• Network Fundamentals
• Routing Protocols and Concepts
• LAN Switching and Wireless
• Accessing the WAN

Network Fundamentals is the first course an it has no prerequisites. It is a prerequisite for the other three courses. Routing Protocols and Concepts is the second course in the sequence.

The curriculum explains the role and nature of the main application protocols and their relation to protocols and services provided to them by the lower layers of the network. All courses are technology focused, and students thoroughly learn each technology (routing, switching and WANs) within a single course.

Following a top-down approach, the first course introduces applications and application services early in the curriculum to provide a foundation. Advanced techniques (voice, video, wireless, and security) are also introduced.

Routing and switching topics and concepts are grouped to allow for a higher level of flexibility in the course delivery. All routing topics are covered in the Routing Protocols and Concepts course and all switching topics are covered in the LAN Switching and Wireless course. The last course, Accessing the WAN, thoroughly covers all WAN technologies.

All courses include advanced and challenging labs and activities that allow students to visualise and gain hands-on experience with the application protocols and services introduced in the course.

There are two possible models of attendance individually tailored for Local and Remote students. Either mode of attendance on this training course will prepare you for Cisco Certificated Networking Associate (CCNA) vendor certification. CCNA is one of the most highly sought after IT certifications by the networking industry and will certainly enhance any CV.

Local Students

Evening class – two evenings or one day per week for one year.

Local students attend college for hands-on practical lab exercises, tutor support and assessment. In addition they are provided with the same remote access technologies and online curriculum as remote students allowing them to work more flexibly to accelerate their study and gain additional hands-on experience.

Remote Students

Web-based BDL, part-time, evenings and weekends

The Web supported course is delivered by the Cisco Networking Academy at Adam Smith College. Each of the four courses consists of ten weeks web-based curriculum study and associated online assessments. Practical hands-on lab exercises on real Cisco networking equipment are performed via Adam Smith College's remote Lab access technology, NetLab. Weekly tutor support is provided via web conference seminars and consultations using Adobe® Acrobat® Connect. Final assessment takes place in Kirkcaldy.

Successful completion of each course will ensure that you are well prepared for the corresponding Cisco Certification exam.

The course assumes no prior networking knowledge and is suitable for career change or candidates starting out in a networking career. Candidates are expected to have basic PC skills and a keen interest in ICT.

The course is also popular with ICT and Networking professionals wishing to prepare for the CCNA certification exam.

• CCNA Security
• CCNP

The curriculum also helps students develop networking skills and knowledge that extend beyond the minimum requirements for the CCNA certification. Exploration emphasises practical experience to help prepare students for entry-level networking and IT careers such as the following:

• Network Administrator
• Network Engineer
• Network Installer
• Network Technician
• Helpdesk Technician

Students will be prepared to pursue IT and networking careers in a variety of industries such as healthcare, financial services, fashion, entertainment, and more. Today nearly every company in every industry relies on IT, so the skills learned in CCNA Exploration can provide a powerful foundation for a career in almost any field a students may choose to pursue.