Introduction to Networks Companion Guide

Introduction to Networks Companion Guide is the official supplemental textbook for the Introduction to Networks course in the Cisco® Networking Academy® CCNA® Routing and Switching curriculum.

The course introduces the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and computer networks. The principles of IP addressing and fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, media, and operations are introduced to provide a foundation for the curriculum. By the end of the course, you will be able to build simple LANs, perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement IP addressing schemes.

The Companion Guide is designed as a portable desk reference to use anytime, anywhere to reinforce the material from the course and organize your time.

The book’s features help you focus on important concepts to succeed in this course:

• Chapter Objectives–Review core concepts by answering the focus questions listed at the beginning of each chapter.
• Key Terms–Refer to the lists of networking vocabulary introduced and highlighted in context in each chapter.
• Glossary–Consult the comprehensive Glossary with more than 195 terms.
• Summary of Activities and Labs–Maximize your study time with this complete list of all associated practice exercises at the end of each chapter.
• Check Your Understanding–Evaluate your readiness with the end-of-chapter questions that match the style of questions you see in the online course quizzes. The answer key explains each answer.

Related Title:

Introduction to Networks Lab Manual

ISBN-10: 1-58713-312-1

ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-312-1

• How To–Look for this icon to study the steps you need to learn to perform certain tasks.
• Interactive Activities–Reinforce your understanding of topics with more than 50 different exercises from the online course identified throughout the book with this icon.
• Videos–Watch the videos embedded within the online course.
• Packet Tracer Activities–Explore and visualize networking concepts using Packet Tracer exercises interspersed throughout the chapters.
• Hands-on Labs–Work through all 66 course labs and Class Activities that are included in the course and published in the separate Lab Manual.

This book is part of the Cisco Networking Academy Series from Cisco Press®. Books in this series support and complement the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum.

Mark A. Dye

Mark is the lead network engineer for Kwajalein Range Services at Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. He is responsible for the network team that provides design, deployment, and operation of all the missile test range data networks across ten islands as well as three continental U.S. locations.

He has previously worked as subject matter expert and content team lead for the Cisco Academy Program as well as an author for multiple Cisco Network Academy Fundamentals online courses. He worked to develop and review courseware and assessments for both the Academy and certification programs.

For more than 20 years, Mark served as technology manager for The Bevill Center for Advanced Manufacturing Technology of Alabama Technology Network. He developed and implemented comprehensive network strategies for intranet and Internet, including policies, administrative procedures, network security, and interconnectivity. He also implemented and taught Cisco Networking Academy Fundamentals of Wireless LANs, Fundamentals of Network Security, and CCNA and CCNP courses at The Bevill Center for instructors and students.

Allan D. Reid

Allan is a professor and program supervisor at Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he teaches courses in networking, network security, virtualization, and cloud computing. He is the lead for the Centennial College ASC/ITC and has been teaching the academy curriculum since one of the earliest versions.

Allan has authored multiple books and online courses for the Cisco Academy program, where he is a subject matter expert and content team lead. He works as part of the core team to develop state-of-the-art assessments and courseware.

Outside of his academic responsibilities, Allan has been active in the computer and networking fields for more than 30 years and is currently a principal in a company involved in the design, installation, and management of network solutions for small to medium-sized companies.