Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and

Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

CompTIA Network+
in a Nutshell

Chapter 1
Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Objectives
• Describe the importance of CompTIA
Network+ certification
• Illustrate the structure and contents of the
CompTIA Network+ certification exam
• Plan a strategy to prepare for the exam

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Introduction
• Networking
– A vast field of study
– Too large for any single certification
• Benefits of CompTIA Network+ certification
– Gives you an overview of networking
– Serves as a prerequisite for more advanced
certifications
– Provides an opportunity to learn valuable
information
Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Introduction (cont’d.)
• CompTIA Network+ certification covers:
– Local area networks (LANs)
– Wide area networks (WANs)
– The Internet (the world’s largest WAN)
– Security
– Cabling
– Applications

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Who Needs CompTIA

Network+?

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 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

I Just Want to Learn About Networks!

• This text looks at real-world networking as
performed by real techs
– Goes well beyond the scope of a single
certification
• If you’re going to have this knowledge, why
not get the certification?

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

What Is CompTIA Network+

Certification?

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

CompTIA Network+ Certification

• An industry-wide, vendor-neutral certification
– Developed by the Computer Technology Industry
Association (CompTIA)
• Passing the test illustrates:
– Basic competency in the physical support of
networking systems
– Knowledge of conceptual aspects of networking

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

CompTIA Network+ Certification

(cont’d.)
• Widely recognized throughout the IT industry
• Considered the next step after CompTIA A+
certification (for PC technicians)

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

What Is CompTIA?

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

CompTIA
• A nonprofit, industry trade association
– Founded in 1982
• Members worldwide include computer
resellers, value-added resellers, distributors,
manufacturers, and training companies
• Provides certifications for a variety of areas
– Network+ certification exam unveiled in 1999

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

The Current CompTIA Network+

Certification Exam Release

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Exam Releases
• Each release covers the latest technologies
with updated certification objectives,
domains, and exam questions
• N10-006 CompTIA Network+ exam released in
2015

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

How Do I Become CompTIA

Network+ Certified?

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Becoming Certified
• Pass one computer-based exam
– No prerequisites or networking experience
– No special training course or materials required
• Certification lasts three years
– Certification can be renewed by taking the current
exam or completing approved continuing
education activities

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

CompTIA Recommendations
• Nine to twelve months networking experience
• CompTIA A+ knowledge

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

What Is the Exam Like?

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 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

The Exam
• Contains 100 questions
• 90-minute time limit
• Minimum pass score of 720 on a scale that
ranges from 100-900
– Check CompTIA website to determine the current
scale
• Multiple-choice and performance-based
questions
Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

The Exam (cont’d.)

• Performance-based questions require you to
do something
• Examples
– Arrange a wireless access point in an office for
maximum coverage
– Properly align the colored wires on a network
connector

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

This table lists the domains,

and the percentage of the test each represents

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

The Exam (cont’d.)

• Extremely practical
– Includes real-world troubleshooting scenarios
– Asks about hardware and software failures
– Examples
• “What do you do next?”
• “What is the most likely problem?”

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

The Exam (cont’d.)

• Know how to install and configure a PC to
connect to a network
– Install and test a network card
– Configure drivers
– Load all network software
– Know different topologies, standards, and cabling
– Know the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
seven-layer model
– Know the protocol suites – especially TCP/IP
Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

How Do I Take the Test?

• Go to an authorized testing center
• Locate and schedule an exam
– Pearson VUE: 877-551-7587 (www.vue.com)

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

How Much Does the Test Cost?

• Price set by CompTIA
• At publication time, US $246 for
non-CompTIA members
• Save money by purchasing an exam voucher
through CompTIA member companies
– Buy the voucher and use it to pay for the exam
– Visit www.totalsem.com or call 800-446-6004 to
purchase vouchers

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

How Do I Register?
• When registering:
– Have your Social Security number (or international
equivalent)
– Pay by credit card or voucher number
– Note that international prices vary

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

How to Pass the

CompTIA Network+ Exam

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Keep It Simple!
• Read the book
• Answer the questions at the end of each
chapter
• Take the practice exams on the media
accompanying the book
• Review any topics you missed

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Study Tips
• Obligate yourself
– Schedule the exam
– Determine necessary study time
– Call Pearson VUE and schedule the exam
• Set aside the right amount of study time
– See Table 1.1 for average study times
– Consider your study habits

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Study Tips (cont’d.)

• Set a strategy for studying
– Fast track group
– Brainiacs
• Most chapters are broken down into two parts
– Historical/conceptual
– Test-specific

Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.

 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Fast Tracker Approach

• Skip everything but the test specific section in
each chapter
• Jump to the chapter review questions
• Review historical/conceptual sections if any
areas are problematic
• Take free practice exams
• Consider yourself ready for the test once you
are scoring in the 80-85 percent range
Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Brainiac Approach
• Read the whole book in sequence
– Don’t skip around
• Have a network available while you read
– Need some gear to do hands-on exercises
• Read the book a second time
– One chapter per sitting
– Concentrate on the test-specific sections
• Answer the end-of-chapter questions
Copyright © 2015 by McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
 Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+® Guide to Managing and
Troubleshooting Networks, Fourth Edition (Exam N10-006 )

Brainiac Approach (cont’d.)

• Take the practice exams
• Review the results summary to identify areas
you need to study further
• Study more, and continue retaking the exams
until you consistently score in the 80-85
percent range

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