Subject: Networking Essentials exam necessities

I took the test today, 2-24-98 and passed with no problem. However, I did prepare very well. I think that anyone who takes the time to learn the information will breeze through this test. Here are some helpful hints to prepare yourself.

1. Make sure you read each question very carefully. Many of the Transcender tests have very similar questions but the wording is different on the real test. If you can pass all of the Transcender tests, you should have no trouble but PAY ATTENTION.

2. I only had a couple of questions regarding the OSI model. They involved knowing where certain devices (i.e. routers, bridges,etc...) fit in. Make sure you know this.

3. Know that both PPP and SLIP are dial up protocols.

4. Know the specs on X.25, frame relay, ATM, FDDI, and Sonet. (hint--when in doubt guess ATM)

5. Know the differences between repeaters, bridges, routers, brouters, and gateways.

6. Learn the IEEE specs on ethernet (802.3), token bus (802.4), and token ring (802.5).

7. Know the IRQ settings cold. I had four or five questions on them. (gimme's if you know it)

8. Know what a mesh topology is and that a router is the proper device for it.

9. Know all of the cable specs( lengths, attentuation, 543 rule, # of nodes per segment, etc...)

10. Most importantly, spend alot of time here on Braindump and you will absorb most of the things you need to know for this exam.

GOOD LUCK AND TRY TO RELAX!