500-420

The Cisco 500-420 ENCOR (Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies) exam focuses on the core technologies needed to design, implement, and troubleshoot enterprise networks. The main points revolve around these key areas:

1. Network Fundamentals: This is foundational, covering concepts like:

• IP addressing and subnetting: You need a strong understanding of IPv4 and IPv6 addressing schemes, including subnetting, VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Masking), and supernetting.
• Routing protocols: This is a major component. Expect questions on:
  • RIP (Routing Information Protocol): Basic understanding of its operation and limitations.
  • EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol): A deeper understanding is required, including its features like unequal cost load balancing, fast convergence, and metrics.
  • OSPF (Open Shortest Path First): A thorough understanding is crucial, including areas like areas, LSA types, and OSPF concepts like adjacency and SPF calculations.
• Switching technologies: You should understand:
  • VLANs (Virtual LANs): Their purpose, creation, and management.
  • Trunking (802.1Q): How VLANs are transported across switches.
  • STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) and RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol): Understanding how loops are prevented in switched networks.
  • Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP): Understanding how loops are prevented in switched networks.
  • Port Security: Methods to control unauthorized access to switch ports.

2. Network Security: Essential security concepts include:

• Access Control Lists (ACLs): Understanding how to configure and apply ACLs to control network traffic.
• Firewall Concepts: Basic understanding of how firewalls work and their role in network security. (Note: Deep dive into specific firewall configurations isn't typically as heavily weighted as routing and switching).
• Security Best Practices: General network security principles.

3. WAN Technologies: Knowledge of Wide Area Network technologies is necessary:

• WAN technologies: Familiarity with technologies like Frame Relay, MPLS, and DMVPN (though in-depth configuration might not be a major focus).
• WAN connections: Understanding different types of WAN connections and their characteristics.

4. Network Management and Troubleshooting:

• Basic troubleshooting techniques: You will need to know how to use various tools and commands to diagnose and resolve network issues.
• Network monitoring tools: Understanding how to use basic monitoring tools is helpful.

5. Automation and Programmability (less emphasized than core concepts above):

• While not a primary focus, some questions might touch upon the benefits and uses of network automation and programmability. This section is typically less heavily weighted than the networking fundamentals.

In summary: The 500-420 exam tests your foundational knowledge of enterprise networking. While some areas might require a deeper understanding than others, a strong grasp of routing protocols (especially EIGRP and OSPF), switching technologies including VLANs and STP, and IP addressing is absolutely essential for success. Focus your studies on these core areas and then branch out to the slightly less emphasized topics. Remember to practice with hands-on labs and simulations to solidify your understanding.