CCNASemester1-SkillsBasedFinalExam-StudentTraining
Guidelines -ExamOverviewandAdministration
This exam is for use with regular CCNA classes taught by local academies to high school and college
students. The skills-based exam consists of three parts; 1) Cable Build and Test, 2) Network
Concepts and 3) Network Connection. All three should be completed (total possible of 100 points)
and the total score combined with the Semester1 online assessment exam to establish a course grade.
Scores from chapter exams and completion of labs as well as points for participation and attendance
may also count toward the final grade.
The guidelines presented here are recommendations and instructors have flexibility in assigning point
values and administering the exam. Students should be made aware of what they will be tested on
early in the course in order to study and prepare adequately for the exam. The exam may be
administered by dividing the class into three groups with each group starting on a different part of the
exam and then rotating as they complete each portion.
Exam Part 1 – Cable Build / Test – (Practical hands-on, Est. time 25 min., 20 Points)
Objective: Build a straight–wired Ethernet cable for connection of a PC to a hub or switch and test it
with a basic cable tester for correct pinouts and continuity. The cable should be CAT 5 and wired to
the T568A or B standards. Length will vary depending on physical conditions. This cable may be
used to connect the PC to the hub or switch used in Part 3 of this exam.
Preparation / Tools: Length of CAT 5 cable, (2) RJ45 connectors, Wire cutter/Stripper tool,
Crimping tool, Basic cable tester or Fluke LAN Cable meter 620.
Exam Part 2 - Network Concepts – (Oral or Written, Est. time 25 min., 30 Points)
Objective: Answer 3 networking concepts questions from a pool of approved questions. Any student
may have to answer any question and will know the questions ahead of time. Responses may be
given verbally to the instructor / proctor or written depending on instructor andstudent preferences.
Preparation / Tools: List of questions and rubric for assessment. These are found in the instructor’s
version of the Semester1 curriculum in the Preface, Chapter 0 under First Semester Finals. Rubrics
are also provided to help assess the accuracy and completeness of student’s answers.
Exam Part 3 - Network Connection – (Practical hands-on, Est. time 25 min., 40 Points)
Objective: Connect a PC to a LAN and configure the IP network settings for attachment to an
Ethernet hub or switch that is attached to a router. Determine the subnet mask and host range given
the number of bits borrowed and the subnet number used. Demonstrate connectivity by pinging the
router and opening a web page on it. When the PC is successfully connected to the LAN, problems
will be introduced into the PC and/or network to demonstrate troubleshooting skills. Document the
problems encountered during troubleshooting and the steps taken to correct them.
Preparation / Tools: PC (Mac, Win 9x, NT or 2000) with access to a browser and Control Panel /
Network settings. Straight wired patch cable, hub or switch with router connected. 2514 Router
with IOS 12.0 attached to hub or switch and configured as indicated in the following instructor notes.
A list of potential problems and causes which can be found in the instructor’s version of the Semester
1 curriculum in the Preface, Chapter 0 under First Semester Finals.
Semester 1SkillsBasedFinal – Part 1 Cable Build / Test
Name: _____________Date: _________
(Total possible Points: 20)
Objective:
Build an Ethernet 10BaseT straight thru cable to connect from a workstation to a hub or switch. Use
UTP cable and wire all eight conductors using the correct wire colors and pins for either a T568A or
T568B. Test the cable with a cable tester to verify continuity, correct pinouts and cable length. This
cable can be used to connect your workstation to the hub or switch for exam part 3.
Directions:
Obtain a piece of CAT 5 cable (depending on use) and two RJ45 connectors. Use a crimping tool to
attach the RJ 45 connectors to the cable. Use a cable tester to test the cable to verify that is
functional. Indicate which cabling pinout standard (T568A or T568B) you will use ___________
1) Are the correct wires in the correct position on pins 1 thru 8? Initial _______ (10 pts)
(Refer to the semester1 labs for colors and correct pinout)
2) Does cable test OK with cable tester? Initial _______ (10 pts)
(Lights should come on or LCD readout should show continuity)
Points Scored: _______
Semester 1SkillsBasedFinal – Part 2 Network Concepts
(Total possible Points: 30)
Objective:
Answer the 3 questions on networking concepts as assigned by the instructor from the pool of
questions. Sample questions are found in the instructor’s version of the Semester1 curriculum in the
Preface, Chapter 0 under First Semester Finals. Rubrics are also provided to help assess the student’s
answers. Students will write the questions as assigned in the space provided below. Instructor may
have students answer orally or write answers on the back of this sheet.
Questions 1 (10 pts):
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Question 2: (10 pts)
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Question 3: (10 pts)
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Points Scored: ____________
Semester 1SkillsBasedFinal – Part 3 Network Connection
Workstation #: _______
(Total possible Points: 50)
Objective:
Connect a workstation to LAN. Configure the network settings and troubleshoot as necessary. Use a
web browser to connect to router interface 152.20.71.237 and display the web interface. After the PC
is successfully connected to the network, the student should leave and the instructor will introduce
problems into the PC or network which must be resolved and documented in the space provided.
Include the following: symptoms, causes, details of tests done, detailed problem results (from layer 1
testing), detailed solutions.
Instructor notes: A list of potential problems and causes can be found in the instructor’s version of
the Semester1 curriculum in the Preface, Chapter 0 under First Semester Finals.
Each student should be assigned a workstation number that will become the useable subnet # with
which they perform this assessment. Make sure each student has an appropriate assigned subnet
number before starting. Router configuration allows all workstations to maintain connectivity so
that you may test a class of up to 30 students simultaneously depending on your classroom
environment. Refer to the router configuration at the end of the instructor guidelines to set up the
router. Students must have the ability to alter the IP network settings on their workstations.
Students will be using a class C network 193.5.5.0 which is divided into subnets by borrowing 5 bits
from the network portion of the address. The subnet number assigned is the same usable subnet (1
st
,
2
nd
3
rd
etc.) as their workstation number. The proctor must initial each step. The following example
uses workstation / subnet 2. The default gateway for your host is 193.5.5.1.
Workstation / Subnet number assigned: 2 IP address of your workstation: 193.5.5.17
1. What is the subnet mask? 255.255.255.248 Initial ________ (5 pts)
2. Subnet host IP address range? 193.5.5.17 thru 193.5.5.22 Initial ________ (5 pts)
3. Network address of your subnet? 193.5.5.16 Initial ________ (5 pts)
4. Broadcast address of your subnet? 193.5.5.23 Initial ________ (5 pts)
5. Ping the router default gateway Initial ________ (10 pts)
6. Open the web page at 152.20.71.237 with your browser. Initial ________ (10 pts)
7. Identify and resolve troubleshooting problems listed below Initial ________ (10 pts)
Total points _______
Troubleshooting Activity Record (use back if necessary)
Symptom / Cause Tests / Results Detailed Solutions
WS1
WS2
WS3
…
Semester 1SkillsBasedFinal – Part 3 Network Connection
Subnet Instructor Notes:
Table of subnets for Class C network with 5-bit subnet mask for total 32 subnets or 30 useable
subnets with 6 hosts per subnet. First useable subnet is 193.5.5.8. Do not use the Zero subnet.
Subnet /
Wkstn No.
Subnet
Network Address
Subnet
Broadcast Address
Valid Host IP Address Range
1 193.5.5.8 193.5.5.15 193.5.5.9 - 193.5.5.14
2 193.5.5.16 193.5.5.23 193.5.5.17 - 193.5.5.22
3 193.5.5.24 193.5.5.31 193.5.5.25 - 193.5.5.30
4 193.5.5.32 193.5.5.39 193.5.5.33 - 193.5.5.38
5 193.5.5.40 193.5.5.47 193.5.5.41 - 193.5.5.46
6 193.5.5.48 193.5.5.55 193.5.5.49 - 193.5.5.54
7 193.5.5.56 193.5.5.63 193.5.5.57 - 193.5.5.62
8 193.5.5.64 193.5.5.71 193.5.5.65 - 193.5.5.70
9 193.5.5.72 193.5.5.79 193.5.5.73 - 193.5.5.78
10 193.5.5.80 193.5.5.87 193.5.5.81 - 193.5.5.86
11 193.5.5.88 193.5.5.95 193.5.5.89 - 193.5.5.94
12 193.5.5.96 193.5.5.103 193.5.5.97 - 193.5.5.102
13 193.5.5.104 193.5.5.111 193.5.5.105 - 193.5.5.110
14 193.5.5.112 193.5.5.119 193.5.5.113 - 193.5.5.118
15 193.5.5.120 193.5.5.127 193.5.5.121 - 193.5.5.126
16 193.5.5.128 193.5.5.135 193.5.5.129 - 193.5.5.134
17 193.5.5.136 193.5.5.143 193.5.5.137 - 193.5.5.142
18 193.5.5.144 193.5.5.151 193.5.5.145 - 193.5.5.150
19 193.5.5.152 193.5.5.159 193.5.5.153 - 193.5.5.158
20 193.5.5.160 193.5.5.167 193.5.5.161 - 193.5.5.166
21 193.5.5.168 193.5.5.175 193.5.5.169 - 193.5.5.174
22 193.5.5.176 193.5.5.183 193.5.5.177 - 193.5.5.182
23 193.5.5.184 193.5.5.191 193.5.5.185 - 193.5.5.190
24 193.5.5.192 193.5.5.199 193.5.5.193 - 193.5.5.198
25 193.5.5.200 193.5.5.207 193.5.5.201 - 193.5.5.206
26 193.5.5.208 193.5.5.215 193.5.5.209 - 193.5.5.214
27 193.5.5.216 193.5.5.223 193.5.5.217 - 193.5.5.222
28 193.5.5.224 193.5.5.231 193.5.5.225 - 193.5.5.230
29 193.5.5.232 193.5.5.239 193.5.5.233 - 193.5.5.238
30 193.5.5.240 193.5.5.247 193.5.5.241 - 193.5.5.246
Semester 1SkillsBasedFinal – Part 3 Network Connection
Router Configuration Instructor Notes
Use the following configuration to set up the router for the skills test. Use a 2514 router with 2
Ethernet interfaces. ! Both interfaces e1 and e0 need to be connected to the hub. Router password is:
skills1. Router IOS should be at least version 11.2 but preferably version 12.
Students will be prompted for a password when accessing the router through the browser. This
indicates successful completion of the connectivity portion of the Sem 1skillsbased assessment.
You may disable the password on the router if you wish for your students to see the web based
interface. (WARNING: this allows the students access to the router configuration) Therefore, you
may wish to wait until after testing is complete to disable the password and show the web-based
interface as a demo instead.
The following router configuration may be 1) keyed in manually at the router console, 2) entered via
the SETUP utility or 3) uploaded using the HyperTerminal Transfer / Send Text File option. Prior to
configuring the router, erase the existing startup configuration file.
Router> enable (Enter current enable password)
Router# erase start (Erases startup configuration file)
Router# reload (Don’t save the existing configuration and let the router reload
Refer to semester 2 labs for the procedures for loading the configuration file from a tftp server or
from HyperTerminal. After the router reboots, you may use the default setup mode or enter config
mode with the following command. Router# config t
Router configuration commands for Semester1 Skill-based exam
Router IOS Command Purpose / Function
ip http server Enables the web server function
Enable secret skills1 Sets secret password to skills1
router rip Enables RIP routing protocol service
network 152.20.0.0 Enables RIP advertisements to be broadcast and received
for network 152.20.0.0 (on interface E1)
network 193.5.5.0 Enables RIP advertisements to be broadcast and received
for network 193.5.5.0 (on interface E0)
int e0 Selects interface E0 for configuration
ip address 193.5.5.1 255.255.255.0 Sets IP address and subnet mask for E0
no shutdown Brings up interfaces E0
int e1 Selects interface E1 for configuration
ip address 152.20.71.237 255.255.0.0 Sets IP address and subnet mask for E1
no shutdown Brings up interfaces E1
Copy the new running configuration to the startup NVRAM with the following command.
Router# copy run start
. 19 3.5.5 .11 1 19 3.5.5 .10 5 - 19 3.5.5 .11 0
14 19 3.5.5 .11 2 19 3.5.5 .11 9 19 3.5.5 .11 3 - 19 3.5.5 .11 8
15 19 3.5.5 .12 0 19 3.5.5 .12 7 19 3.5.5 .12 1 - 19 3.5.5 .12 6
16 19 3.5.5 .12 8. 19 3.5.5 .13 5 19 3.5.5 .12 9 - 19 3.5.5 .13 4
17 19 3.5.5 .13 6 19 3.5.5 .14 3 19 3.5.5 .13 7 - 19 3.5.5 .14 2
18 19 3.5.5 .14 4 19 3.5.5 .15 1 19 3.5.5 .14 5 - 19 3.5.5 .15 0
19 19 3.5.5 .15 2