Welcome to the Improved CCNA Blog
For the last seven years, I’ve kept two blogs about CCNA content: The CCENT blog and CCNA blog. Keeping two blogs has had pros and cons, but I’ve always wondered if one blog would be better. Now’s the time! We’ve revamped the blogs into a single blog:
All CCNA Content Together! We merged the content from both blogs into the new CCNA blog.
New URL: dev-site.certskills.com
Separate Per-Book Book Menus! The new blog menu begins with a multilevel menu for each book (ICND1 and ICND2.)
QA and Hands-on Menus Merged The Hands-on and QA menus now show all types of blog posts from both original blogs.
Resubscription May be Required If you had subscribed before, and don’t see subscription notices, just re-subscribe from any page in the blog.
I hope this new organization works well for you!
Navigation Options
ICND1 Book
ICND2 Book
Post Type
Latest Series: Cert Guide Packet Tracer Labs
One way to practice commands is to re-create the scenarios used in the Official Cert Guides, and Packet Tracer can work well to re-create the lab topology and configuration. This new series shows how as well as providing Packet Tracer files and tips on the more challenging examples from the books.
Recent Posts
CCNA V2.0: Plans for the Cisco Press Official Cert Guides
New CCNA blueprint, with major updates – so we’re creating new editions of the two CCNA Official Cert Guides. They’re due out early 2027. Read here for what we know now here in May, 2026 – and I’ll post an update later in the year with specific dates once we know.
CCNA Version 2.0: Blueprint Deep Dive
Cisco announced CCNA 200-301 Blueprint Version 2.0 on May 20, 2026. If you’re studying for CCNA, of course you want to know: What’s in it? What’s changed? What new topics do I need to learn? WHAT’S ON THE TEST? This is the post to answer those questions. Let’s do it!
Cisco Announces CCNA Version 2.0!
Barely two years ago (not quite 25 months) Cisco announced CCNA 200-301 V1.1. Today, they announced CCNA 200-301 V2.0, describing it as a major update to the blueprint – which it is. But do not panic! You have time and options, as with every such exam transition. Read on for the details.
Config Lab: IPv6 SLAAC and Stateless DHCPv6
I created two Config Labs that use different methods for clients to lease or learn their IPv6 addresses. The first used stateful DHCPv6, while in this Config Lab, you choose, configure, and verify settings to support SLAAC and stateless DHCPv6 clients. These two methods require different configuration on the router connected to the client subnet. […]
Config Lab: Stateful DHCPv6
IPv6 supports several methods for clients to build their IPv6 addresses and learn other related settings, such as stateful DHCPv6, SLAAC with stateless DHCPv6, and SLAAC with RDNSS. These methods require different kinds of configuration on the router connected to the client subnet. In this Config Lab, you choose, configure, and verify the settings to […]
Config Lab: Big OSPF Lab 1
As with all the Config Labs with “BIG” in the title, this lab is different than most. This BIG lab collects many of the configuration topics in Volume 1, Part 6 of the CCNA Official Cert Guide, and lets you configure them. For this lab, you have a great opportunity to review VLAN, VLAN trunking, […]