The Cisco CCNA® Exploration curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of networking.

from fundamentals to advanced applications and services. It is based on a top-down approach to networking that is popular in many colleges and universities. This course emphasizes theoretical concepts and practical application, while providing opportunities for students to gain the skills and hands-on experience needed to design, install, operate, and maintain networks in small-to-medium businesses, as well as enterprise and service provider environments.

CCNA Exploration offers in-depth theory, challenging labs, and a detailed overview of protocol operations. It is designed for students with advanced problem-solving and analytical skills, such as degree candidates in engineering, math, or science, or for working professionals who would like to advance their careers or gain certification. CCNA Exploration was designed to be integrated into technology curricula or continuing education programs at postsecondary institutions such as technical schools, colleges, and universities.

Part 1 & Part 2

Cisco Networking Academy is pleased to announce the new release of Packet Tracer, a Network Simulation Software. Packet Tracer 4.1 is the next major release of the interactive network simulation and learning tool for Cisco CCNA instructors and students. It allows users to create network topologies, configure devices, inject packets, and simulate a network with multiple visual representations. This release of Packet Tracer focuses on supporting more of the networking protocols taught in the CCNA curriculum.

About Packet Tracer
Packet Tracer is a self-paced, visual, interactive teaching and learning tool. It is designed to increase interaction between students and instructors, promote student learning, and enhance instructor presentations. This technology is a new and fun way to expand teaching and learning experiences beyond the limitations of a traditional lab environment. Packet Tracer helps resolve some common challenges that instructors face on a daily basis, while enabling us to explore new frontiers in networking education.

Product Feature Solution Fit
Packet Tracer 4.1 is an enhancement of the current standalone PT4.0 product. It expands upon the feature set that exists in PT4.0. This product is meant to be used as an education product that provides exposure to the command-line interface of Cisco devices for practice and discovery learning. PT4.1 also improves on the visualization components of PT4.0, making it easier for instructors to deliver presentations and for students to understand the inner workings and interactions of networking equipment to perform data transfer and support communications.

Key Features
In the Simulation and Visualization Mode, students can see and control time intervals, the inner workings of data transfer, and the propagation of data across a network. This helps students understand the fundamental concepts behind network operations. A solid understanding of network fundamentals can help accelerate learning about related concepts.

The physical view of devices such as routers, switches, and hosts, presents graphical representations of expansion cards and identifies the capabilities of each card. The physical view also provides geographic representations, including multiple cities, buildings, and wiring

The CCNA Discovery curriculum is comprised of four courses.  Home and Small Business Networking is the first course, and is the prerequisite for the other three courses.  It is recommended that the courses be taken sequentially.

ourse 1: Home and Small Business Networking
Introduction to Computers and Applications
Personal Computer Software
Connecting to the Network
Connecting to the Internet Using an Internet Service Provider
Network Addressing
Network Services
Wireless Technology
Basic Security
Troubleshooting Your Network

Course 2: Working at a Small-to-Medium Business or ISP
The Internet and Its Uses
ISP Support
Planning a Network Update
Planning the Address Structure
Configuring the ISR
Routing
ISP Services
ISP Responsibility

Course 3:  Introduction to Routing and Switching in the Enterprise

Course 4:  Designing and Supporting Computer Networks