Ever wanted to be a real web geek?
Well, you can get one step closer by following these steps and browse a website using a Telnet session via the Windows(R) DOS terminal.
Believe it or not you can actually use this method to diagnose HTTP issues, and it also provides an insite into how the HyperText Tranfer Protocol (HTTP) works.

HTTP Request using Telnet

1. Open a DOS prompt by clicking Start > Run and typing CMD and hitting Enter.
2. Clear your screen of commands by typing CLS and pressing Enter.
3. Start a Telnet session by typing telnet and pressing Enter.
4. Configure the Telnet session to echo typed characters to the screen by typing set localecho.
5. Instruct Telnet how you want to handle the Enter key by typing set crlf.
6. Open up a connection to the site you want over HTTP port 80, by typing o nikmakris.com 80.
7. Press Enter several times until the cursor lands on an empty line and then request a page from the site.
8. Type the following carefully without making errors:

GET / HTTP/1.1
Host: nikmakris.com

1. Then press Enter twice and you should receive the HTML response for the page you just requested from the web server, delivered to you by HTTP!

Here's what you should have typed, and the response from the DOS terminal and Telnet session. I've ommited the verbose HTML response from the web server.

Welcome to Microsoft Telnet Client

Escape Character is 'CTRL+]'

Microsoft Telnet> set localecho
Local echo on
Microsoft Telnet> set crlf
New line mode - Causes return key to send CR & LF
Microsoft Telnet> o nikmakris.com 80
Connecting To nikmakris.com...
GET / HTTP/1.1
Host: nikmakris.com

It's been a while since I completed my CCNA course, but I've been thinking about the course recently, partly because I'm having a clear-up and I've decided to sell the Cisco 2501 router I bought to practice IOS commands on. I've also given my website a bit of a redesign and I got looking over my CCNA notes again.

I attended evening class at my local college for several years, one night a week to learn about networking through Cisco's online e-learning site. The course was thorough and included hands-on router lab experience, fault-finding etc. Subsequently when I took the exam I got a high score.

What baffles me is the fact that you get adverts on Google for 2 week intensive courses in India. How can anyone possibly learn the whole course material in 2 weeks?? Perhaps if you are already an IT professional and just wanted the certification, but a networking newbie? Beats me!

The time has come when I should begin to consider my options for renewing or 'recertifying' my Cisco CCNA qualification.

Looking on the cisco.com it quotes...

"CCNA certifications are valid for three years. To recertify, either pass the current CCNA exam, or pass the ICND exam, or pass any 642 professional level or Cisco Qualified Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams), or pass a CCIE written exam on or after October 1, 2004."

The standard CCNA - CCNP - CCIE career path doesn't really appeal to me. I have the CCNA and I would like to renew it, but I would also like to gain an extra qualification if possible, rather than just re-taking the same exam again.

Since I passed my CCNA I've really got into WLANs and was surprised to discover that Cisco do a Wireless LAN Support Specialist exam. Being a Specialist exam according to the quote from cisco.com passing it will also recertify my CCNA. This seems like the best option for me, since I'll be learning new skills as well as having an extra certification for my CV.

Cisco Wireless LAN Support Specialist

The CCNA, Cisco Certified Network Associate, is a networking exam designed to provide an introduction to networking skills and Cisco products. It is the first of three major Cisco exams the others being CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) and CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert).

The exam covers a great deal of topics, and will introduce you to Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), switching and routing. You will learn how to configure and troubleshoot Cisco routers, as well as basic configuration of Cisco switches, and of course, you will learn how to set up your own LAN and WANs.

My Cisco CCNA revision notes

Cisco CCNA Test Questions

The CCNA 640-607 exam lasts for 90 minutes and contains between 55-65 questions, which vary in difficulty. No two people sitting the exam will get the same questions as they are chosen from a pool of CCNA test questions, which are only used for a short period of time.

The exam has a several different types of questions, the site below is an excellent resource for testing your knowledge. CCNA test questions include multiple choice, multiple choice with multiple answer, drag and drop and fill in the blanks questions. Along with these you will get various router simulations, in which you will need to configure a network of routers or determine a fault in a network of routers and fix the problem. These are aimed at testing your knowledge of networking and Cisco IOS, however I advise you to read the test questions thoroughly and make sure you understand what is being asked of you, otherwise you WILL get caught out. For example, some test questions you will have to 'choose all that apply', if you miss read this and only check one box, you will not get any marks for that question.

Before the CCNA exam starts you will have to read and accept the terms of the Cisco Career Certifications and Confidentiality Agreement. Otherwise you will not be able to continue.

The exams are set in a controlled environment where you are not allowed notes or calculators and you must not talk to anyone else. You will be provided with blank paper for making notes, which will be collected at the end of the exam.

The time will fly past, and before you know it you will be running out of time unless you practise taking tests with test software, before you consider buying test software I advise you to look for free resources on the web, follow the link at the bottom of the page, and don't spend too long on each answer. Each type of question is allocated a different amount of marks. The router simulation questions are worth the most, so spend more time on those.

Currently the CCNA is under going a change and will be broken up into two separate exams.

I recommend the Sybex book below for your revision. It's explanations and examples helped me pass my CCNA with a score of 912. It also comes with CD test software which will help you practise answering questions to a set time, as well as getting you used to the terminology of the questions.

This material is not sponsored, endorsed or affiliated with Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco, Cisco Systems, CCIP, the CCIP Logo, the CCNA Logo, the CCNP Logo, the CCDA Logo and the CCDP Logo are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and its affiliates. CCNA®, CCNP®, CCDA® and CCDP® are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and its affiliates.

Free Networking Quiz to help you prepare for the CCNA test questions