If you are looking into IT training and certification, it’s probably because you want to work at great jobs with a good salary and have a rewarding career.
There are many career paths you can take with the Network+ certification, and there are many good reasons to pursue this certification.
- You can show employers that you have skills that are respected throughout the IT industry.
- Get ready to start a career in networking and IT.
- Build a foundation of skills and knowledge about networks and information technology infrastructure that covers troubleshooting, maintenance, and administration of networks.
Unlike other certifications that are vendor specific, the CompTIA Network+ certification prepares you for a career in network support, no matter what the platform. This certification is distinct in that it’s the only one that covers wired and wireless networks.
Table of Contents
- What is the CompTIA Network+ Certification?
- Skills Measured by the Network+ Exam
- Prerequisites for Network+ Certification
- Network+ Compared to Other IT Certifications
- What Jobs Can You Get with a Network+ Certification?
- Ways to Prepare for the Network+ Certification
- What are Some Benefits of the Network+ Certification?
- What are Some Other Reasons to Pursue the Network+ Certification?
- Ready to Start Your IT Career?
What is the CompTIA Network+ Certification?
The CompTIA Network+ certification is an IT certification exam that verifies you have the knowledge and skills to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, and configure wired and wireless networks. CompTIA Network+ also certifies a professional-level understanding of newer network technologies such as cloud services and virtualization. To earn the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must demonstrate the competence required to be an entry-level Network Professional.
Skills Measured by the Network+ Exam
Some of the skills measured by CompTIA Network+ include:
- Design, management and troubleshooting network infrastructure, including cabling, transceivers, and device configuration.
- Installation, operation and configuration of wired and wireless networks.
- Use of routers, switches, segmenting and subnets to maintain network traffic.
- Networking protocols and ports, and protocol types.
- Proficiency in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and layers.
- Differentiation and knowledge of different networking devices.
- Troubleshooting connectivity and performance during high traffic.
- Network testing, including security concepts.
- Hardware and software tools.
- Best practice in emerging technologies like virtualization and cloud computing.
Prerequisites for Network+ Certification
Though there are no required pre-requisites for the vendor-neutral Network+ certification, CompTIA highly recommends having the A+ certification and at least 9 months experience of networking infrastructure experience, or equivalent training.
Network+ Compared to Other IT Certifications
All CompTIA certifications, including Network+, are vendor neutral. When a certification is vendor neutral, it means that fundamental knowledge can be used for many different information technology products and applications. Vendor specific certifications teach IT knowledge for specific technologies, like Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco.
Comparable IT certifications that are vendor specific include Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)/Networking Fundamentals and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).
Network+ vs CCNA vs MTA
Both the Network+ and CCNA certifications test competencies for network-related job responsibilities. However, CCNA is Cisco-specific, and Network+ certification prepares you for network responsibilities, regardless of vendor.
The MTA certification is not based on a specific job role but is an introduction to Microsoft’s network solutions.
Network+ vs A+ vs Security+
CompTIA offers the A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications.
The CompTIA A+ certification covers a vast scope of IT knowledge, including mobile devices, networks, computer hardware, and cloud computing, maintaining, and troubleshooting operating systems. The CompTIA A+ certification is a cornerstone certification that many employers look for.
The CompTIA Network+ certification focuses on networking concepts and applications. To earn the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must know how to troubleshoot, configure, and manage common network wireless and wired devices, establish basic network design and connectivity, maintain network documentation, understand virtual networks, identify network limitations and weaknesses, and implement network security, standards, and protocols. This certification prepares you for an IT job in networking.
The CompTIA Security+ certification builds on your understanding of network concepts like ports and networking tools. To be certified for Security+, you must have knowledge of risk and threat identification, risk management, detection of intrusion, applying security controls to maintain confidentiality and integrity, identifying appropriate technologies and products, troubleshooting security events and incidents, vulnerability attacks, setting up access controls, and cryptography, while operating within an awareness of applicable policies, laws, and regulations.
What Jobs Can You Get with a Network+ Certification?
Information technology jobs are projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is much faster than the average job position over the same period.
Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, formerly known as MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.
Companies are becoming more reliant on computer networking and data analysis. The demand for networking is rising. With a Network+ certification, you may qualify for a wide selection of IT jobs, including:
- Computer Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Network Systems Engineer
- Network Analyst
- Network Administrator
- Computer Technician
- Network Engineer
- Network Field Technician
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior System Engineer
- System Engineer
The Network+ certification can also be a stepping-stone to other job titles, such as
- Security Specialist
- Network Systems Developer
- Information Systems Consultant
Some of the more advanced positions will require you to have other certifications besides Network+. Sometimes you will need the CCNA or MCSE plus some practical work experience to qualify for advanced level jobs.
Campus, formerly MTI College, is recognized as an official CompTIA Academic Partner. This partnership provides CompTIA certification testing at Campus' on-campus Pearson VUE testing center, discounted vouchers available to students and graduates, and access to exclusive CompTIA learning materials that Campus' instructors can use in our classes.
Ways to Prepare for the Network+ Certification
The Network+ exam comprises of 90 questions and is 90 minutes long. The questions will be multiple choice, drag and drop, and performance based. A passing score is 720 points out of a scale of 100 to 900. The current version is the CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) which was introduced in March 2018. The CompTIA exams are usually retired after three years, and a new version introduced.
The next version of CompTIA Network+ is N10-008 and is expected to become available in Fall 2021. Campus is currently preparing to offer updated training for the new Network+ soon after release.
Here are some of the ways to study for the Network+ exam.
Instructor-Guided Training
CompTIA has partnered with several organizations for certification training, in the classroom or online. These instructor-led programs should include study materials, focusing on the latest exam objectives for the Network+ certification.
Practice Exams
Solving 90 questions in and hour and half requires speed and accuracy. Practice exams allow you to practice solving complicated network questions quickly.
Self-Study
CompTIA makes exam objective available online, with a detailed outline of the five core domains that will appear on the exam. Doing self-study is a way to learn and retain the knowledge in preparation for the certification exam.
Here are the five domains of the exam you should study for:
- Networking concepts. Ports and protocols, concepts of routing and switching, cloud concepts.
- Infrastructure. Advanced networking devices, WAN technologies.
- Network operations. Compare and contrast business continuity and disaster recovery concepts (e.g., backup, fault tolerance); identify policies and best practices (e.g., data loss prevention, remote access).
- Network security. Authentication and access, preventing network attacks, best practices for network security.
- Network troubleshooting and tools. Based on scenario, explaining the troubleshooting methodology, diagnosing wired connectivity issues, service issues, performance.
What are Some Benefits of the Network+ Certification?
If you want to pursue a career in information technology, the Network+ certification is an entry-level certificate that when paired with the CompTIA A+ certificate, can differentiate an IT candidate from the pack when look for a position.
The Network+ certification will give you a robust understanding of networking concepts, network troubleshooting, and disaster recovery. With this certificate, you can advance to other CompTIA certifications or vendor-specific certifications like the CCNA.
At MTI College, students can earn free Network+ vouchers by participating in Campus' Test-Pass Assurance program. By completing Campus courses and earning high scores on practice exams, Campus will cover the costs for a free Network+ attempt.
What are Some Other Reasons to Pursue the Network+ Certification?
CompTIA certifications build upon previous ones, and depending on which paths you follow, you can become qualified for different IT positions. The Network+ certification is necessary for almost every single certification path.
Microsoft includes the CompTIA Network+ certification in their Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certificate program.
Some hiring managers look specifically for the Network+ certification. Many companies, including enterprise level companies, look for the Network+ certificate.
Some Employers that Require Network+
Companies like Apple, Best Buy, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Canon, Dell, HP, Ricoh, the United States Department of Defense and Verizon all look for the CompTIA Network+ certification in hiring.
Ready to Start Your IT Career?
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