Junior Network Administrator study plan
Junior Network Administrator · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Network Fundamentals and Models & IP Addressing, Subnetting, and Routing Basics
Map the OSI seven layers and TCP/IP model to at least ten concrete protocols and devices, stating which layer each operates at
Convert between binary, decimal, and hexadecimal for 8-bit octets without a calculator until you complete 40 conversions with zero errors
Classify ten given IPv4 addresses as public or private and identify their default class or CIDR block
Explain how encapsulation adds headers at each layer by tracing a single HTTP request from browser to web server
Your checkpoint
A one-page layered reference sheet (hand-drawn or digital) showing OSI and TCP/IP layers with protocols, devices, and encapsulation order, plus a scored 40-question self-quiz on binary/decimal conversion.
IP Addressing, Subnetting, and Routing Basics
Subnet a /24 network into at least four subnets and document network, broadcast, and usable host ranges for each
Apply VLSM to allocate differently sized subnets from a single /22 block for four departments
Calculate the number of usable hosts for prefixes /25 through /30 and explain why /31 and /32 behave differently
Summarize the purpose of a default gateway and how a host decides between local delivery and routing
Your checkpoint
A completed subnetting worksheet: three separate scenarios (equal-size /24 split, VLSM from /22, and host-count sizing) with full address tables and a short written check of each answer.
IP Addressing, Subnetting, and Routing Basics
Distinguish static, default, and dynamic routing and describe when each is appropriate
Read a simple routing table and determine the next hop for five destination addresses using longest-prefix match
Compare distance-vector and link-state behavior in terms of convergence and what information is exchanged
Explain how NAT and PAT interact with routing decisions at the network edge
Your checkpoint
A routing decision exercise: given one routing table and eight destination IPs, list the chosen route and next hop for each with a one-sentence justification, plus a labeled diagram of a two-router topology showing the path a packet takes.
Network Devices, Cabling, and Topologies & Ethernet Switching and VLANs
Select the correct cable type (Cat5e, Cat6, fiber, coax, straight-through vs crossover) for five stated scenarios and justify each choice
Identify the pinout and wiring standard (T568A/T568B) used in straight-through and crossover patch cables
Compare hub, switch, router, and access point behavior in terms of collision and broadcast domains
Describe star, mesh, and hybrid topologies and state one failure characteristic of each
Your checkpoint
A device-and-cabling decision table covering at least eight scenarios (media type, connector, topology, and expected collision/broadcast domain counts) with answers written out and self-checked.
Ethernet Switching and VLANs
Explain how a switch builds its MAC address table and forwards, floods, or filters frames accordingly
Configure and verify VLANs and 802.1Q trunk ports on a simulator or lab switch, including native VLAN behavior
Distinguish access ports from trunk ports and predict the effect of a VLAN mismatch on connectivity
Describe how STP prevents loops and what happens when a redundant link is added
Your checkpoint
A simulated lab with two switches, three VLANs, and one trunk link: capture the VLAN and MAC table output, then write a short summary of how frames move between VLANs and why a router or Layer 3 switch is required.
Wireless Networking Basics & Network Services (DHCP, DNS, NAT, NTP)
Compare 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands on range, channel overlap, and interference, and choose a channel plan for a small office
Explain SSID, BSS, authentication (WPA2/WPA3), and encryption differences at a conceptual level
Trace a DHCP DORA exchange and identify what happens when a client receives an address from the wrong scope
Resolve a hostname step by step through DNS record types (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, PTR) and describe the role of NTP in log correlation
Your checkpoint
A wireless and services diagram: one small-office WLAN layout with channel assignments and security settings, plus a numbered DORA and DNS resolution trace for a single client connecting and reaching a website.
Network Security Fundamentals
Differentiate authentication, authorization, and accounting and place each in a network access scenario
Explain how a firewall rule set and ACL process traffic, including implicit deny and rule order
Describe common attack categories (spoofing, sniffing, DoS, on-path interception) and one mitigation for each
Outline how VPNs and segmentation limit lateral movement inside a network
Your checkpoint
A security control matrix listing at least eight threats against the mitigation, the layer or device where it is applied, and a one-line rationale, plus a written ACL example with three rules and the resulting permit/deny outcome for four sample packets.
Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Documentation & Network Fundamentals and Models & IP Addressing, Subnetting, and Routing Basics
Apply a structured troubleshooting method (identify, hypothesize, test, verify, document) to three written fault scenarios
Interpret basic command output (ping, traceroute, ipconfig/ifconfig, nslookup, show interfaces) to isolate a fault to a layer
Produce documentation for a small network: topology diagram, IP addressing table, and device inventory
Review weak areas from earlier weeks and re-test the two domains with the lowest practice scores
Your checkpoint
A complete troubleshooting and documentation packet: three solved fault scenarios with the commands used and reasoning, plus a labeled topology diagram and IP addressing table for a fictional small office, all self-graded against a checklist.
Milestones
Week 2: Complete the subnetting worksheet with at least 90% accuracy and explain every wrong answer before moving on.
Week 4: Score 80% or better on a mixed 30-question self-quiz covering domains 1 through 4, and correctly answer all routing-table longest-prefix questions.
Week 6: Demonstrate a working two-switch VLAN lab with a functioning trunk and successfully trace a DHCP and DNS exchange end to end.
Week 8: Finish the troubleshooting and documentation packet and score 80% or better on a full-length mixed practice set across all eight domains, with a written list of remaining weak areas.