About 100-105 Exam
Why the 100-105 ICND1 Still Pulls Weight in 2025
Cisco might’ve moved on to newer cert formats, but 100-105 still holds its ground in the IT learning space. You’d think a retired exam wouldn’t matter anymore, but training labs, practice platforms, and entry-level roles say otherwise. That’s because this exam wasn’t built around marketing fluff it was pure networking meat. It trained folks in the kind of knowledge that never fades.
You’re talking about a test that teaches real routing commands. Real subnetting. Real cable types and switch configs. These are the things a junior tech actually needs on day one. Unlike some other certs that throw you into high-concept topics way too early, 100-105 sticks to the basics and it sticks the landing.
This is why some IT training centers still follow its structure. It just works. You’ve got labs that mirror the old ICND1 flow, instructors that still walk students through legacy-style topologies, and companies that test new hires using this blueprint because it reflects actual job expectations. If you’re looking to build a networking foundation that’s still relevant in 2025, the 100-105 path isn’t out of date. It’s just… not in the spotlight anymore. But it should be.
Who Should Actually Care About 100-105?
This exam format isn’t for senior engineers or those diving into SDN and automation. This is for people trying to break into tech and stay grounded in the fundamentals.
You’re a good fit if:
- You’re still studying and want to get a jump on Cisco material.
- You’re doing tech support and ready to move into networking.
- You’re prepping for CCNA but need a warm-up round.
- You want to understand how routers and switches actually work, not just guess your way through.
The beauty of 100-105 is that it doesn’t expect years of experience or expensive equipment. You could prep for it in your bedroom with a laptop and some simulation software. You don’t need to be a math genius or a hardware nerd. If you’re hungry to learn and willing to get your hands a little dirty, this format will work for you.
And it helps that this material connects directly to real tasks: figuring out why someone can’t reach a website, configuring DHCP on a switch, tracing packets to see where they’re getting blocked. This isn’t theory it’s applied knowledge. That’s what makes it stick.
What You’ll Walk Away With (Besides a Certificate)
You’re not walking away with a certificate that just looks nice on paper. If you studied properly, you’re walking away with solid, practical networking instincts. The kind of instincts that help you spot a misconfigured IP address in seconds or know why that one switch port keeps flaking out.
Let’s break it down.
You’ll come out understanding:
- How devices talk to each other on a network not just in theory, but how it looks when you ping, trace, and config.
- Subnetting the math that powers network design, and one of the most feared topics, but also one of the most useful.
- Cisco CLI which is still the main way to talk to switches and routers. You’ll know the commands that matter.
- Routing logic how packets decide which way to go and what happens when things go sideways.
- Switching basics setting up VLANs, port security, spanning-tree, and knowing how to avoid loops.
- Common network services NAT, DHCP, DNS behavior, ARP tables all the glue that holds network traffic together.
These are not “nice-to-have” skills. They are the backbone of most helpdesk, tech support, and entry-level networking jobs. Your future boss won’t care if you can quote OSI layers in order. They’ll care if you can fix the router, track the issue, and get people back online. 100-105 training pushes you in that direction.
What This Cert Can Do For Your Paycheck
Let’s talk jobs. Because at the end of the day, studying for this kind of exam is an investment. And if you’re playing it right, it should start paying you back fairly quickly.
The kind of roles that respect this training style:
- Network Support Technician managing tickets, configuring access points, updating firmware, and doing basic troubleshooting.
- Junior Network Admin working with switches, monitoring uptime, setting static routes, and reporting network usage.
- Field Tech traveling to client sites, replacing hardware, configuring routers and printers.
- Helpdesk Plus stepping above standard support to deal with deeper connectivity issues.
These jobs usually start around $55K to $60K/year in mid-tier cities, and can go higher with a bit of experience or a few more certs. In places like California or New York, $70K isn’t off the table, especially if you’ve got hands-on skills to match.
Another win: this cert gives you momentum. Once you’ve got the 100-105-level knowledge down, jumping into CCNA feels smoother. Even certifications outside of Cisco, like CompTIA Network+, won’t look so intimidating anymore. You already know half the stuff you’ve done subnetting drills, you’ve practiced static routing, you’ve fixed misconfigured interfaces.
In short, the time you spend on this exam doesn’t trap you. It moves you forward.
Let’s Be Real: How Tough Is It?
If you go in cold with no prep, you’ll probably fail. But if you give it a few weeks of focused study, you’ll be surprised at how fast the pieces come together.
The exam format expects that you:
- Understand how to carve up IP blocks.
- Can identify where a network breaks.
- Know basic Cisco CLI commands from memory.
- Can visualize packet flow across a network.
The trickiest parts are:
- Subnetting you’ll want to practice this on paper until it clicks.
- CLI Syntax typos matter. Knowing the right spacing, order, and command structure is huge.
- Scenario questions these simulate real-life problems. You’ve got to know the theory, but also how to apply it.
Most people find that 4 to 6 weeks is a sweet spot for preparation. If you’ve already got some networking background, you might speed through in less time. But if you’re starting fresh, plan on a month or so with regular practice.
You don’t need to memorize every page of the Cisco manual. You just need to understand what’s happening under the hood and know how to fix it when it breaks.
Quick Glance at the Exam Format
Even if the official test is retired, knowing how the old 100-105 was structured helps you train smarter. Many practice labs and third-party certs still mimic this format because it’s effective.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Number of Questions: 45 to 55
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Question Types:
- Single and multiple-choice
- Drag-and-drop configs
- CLI-based simulations
- Troubleshooting scenarios
- Passing Score: Around 80%
Simulations are the time killers. They can take five minutes each if you’re not quick with the command line. That’s why it’s important to not just study theory but to get hands-on experience. Knowing the commands is one thing. Typing them correctly under time pressure? Whole different skill.
What’s Covered in the Syllabus
Even if you’re not taking the official 100-105 anymore, its syllabus is still gold for anyone learning networking in 2025. Here’s how the topics break down:
Domain |
Weight |
Network Fundamentals |
20% |
LAN Switching Technologies |
26% |
Routing Technologies |
25% |
Infrastructure Services |
15% |
Infrastructure Maintenance |
14% |
Let’s unpack a few:
Network Fundamentals This is where you learn about different device types, cabling standards, IP concepts, and models like OSI and TCP/IP. Dry at first, but foundational.
Switching Tech You’ll cover VLANs, trunking, spanning-tree protocol, and switch security. These are used constantly in business networks.
Routing Tech Static vs dynamic routing, packet delivery, and understanding how routers make decisions. You’ll see RIP and OSPF here too.
Infrastructure Services Includes NAT, DHCP, and DNS configuration basics. If you’ve ever had to deal with internal IP addresses or forwarding issues, this will make sense fast.
Maintenance Focuses on device management, logging, backups, software updates, and basic monitoring. Crucial stuff, especially in smaller networks where you wear multiple hats.
Make sure you don’t skip the boring-looking parts. Often the “small” topics like syslog, CDP, or interface statuses are the exact things that show up on questions.
Best Ways to Prep for This Exam
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But there are three core resources that almost everyone finds useful.
Cisco Press Books
These are the official guides from Cisco. They’re dense, no doubt, but they cover every objective. If you’re someone who likes studying from physical books or needs a reference doc while working through labs, this is a solid investment.
Tip: Don’t try to read it front-to-back like a novel. Use it as a reference while you’re doing practice labs or quizzes. Look things up when you’re stuck.
Video Training
Sometimes it’s just easier to watch someone walk through a topic. YouTube has plenty of free tutorials, but platforms like CBT Nuggets, Pluralsight, or INE go deeper and are better organized.
Watching subnetting get broken down visually can make the difference between confusion and clarity. Same with CLI command walkthroughs. Videos help fill the gaps that books sometimes leave.
Cisco Packet Tracer
This is Cisco’s free network simulation tool. It’s simple, runs on most machines, and doesn’t require real hardware.
You can build virtual topologies, configure routers, test pings, and basically get used to seeing how devices interact. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough for beginner and intermediate training.
Using Packet Tracer daily, even just for 30 minutes, is one of the fastest ways to level up.
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