Dell Networking Associate (D-NWG-FN-23) study plan
Dell Networking Associate (D-NWG-FN-23) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Ethernet Switching and Layer 2 Technologies & Networking Fundamentals
Explain the Ethernet frame format, MAC addressing, and the purpose of VLANs, including access vs. trunk ports
Configure VLANs, 802.1Q trunking, and native VLANs on Dell OS10 or OS9 switches in a lab topology
Describe the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP, RSTP, MSTP) operation and compare convergence and load-sharing features
Differentiate link aggregation (LACP) from static LAG and configure a two-member LAG between two switches
Your checkpoint
A working lab with two VLANs, an 802.1Q trunk, and an LACP LAG; capture show vlan, show spanning-tree, and show port-channel summary output in a one-page summary explaining each field.
Ethernet Switching and Layer 2 Technologies & Networking Fundamentals
Compare the forwarding behavior of hubs, switches, and routers and explain broadcast domains and collision domains
Describe the TCP/IP model and the function of ARP, ICMP, DHCP, and DNS in a switched network
Configure and verify storm control, port security, and MAC address tables on Dell switches
Explain the role of LLDP and configure it to discover a neighbor topology
Your checkpoint
A troubleshooting log with three intentionally introduced Layer 2 faults (duplicate MAC, STP loop, wrong native VLAN) and the exact commands used to isolate and fix each.
IP Routing and Layer 3 Technologies & Networking Fundamentals
Explain IPv4 addressing, subnetting, CIDR notation, and private vs. public address ranges
Configure static routes and verify the routing table on a Dell switch acting as a Layer 3 device
Describe OSPFv2 neighbor formation, area types, and cost calculation, and configure a two-router OSPF adjacency
Explain the purpose of VRRP and configure a VRRP group for gateway redundancy
Your checkpoint
A subnetting worksheet with five subnets calculated from a /24, plus lab output showing an OSPF neighbor in FULL state and VRRP mastership after a failover test.
IP Routing and Layer 3 Technologies & Dell Networking Product Portfolio and Positioning
Compare IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, including SLAAC and neighbor discovery basics
Explain BGP fundamentals: eBGP vs. iBGP, AS numbers, and path selection criteria
Map Dell Networking product families (PowerSwitch, PowerConnect legacy, SmartFabric OS10) to typical campus and data center use cases
Position Dell switch models against competitor categories using port density, stacking, and OS10 support as criteria
Your checkpoint
A one-page product-selection matrix that recommends a Dell switch family for three scenarios (small branch, campus aggregation, leaf-spine data center) with justification for each.
Network Virtualization and Data Center Fabrics & Ethernet Switching and Layer 2 Technologies
Describe VXLAN encapsulation and the role of the VTEP and VNI in overlay networking
Explain EVPN route types (Type 2, Type 3, Type 5) and how they support Layer 2 and Layer 3 overlay services
Configure a basic VXLAN-EVPN fabric in a virtual lab or simulator
Explain Dell SmartFabric Services and how it automates fabric underlay and overlay deployment
Your checkpoint
A diagram of a two-leaf, one-spine VXLAN-EVPN topology with VNI assignments and a written walkthrough of how a frame from host A reaches host B across the fabric.
Network Security and Access Control & IP Routing and Layer 3 Technologies
Explain AAA concepts (authentication, authorization, accounting) and configure RADIUS or TACACS+ on a Dell switch
Describe 802.1X port authentication and the roles of the supplicant, authenticator, and authentication server
Configure ACLs (standard and extended) and verify their effect on traffic
Explain DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and IP source guard as Layer 2 security controls
Your checkpoint
A security configuration checklist for a Dell access switch covering AAA, 802.1X, ACLs, and DHCP snooping, with verification commands and expected output for each control.
Network Management, Automation, and Monitoring & Dell Networking Product Portfolio and Positioning
Compare in-band and out-of-band management and configure a management VLAN and SSH access
Explain SNMPv3, syslog, and NTP and configure them to send events to a collector
Describe RESTCONF, NETCONF, and Ansible use cases for Dell switch automation
Use a simple Ansible playbook or REST API call to retrieve switch facts or push a VLAN configuration
Your checkpoint
A working automation snippet (Ansible playbook or Python script using the REST API) that backs up the running configuration of a lab switch to a file, with a short README on how to run it.
Troubleshooting and High Availability & Network Management, Automation, and Monitoring
Describe high-availability designs: stacking, MC-LAG, VRRP, and redundant power and uplinks
Apply a structured troubleshooting method (identify, isolate, verify) to a simulated outage
Interpret common show commands and log messages for interface, routing, and STP failures
Complete a timed 60-question practice exam and review every missed item by domain
Your checkpoint
A troubleshooting runbook with five common failure scenarios, the first three diagnostic commands for each, and the expected healthy output; plus a scored practice exam log with a remediation list for the two weakest domains.
Milestones
Week 2: Can configure a VLAN, trunk, and LAG from memory and explain the purpose of each command without notes.
Week 4: Can subnet a /24 into five subnets and describe OSPF neighbor states and VRRP failover in under 15 minutes.
Week 6: Can explain VXLAN-EVPN frame flow and configure AAA plus 802.1X on a Dell access switch in a lab.
Week 8: Score at least 80% on a timed 60-question practice exam and have a written remediation plan for any domain below 70%.