CompTIA Network+ domain #2: network implementation [2022 update]

One of the most recognizable IT and information security networking certifications is Network+. As time goes on, new versions of certification exams are released, and Network+ releases the latest exam version, N10-008, in September of 2021. Some of the material covered in this latest exam version has changed and changes to Domain names. If you are looking for a great starter to your Network+ exam outline for Domain 2.0, look no further.

What is Network+?

Network+ is an IT and information security networking certification offered by CompTIA. This certification validates the skills and knowledge required to securely establish, maintain, and troubleshoot essential organization networks. This is one of the most popular networking certs on the market, with 500,000 cert holders worldwide. 

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What has changed since the last Network+ exam version?

There have been some changes since exam version N10-007 that you need to be aware of. Aside from Domain name changes and slight changes to exam material weights, there have been sub-objective changes, especially on the foundational networking tools and technologies used to create secure networks. Below is a comparison of N10-007 and N10-008 (and their respective weights of exam material covered):

Domain 2.0 has changed from “Infrastructure” to “Network Implementations.” This name change reflects a material streamlining that has shifted from focusing on the network infrastructure to implementing the network. It should also be stated that the percentage of exam material that the new Domain 2.0 covers have increased by 1%, from 18% to 19%, which is a minuscule yet measurable increase. Without further ado, let’s dive into the material covered by Domain 2.0. 

Exam material covered by Domain 2.0: Network Implementation

2.1 Compare and contrast various devices, their features and their appropriate placement on the network

1. Networking Devices

•       Layer 2 switch
•       Layer 3 capable switch
•       Router
•       Hub
•       Access point
•       Bridge
•       Wireless LAN controller
•       Load balancer
•       Proxy server
•       Cable modem
•       DSL modem
•       Repeater
•       Voice gateway
•       Media converter
•       Intrusion prevention system (IPS)/Intrusion detection system (IDS) device
•       Firewall
•       VPN headend

2. Networked Devices

•       Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)phone
•       Printer
•       Physical access control devices
•       Cameras
•       Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sensors
•       Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Refrigerator
  • Smart speakers
  • Smart thermostats
  • Smart doorbells
• Industrial Control systems/supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)

2.2 Compare and contrast routing technologies and bandwidth management concepts

1. Routing

• Dynamic routing
  • Protocols: Routing Internet Protocol (RIP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
  • Link state vs distance vector vs hybrid
  • Static routing
  • Default route
  • Administrative distance
  • Exterior vs interior
  • Time to live

2. Bandwidth management

•       Traffic shaping
•       Quality of service (QoS)

2.3 Given a scenario, configure and deploy common Ethernet switching features

1. Ethernet switching features

•       Data virtual local area network (VLAN)
•       Voice VLAN
•       Port configurations
  • Port tagging/802.1Q
  • Port Aggregation
    • Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
  • Duplex
  • Speed
  • Flow control
  • Port mirroring
  • Port security
  • Jumbo frames
  • Auto-medium-dependent interface crossover (MDI-X)
    • Media access control (MAC)address tables
    • Power over Ethernet (PoE)/Power over Ethernet plus (PoE+)
    • Spanning Tree Protocol
    • Carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD)

2. Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

3. Neighbor Discovery Protocol

2.4 Given a scenario, install and configure the appropriate wireless standards and technologies

1. 802.11 standards

•       a
•       b
•       g
•       n (WiFi 4)
•       ac (WiFi 5)
•       ax (WiFi 6)

2. Frequencies and range

•       2.4GHz
•       5GHz

3. Channels

•       Regulatory impacts

4. Channel bonding

5. Service set Identifier (SSID)

•       Basic service set
•       Extended service set
•       Independent basic service set (Ad-hoc)
•       Roaming

6. Antenna types

•       Omni
•       Directional

7. Encryption standards

•       WiFi Protected Access (WPA)/ WPA2 Personal [Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)/ Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)]
•       WPA/WPA2 Enterprise (AES/TKIP)

8. Cellular technologies

•       Code-division multiple Access (CDMA)
•       Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)
•       Long-Term Evolution (LTE)
•       3G, 4G, 5G

9. Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO)and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO)

Earn your Network+ certification, guaranteed!

Enroll in an upcoming live online boot camp and earn your CompTIA Network+, guaranteed.

Get Pricing

Network+ Domain 2

Network+ is one of the most recognizable Networking certifications on the market today. To earn this certification, you first have to pass the cert exam. The exam contains 5 Domains of knowledge, with Domain 2.0 covering Network Implementations. This article will prove to be a good start in building your exam preparation outline for Domain 2.0.

Sources

•  Network+ Certification Exam Objectives, CompTIA
•  Network+ N10-007 vs. N10-008: What’s the Difference?, CompTIA