CompTIA Network+ domain #3: network operations [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. Let's explore what the Network+ cert is, what has changed since the last Network+ exam version and the objectives and sub-objectives this domain covers. If you are looking for a great starter to your Network+ exam outline for Domain 3.0, look no further.

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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 an estimated 500,000 cert holders worldwide. 

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): 

The percentage of exam material that the new Domain 3.0 covers has dropped by 1%.  While you probably wouldn’t notice this drop in exam content if you took the last Network+ exam, it may end up being one less question covered in the N10-008 version of this Domain’s exam material. Without further ado, let’s dive into the material covered by Domain 3.0. 

Exam material covered by Domain 3.0: Network Operations

3.1 Given a Scenario, use the appropriate statistics and sensors to ensure network availability

1. Performance metrics/sensors

• Device/chassis
  • Temperature
  • Central processing unit (CPU) usage
  • Memory
• Network metrics
  • Bandwidth
  • Latency
  • Jitter

2. SNMP

• Traps
• Object Identifiers (OIDs)
• Management information bases (MIBs)

3. Network device logs

• Log reviews
  • Traffic logs
  • Audit logs
  • Syslog
• Logging levels/severity levels

4. Interface statistics/status

• Link state (up/down)
• Speed/duplex
• Send/receive traffic
• Cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs)
• Protocol packet and byte counts

5. Interface errors or alerts

• CRC errors
• Giants
• Runts
• Encapsulation errors

6. Environmental factors and sensors

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Electrical
• Flooding

7. Baselines

8. NetFlow data

9. Uptime/downtime

3.2 Explain the purpose of organizational documents and policies

1. Plans and procedures

• Change management
• Incident response plan
• Disaster recovery plan
• Business continuity plan
• System life cycle
• Standard operating procedures

2. Hardening and security policies

• Password policy
• Acceptable use policy
• Bring your own device (BYOD) policy
• Remote access policy
• Onboarding and offboarding policy
• Security policy
• Data loss prevention

3. Common documentation

• Physical network diagram
  • Floor plan
  • Rack diagram
  • Intermediate distribution frame (IDF)/main distribution frame (MDF) documentation
• Logical network diagram
• Wiring diagram
• Site survey report
• Audit and assessment report
• Baseline configurations

4. Common agreements

• Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
• Service-level agreement (SLA)
• Memorandum of understanding (MOU)

3.3 Explain high availability and disaster recovery concepts and summarize which is the best solution

1. Load balancing

2. Multipathing

3. Network interface card (NIC) teaming 

4. Redundant hardware/clusters

• Switches
• Routers
• Firewalls

5. Facilities and infrastructure support

• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
• Power distribution units (PDUs)
• Generator
• HVAC
• Fire suppression

6. Redundancy and high availability (HA) concepts

• Cold site
• Warm site
• Hot site
• Cloud site
• Active-active vs. active-passive
  • Multiple Internet service providers (ISPs)/diverse paths
  • Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)/First Hop Redundancy Protocol (FHRP)
• Mean time to repair (MTTR)
• Mean time between Failure (MTBF)
• Recovery time objective (RTO)
• Recovery point objective (RPO)

7. Network device backup/restore

• State
• Configuration

Earn your Network+ certification, guaranteed!

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

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The importance of Network+

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 3.0 covering Network Operations. This article will prove to be a good start in building your exam preparation outline for Domain 3.0.

Sources:

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