Subject: Networking Essentials

Well I passed this one with an 862.
It seemed harder then I expected.

There has been some confusion about when to take this exam. I want to clear that up. :-)

If you do not have much experience and are taking the NT 4.0 track you should definitely take this test as close to LAST as you can. I got at least 3 or 4 questions that I wouldn't have been able to answer without having taken Server, Workstation and TCP/IP.
I think taking this test first would be a hard way to start off your MCSE trek.

Anyway here is some advice:

I used the MS Press Networking Essentials Book and Transcender.
Check this out for some practice questions. http://www.visualmcp.com/ne/default_ie4.asp
Check out http://www.cramsession.com. It has a great outline for what to study.

Some things it didn't have...

Pro:

Bus is good for a temp. network, uses CSMA/CD access method
Star-uses more cable than a bus
Token Ring provides fault tolerance if you are using a MAU (Multistation Access Unit)

Contra:

Bus - if the cable breaks it will effect many PC’s
Ring - if one PC fails can impact all PC’s, unless you are using a MAU then it will bypass the downed computer
Star - failure of one computer does not effect all PC’s

RG-58 /U and RG-58 A/U are NOT compatible Thicknet is also called 'Standard Ethernet'.

You should have ONE end of the cable grounded with terminators on each side of the segment

Routers handle broadcast management, flow control, and multiple paths

Packet Switching

X.25 Uses assemblers and deassemblers. Does not know data path until it sends.

Frame Relay Uses variable packet lengths. Use a Private Virtual Circuits to "open a path" to the other computer. Frame Relay knows the data path before it send data

T1-1.544 mbps Full duplex voice and data.

Network Monitor -Located in the upper layers of the OSI model.

Protocol Analyzer Allows you to check problems WITHOUT turning PC off.

Advanced Cable tester checks for breaks in the cable, displays info about message frame counts and error frame counts, and monitors network traffic.

Do Well!