Introduction

You may be new to the field of computer networking, or perhaps you are in pursuit of proving your knowledge and understanding of computer networking. In either case, the CompTIA Network+ certification exam is a great start to your professional development. The Network+ certification is considered by employers industry-wide to be proof of the knowledge of networking theory, skill, and systems. The Network+ certification is granted to those individuals who have attained this information and show a basic competency for meeting the needs of both personal and organizational computing environments.

The CompTIA Network+ objectives have changed with the introduction of the CompTIA Network+ N10-008 certification exam. This change in objectives and topics from the prior exam was necessary to keep up with the latest technologies used in networks today. The foundation of networking concepts has remained relatively similar, despite the introduction of more advanced technologies. This is one of the reasons the CompTIA Network+ exam is so widely valued by employers. As of this writing, the objectives are current for the Network+ N10-008 certification exam as stated by CompTIA (www.comptia.org).

What Is Network+ Certification?

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) developed the Network+ certification to be vendor-neutral and recognized industry-wide. The Network+ certification is considered the benchmark of networking theory. Candidates who earn the Network+ certification have knowledge of the design, operation, maintenance, security, and troubleshooting of networks. Employers worldwide recognize Network+ certified individuals as having a basic vendor-agnostic networking theory that can be applied to any specific system.

The Network+ certification was originally sponsored by IT industry leaders like IBM, Microsoft, and Compaq, among others. The goal was to create a certification that would give recognition of individuals with a basic theory of networking. Today, more complex networking theory is required by employers, and Network+ has evolved into a comprehensive exam. The CompTIA Network+ Exam N10-008 tests five domains of network theory:

• Networking Fundamentals
• Network Implementations
• Network Operations
• Network Security
• Network Troubleshooting

For the latest pricing on the exam and updates to the registration procedures, go to www.vue.com. You can register online for the exam. If you have further questions about the scope of the exam or related CompTIA programs, refer to the CompTIA website at www.comptia.org.

Is This Book for You?

The CompTIA Network+ Review Guide: Exam N10-008, Fifth Edition is designed to be a complete, portable exam review guide that can be used either in conjunction with a more complete study program (such as Sybex's CompTIA Network+ Study Guide: Exam N10-008, Fifth Edition, computer-based training courseware, or a classroom/lab environment), or as an exam review for those who don't need more extensive test preparation. The goal of this book is to thoroughly cover those topics you can expect to be tested on.

Perhaps you've been working with information technologies for many years. The thought of paying lots of money for a specialized IT exam preparation course probably doesn't sound too appealing. What can they teach you that you don't already know, right? Be careful, though-many experienced network administrators have walked confidently into the test center only to walk sheepishly out of it after failing an IT exam. I've run across many of these network administrators throughout my 24 years of teaching networking. After you've finished reading this book, you should have a clear idea of how your understanding of networking technologies matches up with the expectations of the Network+ test writers.

The goal of the Review Guide series is to help Network+ candidates brush up on the subjects that they can expect to be on the Network+ exam. For complete in-depth coverage of the technologies and topics involved, I recommend CompTIA Network+ Study Guide from Sybex.

How Is This Book Organized?

This book is organized according to the official objectives' list prepared by CompTIA for the Network+ exam N10-008. The chapters correspond to the five major domains of objective and topic groupings. The exam is weighted across these five domains:

• Domain 1.0 Networking Fundamentals (24 percent)
• Domain 2.0 Network Implementations (19 percent)
• Domain 3.0 Network Operations (16 percent)
• Domain 4.0 Network Security (19 percent)
• Domain 5.0 Network Troubleshooting (22 percent)

In each chapter, the top-level exam objective from each domain is addressed in turn. This discussion also contains an Exam Essentials section. Here you are given a short list of topics that you should explore fully before taking the test. Included in the Exam Essentials are notations on key pieces of information you should have gleaned from CompTIA Network+ Review Guide: Exam N10-008, Fifth Edition. At the end of each chapter you'll find the "Review Questions" section. These questions are designed to help you gauge your mastery of the content in the chapter.

Interactive Online Learning Environment and Test Bank

The interactive online learning environment that accompanies CompTIA Network+ Review Guide: Exam N10-008, Fifth Edition provides a test bank with study tools to help you prepare for the certification exam, and it increases your chances of passing it the first time. The test bank includes the following:

• Sample Tests   All of the questions in this book are provided, including the chapter review tests at the end of each chapter. In addition, there are two practice exams. Use these questions to test your knowledge of the review guide material. The online test bank runs on multiple devices.

• Flashcards   Flashcard questions are provided in digital flashcard format (a question followed by a single correct answer). You can use the flashcards to reinforce your learning and prepare last minute before the exam.

• Other Study Tools   A glossary of key terms from this book and their definitions is available as a fully searchable PDF.

Go to http://www.wiley.com/go/netplustestprep to register and gain access to this interactive online learning environment and test bank with study tools.

Tips for Taking the Network+ Exam

Here are some general tips for taking your exams successfully:

• Bring two forms of ID with you. One must be a photo ID, such as a driver's license. The other can be a major credit card or a passport. Both forms must include a signature.
• Arrive early at the exam center so you can relax and review your study materials, particularly tables and lists of exam-related information.
• Read the questions carefully. Don't be tempted to jump to an early conclusion. Make sure you know exactly what the question is asking.
• Don't leave any unanswered questions. Unanswered questions give you no opportunity for guessing correctly and scoring more points.
• There will be questions with multiple correct responses. When there is more than one correct answer, a message on the screen will prompt you to either "Choose two" or "Choose all that apply." Be sure to read the messages displayed so that you know how many correct answers you must choose.
• Questions needing only a single correct answer will use radio buttons for selecting an answer, whereas those needing two or more answers will use check boxes.
• When answering multiple-choice questions you're not sure about, use a process of elimination to get rid of the obviously incorrect answers first. Doing so will improve your odds if you need to make an educated guess.
• On form-based tests (nonadaptive), because the hard questions will eat up the most time, save them for last. You can move forward and backward through the exam.
• For the latest pricing on the exams and updates to the registration procedures, visit CompTIA's website at www.comptia.org.

With so many changes over the past year, Pearson VUE has introduced a change to its testing policies and procedures with the introduction of online exams. You can now schedule and take the Network+ exam online from the comfort and safety of your home. The instructions to prepare for an online exam can be found at https://www.comptia.org/testing/testing-options/take-online-exam.

How to Contact the Publisher

Sybex welcomes feedback on all of its titles. Visit the Sybex website at www.sybex.com for book updates and additional certification information. You'll also find forms you can use to submit comments or suggestions regarding this or any other Sybex titles.

The Exam Objectives

The following are the areas (referred to as domains by CompTIA) in which you must be proficient in order to pass the Network+ exam:

• Domain 1.0: Networking Fundamentals   This domain begins with the descriptions of the OSI model layers and the specific function and purpose of each layer are then covered. The domain examines the various topologies of...