100-150 · ● Active · Entry · Cisco
Entry-level Cisco certification for network support technicians and NOC operators. Validates foundational network configuration, troubleshooting, and operations skills. Launched 2023; current as of May 2026. Gateway credential to CCNA 200-301.
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | $125 USD (most regions); may vary by country |
| Duration | 50 minutes |
| Questions | 75 total questions (multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, performance-based scenarios) |
| Passing score | 70% (~52–53 of 75 questions) |
| Format | Multiple-choice · Drag-and-drop · Performance-based labs |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (online proctored via OnVUE or testing center in-person) |
| Languages | English (US/International); regional translations available |
| Valid for | 3 years from pass date (5 years if taken July 15, 2025 or later) |
| Renewal | Pass CCNA (200-301) or higher Cisco cert; or retake CCST Networking before expiry |
| Prerequisites | None formal; CompTIA A+ or Network+ strongly recommended |
| Released | December 2023 |
| Retiring | No planned retirement as of May 2026 |
| Last updated | April 13, 2026 |
Vendor source — Cisco CCST Networking 100-150 ↗
Official exam guide — Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking Exam Guide (Cisco Press) ↗
Exam objectives — CCST Networking Exam Topics ↗
About
Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking (CCST Networking, exam code 100-150) is Cisco's entry-level networking certification, launched in December 2023. It validates foundational skills required for help desk technicians, network support specialists, junior network operations center (NOC) analysts, and junior network engineers working in production networks.
Market positioning: CCST Networking sits deliberately between CompTIA Network+ (vendor-neutral, broader IT context) and Cisco CCNA 200-301 (advanced, requires deeper lab experience). Unlike CCNA, which typically requires 200–300 hours of study, CCST demands 150–200 hours, making it accessible to career starters with minimal networking background. The certification directly maps to real job roles: most NOC Tier 1 technician and junior network support roles list CCST or equivalent as preferred.
Practical focus: The exam emphasizes real-world troubleshooting, command-line interface (CLI) operations, physical-layer diagnostics, and hands-on configuration of Cisco switches and routers. Performance-based lab questions simulate actual technician tasks: connecting a cable correctly, interpreting show command output, identifying a VLAN misconfiguration, or troubleshooting ping failures. This is not theoretical; CCST tests what you'll do on day one as a network support tech.
Career trajectory: CCST Networking is explicitly designed as the on-ramp to Cisco's professional track. After CCST + 3–6 months production experience, candidates pursue CCNA 200-301, then CCNP Enterprise within 1–3 years. Cisco actively markets CCST as a feeder program to CCNA, with Networking Academy integration and direct pathways in job postings.
Domain context — Networking · Entry
Foundational networking skills for help desk and junior support roles. CCST Networking sits at the intersection of CompTIA Network+ (vendor-neutral) and Cisco CCNA (vendor-specific), providing a cost-effective, Cisco-focused entry point.
Read full deep dive — Networking Domain →
Read full deep dive — Cisco Ecosystem →
Topics covered
The CCST Networking 100-150 exam blueprint covers practical network support skills organized around six functional domains:
- Standards and Concepts (15–20%) — OSI model (all 7 layers), TCP/IP stack, encapsulation, protocols (TCP, UDP, ICMP), port numbers, MAC vs. IP addressing, unicast/multicast/broadcast
- Addressing and Subnet Formats (15–20%) — IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, CIDR notation, subnetting fundamentals, address classes (legacy), DHCP operation and troubleshooting, NAT basics, private vs. public addressing
- Endpoints and Media Types (15–20%) — Ethernet standards (802.3), cabling types (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A, single-mode fiber, multimode fiber), connector types (RJ45, fiber optics), wireless fundamentals (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), media testing, cable termination
- Infrastructure Components (20–25%) — Cisco device types (switches, routers, firewalls), interface types and status, VLAN creation and trunking, Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP/RSTP) concepts, static routing, basic dynamic routing (OSPF, EIGRP overview)
- Diagnostics and Troubleshooting (15–20%) — Systematic troubleshooting methodology, ping/traceroute/ipconfig/netstat commands, show commands output interpretation, LED status lights, packet flow analysis, common network problems (wrong VLAN, duplex mismatch, bad cable)
- Security and Network Operations (10–15%) — Access Control Lists (standard and extended), firewall basics, VPN concepts, device access (SSH vs. Telnet), physical security, CDP/LLDP protocols, syslog basics
Exam format note: The 75 questions include scenario-based labs and drag-and-drop tasks. You may be asked to configure a VLAN, troubleshoot ping failures, identify correct cabling, or interpret show command output in real time.
Source: CCST Networking Exam Topics ↗ (last updated April 13, 2026)
Common skills at Networking · Entry
Shared foundation for all Networking domain entry-level certifications.
- OSI model and TCP/IP stack concepts
- IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, subnetting, CIDR notation
- DNS and DHCP services
- VLAN configuration and switching fundamentals
- Spanning-tree protocol and link aggregation
- Basic routing concepts and static/dynamic routing introduction
- Ethernet cabling standards (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A, single-mode and multimode fiber)
- Wireless fundamentals (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, RF basics)
- Basic firewall and VPN concepts
- Network troubleshooting methodology and common tools (ping, traceroute, ipconfig/ifconfig, netstat, Wireshark)
- IP Services (NAT, DHCP, DNS)
- Zero-trust and software-defined WAN concepts (emerging)
Recommended courses at Networking · Entry
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Networking Academy | CCST Networking Official Course (instructor-led or self-paced) | Free (students/educators at member schools); $200–$400/yr direct | ↗ |
| Jeremy's IT Lab (YouTube) | Networking fundamentals playlists (CCNA-adjacent, free alternative) | Free | ↗ |
| CBT Nuggets | Cisco CCST Networking (bite-sized video lessons with hands-on labs) | $50–$80/month | ↗ |
| Udemy (multiple instructors) | CCST Networking 100-150 Complete Courses (2–4 hours video, quiz banks) | $10–$60 (frequent 90% discounts) | ↗ |
| Pluralsight | Cisco Networking Fundamentals Path (includes CCST-aligned content) | $29–$49/month | ↗ |
| LinkedIn Learning | Cisco Networking Academy CCST courses (if available in your region) | Included with LinkedIn Premium or library access | ↗ |
Course-selection rule: Prioritize Cisco Networking Academy as the official vendor source. CBT Nuggets and Udemy instructors (search "Boson CCST" or "CCST Networking 100-150 complete") often deliver exam-focused content. YouTube foundational networking videos (Jeremy's IT Lab, NetworkChuck) are free supplements but not CCST-specific.
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Learning Network | CCST Networking official practice quizzes and flashcards (free community) | Free | ↗ |
| Cisco Press (Official) | Cisco Certified Support Technician CCST Networking Companion Website (200+ questions, 6 full practice exams) | Included with book purchase (~$70) or ~$50 standalone | ↗ |
| uCertify | CCST Networking 100-150 Practice Test Suite | ~$50–$100 | ↗ |
| CISCONET Training Solutions | CCST Networking Free Practice Quiz (limited questions) | Free (limited); upgrade to full suite ~$40–$60 | ↗ |
| Certification Practice (Exam Prep) | CCST Networking practice tests (300 questions across 6 exams) | ~$30–$50 | ↗ |
Best practice: Start with free Cisco Learning Network quizzes to assess weak areas. Then invest in Cisco Press official companion resources or a dedicated practice test bundle (uCertify or Certification Practice) 2–3 weeks before exam day.
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking 100-150 Official Cert Guide | Russ White | Cisco Press | 2023 | 978-0138213428 | ↗ |
| 31 Days Before Your Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Exam | Allan Johnson | Cisco Press | 2023 | 978-0138242206 | ↗ |
Book rule: Both titles are Cisco Press publications aligned with the 100-150 exam (2023/2024). The official cert guide by Russ White is the definitive study reference for CCST Networking.
Typical job titles at Networking · Entry
Network Support Technician · NOC (Network Operations Center) Technician Level 1 · Junior Network Administrator · Help Desk Technician (Network focus) · Network Operations Analyst · Field Service Technician (Network) · IT Support Specialist (Network) · Junior Network Engineer
(Job titles drawn from job-board postings (ZipRecruiter, Indeed, Glassdoor) listing CCST Networking or equivalent as required or preferred, May 2026.)
Salary
| Region | Role | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD | Network Support Technician (Tier 1 NOC) | $40k–$55k annually | ZipRecruiter ↗ |
| USD | Junior Network Administrator (1–2 yrs) | $55k–$75k annually | Glassdoor ↗ |
| USD | Hourly (Help Desk / NOC Tier 1) | $22.50–$30.00/hr | PayScale US ↗ |
| ZAR | Network Technician (entry, 0–2 yrs) | R270k–R350k/yr | PayScale ZA ↗ |
| ZAR | Junior Network Admin (3–5 yrs) | R400k–R550k/yr | CareerJunction ZA ↗ |
| GBP | Network Support Technician (entry) | £22k–£28k/yr | IT Jobs Watch ↗ |
| GBP | Junior Network Administrator (2–4 yrs) | £28k–£40k/yr | Hays IT Salary Guide 2026 |
Salary drivers and growth trajectory:
- Entry to mid-level jump: After 2–3 years at NOC Tier 1 (~$45k USD), promotion to Junior Admin or lead role can raise salary to $65k–$75k (40–50% bump).
- Geographic premium: London, Silicon Valley, and major South African metros (Johannesburg, Cape Town) command 20–30% above regional averages.
- Employer tier impact: FAANG/hyperscale > large Enterprise > mid-market > SMB/MSP (can differ by 25–40%).
- Specialization bonuses: Cloud networking (AWS/Azure), SD-WAN, or security-focused roles add 10–20% to base.
- Certification path: CCST holders pursuing CCNA typically see 20–30% salary increase after passing.
- Remote work factor: Remote-first roles average 10–20% lower than on-site equivalents in the same market.
Skills validated
Concrete technologies and tools tested on the CCST Networking 100-150 exam — what you must demonstrate hands-on.
Core CLI and Device Management
- Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI): navigation, configuration mode vs. user mode,
enable,configure terminal - Show commands:
show ip interface,show vlans,show running-config,show version,show status - Device access via console cable (RJ45 serial), SSH (encrypted), Telnet (insecure)
- Device modes: User EXEC mode, Privileged EXEC mode, Global Configuration mode, Interface Configuration mode
Routing and Switching
- VLAN creation (
vlan 10), tagging, trunk ports (switchport mode trunk) - Inter-VLAN routing via static routes or router-on-a-stick
- Static routing configuration on Cisco routers (
ip route 10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1) - Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) basic operation (BPDU, election, ports roles)
- OSPF and EIGRP: overview only; not deep configuration
IP Addressing and Subnetting
- IPv4 addresses, classes, CIDR notation, subnet masks, network/host calculation
- IPv6 addresses, hexadecimal, IPv6 subnetting basics
- DHCP scopes, leases, address pools, exclusion ranges
- DNS resolution (A records, reverse DNS), nslookup, host troubleshooting
Security and Access Control
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): standard vs. extended, permit/deny rules, implicit deny
- Firewall basics: stateful inspection, access control, port translation
- VPN fundamentals: site-to-site, remote access, encryption overview
- Port security on switches (MAC address limits)
Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
- Ping (ICMP echo), traceroute (TTL decrement), IPv4 vs. IPv6 variants
ipconfig/ifconfig(Windows/Linux), address configuration, lease renewalnetstat,arp -a,show mac-address-table- Packet capture concepts (Wireshark introduction)
- Systematic troubleshooting: OSI layer-by-layer methodology
- Common issues: mismatched VLAN, duplex mismatch, wrong subnet mask, down interfaces
Physical Layer and Cabling
- Ethernet standards: 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), 1 Gbps (Gigabit), 10 Gbps
- Cable types: unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A; fiber (single-mode, multimode)
- RJ45 connector pinout and crimping (568A, 568B standards)
- Fiber optic connectors: SC, LC, MTP
- Cable testing: continuity, length, signal loss
- Interface LED indicators (link up/down, activity, speed)
Discovery and Monitoring
- Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP): device discovery, neighbor information
- Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP): cross-vendor neighbor discovery
- Syslog basics: log monitoring, severity levels
- SNMP overview: monitoring network devices
Typical study timeline
Full-time study (career change scenario):
- Weeks 1–4: Network fundamentals, OSI model, TCP/IP, IP addressing (Networking Academy course)
- Weeks 5–7: Cisco IOS CLI, VLAN configuration, switching basics (hands-on labs)
- Weeks 8–10: Routing, troubleshooting, practice exams (Boson or Cisco Press companion)
- Week 11: Review weak areas, take final practice tests
- Week 12: Exam day
Part-time study (working technician, 5–8 hrs/week):
- Months 1–2: Fundamentals (YouTube + Networking Academy modules)
- Months 2–3: Hands-on labs (GNS3 or real Cisco equipment)
- Months 3–4: Practice exams, review
- Month 5: Exam
Prerequisite knowledge: CompTIA A+ or Network+ significantly accelerates this timeline (can reduce by 2–4 weeks). Candidates with zero networking background should plan 4–6 months.
Related certifications
- Stacks with: CompTIA A+ (foundational IT); CompTIA Network+ (vendor-neutral networking)
- Prerequisite for: Cisco CCNA 200-301 (no hard requirement, but CCST Networking recommended)
- Replaces: CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician) — retired January 2020
- Equivalents at this level: CompTIA Network+ (N10-009); Juniper JNCIA-Junos (JN0-106)
- Leads to: CCNA 200-301 (within 1–2 years of hands-on study)
- Vendor overview: Cisco Vendor Overview ↗ (file not yet created)
- Ecosystem deep dive: Cisco Certification Ecosystem ↗
Career progression (CCST → CCNA → CCNP)
Typical timeline from CCST Networking to CCNP Enterprise (5–7 years):
| Milestone | Cert | Timeline | Salary (USD) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry support | CCST Networking (100-150) | 1–3 months study | $40k–$55k | None |
| Junior engineer | CCNA 200-301 | 3–6 months after CCST | $65k–$85k | CCST or equivalent |
| Network engineer | CCNP Enterprise Core (ENCOR 350-401) | 6–12 months on the job | $95k–$130k | CCNA + 3+ yrs production |
| Senior engineer | CCNP Enterprise Specialist (ENARSI, ENSDWI, or ENSLD) | 12–18 months | $110k–$145k | ENCOR passed + 4+ yrs |
| Architect/senior specialist | CCIE Enterprise (written + lab) | 24+ months intensive study | $140k–$200k+ | CCNP + 6+ yrs; $4k–$8k exam costs |
Fast-track option: Candidates with strong network operations background (e.g., NOC technicians with 2+ years hands-on experience) can sometimes skip CCST and pursue CCNA directly (6–9 months vs. 3 months), reducing total time to junior engineer role.
Industry context: Cisco CCST Networking has become the default on-ramp into enterprise networking roles since its launch in late 2023. Most corporate recruiting pipelines now see CCST → CCNA → CCNP as the standard progression, with CCNA no longer viewed as an entry cert but rather a mid-career consolidation cert. CCST adoption is accelerating globally, particularly in MSPs, ISPs, and Fortune 500 NOCs.
Sources
- Cisco CCST Networking (official): https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/exams/ccst-networking.html
- Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking Official Cert Guide (Russ White, Cisco Press 2023): https://www.ciscopress.com/store/cisco-certified-support-technician-ccst-networking-9780138213428
- CCST Networking Exam Topics: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccst-networking-exam-topics
- Cisco Networking Academy CCST Networking: https://www.netacad.com/resources/program-info/ccst-networking
- CBT Nuggets CCST Networking Training: https://www.cbtnuggets.com/it-training/cisco/ccst-networking
- Jeremy's IT Lab YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremysITLab
- ZipRecruiter CCST Networking Jobs & Salary: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Ccst-Networking
- Glassdoor Network Technician Salaries (USD): https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/network-technician-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm
- PayScale ZA Network Technician: https://www.payscale.com/research/ZA/Job=Network_Technician/Salary
- IT Jobs Watch (UK salary data): https://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/
- uCertify CCST Networking practice tests: https://www.ucertify.com/p/cisco-certified-support-technician-ccst-networking-100-150.html
- Cisco Learning Network: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/
- Cisco Ecosystem Deep Dive: ../../Ecosystems/D14_Cisco_Ecosystem.md
- Networking Domain Deep Dive: ../../Domains/DOM02_Networking_Domain.md
Last verified: 2026-05-01
Parent ecosystem: Cisco Certification Ecosystem
Parent domain: Networking Domain