N10-009 Cheat Sheet

#	Domain	Weight	Questions	Practice
1.0	Networking Concepts	23%	107	Practice →
2.0	Network Implementation	20%	106	Practice →
3.0	Network Operations	19%	105	Practice →
4.0	Network Security	14%	106	Practice →
5.0	Network Troubleshooting	24%	107	Practice →
Total	100%	531

Domain

Weight

Questions

Practice

1.0

Networking Concepts

23%

107

Practice →

2.0

Network Implementation

20%

106

Practice →

3.0

Network Operations

19%

105

Practice →

4.0

Network Security

14%

106

Practice →

5.0

Network Troubleshooting

24%

107

Practice →

Total

100%

531

Domain Quick Reference

1.0Networking Concepts

Subnet IPv4/IPv6, read a routing table, and match OSI layers to devices. Get VLANs and 802.1Q trunking right: verify with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk on Cisco switches.

23%

Key concepts

✓Identify OSI layer for protocols like TCP, UDP, ARP, and ICMP.
✓Calculate subnets and host ranges from CIDR notation such as /26.
✓Differentiate 802.11 standards, frequencies, and wireless security types.
✓Compare routing protocols including OSPF, BGP, and static routes.

Watch out for

⚠Confusing Layer 2 switches with Layer 3 routers when selecting devices for a topology.
⚠Forgetting that IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses and does not support broadcast, only multicast.
⚠Mixing up TCP and UDP port numbers for common services like DNS, DHCP, and SNMP.

2.0Network Implementation

Configure VLANs with `switchport mode trunk`, run OSPF with `network` statements, and set up NAT overload with `ip nat inside source list`. Get subnetting and wildcard masks right, since errors break routing and DHCP relay.

20%

Key concepts

✓Configure VLANs and 802.1Q trunking on switches, including native VLAN and allowed VLAN lists.
✓Implement OSPFv2 areas, neighbor adjacencies, and default route propagation on routers.
✓Set up wireless access points with WPA3, correct channels, and SSID-to-VLAN mapping.
✓Apply NAT/PAT overload and DHCP relay (ip helper-address) for client addressing.

Watch out for

⚠Confusing access and trunk port modes, leading to VLAN mismatches or native VLAN errors on 802.1Q links.
⚠Forgetting that OSPF router IDs must be unique and that passive interfaces suppress hellos but still advertise.
⚠Assuming wireless clients automatically use the fastest standard; channel width and interference affect actual throughput.

3.0Network Operations

You must choose and apply the right operational tool for a scenario: SNMP traps, syslog, NetFlow, RDP/SSH, TFTP config backups, or a documented change-management process. The single most important thing is matching the tool or process to the described task.

19%

Key concepts

✓Interpreting network documentation, physical and logical diagrams, and change-management records
✓Using SNMP, syslog, and monitoring tools to baseline and detect performance issues
✓Applying configuration management, backups, and version control to network device changes
✓Choosing remote-access methods such as SSH, VPN, and jump hosts for secure administration

Watch out for

⚠Confusing syslog with SNMP traps: syslog pushes event logs, while SNMP polling and traps carry MIB-based metrics and alerts
⚠Assuming RPO and RTO mean the same thing; RPO is tolerable data loss, RTO is tolerable downtime
⚠Treating out-of-band management as identical to in-band, ignoring that it survives a failed production network path

4.0Network Security

Configure ACLs, 802.1X, and WPA3 on switches and APs, then place firewalls, IDS/IPS, and VPNs correctly to enforce least privilege. Get segmentation right: VLANs plus ACLs must actually block lateral movement, not just exist.

14%

Key concepts

✓Differentiate WPA2-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3, and 802.1X with RADIUS authentication
✓Place firewalls, IDS/IPS, and honeypots correctly in a network topology
✓Configure ACL rules, VLAN segmentation, and screened subnets for least privilege
✓Identify common attacks and apply mitigations like DHCP snooping, DAI, and port security

Watch out for

⚠Confusing IDS (detects and alerts) with IPS (detects and blocks inline), leading to wrong placement or action in scenarios.
⚠Assuming WPA2-Personal uses a RADIUS server; it uses a pre-shared key, while Enterprise requires 802.1X authentication.
⚠Placing a honeypot inside the trusted network instead of a screened subnet, which increases risk rather than diverting attackers.

5.0Network Troubleshooting

Diagnose faults by layer using ping, traceroute, ipconfig, dig, and packet captures, then apply the seven-step methodology. The key is identifying the correct OSI layer from symptoms before choosing the next command or fix.

24%

Key concepts

✓Applying the seven-step troubleshooting methodology from problem identification through documentation
✓Interpreting ping, traceroute, nslookup/dig, ipconfig/ifconfig, and arp output to isolate faults
✓Selecting tools such as protocol analyzer, cable tester, toner probe, and OTDR for a scenario
✓Diagnosing issues by layer: physical cabling, VLAN/STP, IP addressing, DNS, and firewall/ACL blocks

Watch out for

⚠Jumping to a fix before identifying the problem and establishing a theory of probable cause, skipping methodology steps the question expects
⚠Confusing DNS resolution failures with IP connectivity failures; a successful ping to an IP but failed name lookup points to DNS
⚠Misreading traceroute output: asterisks mean filtered or non-responding hops, not necessarily a break at that hop

Exam Day Reminders

→Read every question stem fully — look for qualifiers like 'MOST likely,' 'BEST,' or 'EXCEPT.'

→Flag uncertain questions and come back — don't waste time on one question.

→Eliminate obviously wrong options first, then choose between remaining ones.

→Trust your first instinct unless you have a specific reason to change.

→For N10-009, scenarios typically have one clearly best answer — look for the option that matches the specific constraints in the question.

#	Domain	Weight	Questions	Practice
1.0	Networking Concepts	23%	107	Practice →
2.0	Network Implementation	20%	106	Practice →
3.0	Network Operations	19%	105	Practice →
4.0	Network Security	14%	106	Practice →
5.0	Network Troubleshooting	24%	107	Practice →
Total	100%	531

Domain

Weight

Questions

Practice

1.0

Networking Concepts

23%

107

Practice →

2.0

Network Implementation

20%

106

Practice →

3.0

Network Operations

19%

105

Practice →

4.0

Network Security

14%

106

Practice →

5.0

Network Troubleshooting

24%

107

Practice →

Total

100%

531

Domain Quick Reference

1.0Networking Concepts

Subnet IPv4/IPv6, read a routing table, and match OSI layers to devices. Get VLANs and 802.1Q trunking right: verify with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk on Cisco switches.

23%

Key concepts

✓Identify OSI layer for protocols like TCP, UDP, ARP, and ICMP.
✓Calculate subnets and host ranges from CIDR notation such as /26.
✓Differentiate 802.11 standards, frequencies, and wireless security types.
✓Compare routing protocols including OSPF, BGP, and static routes.

Watch out for

⚠Confusing Layer 2 switches with Layer 3 routers when selecting devices for a topology.
⚠Forgetting that IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses and does not support broadcast, only multicast.
⚠Mixing up TCP and UDP port numbers for common services like DNS, DHCP, and SNMP.

2.0Network Implementation

20%

Key concepts

✓Configure VLANs and 802.1Q trunking on switches, including native VLAN and allowed VLAN lists.
✓Implement OSPFv2 areas, neighbor adjacencies, and default route propagation on routers.
✓Set up wireless access points with WPA3, correct channels, and SSID-to-VLAN mapping.
✓Apply NAT/PAT overload and DHCP relay (ip helper-address) for client addressing.

Watch out for

⚠Confusing access and trunk port modes, leading to VLAN mismatches or native VLAN errors on 802.1Q links.
⚠Forgetting that OSPF router IDs must be unique and that passive interfaces suppress hellos but still advertise.
⚠Assuming wireless clients automatically use the fastest standard; channel width and interference affect actual throughput.

3.0Network Operations

19%

Key concepts

✓Interpreting network documentation, physical and logical diagrams, and change-management records
✓Using SNMP, syslog, and monitoring tools to baseline and detect performance issues
✓Applying configuration management, backups, and version control to network device changes
✓Choosing remote-access methods such as SSH, VPN, and jump hosts for secure administration

Watch out for

⚠Confusing syslog with SNMP traps: syslog pushes event logs, while SNMP polling and traps carry MIB-based metrics and alerts
⚠Assuming RPO and RTO mean the same thing; RPO is tolerable data loss, RTO is tolerable downtime
⚠Treating out-of-band management as identical to in-band, ignoring that it survives a failed production network path

4.0Network Security

14%

Key concepts

✓Differentiate WPA2-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3, and 802.1X with RADIUS authentication
✓Place firewalls, IDS/IPS, and honeypots correctly in a network topology
✓Configure ACL rules, VLAN segmentation, and screened subnets for least privilege
✓Identify common attacks and apply mitigations like DHCP snooping, DAI, and port security

Watch out for

⚠Confusing IDS (detects and alerts) with IPS (detects and blocks inline), leading to wrong placement or action in scenarios.
⚠Assuming WPA2-Personal uses a RADIUS server; it uses a pre-shared key, while Enterprise requires 802.1X authentication.
⚠Placing a honeypot inside the trusted network instead of a screened subnet, which increases risk rather than diverting attackers.

5.0Network Troubleshooting

24%

Key concepts

✓Applying the seven-step troubleshooting methodology from problem identification through documentation
✓Interpreting ping, traceroute, nslookup/dig, ipconfig/ifconfig, and arp output to isolate faults
✓Selecting tools such as protocol analyzer, cable tester, toner probe, and OTDR for a scenario
✓Diagnosing issues by layer: physical cabling, VLAN/STP, IP addressing, DNS, and firewall/ACL blocks

Watch out for

⚠Jumping to a fix before identifying the problem and establishing a theory of probable cause, skipping methodology steps the question expects
⚠Confusing DNS resolution failures with IP connectivity failures; a successful ping to an IP but failed name lookup points to DNS
⚠Misreading traceroute output: asterisks mean filtered or non-responding hops, not necessarily a break at that hop

Exam Day Reminders

→Read every question stem fully — look for qualifiers like 'MOST likely,' 'BEST,' or 'EXCEPT.'

→Flag uncertain questions and come back — don't waste time on one question.

→Eliminate obviously wrong options first, then choose between remaining ones.

→Trust your first instinct unless you have a specific reason to change.

→For N10-009, scenarios typically have one clearly best answer — look for the option that matches the specific constraints in the question.

N10-009 Exam Blueprint — At a Glance

Domain Quick Reference

1.0Networking Concepts

2.0Network Implementation

3.0Network Operations

4.0Network Security

5.0Network Troubleshooting

Exam Day Reminders

More N10-009 resources

N10-009 Cheat Sheet

N10-009 Exam Blueprint — At a Glance

Domain Quick Reference

1.0Networking Concepts

2.0Network Implementation

3.0Network Operations

4.0Network Security

5.0Network Troubleshooting

Exam Day Reminders

More N10-009 resources