I just passed my network+ and wanted to do CCNA next, but am unsure if I should do the current version or wait until new exam version drops. What are your thoughts ?

Looking for 3–5 network engineers and CCNA/CCNP learners to test NetDocAi

I'm building NetDocAi, a tool that turns Cisco network configurations into structured documentation and highlights potential configuration issues.

I'm opening a small Phase 1 beta and looking for a few people who can test it and give honest technical feedback.

You would help me evaluate:

Configuration analysis and technical accuracy

Interface, VLAN, routing and security summaries

The usefulness of findings and recommendations

Report saving, history and PDF export

This is an early beta, so I'm looking for constructive feedback—not just positive reviews.

Interested engineers here https://net-doc-ai.vercel.app

Thanks to everyone willing to help improve it!

Saw a few posts this week asking what the default gateway really is, why router ports have IPs, and what "Gateway of last resort" means in show ip route. After 10+ years doing this for a living, here's the way I explain it to juniors. It's one small network, followed from start to finish.

The lab

PC1 192.168.10.25/24  gw 192.168.10.1
        |
   [G0/0 192.168.10.1/24]  R1  [G0/1 203.0.113.2/30] ---- ISP 203.0.113.1

Step 1: the PC decides "local or not" by itself

Before sending anything, PC1 ANDs its own IP and the destination IP with its own mask and compares the results.

• To 192.168.10.50: 192.168.10.25 AND /24 = 192.168.10.0, and 192.168.10.50 AND /24 = 192.168.10.0. Same network, so PC1 ARPs for 192.168.10.50 and sends straight to it. The router isn't involved.
• To 8.8.8.8: 8.8.8.8 AND /24 = 8.8.8.0. Different network, so PC1 ARPs for its gateway (192.168.10.1) and sends the frame to R1's MAC.

The key part: the destination IP in the packet is still 8.8.8.8. Only the destination MAC is the router's. The gateway is "who I hand the packet to", not "where it's going".

Step 2: why router ports have IPs

A router has one leg in each network. To be the gateway for 192.168.10.0/24, R1 needs an address inside that network, so G0/0 gets 192.168.10.1. G0/1 sits in a different network (203.0.113.0/30), so it gets an address from that one. Each router interface = a different subnet. The PC's own IP goes on the PC, not on the router.

(Normal L2 switch ports don't get IPs. A switch only gets one on an SVI like interface vlan 1 so you can manage it.)

Step 3: the router's own "default gateway"

R1 has the same problem as the PC: it doesn't know where 8.8.8.8 is. So you give it a default route:

ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1

Then show ip route shows:

Gateway of last resort is 203.0.113.1 to network 0.0.0.0
S*    0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 203.0.113.1

So, to answer the question from this week: the gateway of last resort is the next-hop IP (the ISP's side), not R1's own interface. If you configure it with only an exit interface (ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 g0/1), you'll see "is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/1" and the gateway of last resort shows as 0.0.0.0 instead.

The mistake I see most in real networks (and labs)

Change PC1 to 192.168.10.70/26 and leave the gateway at 192.168.10.1.

• /26 = blocks of 64. 192.168.10.70 sits in 192.168.10.64/26 (hosts .65 to .126, broadcast .127).
• 192.168.10.1 is in 192.168.10.0/26, a different subnet.

The PC can't ARP for a gateway outside its own subnet, so nothing off-subnet works. Fix: the gateway must be inside the PC's own subnet, for example 192.168.10.65 on the router.

Same /26 example, another trap: 192.168.10.70 talking to 192.168.10.130 looks "local" because the first three octets match, but .130 is in 192.168.10.128/26. That traffic goes to the gateway.

Quick checklist when "the gateway doesn't work"

1. Is the gateway IP inside the host's own subnet? (do the AND, don't eyeball it)
2. Is the router interface up/up with that exact IP? show ip interface brief
3. Does the router have a route back, plus a default route out? show ip route
4. Can the host ARP the gateway? arp -a on the PC, show arp on the router

Once the "AND with my own mask, then local or gateway" decision is clear, a lot of CCNA stuff (ARP, routing, VLANs, inter-VLAN routing) gets much easier. Happy to go through anyone's lab topology in the comments.

Hi! So I've finished jeremy and did Boson, but I'm having a problem reviewing. I tend to check the boson scores and the one that I score less I review the videos of it. but then days later I tend to forget stuff and go back.

What would be the most effective way? ty

Did anyone else struggle the most on Exam E? It humbled me hard. I got a 55% (first attempt)

My best first attempt for another exam was a 70% (skipped the labs though, so could've been slightly higher)

I've studied the other exams, and now if I do them on simulation mode, I get +90% from A - D. I'll just need to study Exam E and learn from my mistakes. But wow, that was humbling indeed!

Got my exam this week.

Hopefully I pass.

What was your experience like?

Hi! I know we use domain name for stuff like FQDN (ssh) but what is really the purpose of this? I know it says it's for every computer to have their own domain name like for example, example . com, but whats the benefit?

I shared an 11-page selection here earlier. This is the complete 31-page CCNA command reference. It collects 397 syntax patterns across 19 subject areas, with configuration and verification commands, source page references, and older appendix commands flagged.

Use it beside a lab in EVE-NG: configure one feature, verify its state, change one setting, then troubleshoot before checking the reference. It is a command aid, not a substitute for hands-on practice.

Full PDF, free direct download with no signup: Download the 31-page PDF

Disclosure: Dynamips provides this resource, and I'm affiliated with Dynamips. If you spot an incorrect command or a missing verification step, please let me know so I can correct it.

Network diagram: A drawing (made in Visio or Packet Tracer) of the virtual switch setup.

Demonstration: Show the teacher whether the two VMs can communicate with each other.

Windows 11 with Windows 11 (exchanging files)

Windows 11 with Linux (exchanging files)

Hi everyone!

Is anyone currently taking Neil Anderson’s CCNA course and around Chapter 50-ish?

I’m looking for someone (or a small group) willing to study together for about 6 hours a day. The idea is to create a Discord server (or similar) where we can keep each other accountable, go over labs, and discuss the material.

If you’re interested and have a similar schedule, drop a comment or send me a DM!

Can i sell my ccna vocher code ?

So I know the default gateway is the port where the LAN takes to get to the internet.

But when I do show Ip route, is the default gateway the interface of the route? or next hop?

For those who have already passed the CCNA, how did you know you were ready for the exam? What practice exam scores were you getting, and how confident were you with labs? Did you still have doubts before taking the exam?

​

Hi everyone,

I completed my B.Sc. in Computer Science about 7.5 years ago. Since then, I have been working in different jobs, but now I want to switch my career to IT networking.

I am planning to join CCNA training and build my practical networking skills from scratch.

My main concern is the long gap after graduation. Will companies reject my application because of this gap, even if I complete CCNA and have good practical knowledge?

Can I get an entry-level job such as NOC Engineer, Network Support Engineer, or Junior Network Engineer as a beginner?

I would really appreciate advice from people who have faced a similar situation or work in the networking field.

Does anyone know what the full step or process of buying the safeguard currently? I'm worried that I might buy the wrong one. Can anyone validate if the link is correct and after I bought here what will be my next step? Does the $375 included the exam and 1 free retake? Please guide me, I don't want to fumble and ended up I might not able to apply the safeguard. I would appreciate anyone who will help any information. Thank y'all!

Link:

https://u.cisco.com/exam-voucher/associate-exam-safeguard-2

Hi all,
I'm sitting the CCNA (v1.1) in December and I'm looking for Packet Tracer labs with intentionally broken configs to practice troubleshooting – e.g. wrong VLAN/trunk settings, OSPF adjacency issues, ACLs blocking traffic, NAT misconfigs, port security violations.
Does anyone have .pkt/.pka files or a GitHub repo with labs like this? Ideally with a description of symptoms and a solution file.
I work in a NOC, so I'm comfortable with show commands – I just want more hands-on fault-finding practice.
Thanks!

did you guys face with the same personal issue? Personally maybe each one of those topics could be interesting if they weren't a surface level summarization and rather a deep dive into how those technologies actually work, or other times topics are mostly about command memorization than anything else, kind of doesn't require that troubleshooting / critical thinking or logical reasoning aspect of the earlirer topics like ipv4/6 , static and dynamic routing protocols, VLAN etc.

They're also harder for me to grasp as well, because even though i generally understand their working principles they contain so much horizontal information that it's kinda hard not to feel overwhelmed knowing i'll probably remember half of this 2 weeks later.

ive been studying for the ccna for a little over 6 months now and im getting a little imposter syndrome. I do believe i’ll pass but im just super nervous.

im 17 and this is my first official cert, my boson scores are Not the best to say the least (66% being the highest) but ive been studying everyday and reviewing where i went wrong during my tests.

i just need some encouragement & if anyone could share their experiences id be grateful!

I have my CCNA exam coming up soon, and I'm wondering where I can find PDFs or similar resources with complete lab setups that I can work through.

I'm looking for labs that give you a network topology and step-by-step tasks to complete, so I can build larger, more complex networks and practice configuring everything myself.

I'm a hands-on learner, so getting my hands dirty is the best way for me to learn. I'd love to find resources that let me practice everything in one place rather than just doing small, isolated labs.

Does anyone know where I can find this kind of material? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I am planning to do my first-attempt at Boson exam once I finish all of Jeremy's IT Lab videos probably in 4 weeks in the last week of November, I'm finished day 28 part 3. Then I'll probably space out my attempts every 4 days to practice on my weak areas totaling nearly 21 days after the first-attempt. My goal is take the CCNA exam mid-December or latest last week of December. If I fail, retake in mid-January, that's the real goal, pass the CCNA no further than mid-January.

What were yall's test scores? I've heard if it's at least 70%, taking the CCNA should be fine.

I plan to take my CCNA this December. I learn through Jeremy's IT Lab, but I finished watching his videos 1-2 months ago. I got caught up with things, so I'm reviewing what I learned with the help of his daunting amount of flashcards, as well as claude to help clarify things I didn't remember. I also have this CCNA exam prep app by Prepia, which gives my 10 questions a day to test my knowledge. I am currently on day 44-45 (NAT) for my flashcards review, and have been using my lab environment here and there for concepts that require being able to configure things.

What's really demotivating me is the fact that almost everyone uses Boson which I do not have the money for, as well as I cannot use packet tracer due to downloading restrictions on my computer. The number of flashcards also feels like a lot, though i'm making good progress? If I aim to do 2 days of flashcards a day I'll be able to finish my review in maybe two weeks? and then I can primarily focus on taking practice tests and labs.

Is this a good plan? Sometimes I worry since the way I do labs is that I build the entire configuration of the concept istead of troubleshooting pre-made issues.

Ccna

Hi I'm in day 33 jitl

I stayed in sept now oct il give by jan

The thing that is worrying me is that my whole day goes in fundamentals

I get very little time for labs

Also I try to do one lab per video

I'm not confident like

I can do basic routing but ospf and all can't

My day goes to the video lab one then i do anki

N per day i 140 cards .i get tired 😩

Any suggestions

I have still kept time as il finish all lessons by dec

Please tell me how to proceed in cli

Hey everyone!

I recently started studying for the CCNA, and I'd really appreciate some advice from people who have already passed the exam.

I purchased Neil Anderson's CCNA course on Udemy about 9 days ago, and I've been studying consistently since then.

Here's where I'm currently at:

• I've completed the OSI model, host-to-host communications, Cisco IOS basics, TCP/UDP, IPv4 addressing, IP address classes, and subnetting, including VLSM.
• I'm currently around lesson 48 in Neil Anderson's course.
• I've been practicing subnetting and reviewing topics using quizzes and practice questions.
• I recently scored 90% on a 50-question practice quiz covering the material I've studied so far. It wasn't an official CCNA practice exam.
• I can realistically dedicate 3 hours every day to studying and practicing in Packet Tracer.

I'm enjoying the learning process and feel like I'm making good progress, but when I look at how much material is still ahead of me, it honestly feels a bit overwhelming.

My goal is to take the CCNA v1.1 exam before it retires in February 2027.

I have a few questions for those who have already passed:

1. Do you think it's realistic to finish preparing for CCNA v1.1 with around 3 hours of studying per day?
2. How would you split those 3 hours between watching lectures, doing labs, and reviewing previous material?
3. At what point should I start taking full-length practice exams?
4. Are Neil Anderson's course and Packet Tracer labs enough as a foundation, or would you strongly recommend additional resources?
5. What mistakes should I avoid while preparing?

I'm not trying to rush through the course just to say I finished it. I genuinely want to understand networking and be able to apply what I learn.

Any tips, study schedules, or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!