CCNP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CCNP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. How many layers are recommended in the hierarchical campus network design model? → 3
2. What mechanism does Penultimate Hop Popping (PHP) use to reduce processing on the egress LSR? → The second-to-last LSR pops the outermost label before the final hop
3. What is the relationship between theory and practice in Cisco Certified Network Professional virtualization? → Theory provides the foundation and framework that guides effective practical application
4. What is the purpose of access controls in Cisco Certified Network Professional network security? → To ensure only authorized users can view or modify sensitive data and systems
5. Which MPLS label value is reserved to indicate the Explicit Null label for IPv4? → 0
6. Where does a collision domain exist in a switched network? → On a single switch port
7. Which backup strategy in Cisco Certified Network Professional provides the most comprehensive data protection? → Regular incremental backups combined with periodic full backups
8. Which approach is most effective for mastering infrastructure services in Cisco Certified Network Professional? → Combining theoretical study with practical application and regular review
9. In Cisco ACI, what is an Endpoint Group (EPG)? → A logical grouping of endpoints that share the same policy and security requirements
10. In Cisco Certified Network Professional, why is infrastructure services knowledge important for professional certification? → It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards
11. In Cisco Certified Network Professional, why is virtualization knowledge important for professional certification? → It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards
12. In Cisco ACI, what is a Contract used for? → Define permitted communication between EPGs
13. Which link in a vPC setup carries control plane traffic between the two vPC peers? → vPC peer keepalive link
14. What is a best practice in Cisco Certified Network Professional infrastructure services? → A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus
15. What is the primary objective of sd-wan in Cisco Certified Network Professional? → To ensure competence and proficiency in core sd-wan concepts
16. In Cisco Certified Network Professional, what role does continuing education play in virtualization? → To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices
17. What does system integration mean in Cisco Certified Network Professional network automation? → Connecting different systems so they can work together and share data seamlessly
18. What is the primary consideration when implementing new technology in Cisco Certified Network Professional? → Ensuring compatibility with existing systems and meeting user requirements
19. Which underlay protocol does Cisco ACI use between spine and leaf switches? → IS-IS
20. In MPLS LDP, what is the default label distribution mode on Cisco routers? → Independent control with downstream unsolicited
21. In Cisco Certified Network Professional, what role does continuing education play in troubleshooting methods? → To keep professionals current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices
22. In Cisco Certified Network Professional, why is troubleshooting methods knowledge important for professional certification? → It demonstrates competence and ensures practitioners meet established standards
23. What is a best practice in Cisco Certified Network Professional advanced routing? → A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus
24. What is the primary objective of infrastructure services in Cisco Certified Network Professional? → To ensure competence and proficiency in core infrastructure services concepts
25. A switch block should be sized according to what? → The number of access-layer users
26. In Cisco Certified Network Professional, what is the primary benefit of implementing automated wireless networking? → Increased efficiency, accuracy, and consistency in operations
27. What is a best practice in Cisco Certified Network Professional virtualization? → A method or technique recognized as superior based on evidence and expert consensus
28. Which EUI-64 process is used to auto-generate an IPv6 interface identifier from a MAC address? → Insert FF:FE in the middle of the MAC address and flip the 7th bit
29. What does system integration mean in Cisco Certified Network Professional wireless networking? → Connecting different systems so they can work together and share data seamlessly
30. What overlay encapsulation protocol does Cisco ACI use to carry tenant traffic across the fabric? → VXLAN