Basic Python Script for Network Automation

import paramiko
router_ip = "192.168.1.1"
username = "admin"
password = "cisco"

ssh = paramiko.SSHClient()
ssh.set_missing_host_key_policy(paramiko.AutoAddPolicy())
ssh.connect(router_ip, username=username, password=password)

stdin, stdout, stderr = ssh.exec_command("show ip interface brief")

print(stdout.read().decode())

ssh.close()

This script logs into a router via SSH and retrieves interface status.

22. IPv6 Routing Protocols

Just like IPv4, IPv6 supports dynamic routing protocols.

Common IPv6 Routing Protocols

Protocol Type Description

RIPng (RIP Next Distance-vector Similar to IPv4 RIP,
Generation) but for IPv6.
OSPFv3 (Open Link-state Updated version
Shortest Path First of OSPF for IPv6.
v3)
EIGRP for IPv6 Hybrid Cisco’s proprietary
IPv6 routing
 protocol.

Configuring OSPFv3 (OSPF for IPv6)

Router(config)# ipv6 unicast-routing

Router(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/0
Router(config-if)# ipv6 address 2001:db8:1::1/64
Router(config-if)# ipv6 ospf 1 area 0
Router(config-if)# no shutdown
Router(config)# exit

This enables OSPFv3 for IPv6 on Gig0/0.

23. Network Troubleshooting & Debugging

Troubleshooting is an essential skill for CCNA candidates.

Common Network Issues & Fixes

Problem Cause Solution

No connectivity Incorrect IP Check ipconfig
settings (Windows) or
ifconfig (Linux).
Intermittent Faulty cables Replace cables,
connection check interface
status.
Routing issues Missing routes Use show ip route
to verify routes.
Useful Troubleshooting Commands

Command Description
ping <IP> Checks connectivity to a
destination.
traceroute <IP> Shows the path taken by
packets.
show ip route Displays routing table.
debug ip ospf Shows OSPF
troubleshooting details.

24. Interview Questions & Answers

Basic Questions
1. What is the purpose of NAT?
• NAT (Network Address Translation) converts private IPs to public IPs
for internet access.
2. What are the main differences between IPv4 and IPv6?
• IPv4: Uses 32-bit addresses, limited address space, requires NAT.
• IPv6: Uses 128-bit addresses, provides more addresses, no NAT
needed.
3. What is SD-WAN?
• Software-Defined WAN is a cloud-based WAN solution that uses
intelligent traffic routing.

Advanced Questions
 4. What is the role of a Layer 3 switch?
• A Layer 3 switch performs both switching (Layer 2) and routing (Layer
3) functions.
5. How does OSPF determine the best route?
• OSPF uses the cost metric, which is based on link bandwidth.

25. Final Review & Certification Tips

Understand Key Concepts – Focus on OSI Model, Routing Protocols, VLANs, NAT, ACLs,
SD-WAN.
Use Packet Tracer – Cisco Packet Tracer is great for practice labs.
Practice Commands – Memorize essential troubleshooting & configuration commands.
Take Mock Tests – Practice with CCNA quizzes and simulations.