Accessing the WAN (CCNA 4)

Course Description

CET2620C – Accessing the WAN is the fourth and final course in the Cisco Networking Academy CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) sequence offered at Florida colleges. This combined lecture/laboratory course (the C designator denotes an integrated lab) explores wide-area network (WAN) technologies and services required by converged applications in enterprise networks. Students plan, configure, troubleshoot, and secure WAN connections using industry-standard routers and switches, building on knowledge from earlier CCNA courses (Network Fundamentals, Routing Protocols and Concepts, and LAN Switching and Wireless). The course prepares students for the WAN portion of the Cisco CCNA certification examination and for entry-level network technician roles. Note: at some Florida colleges this course number has been updated to a related title such as “Connecting and Securing Networks” or “Designing and Supporting Computer Networks” reflecting newer Cisco curriculum versions.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of the prior courses in the Cisco Networking Academy / CCNA sequence is required. Typical Florida college prerequisite chain:

• CET1600C – Network Fundamentals (CCNA 1)
• CET2610C – Routing Protocols and Concepts (CCNA 2)
• CET2615C – LAN Switching and Wireless (CCNA 3)

Departmental approval may substitute for one or more prerequisites at some institutions.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes (Common Across Florida Colleges)

• Describe the features, operation, and benefits of various WAN technologies and select the appropriate WAN service to meet enterprise business requirements.
• Configure and verify Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) encapsulation, including PAP and CHAP authentication, on serial interfaces.
• Configure and troubleshoot Frame Relay connections, including subinterfaces, DLCI mapping, and LMI.
• Implement and verify network security features on routers, including AAA, hardening device access, and mitigating common attacks.
• Plan, configure, and verify Access Control Lists (ACLs) – standard, extended, and named – to filter network traffic.
• Configure, verify, and troubleshoot Network Address Translation (NAT) and Port Address Translation (PAT).
• Describe and configure broadband and teleworker connectivity options including DSL, cable, and VPN tunnels.
• Configure, verify, and troubleshoot IP addressing services including DHCP and DNS on Cisco routers.
• Use a structured methodology to troubleshoot enterprise network connectivity issues at all layers of the OSI model.
• Demonstrate professional behavior and effective use of network documentation in a lab environment.

Optional / Institution-Specific Outcomes

• Configure IPv6 addressing and routing across WAN links.
• Implement site-to-site IPsec VPNs and remote-access VPNs.
• Configure Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms for converged voice/video/data networks.
• Use SNMP, NetFlow, and Syslog for network monitoring and management.
• Prepare formal case-study network designs with bandwidth, redundancy, and cost analyses.
• Perform Cisco IOS image management and password recovery procedures.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Introduction to WANs – WAN technologies overview, OSI/TCP-IP models in WAN context, circuit-switched vs. packet-switched networks, WAN devices (CSU/DSU, modems, access servers).
• PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) – HDLC vs. PPP, LCP and NCP, PAP/CHAP authentication, configuration and troubleshooting.
• Frame Relay – Virtual circuits (PVC/SVC), DLCIs, LMI, Inverse ARP, point-to-point and multipoint subinterfaces, split-horizon issues.
• Network Security – Vulnerabilities and threats, securing Cisco routers, password security, SSH, role-based CLI, AutoSecure, and AAA fundamentals.
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) – Standard, extended, named, and complex ACLs; placement; wildcard masks; troubleshooting.
• Teleworker Services – Broadband (DSL, cable, wireless), PPPoE, IPsec VPN concepts and configuration.
• IP Addressing Services – DHCP server/relay configuration, DNS, NAT/PAT static and dynamic configuration, troubleshooting.
• Network Troubleshooting – Documentation, baselining, structured troubleshooting models (top-down, bottom-up, divide-and-conquer), Layer 1–7 issue isolation.

Optional Topics

• MPLS and Metro Ethernet WAN services
• IPv6 over WAN and tunneling techniques
• Advanced VPN technologies (DMVPN, GRE, SSL VPN)
• Quality of Service (QoS) classification and queuing
• SNMP, NetFlow, Syslog, and network management
• Wireless WAN and cellular backup links
• SDN/SD-WAN concepts (in updated curriculum versions)

Resources & Tools

• Cisco Networking Academy NetAcad online curriculum and assessments
• Cisco Packet Tracer – network simulation software for labs and assignments
• Physical lab equipment – Cisco ISR routers (e.g., 1900/2900 series), Catalyst switches, serial cables, and console connections
• Recommended texts: Cisco Press Accessing the WAN, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide and Lab Manual (or current Cisco-equivalent edition)
• Terminal emulation software (PuTTY, Tera Term) and TFTP server utilities

Career Pathways

This course supports careers in the networking and IT infrastructure field. Typical job titles include:

• Network Technician / Network Support Technician
• Network Administrator (entry level)
• Help Desk / Tier 2 Support Specialist
• Telecommunications Technician
• NOC (Network Operations Center) Analyst
• Field Service Engineer

Credits earned typically apply to the Associate in Science in Computer Engineering Technology, Networking Services Technology, or Network Systems Technology degree, and to related College Credit Certificates (e.g., Network Infrastructure, Network Security).

Special Information – Certification Preparation

CET2620C, in conjunction with the three preceding CCNA-sequence courses, is designed to prepare students for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification examination. Specific exam objectives addressed include WAN connectivity, PPP, Frame Relay (legacy), security fundamentals, ACLs, NAT, and troubleshooting. Students completing the course may also be prepared for the CompTIA Network+ certification. Some Florida colleges use this course toward industry-certification articulation credit awarded by the Florida Department of Education for CCNA attainment.