CompTIA Networking plus certification is a technical skills-based certification essentially for troubleshooting, establishing, and maintaining the business networks.
Unlike other Networking certifications, this Network Plus certification helps its candidates with the skills that can support networks on any platform.
Key features of the certification
- Training options are available which are flexible to match the candidates
- Availability of self-paced learning
- Live online training
- Availability of labs for practical experience
Who can take this exam
This certification is well suited for Network Analysts, Network Support Specialists, Network Administrators, Network Field Technicians, Junior Network Administrators, IT Consultants, Network Field Engineers, Computer Technicians, Help Desk Technicians, and System Engineers.
What average salaries can candidates expect post this certification?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics thinks the average salary of a Network Support Specialist is about $67,510, that of a Network Administrator is about $86,340, for a Network System Analyst it is about $92,740, Systems Engineer: $90,920, for a Network Engineer it is approximately $83,510, and for an IT Consultant it’s about $79,377.
Skills measured in the exam:
- Knowledge of networking concepts and their correct implementation.
- Knowledge of infrastructures like proper cabling, device, and storage technologies.
- Knowledge of the practices to manage the network to ensure business continuity.
- Knowledge of network security and how to deal with common cyberattacks and secure wired and wireless networks.
- Knowledge of network troubleshooting, procedures of troubleshooting, and its tools to support connectivity and performance.
Benefits of this exam:
- CompTIA courses, CompTIA training, and CompTIA certifications have their inherent importance in the market as they are well recognized in the industry.
- This certification builds technicians who work in IT infrastructure with high networking knowledge and skills.
- Candidates after this certification have expertise in network troubleshooting, configuration, network cabling, subnetting, and network operation skills.
Specifics about the exam
CompTIA Network + certification costs $338 USD. The exam comprises about 90 questions. The questions are of drag-and-drop, performance-based, and MCQ types. The total allotted time for the exam is 90 minutes. It has the requirement of a score of 720 on a scale of 100-900 to pass. It is offered in English, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Portuguese. Candidates can take the exam from a Pearson VUE testing center or online.
Comparing CompTIA Network+ and CCNA
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is another networking certification available in the market; hence it makes sense to compare it with the CompTIA Networking Plus certification and know which stands better.
CCNA is basic-level networking in information technology certification provided by Cisco, which validates the knowledge and skillset on fundamental networking concepts only and requires candidates to demonstrate a minimum of a year’s experience in implementing and using Cisco products and solutions.
Key differences are as below:
- CompTIA Network+ certification is a combination of both business skills and technical skills for the network professionals that help them to keep the objectives of their organizations in mind. CCNA, however, is solely about technical skills. It disregards business skills.
- CompTIA Network+ is a generic networking certification that covers the networking technologies of all products and vendors. On the other hand, Cisco’s CCNA verification is particular to the networking for Cisco products.
- The CompTIA Network + exam duration is 90 minutes, and that of the CCNA exam is 120 minutes.
Key similarities are as below:
- Performance-based questions are asked in both exams CompTIA Network+ and the CCNA certification exams.
- Both the CompTIA Network+ certification and the CCNA certification do not have any eligibility criteria, but they require some experience in the networking field.
- Both the certifications are valid for three years.
- The exam’s cost is very similar $338 for the CompTIA Network+ exam and $300 for the CCNA exam.
- Listing either the CompTIA Network+ certification or the CCNA certification on their resumes helps the network professionals to kick start their careers.
- Finally, the individual needs to decide which certification best suits it. Both will prepare people for networking skills, security, troubleshooting, configurations, and a wide variety of IT-related knowledge and skillset.
- However, the CompTIA Network+ certification offers more benefits to the candidates in vendor-neutral networking and business skills combined with technical skills. At the same time, the CCNA exam focuses on Cisco’s products and technologies and disregards the business part.
Conclusion:
The above information and insights will make the decision choice much easier for the candidates; however, the passion for the subject is crucial to excelling in the certification and thorough preparation.
