GPSQ Core Blueprint
The following topics are general guidelines for the content likely to be included on
the GPSQ Core Exam.
Fundamental Internetworking Knowledge
 Describe the seven layers of the OSI model.
 Describe the following Cisco Three-Layer Hierarchical Model:
o Core Layer.
o Distribution Layer.
o Access Layer.
 Describe the difference between the following network equipment and
identify which OSI layer they operate on:
o Routers.
o Switches.
o Hubs.
o Bridges.
 Identify the difference between a LAN and WAN.
 Identify the difference between routing and switching.
 Describe VLANs and their purpose.
 Describe the IP addressing scheme, including subnetting and private
addresses.
Cisco Internetworking Core Products
 Identify and describe the following:
o Cisco 1400, 1600, 1700, 2500, 2600, MC3810, 3600, 4000, 3700,
7000, 7100, 7200, 7300, 7400, 7500, ESR10000 and GSR12000.
o Cisco Catalyst 2900, 2900XL, 2926, 2940, 2948, 2950, 2955, 2970 ,
3500, 3500XL, 3550, 3750, 4000/4500, 5000/5500 and 6000/6500.
o PIX-5xx.
o Cisco router and switch hardware modules (e.g., WIC, VWIC, VIC,
VIP, RSP, RSM, CIP, EIP, etc).
o Cisco routers and switches power supplies (e.g., AC, DC).
o Cisco routers and switches memory components (e.g., Flash,
DRAM, PCMCIA, NVRAM, BOOTROM, EPROM, etc).
Cisco Products Hardware Installation and Maintenance
 Describe how to rack and stack all Cisco products.
 Describe how to replace field replaceable units (FRUs) – line cards,
modules and memory – for all equipment.
 Describe how to replace power supplies for all Cisco products and identify
their requirements.
 Identify electrostatic discharge (ESD) requirements.
Cisco Internetworking Operating System (IOS) and Catalyst Operation
System (OS)
 Download Cisco IOS/OS from CCO and install it on a router or switch
accordingly.
 Describe and navigate between the following Cisco command line
interface (CLI) environment:
o IOS user EXEC mode.
o IOS privileged EXEC mode (also called enable mode).
o IOS global configuration mode.
o IOS interface mode.
o IOS sub-interface mode.
o IOS controller mode.
o IOS router configuration mode.
o Catalyst OS normal mode (also called login or user mode).
o Catalyst OS privileged mode (also called enable mode)
 Describe and configure router configuration register.
 Describe how to use “?” to get IOS help.
 Describe the purpose of the following keyboard shortcuts for CLI editing:
o Ctrl-Z
o Ctrl-P (or the up arrow key)
o Ctrl-N (or the down arrow key)
o Ctrl-A
o Ctrl-E
o Esc F
o Esc B
o Ctrl-F (or the right arrow key)
o Ctrl-B (or the left arrow key)
o <Tab>
 Describe the purpose of the following commands:
o ping
o trace
o configure terminal
o enable
o disable
o end
o exit
o write memory
o copy start run
o copy tftp flash
o copy flash tftp
o reload
 Describe the purpose of the following commands and identify key
information from their output:
o show version
o show interface
o show ip interface brief
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o show port
o show controller
o show run
o show ip route
o show diag
o show module
o show hardware
o show system
o show flash
o show environment
o show isdn status
o show frame-relay lmi
o show frame-relay ip
o show frame-relay map
o show frame-relay pvc
Perform and describe IOS recovery using the following methods:
o TFTP.
o xmodem.
o tftpdnld.
Perform password recovery on a router or switch.
Describe the following Cisco IOS or Catalyst OS modes:
o ROM Monitor (ROMmon) mode.
o BOOT mode.
o Native IOS mode.
o Hybrid mode.
Describe how to save Cisco router or switch configuration to a text file
using the following methods:
o Use the text capture feature in a terminal server emulator (e.g.,
Hyper Terminal).
o Copy the configuration file to a TFTP server using the CLI.
o Copy and past from the CLI screen to a text editor (e.g., Notepad).
Describe how to restore Cisco router or switch configuration from a text
file using the following methods:
o Copy the configuration file from a TFTP server using the CLI.
o Copy and past the configuration from a text file to the CLI screen.
Describe how to configure the following passwords and identify their
precedence:
o Enable password.
o Enable secret password.
o Console password.
o Telnet password.
o Auxiliary password.
Describe the effect and use of TACACS configuration on a router.
Describe the effect and use of Access-Lists configuration on a router.
Describe how to copy and past router configuration which contains
TACACS and/or Access-List(s).
Internetworking Protocols
 Describe the following:
o IP.
o TCP.
o UDP.
o FTP.
o TFTP.
o Telnet.
Internetworking Media
 Identify and describe the following:
o Serial (DCE/DTE).
o RJ11.
o RJ45/RJ48.
o GBIC.
o AUI.
o BNC.
o Fiber Optic (e.g., ST, SC, FC, etc).
LAN Technologies
 Identify and describe the following:
o Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and GigEthernet.
o Token-Ring.
o FDDI.
 Describe the following Ethernet transmission modes:
o Half duplex.
o Full duplex.
o Auto.
WAN Technologies
 Describe the following:
o Frame Relay (e.g., CSU/DSU, LMI, DLCI, etc).
o ISDN (e.g., BRI, PRI, D channels, B channels, etc).
o Serial (e.g., Synchronous, Asynchronous, T1/E1, T3/E3, etc).
o High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC).
o Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP).
 Describe the following WAN terms:
o Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).
o Demarcation (demarc).
o Local Loop.
o Central Office (CO).
Hardware and Software Tools
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Identify and explain the use of the Modem Verification Kit (VERIKIT)
components.
Locate and use DOS command prompt on any PC.
Establish an Ethernet connection from a laptop to a router or switch.
Use the COMPASS CD to locate information.
Explain how to use a TFTP Server software on a PC.
Setup a modem connection to a router or switch console port.
Setup a laptop connection to a router or switch console port.
Describe how to make hardware loopback plug for the following interfaces:
o T1.
o Ethernet.
o 56k RJ-48.
o ATM.
Use Notepad or any ASCII text editor effectively.
Use Hyper Terminal or any other terminal emulator effectively.
Use CCO to efficiently search and find information about Cisco hardware
and software products.
Troubleshooting
 Identify interface status via LEDs.
 Identify interface status via CLI.
o show interface
o show ip interface brief
o show controller
o show version
o show port
 Identify card operational status via LEDs.
 Identify card operational status via CLI.
o show module
o show diag
o show hardware
o show power
 Identify power supply status via LEDs.
 Identify power supply status via CLI.
o show environment
o show system
 Verify routing tables.
o show ip route
On-Site Call Management
 Describe the GPS protocols for on-site remedial calls.
 Handle returned equipment.