3.2 Differentiate between Wi-Fi, cellular, and wired network technologies — Copper including sources of interference; fiber characteristics; wireless 802.11 standards (unlicensed, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) and sources of interference; cellular licensed spectrum

▸ What are Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Wired Networks?

▸ Understanding Wi-Fi: 802.11 Standards and Interference

▸ How Does Cellular Networking Work?

▸ Wired Networks: Copper and Fiber Explained

▸ Wi-Fi vs Cellular: Which is Right for You?

3.3 Describe endpoint devices — IoT devices and their network role; computers and mobile devices as endpoints; IP Phones; printers; servers

▸ What Are Endpoint Devices in Networking?

▸ How Do IoT Devices Work in a Network?

▸ The Role of Computers and Mobile Devices in Networking

▸ Understanding IP Phones and Their Network Function

3.4 Demonstrate how to set up and check network connectivity on Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, and Apple iOS

▸ How to Check IP Configuration on Windows

▸ Understanding Network Configuration on Mac OS

▸ How to Verify IP Parameters on Linux

▸ Comparing IP Configuration Across Windows, Mac, and Linux

▸ Troubleshooting Common IP Configuration Issues on Client OS

Infrastructure

4.1 Identify the status lights on a Cisco device when given instruction by an engineer — Link light color interpretation (green, amber, off); link light status (blinking vs solid) and what each state means

▸ What Do the Lights on a Cisco Device Mean?

▸ How to Identify Cisco Device Status by Link Light Colors

▸ Blinking vs Solid: Understanding Cisco Link Light Patterns

▸ Troubleshooting Cisco Device Status Light Issues

4.2 Use a network diagram provided by an engineer to attach the appropriate cables — Patch cables and correct use; connecting switches and routers in small topologies; power connections and rack layout basics

▸ What is a Network Diagram and Why is it Important?

▸ How to Use Patch Cables with Network Diagrams

▸ Connecting Switches and Routers: A Beginner's Guide

▸ Understanding Power Connections and Rack Layout Basics

4.3 Identify the various ports on network devices — Console port and serial port identification and use; fiber ports and SFP modules; Ethernet ports; USB ports; PoE ports

▸ What Are Console and Serial Ports on Network Devices?

▸ Fiber Ports and SFP Modules Explained for Beginners

▸ Understanding Ethernet and USB Ports on Network Devices

▸ What Are PoE Ports and How Do They Work?

⌛ Guide to Identifying Network Device Ports for Beginners · Coming 8 August 2026

4.4 Explain basic routing concepts

▸ What Are Routing Technologies in Networking?

▸ Static vs Dynamic Routing: Key Differences Explained

▸ How to Implement Routing Technologies in a Network

▸ Troubleshooting Common Routing Issues for Beginners

4.5 Explain basic switching concepts

▸ What Are Switching Technologies in Networking

▸ Troubleshooting Common Switching Issues

▸ How to Configure VLANs on Network Switches

▸ Switching Features Explained: Spanning Tree Protocol and More

Diagnosing Problems

5.1 Demonstrate effective troubleshooting methodologies and help desk best practices, including ticketing, documentation, and information gathering — Structured troubleshooting approach; help desk ticketing systems; documentation techniques; prioritization policies and procedures

▸ What is a Structured Troubleshooting Approach?

▸ How Help Desk Ticketing Systems Work

▸ The Importance of Documentation in Troubleshooting

▸ Prioritization Policies and Procedures Explained

⌛ Troubleshooting Best Practices for Beginners · Coming 1 August 2026

5.2 Perform a packet capture with Wireshark and save it to a file — Purpose of a packet analyzer in troubleshooting; performing a capture with Wireshark; saving and opening a .pcap file

▸ What is Wireshark and Why Do We Use It?

▸ How to Capture Network Traffic with Wireshark

▸ Saving and Opening Packet Capture Files in Wireshark

⌛ Using Wireshark: A Beginner's Guide to Network Troubleshooting · Coming 25 July 2026

5.3 Run basic diagnostic commands and interpret the results

▸ What Are Diagnostic Commands in Networking?

▸ How to Use Ping and Traceroute for Network Diagnostics

▸ Common Network Problems Solved with Basic Commands

⌛ Understanding Command Outputs: Ping vs Traceroute · Coming 22 July 2026

5.4 Differentiate between different ways to access and collect data about network devices — Remote access via RDP, SSH, and telnet; VPN and terminal emulators; Network Management Systems; cloud-managed networks (Meraki); scripts for data collection

▸ What is Remote Access in Networking?

▸ How Do VPNs Work for Secure Network Access?

▸ RDP, SSH, and Telnet: Basic Tools for Network Access

⌛ Introduction to Network Management Systems · Coming 29 July 2026

5.5 Run basic show commands on a Cisco network device

▸ What Are Basic Show Commands on a Cisco Device?

▸ How to Use Show Commands to Check Network Device Status

▸ Common Mistakes When Running Show Commands