Industry-Recognized Certification C.C.N.A coursework prepares students for the C.C.N.A. certification , which may be taken as a single comprehensive exam or both the Introduction to Cisco Networking Technologies (INTRO) and Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices (ICND) exams. An annual reader survey conducted by CertCities.com, which is an online publication for certified IT professionals with over 30,000 readers worldwide, rated C.C.N.A. as one of the top certifications

Target Audience
The target audience is anyone who desires a practical, technical introduction to the field of networking and who are interested in careers as network technicians, network engineers, network administrators, and network help-desk. The target audience for C.C.N.A. Exploration includes Cisco® Networking Academy® students with advanced problem solving and analytical skills typically associated with degree programs in engineering, math, or science staff.

Prerequisites
C.C.N.A. Exploration is composed of four courses: Network Fundamentals, Routing Protocols and Concepts, LAN Switching and Wireless, and Accessing the WAN. Network Fundamentals is the first course and it has no prerequisites. It is a prerequisite for the other three courses. The following skills are beneficial, but not required: Prior experience with computer hardware, binary math, and basic electronics Background in cabling.

Curriculum Description
This curriculum presents a comprehensive overview of networking; from fundamentals to advanced applications and services. The courses emphasize concepts and skills required to design networks, while providing opportunities for practical application and hands-on experience by teaching students how to install, operate, and maintain networks. The curriculum allows students to learn skills in a more comprehensive, theoretical, and practical way that is reflective of common educational practices at the college level; and uses language that integrates related engineering concepts. All semesters present comprehensive coverage of networking topics, ranging from fundamentals to advanced applications and services and include highly-complex and challenging hands-on labs which helps students prepare for continuing education and professional careers.

Curriculum Goals and Objectives
This curriculum provides students with the skills needed to succeed in networking-related degree programs and helps them prepare for CCNA certification. It also helps students develop the skills necessary to fulfill the job responsibilities of network technicians, network administrators, and network engineers. It provides a theoretically-rich, hands-on introduction to networking and the Internet.

C.C.N.A. Exploration Semester I - Network Fundamentals
C.C.N.A. Exploration 1: Networking Basics is the first of four courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation. The course introduces the architecture, structures, functions, components and models of computer networks, including the Internet. Students will analyze protocol and network operations, build small networks by applying basic principles of cabling, network configurations and IP addressing schemes. The course focuses on the following:
· Network terminology · Network protocols · Local-area networks (LANs) · Wide-area networks (WANs) · Open System Interconnection (OSI) model · Cabling · Cabling tools · Routers · Router programming · Ethernet · Internet Protocol (IP) addressing · Network standards In addition, the course provides instruction and training in the proper care, maintenance, and use of networking software, tools, and equipment.

C.C.N.A. Exploration Semester II - Routing Protocols and Concepts

Course Description
C.C.N.A. Exploration 2: Routers and Routing Basics is the second of four C.C.N.A. Exploration courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation. C.C.N.A. Exploration 2 focuses on initial router configuration, Cisco IOS Software management, routing protocol configuration, TCP/IP, and Protocol configuration. Students will develop skills on how to configure a router, manage Cisco IOS Software, and configure, verify and troubleshoot routing protocols on routers.C.C.N.A. Exploration 2 is a necessary step toward achieving CCNA certification. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to perform tasks related to the following:
Routers and their roles in WANs - Cisco IOS - Static and Dynamic Router configuration - Router file management - RIP, OSPF, EIGRP and Link State routing protocols - TCP/IP error and control messages - Router troubleshooting - Intermediate TCP.

C.C.N.A. Exploration Semester III - LAN Switching and Wireless

C.C.N.A. Exploration 3: LAN Switching and Wireless is the third of four courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation. The course focuses on the following advanced switch IP addressing techniques:
· Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM) · Intermediate routing protocols such as RIP v2, single-area OSPF, and EIGRP · Command-line interface configuration of switches · Ethernet switching · Virtual LANs (VLANs) · Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) · VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP).
Students will be required to apply lessons from CCNA 1 and 2 to a network and should be able to explain how and why a particular strategy is used.

C.C.N.A. Exploration Semester IV - Accessing the WAN

C.C.N.A. Exploration 4: Accessing the WAN is the last of four courses leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation. The course focuses on the following topics:
· Advanced IP addressing techniques · Network Address Translation (NAT) · Port Address Translation (PAT) · Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) · WAN technology and terminology · PPP · ISDN · DDR · ACL's (Access Control Lists · Frame Relay · Network management and security.
Students will be required to apply information from CCNA 1, CCNA 2, and CCNA 3 to a network and should be able to explain how and why a particular strategy isused. This course will also help students prepare for the CCNA exam. In addition, the students will prepare for the CCNA Exam and have the option to prepare for the Network+ Certification Exam.