CCNT Exam Information and Guideline
TIA Convergent Network Technologies
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EXAM CODE: CTP
EXAM NAME: TIA Convergent Network Technologies
DATA NETWORKING DOMAIN
Industry Standards and Protocols Objectives
Identify the layers of the OSI reference model
Identify the functions of each layer of the OSI reference model
Identify the protocols and services of each OSI layer
Explain data encapsulation (including but not limited to: data, segment, packet, frame) in relation to frame assembly
LAN/WAN Infrastructure Objectives
Compare and contrast various LAN topologies (including but not limited to: ring, bus, star)
Compare and contrast various WAN topologies (including but not limited to: full mesh, partial mesh, point-to-point)
Identify the functions of routers, switches and hubs in relation to data networking hardware
Compare and contrast the functions of a modem and CSU/DSU in relation to data networking hardware
Recognize standards, protocols and their characteristics (including but not limited to: 802.2, 802.3, 802.5, PPP, frame relay, ATM, SONET/SDH)
Identify the purpose of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
Distinguish between DTE and DCE
Distinguish among the categories of cabling (including but not limited to: CAT3, CAT5, shielded twisted pair [STP], V.35, thinnet, RG58, fiber optic [single-mode, multi-mode])
Identify cable terminators
Identify the function of VLANs
Identify the function of a MAC address
IP Protocols Objectives
Compare and contrast the format of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses
Identify network classes (A, B, C, D)
Identify network, host and broadcast addresses
Identify private network numbers
Identify the importance of subnet masking
Determine the number of host addresses in a subnet
Determine the network number given a host address and subnet mask
Identify the subnet mask by both the bit count and dotted decimal notation
Distinguish between routed and routing protocols
Distinguish among dynamic, static and default routes
Identify DNS features and functions
Identify DHCP features and functions
Identify NAT features and functions
Compare and contrast connection-oriented and connectionless transport in relation to TCP/UDP
Describe well-known, registered and random/dynamic ports in relation to TCP/UDP
Identify common ports (including but not limited to: Telnet, HTTP, FTP, TFTP, SMTP, POP3, SNMP, DNS) in relation to TCP/UDP
Troubleshooting Objectives
Use ICMP (tracert, ping and error messages) in relation to troubleshooting tools
Recognize other available troubleshooting tools for cabling, hardware, and configuration of devices (software and hardware)
Determine when to use straight-through vs. crossover cable
Identify common configuration errors in IP devices
TELEPHONY NETWORKING DOMAIN
Industry Standards and Protocols Objectives
Recognize standard reference nomenclature (including but not limited to: X.nnn, Q.nnn, I.nnn, E.nnn)
Basic Telephony Concepts Objectives
Identify the call-processing steps (call setup, call connection, call completion)
Compare and contrast analog trunks and station lines
Identify electrical characteristics of ground-start and loop-start analog trunks (not including local voltage specifications)
Identify the various types of E&M trunks (2W/4W audio) in relation to analog trunks
Identify various DSH technologies (including but not limited to: DS0, DS1, DS3, OC3, OC12, OC48, OC192)
Compare and contrast analog ringing (electrical specs) vs. digital alerting (A&B bits) in relation to signaling types
Identify the primary analog transmission impairments involved in a phone call (including but not limited to: loss, echo, noise, cross-talk, delay)
Identify the need for echo cancellation in 2-wire to 4-wire hybrids
Define pulse code modulation in telephony
Compare and contrast A-Law and Mu-Law in relation to digitizing voice
Identify the functions of class 4 (tandem) and class 5 (end-office) switches in relation to PSTN/GSTN
Identify various numbering plans (including but not limited to: global, NANP, private)
Recognize Digital Signal Hierarchy (DSH) terminology (STRATUM)
Distinguish between FXO and FXS interfaces
Infrastructure Objectives
Identify safety procedures (including but not limited to: cabling, power, grounding, ESD, NEBS)
Determine proper cabling procedures in specific environments (PVC vs. plenum)
Identify troubleshooting tools (including but not limited to: 4-pair tester, inductor/buzzer/toner, linesman test set (butt set), volt meter, laptop)
Identify the symptoms of improper clocking configuration
Identify various cable terminations (including but not limited to: USOC/RJ-nn standards, ITU/V.nnn standards)
Signaling Objectives
Compare and contrast the signaling of ground-start and loop-start analog trunks (not including line voltages)
Compare and contrast in-band vs. out-of-band in relation to signaling types
Identify the signaling functions of ISDN (e.g., ISDN BRI, ISDN PRI, ISDN 23 and ISDN 30) and SS7/C7
Compare and contrast E&M, ground start, loop start and OPX in relation to signaling types (A, B, C and D bits)
Compare and contrast analog dialing (DTMF) vs. digital addressing (set-up messages) in relation to signaling types
CONVERGENCE TECHNOLOGIES DOMAIN
Industry Standards and Protocols Objectives
Identify the major industry standards (including but not limited to: 802.x, RFCxxxx, E.nnn, G.nnn, H.nnn, Q.nnn, X.nnn) that apply to the technologies relevant to convergence
Identify the major standards bodies (including but not limited to: IEEE, ITU, IETF, EIA, TIA, ANSI, Bell) that apply to the technologies relevant to convergence
Voice-over Convergence Objectives
Define latency, jitter and wander, and identify their impact on real-time communications
Identify the importance of a jitter buffer
Identify the impact of large data frames on real-time communications
Recognize the need for Quality of Service (QoS) in converged networks
Identify Quality of Service (QoS) technologies (including but not limited to: RSVP, DiffServ, IntServ, 802.1P/Q) for converged networks
Identify common codecs (G.7xx) and their bandwidth requirements in a converged environment
Describe the impact of compressing voice
Compare and contrast the use of T1, E1 and J1 for data and voice
Identify the factors that affect the bandwidth of packetized voice
Identify requirements for transporting modem and fax through a converged solution
Topology Convergence Objectives
Identify the types of signaling protocols for converged networks (including but not limited to: H.245, H.320, H.323, H.450, SIP, MGCP, NCS)
Identify the function of a gatekeeper
Identify differences in call flows between convergent-based and circuit-based calls
Identify the function of gateways
Identify characteristics of circuit-switched and packet-switched technologies