Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking certification (100-150) is Cisco’s entry-level credential that validates your ability to understand, troubleshoot, and support modern networks.
In today’s connected world, networking is the digital glue that keeps systems, devices, and people linked across the globe. From connecting your laptop to Wi-Fi to enabling cloud services and remote collaboration, everything runs on networks.
This certification is ideal for aspiring IT professionals, system administrators, and students pursuing careers in networking or cybersecurity.
Networking Standards and Concepts
Networking standards are the rules for how devices communicate and transfer data. These are created by organizations like IEEE (defining Ethernet and Wi-Fi), IETF (defining Internet protocols), and ISO (responsible for the OSI model).
The OSI model has seven layers—Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application—while TCP/IP has four layers—Network Interface, Internet, Transport, and Application.
Understanding these layers helps you identify how data flows and troubleshoot issues effectively.
Addressing and Subnet Formats
Every device on a network requires an IP address to communicate. IPv4 uses 32 bits (e.g., 192.168.1.1), while IPv6 uses 128 bits (e.g., 2001:0db8::7334). IP addresses can be private or public, static or dynamic.
Subnetting divides large networks into smaller ones for better performance and management. For example, the network 192.168.1.0/24 can be divided into smaller subnets such as 192.168.1.0/26 or 192.168.1.64/26. Subnetting helps manage bandwidth, improve security, and organize devices logically.
Endpoints and Media Types
Endpoints are devices that connect to networks—computers, phones, printers, and IoT devices. Each has a MAC address (hardware) and IP address (logical).
Network media types include copper cables (Cat6, coaxial), fiber optics (single-mode, multi-mode), and wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). The choice of media affects speed, cost, and distance.
Network Infrastructure
Network infrastructure is the backbone connecting all devices and services. It includes routers (connect networks), switches (connect devices), access points (enable wireless), firewalls (security), and servers (resources).
Common topologies include star, mesh, bus, and ring. Network services like DHCP, DNS, and SNMP help automate and manage communication efficiently.
Diagnosing Problems
Troubleshooting is vital for maintaining network health. Follow structured steps: identify the problem, test a theory, apply a fix, and verify.
Common tools include ping, traceroute, ipconfig, nslookup, and Wireshark. Problems may arise from DHCP issues, IP conflicts, DNS errors, or bandwidth congestion. A systematic approach helps minimize downtime.
Networking Security
Network security protects systems from attacks like phishing, DDoS, or malware. The CIA triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—is the foundation of security.
Use firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS systems, and access controls. Implement strong passwords, updates, and multi-factor authentication. Security ensures network reliability and data protection.
Preparing for the CCST Networking (100-150) Exam
The CCST exam covers standards, addressing, media, infrastructure, troubleshooting, and security. The test includes multiple-choice questions and typically lasts 60 minutes.
Study using Cisco Packet Tracer, Cisco Networking Academy and official study guides. Regular subnetting practice and simulations will strengthen your understanding.
FAQs about CCST Networking (100-150)
Q1: Is CCST Networking a good starting point?
Yes, it’s Cisco’s foundational certification for beginners.
Q2: How long does preparation take?
Usually 4–6 weeks with consistent study.
Q3: Do I need prior experience?
No, CCST is designed for absolute beginners.
Q4: Is CCST worth it?
Yes, it opens doors to networking, cybersecurity, and IT roles worldwide.
CCST Networking – Conclusion
The CCST Networking 100-150 certification is your gateway into the world of networking. By mastering standards, addressing, infrastructure, troubleshooting, and security, you’ll build a strong technical foundation for more advanced Cisco certifications like CCNA and CCNP.
The digital world runs on networks—start your journey today and become a certified networking professional.
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CCST Networking
Standards and Concepts
- 1.1. Identify the fundamental conceptual building blocks of networks.
- TCP/IP model, OSI model, frames and packets, addressing
- 1.2. Differentiate between bandwidth and throughput.
- Latency, delay, speed test vs. Iperf
- 1.3. Differentiate between LAN, WAN, MAN, CAN, PAN, and WLAN.
- Identify and illustrate common physical and logical network topologies.
- 1.4. Compare and contrast cloud and on-premises applications and services.
- Public, private, hybrid, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, remote work/hybrid work
- 1.5. Describe common network applications and protocols.
- TCP vs. UDP (connection-oriented vs. connectionless), FTP, SFTP, TFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, DHCP, DNS, ICMP, NTP
Addressing and Subnet Formats
- 2.1. Compare and contrast private addresses and public addresses.
- Address classes, NAT concepts
- 2.2. Identify IPv4 addresses and subnet formats.
- Subnet concepts, Subnet Calculator, slash notation, and subnet mask; broadcast domain
- 2.3. Identify IPv6 addresses and prefix formats.
- Types of addresses, prefix concepts
Endpoints and Media Types
- 3.1. Identify cables and connectors commonly used in local area networks.
- Cable types: fiber, copper, twisted pair; Connector types: coax, RJ-45, RJ-11, fiber connector types
- 3.2. Differentiate between Wi-Fi, cellular, and wired network technologies.
- Copper, including sources of interference; fiber; wireless, including 802.11 (unlicensed, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz), cellular (licensed), sources of interference
- 3.3. Describe endpoint devices.
- Internet of Things (IoT) devices, computers, mobile devices, IP Phone, printer, server
- 3.4. Demonstrate how to set up and check network connectivity on Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, and Apple iOS.
- Networking utilities on Windows, Linux, Android, and Apple operating systems; how to run troubleshooting commands; wireless client settings (SSID, authentication, WPA mode)
Infrastructure
- 4.1. Identify the status lights on a Cisco device when given instruction by an engineer.
- Link light color and status (blinking or solid)
- 4.2. Use a network diagram provided by an engineer to attach the appropriate cables.
- Patch cables, switches and routers, small topologies, power, rack layout
- 4.3. Identify the various ports on network devices.
- Console port, serial port, fiber port, Ethernet ports, SFPs, USB port, PoE
- 4.4. Explain basic routing concepts.
- Default gateway, layer 2 vs. layer 3 switches, local network vs. remote network
- 4.5. Explain basic switching concepts.
- MAC address tables, MAC address filtering, VLAN
Diagnosing Problems
- 5.1. Demonstrate effective troubleshooting methodologies and help desk best practices, including ticketing, documentation, and information gathering.
- Policies and procedures, accurate and complete documentation, prioritization
- 5.2. Perform a packet capture with Wireshark and save it to a file.
- Purpose of using a packet analyzer, saving and opening a .pcap file
- 5.3. Run basic diagnostic commands and interpret the results.
- ping, ipconfig/ifconfig/ip, tracert/traceroute, nslookup; recognize how firewalls can influence the result
- 5.4. Differentiate between different ways to access and collect data about network devices.
- Remote access (RDP, SSH, telnet), VPN, terminal emulators, Console, Network Management Systems, cloud-managed network (Meraki), scripts
- 5.5. Run basic show commands on a Cisco network device.
- show run, show cdp neighbors, show ip interface brief, show ip route, show version, show inventory, show switch, show mac address-table, show interface, show interface x, show interface status; privilege levels; command help and auto-complete
Security
- 6.1. Describe how firewalls operate to filter traffic.
- Firewalls (blocked ports and protocols); rules deny or permit access
- 6.2. Describe foundational security concepts.
- Confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA); authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA); Multifactor Authentication (MFA); encryption, certificates, and password complexity; identity stores/databases (Active Directory); threats and vulnerabilities; spam, phishing, malware, and denial of service
- 6.3. Configure basic wireless security on a home router (WPAx).
- WPA, WPA2, WPA3; choosing between Personal and Enterprise; wireless security concepts
CCST Networking Exam Description
CCST Networking To earn your certification, you must pass the exam. This 50-minute exam tests your knowledge