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CompTIA® Network+®
Study GuideSecond Edition
CompTIA® Network+®
Study GuideSecond Edition
Todd Lammle
Senior Acquisitions Editor: Jeff KellumDevelopment Editor: Kim WimpsettTechnical Editors: Troy McMillan and Tom CarpenterProduction Editor: Christine O’ConnorCopy Editor: Judy FlynnEditorial Manager: Pete GaughanProduction Manager: Tim TateVice President and Executive Group Publisher: Richard SwadleyVice President and Publisher: Neil EddeProject Manager 1: Laura Moss-HollisterAssociate Producer: Marilyn HummelQuality Assurance: Josh FrankBook Designers: Judy Fung and Bill GibsonCompositor: Craig Woods, Happenstance Type-O-RamaProofreader: Rebecca RiderIndexer: Robert SwansonProject Coordinator, Cover: Katherine CrockerCover Designer: Ryan Sneed
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
ISBN: 978-1-118-13755-0
ISBN: 978-1-118-22533-2 (ebk.)
ISBN: 978-1-118-23886-8 (ebk.)
ISBN: 978-1-118-26346-4 (ebk.)
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
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TRADEMARKS: Wiley, the Wiley logo, and the Sybex logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates, in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permis-sion. CompTIA and Network+ are registered trademarks of Computing Technology Industry Association. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Dear Reader,
Thank you for choosing CompTIA Network+ Study Guide, Second Edition. This book is part of a family of premium-quality Sybex books, all of which are written by outstanding authors who combine practical experience with a gift for teaching.
Sybex was founded in 1976. More than 30 years later, we’re still committed to producing con-sistently exceptional books. With each of our titles, we’re working hard to set a new standard for the industry. From the paper we print on, to the authors we work with, our goal is to bring you the best books available.
I hope you see all that reflected in these pages. I’d be very interested to hear your comments and get your feedback on how we’re doing. Feel free to let me know what you think about this or any other Sybex book by sending me an email at [email protected]. If you think you’ve found a technical error in this book, please visit http://sybex.custhelp.com. Customer feed-back is critical to our efforts at Sybex.
Best regards,
Neil Edde Vice President and Publisher Sybex, an Imprint of Wiley
AcknowledgmentsKim Wimpsett was the development editor of this, the newest book in the Sybex CompTIA series. Thank you, Kim, for working so hard on this book with me.
Jeff Kellum is instrumental to my success in the Cisco world and is my acquisitions editor for this new CompTIA Network+ book. Jeff, thanks for your guidance and continued patience with all the books we’ve published together!
In addition, Christine O’Connor was an excellent production editor, and she worked really hard to get the book done as quickly as possible, without missing the small mistakes that are so easy to overlook. I am always very pleased when I hear that she will be working with me on a new project. Judy Flynn was my copy editor, and she was patient, helpful, and detailed but yet worked extremely hard to get this book on the shelf as quickly as possible, and for that I thank her tremendously.
Troy McMillian literally hashed and rehashed each topic in this guide with me at all hours of the day and night, scrutinizing the material until we both agreed it was verifiably solid. Thank you, Troy, yet once again!
About the AuthorTodd Lammle, CompTIA Network+, CCSI, CCNA/CCNP, CCSP/CCVP, MCSE, CEH/CHFI, FCC RF Licensed, is the authority on network certification and inter-networking. He is a world-renowned author, speaker, trainer, and consultant. Todd has over 25 years of experience working with LANs, WANs, and large licensed and unlicensed wireless networks. He’s president and CEO of GlobalNet Training and Consulting, Inc., a network-integration and training firm based in Boulder, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; and San Francisco, California. You can reach Todd through his forum at www.lammle.com/forum.
Contents at a Glance
Foreword xxv
Introduction xxix
Assessment Test li
Chapter 1 Introduction to Networks 1
Chapter 2 The Open Systems Interconnection Specifications 27
Chapter 3 Networking Topologies, Connectors, and Wiring Standards 53
Chapter 4 The Current Ethernet Specifications 87
Chapter 5 Networking Devices 115
Chapter 6 Introduction to the Internet Protocol 155
Chapter 7 IP Addressing 189
Chapter 8 IP Subnetting, Troubleshooting IP, and Introduction to NAT 211
Chapter 9 Introduction to IP Routing 253
Chapter 10 Routing Protocols 273
Chapter 11 Switching and Virtual LANs 297
Chapter 12 Wireless Networking 335
Chapter 13 Authentication and Access Control 375
Chapter 14 Network Threats and Mitigation 413
Chapter 15 Physical and Hardware Security 449
Chapter 16 Wide Area Networks 485
Chapter 17 Troubleshooting Tools 515
Chapter 18 Software and Hardware Tools 569
Chapter 19 Network Troubleshooting 595
Chapter 20 Management, Monitoring, and Optimization 635
Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 669
Appendix B Answers to Written Labs 703
Appendix C Subnetting Class A 717
Appendix D About the Additional Study Tools 725
Index 729
ContentsForeword xxv
Introduction xxix
Assessment Test li
Chapter 1 Introduction to Networks 1
First Things First: What’s a Network? 2The Local Area Network (LAN) 3Common Network Components 5Wide Area Network (WAN) 7Network Architecture: Peer-to-Peer or Client-Server? 9
Physical Network Topologies 12Bus Topology 12Star Topology 13Ring Topology 14Mesh Topology 15Point-to-Point Topology 16Point-to-Multipoint Topology 17Hybrid Topology 18
Topology Selection, Backbones, and Segments 18Selecting the Right Topology 19The Network Backbone 20Network Segments 21
Summary 21Exam Essentials 21Written Labs 22Review Questions 23
Chapter 2 The Open Systems Interconnection Specifications 27
Internetworking Models 28The Layered Approach 28Advantages of Reference Models 29
The OSI Reference Model 30The Application Layer 31The Presentation Layer 33The Session Layer 33The Transport Layer 33The Network Layer 39The Data Link Layer 42The Physical Layer 44
Introduction to Encapsulation 45
ContentsIntroduction
Assessment Test Answers to Assessment Test
Chapter 1
Introduction to Networks
First Things First: What’s a Network? Physical Network Topologies Topology Selection, Backbones, and Segments SummaryExam Essentials Written Labs Review Questions
Chapter 2
The Open Systems Interconnection Specifications
Internetworking Models The OSI Reference Model Introduction to Encapsulation SummaryExam Essentials Written Lab Review Questions
Chapter 3
Networking Topologies, Connectors, and Wiring Standards
Physical Media Cable Properties Wiring Standards Installing Wiring Distributions SummaryExam Essentials Written Lab Review Questions
xii Contents
Summary 46Exam Essentials 46Written Lab 47Review Questions 48
Chapter 3 Networking Topologies, Connectors, and Wiring Standards 53
Physical Media 55Coaxial Cable 55Twisted-Pair Cable 58Fiber-Optic Cable 61Media Converters 66Broadband over Power Line 67Serial Cables 68
Cable Properties 71Transmission Speeds 71Distance 71Duplex 71Noise Immunity (Security, EMI) 71Frequency 72
Wiring Standards 72568A vs. 568B 73Straight-Through Cable 75Crossover Cable 75T1 Crossover Cable 76
Installing Wiring Distributions 79Summary 80Exam Essentials 81Written Lab 81Review Questions 83
Chapter 4 The Current Ethernet Specifications 87
Network Basics 88Ethernet Basics 90
Collision Domain 90Broadcast Domain 90CSMA/CD 91Half- and Full-Duplex Ethernet 92
Ethernet at the Data Link Layer 94Binary to Decimal and Hexadecimal Conversion 94Ethernet Addressing 98Ethernet Frames 98Channel Bonding 101
Ethernet at the Physical Layer 101Summary 106
Contents xiii
Exam Essentials 107Written Lab 107Review Questions 111
Chapter 5 Networking Devices 115
Common Network Connectivity Devices 117Hub 118Network Interface Card 118Bridge 120Switch 120Router 121Firewall 125Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Server 126
Other Specialized Devices 129Multilayer Switch 130Load Balancer 130Domain Name Service Server 130Proxy Server 135Encryption Devices 136VPN Concentrator 137
Planning and Implementing a Basic SOHO Network Using Network Segmentation 137
Determining Requirements 138Switches and Bridges at the Data Link Layer 144Hubs at the Physical Layer 146Environmental Considerations 147
Summary 147Exam Essentials 148Written Lab 149Review Questions 150
Chapter 6 Introduction to the Internet Protocol 155
Introducing TCP/IP 157A Brief History of TCP/IP 157TCP/IP and the DoD Model 158The Process/Application Layer Protocols 159The Host-to-Host Layer Protocols 168The Internet Layer Protocols 173
Data Encapsulation 178Summary 182Exam Essentials 182Written Lab 183Review Questions 184
xiv Contents
Chapter 7 IP Addressing 189
IP Terminology 190The Hierarchical IP Addressing Scheme 191
Network Addressing 192Private IP Addresses 196
IPv4 Address Types 198Layer 2 Broadcasts 198Layer 3 Broadcasts 198Unicast Address 199Multicast Address 199
Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) 200Why Do We Need IPv6? 200The Benefits of and Uses for IPv6 201IPv6 Addressing and Expressions 202Shortened Expression 203Address Types 203Special Addresses 204
Summary 205Exam Essentials 205Written Lab 206Review Questions 207
Chapter 8 IP Subnetting, Troubleshooting IP, and Introduction to NAT 211
Subnetting Basics 212How to Create Subnets 213Subnet Masks 214Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) 215Subnetting Class C Addresses 217Subnetting Class B Addresses 226
Troubleshooting IP Addressing 234Determining IP Address Problems 237
Introduction to Network Address Translation (NAT) 241Types of Network Address Translation 243NAT Names 243How NAT Works 244
Summary 245Exam Essentials 246Written Labs 246Review Questions 247
Contents xv
Chapter 9 Introduction to IP Routing 253
Routing Basics 254The IP Routing Process 257Testing Your IP Routing Understanding 263Static and Dynamic Routing 264Summary 267Exam Essentials 267Written Lab 267Review Questions 269
Chapter 10 Routing Protocols 273
Routing Protocol Basics 274Administrative Distances 275Classes of Routing Protocols 277
Distance Vector Routing Protocols 278Routing Information Protocol (RIP) 279RIP Version 2 (RIPv2) 280VLSM and Discontiguous Networks 280EIGRP 282Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) 285
Link State Routing Protocols 286Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) 287Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS) 289
IPv6 Routing Protocols 290RIPng 290EIGRPv6 291OSPFv3 291
Summary 291Exam Essentials 292Written Lab 292Review Questions 293
Chapter 11 Switching and Virtual LANs 297
Networking Before Layer 2 Switching 298Switching Services 302
Limitations of Layer 2 Switching 303Bridging vs. LAN Switching 303Three Switch Functions at Layer 2 304
Spanning Tree Protocol 309Spanning-Tree Port States 310STP Convergence 311Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol 802.1w 311
xvi Contents
Virtual LANs 313VLAN Basics 313Quality of Service 316VLAN Memberships 317Static VLANs 317Dynamic VLANs 318Identifying VLANs 318VLAN Identification Methods 320
VLAN Trunking Protocol 321VTP Modes of Operation 322Configuring VTP 323
Two Additional Advanced Features of Switches 324Power over Ethernet 324Port Mirroring/Spanning 326
Summary 328Exam Essentials 328Written Lab 329Review Questions 330
Chapter 12 Wireless Networking 335
Introduction to Wireless Technology 337The 802.11 Standards 340
2.4GHz (802.11b) 3412.4GHz (802.11g) 3425GHz (802.11a) 3435GHz (802.11h) 3442.4GHz/5GHz (802.11n) 345
Comparing 802.11 Standards 346Range Comparisons 346
Wireless Network Components 347Wireless Access Points 347Wireless Network Interface Card 348Wireless Antennas 349
Installing a Wireless Network 351Ad Hoc Mode: Independent Basic Service Set 351Infrastructure Mode: Basic Service Set 352Signal Degradation 354Installing and Configuring Hardware 355
Wireless Security 362Open Access 363Service Set Identifiers, Wired Equivalent Privacy,
and Media Access Control Address Authentication 364Remote Authentication Dial In User Service 365
Contents xvii
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol 366Wi-Fi Protected Access or WPA 2 Pre-Shared Key 367
Summary 368Exam Essentials 369Written Lab 369Review Questions 370
Chapter 13 Authentication and Access Control 375
Security Filtering 377Access Control Lists 378Tunneling 379Encryption 386Remote Access 390
Managing User Account and Password Security 393Managing User Accounts 393Managing Passwords 396Single Sign-On 400Multifactor Authentication 400
User-Authentication Methods 400Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) 401Kerberos 402Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) 402Network Access Control (NAC) 405Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) 405MS-CHAP 405Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) 406
Summary 406Exam Essentials 407Written Lab 407Review Questions 409
Chapter 14 Network Threats and Mitigation 413
Recognizing Security Threats 414Denial of Service 415Viruses 417Worms 421Buffer Overflow 421Wireless Threats 421Attackers and Their Tools 424Social Engineering (Phishing) 427
Understanding Mitigation Techniques 428Active Detection 429Passive Detection 429Proactive Defense 429
xviii Contents
Policies and Procedures 430Security Policies 431Security Training 436Patches and Upgrades 437Updating Antivirus Components 439Fixing an Infected Computer 441
Summary 441Exam Essentials 442Written Lab 442Review Questions 444
Chapter 15 Physical and Hardware Security 449
Using Hardware and Software Security Devices 450Defining Firewalls 452
Network-Based Firewalls 453Host-Based Firewalls 453
Firewall Technologies 453Access Control Lists 453Port Security 456Demilitarized Zone 456Protocol Switching 457Dynamic Packet Filtering 459Proxy Services 460
Firewalls at the Application Layer vs. the Network Layer 461Stateful vs. Stateless Network Layer Firewalls 462Application Layer Firewalls 463
Scanning Services and Other Firewall Features 464Content Filtering 465Signature Identification 466Zones 466
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems 468Network-Based IDS 469Host-Based IDS 471Vulnerability Scanners 472
VPN Concentrators 473Understanding Problems Affecting Device Security 474
Physical Security 474Logical Security Configurations 476
Summary 478Exam Essentials 479Written Lab 480Review Questions 481
Contents xix
Chapter 16 Wide Area Networks 485
What’s a WAN? 488Defining WAN Terms 488The Public Switched Telephone Network 489WAN Connection Types 490Bandwidth or Speed 492
T-Series Connections 492The T1 Connection 494The T3 Connection 494
Transmission Media 495Wired Connections 495Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing 496Passive Optical Network 496Wireless Technologies 497
Broadband Services 498DSL Technology and xDSL 500Cable Modem 501
Wireless WAN Technologies 503Cellular WAN 503
WAN Protocols 504Integrated Services Digital Network 504Frame Relay Technology 506Asynchronous Transfer Mode 508
Summary 509Exam Essentials 509Written Lab 510Review Questions 511
Chapter 17 Troubleshooting Tools 515
Protocol Analyzers 517Throughput Testers 518Connectivity Software 519Using Traceroute 520Using ipconfig and ifconfig 521
Using the ipconfig Utility 521Using the ifconfig Utility 525
Using the ping Utility 526Using the Address Resolution Protocol 529
The Windows ARP Table 529Using the arp Utility 530
Using the nslookup Utility 533Resolving Names with the Hosts Table 535Using the Mtr Command 536
xx Contents
Using the route Command 537Using the route Command Options 538Some Examples of the route Command 540
Using the nbtstat Utility 540The –a Switch 541The –A Switch 543The –c Switch 543The –n Switch 544The –r Switch 544The –R Switch 545The –S Switch 545The –s Switch 546
Using the netstat Utility 546The –a Switch 549The –e Switch 550The –r Switch 551The –s Switch 551The –p Switch 551The –n Switch 553
Using the File Transfer Protocol 554Starting FTP and Logging In to an FTP Server 555Downloading Files 557Uploading Files 559
Using the Telnet Utility 560How to Enable Telnet in Vista 560Don’t Use Telnet, Use Secure Shell 561
Summary 562Exam Essentials 562Written Lab 563Review Questions 564
Chapter 18 Software and Hardware Tools 569
Understanding Network Scanners 570Packet Sniffers 570Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software 572Port Scanners 574
Identifying Hardware Tools 576Cable Testers 577Protocol Analyzer 579Certifiers 580Time-Domain Reflectometer 581Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer 581
Contents xxi
Multimeter 582Toner Probe 582Butt Set 584Punch-Down Tool 585Cable Stripper/Snips 586Voltage Event Recorder 587Environmental Monitors 588
Summary 589Exam Essentials 589Written Lab 590Review Questions 591
Chapter 19 Network Troubleshooting 595
Narrowing Down the Problem 598Are There Any Cabling Issues? Did You Check
the Super Simple Stuff? 599Is Hardware or Software Causing the Problem? 603Is It a Workstation or a Server Problem? 604Which Segments of the Network Are Affected? 604Is It Bad Cabling? 604
Troubleshooting Steps 609Step 1: Identify the Problem 610Step 2: Establish a Theory of Probable Cause 613Step 3: Test the Theory to Determine Cause 616Step 4: Establish a Plan of Action to Resolve the
Problem and Identify Potential Effects 618Step 5: Implement the Solution or Escalate as Necessary 620Step 6: Verify Full System Functionality and
If Applicable Implement Preventative Measures 622Step 7: Document Findings, Actions, and Outcomes 623
Troubleshooting Tips 623Don’t Overlook the Small Stuff 624Prioritize Your Problems 624Check the Software Configuration 625Don’t Overlook Physical Conditions 625Don’t Overlook Cable Problems 626Check for Viruses 626
Summary 626Exam Essentials 627Written Lab 628Review Questions 629
xxii Contents
Chapter 20 Management, Monitoring, and Optimization 635
Managing Network Documentation 638Using SNMP 638Schematics and Diagrams 639Baselines 645Policies, Procedures, and Regulations 647
Monitoring the Network and Optimizing Its Performance 649Network Monitoring and Logging 650Reasons to Optimize Your Network’s Performance 652How to Optimize Performance 654Virtual Networking 658
Summary 661Exam Essentials 662Written Lab 663Review Questions 664
Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 669
Chapter 1: Introduction to Networks 670Chapter 2: The Open Systems Interconnection Specifications 672Chapter 3: Networking Topologies, Connectors, and
Wiring Standards 673Chapter 4: The Current Ethernet Specifications 675Chapter 5: Networking Devices 676Chapter 6: Introduction to the Internet Protocol 677Chapter 7: IP Addressing 679Chapter 8: IP Subnetting, Troubleshooting IP, and
Introduction to NAT 681Chapter 9: Introduction to IP Routing 683Chapter 10: Routing Protocols 684Chapter 11: Switching and Virtual LANs 686Chapter 12: Wireless Networking 688Chapter 13: Authentication and Access Control 689Chapter 14: Network Threats and Mitigation 691Chapter 15: Physical and Hardware Security 692Chapter 16: Wide Area Networks 694Chapter 17: Troubleshooting Tools 695Chapter 18: Software and Hardware Tools 697Chapter 19: Network Troubleshooting 699Chapter 20: Management, Monitoring, and Optimization 700
Appendix B Answers to Written Labs 703
Chapter 1: Introduction to Networks 704Chapter 2: The Open Systems Interconnection Specifications 704Chapter 3: Networking Topologies, Connectors, and
Wiring Standards 705
Contents xxiii
Chapter 4: The Current Ethernet Specifications 705Chapter 5: Networking Devices 708Chapter 6: Introduction to the Internet Protocol 708Chapter 7: IP Addressing 709Chapter 8: IP Subnetting, Troubleshooting IP, and
Introduction to NAT 710Chapter 9: Introduction to IP Routing 710Chapter 10: Routing Protocols 711Chapter 11: Switching and Virtual LANs 711Chapter 12: Wireless Networking 712Chapter 13: Authentication and Access Control 712Chapter 14: Network Threats and Mitigation 712Chapter 15: Physical and Hardware Security 713Chapter 16: Wide Area Networks 713Chapter 17: Troubleshooting Tools 714Chapter 18: Software and Hardware Tools 714Chapter 19: Network Troubleshooting 715Chapter 20: Management, Monitoring, and Optimization 715
Appendix C Subnetting Class A 717
Subnetting Practice Examples: Class A Addresses 718Practice Example #1A: 255.255.0.0 (/16) 719Practice Example #2A: 255.255.240.0 (/20) 719Practice Example #3A: 255.255.255.192 (/26) 720
Subnetting in Your Head: Class A Addresses 720Written Lab 1 721Written Lab 2 722Answers to Written Lab 1 722Answers to Written Lab 2 723
Appendix D About the Additional Study Tools 725
Additional Study Tools 726Sybex Test Engine 726Electronic Flashcards 726PDF of Glossary of Terms 726Adobe Reader 726
System Requirements 727Using the Study Tools 727Troubleshooting 727
Customer Care 728
Index 729
Foreword
CompTIA Network+:The CompTIA Network+ (2011 Edition) certification ensures
that the successful candidate has the important knowledge and skills necessary to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate,
and configure basic network infrastructure; describe networking technologies and basic design principles; adhere to wiring standards; and use testing tools.
It Pays to Get Certified
In a digital world, digital literacy is an essential survival skill. Certification proves you have the knowledge and skill to solve business problems in virtually any business environment.
CompTIA Network+ certification is held by many IT Staff in organizations. 21% of IT staff within a random sampling of U.S. organizations within a cross section of industry verticals hold Network+ certification.
The CompTIA Network+ credential Proves knowledge of networking features and functions and is the leading vendor-neutral certification for networking professionals.
Starting Salary The average starting salary of network engineers can be up to $70,000.
Career Pathway CompTIA Network+ is the first step in starting a networking career and is recognized by Microsoft as part of their MS program. Other corporations, such as Novell, Cisco, and HP also recognize CompTIA Network+ as part of their certification tracks.
More than 260,000 Individuals worldwide are CompTIA Network+ certified.
Mandated/Recommended by organizations worldwide Such as Cisco, HP, Ricoh, the U.S. State Department, and U.S. government contractors such as EDS, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman.
How Certification Helps Your Career
Retain Your Joband Salary
Make your expertisestand above the rest.
Competence isusually retainedduring times of
change.
IT Knowledge andSkills Get Jobs
Certifications areessential
credentials thatqualify you forjobs, increasedcompensation,and promotion.
It IsEverywhere
IT is ubiquitous andneeded by mostorganizations.
Globally, there areover 600,000 IT job
openings.
Stick Out from theResume Pile
Hiring managerscan demand the
strongest skill set.
Want to ChangeJobs?
Certifications qualifyyou for new
opportunities, whetheryou are locked into a
current job, see limitedadvancement, or need
to change careers.
xxvi Foreword
CompTIA Career PathwayCompTIA offers a number of credentials that form a foundation for your career in technology and allow you to pursue specific areas of concentration. Depending on the path you choose to take, CompTIA certifications help you build upon your skills and knowledge, supporting learning throughout your entire career.
Fundamental Skillsto Prepare forCertification
Core Certifications withTransferable Skills toOther Technologies
CompTIA Certificationsand Certificates
Fundamental ITcredential formultiple careers
Foundational credentialfor multiple careers
Career paths:• A+ certification• General job prep
Average salary: $50,364*Possible job roles:• Help Desk/Technical• Support Specialist
Network+ and two yearsnetworking experience
Average salary: $63,027*• Network Admin• Network Technician
Two years networkadministration withsecurity focus
Systems
Methodology
Average salary: $93,667*Possible job roles:• Security Specialist• Network Admin
Hardware
VendorTechnology
Steps to Getting Certified
Review exam objectives. Review the certification objectives to make sure you know what is covered in the exam.
www.comptia.org/certifications/testprep/practicetests.aspx
Practice for the exam. After you have studied for the certification, take a free assessment and sample test to get an idea of what type of questions might be on the exam.
certification.comptia.org/Training/testingcenters/examobjectives.aspx
Purchase an exam voucher. Purchase your exam voucher on the CompTIA Marketplace, which is located at www.comptiastore.com.
Foreword xxvii
Take the test! Select a certification exam provider and schedule a time to take your exam. You can find exam providers at the following link:
certification.comptia.org/Training/testingcenters/
Stay certified through continuing Education! Effective January 1, 2011, new CompTIA Security+ certifications are valid for three years from the date of your certification. There are a number of ways the certification can be renewed. For more information go to
http://certification.comptia.org/getCertified/steps_to_certification/stayCertified.aspx
Join the IT Professional CommunityThe free IT Pro online community at http://itpro.comptia.org provides valuable content to students and professionals.
NN Career IT job resources
NN Where to start in IT
NN Career assessments
NN Salary trends
NN US job board
NN Forums on networking, security, computing, and cutting-edge technologies
NN Access to blogs written by industry experts
NN Current information on cutting-edge technologies
NN Access to various industry resource links and articles related to IT and IT careers
Content Seal of QualityThis text bears the seal of CompTIA Approved Quality Content. This seal signifies that this content covers 100% of the exam objectives and imple-
ments important instructional design principles. CompTIA recommends multiple learning tools to help increase coverage of the learning objectives. Look for this seal on other mate-rials you use to prepare for your certification exam.
Why CompTIA?
Global recognition CompTIA is recognized globally as the leading IT nonprofit trade association and has enormous credibility. Plus, CompTIA’s certifications are vendor neutral and offer proof of foundational knowledge that translates across technologies.
