Explore KSACs by Pathway
In late 2025, the Partnership pulled together members of industry from across tech to share how the in-demand skillsets for entry-level roles in their fields have changed in the last two years. The Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Credentials (KSACs) below reflect their feedback on entry-level expectations, especially in a tech workplace increasingly shaped by AI.
2. Networking Fundamentals
| Label | KSAC Description | Bloom's Taxonomy Level | |
|---|---|---|---|
| b | Understand the OSI model, identify the layers and how they applies to an example network | knowledge | 2 |
| f | Configure Understand IPv4 subnets. | skill knowledge | 1 |
| g | Compare public IP addresses and private IP addresses. | knowledge | 2 |
| i | Interpret classless network ID (CIDR block notation). | knowledge | 2 |
| j | Explain IPv6 | knowledge | 2 |
| l | Explain domain naming conventions (UNC path, FQDN, host name). | knowledge | 3 |
| m | Explain how DNS works. | knowledge | 2 |
| n | Compare Network Address Translation and Port Address Translation (NAT vs PAT). | knowledge | 2 |
| o | Draw a network diagram. | skill | 3 |
| p | Analyze the output from networking utilities (e.g. Netstat, Tracert, Traceroute, Ping, IPConfig, IFConfig). | ability | 3 |
| q | Discuss network software integration (client software (e.g. Windows 10 or Ubuntu) and server software). | ability | 3 |
| r | Discuss network hardware integration (workstations, desktop, mobile devices). | knowledge | 2 |
| s | Communicate best practices for troubleshooting networking issues. | knowledge | 3 |
| t | Understand the purpose and basic operations of virtual private networks (VPNs) | knowledge | 1 |
| u | Understand Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) | knowledge | 1 |