If you’re investing in a certification to kickstart your career, you must ensure it covers the knowledge and skills you need to demonstrate you qualify for a role in your field. CCNA is also a common certificate chosen by IT professionals because of the in-depth technical knowledge it represents for the Cisco platform. If you are confident you will be working with the Cisco platform, the CCNA can be a great choice as it sets the framework to grow continually in your position.
- There is also the consideration of prior experience with infrastructure in general and networking in particular in deciding which certification to pursue.
- If you’re taking it online, you’ll need to make sure your setup is configured to meet Cisco’s online testing requirements.
- As you can see, there are a few key differences and similarities between CompTIA Network+ and CCNA.
- According to Payscale.com, the average salary for CCNA certified professionals is around $80,000 per year, while the average salary for Network+ certified professionals is around $57,000 per year.
- The pricing of the exams are similar, and both come with more expensive preparation courses.
In terms of difficulty, Network+ is generally considered to be more accessible than CCNA. Network+ assumes limited prior knowledge as an entry-level certification and provides a solid foundation for beginners. The exam questions are designed to test basic networking concepts and troubleshooting skills. With adequate preparation, individuals with a good grasp of the topics covered in Network+ can successfully achieve this certification. Many IT professionals take the CCNA and Network+ certifications, but your long-term career goals influence this choice.
Is it possible to get employment with a CCNA or Network+ certification?
Network+ is a foundational certification that provides a broad overview of networking concepts and is suitable for beginners. CCNA, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive and vendor-specific approach, targeting Cisco technologies and enabling professionals to pursue advanced networking roles. Even some other certifications, or abilities like customer service work as plus points. The Network+ net+ certification core certification guarantees a stable career in entry-level IT jobs such as network analyst, networking technician, help desk technician, network administrator, and systems engineer. IT pros who hold CompTIA Network+ are ready to manage and design networks. They can also properly control network devices, enhance network performance, troubleshoot network issues and maintain network security.
Also, CCNA focuses solely on technical skills, while Network+ also includes business skills. Business skills may benefit certain employers, so show your business skills in other ways if you https://remotemode.net/ opt for the tech-only CCNA exam. In contrast to CCNA, Network + is a vendor-neutral certification, meaning you should have more general knowledge of networks than a specified vendor.
What Are CCNA and Security+ Certifications?
It is available as an online test or as an offline assessment via Cisco’s partner, Pearson. After taking the exam, you can log in to Cisco’s Certification Tracking System to update your certification status. You will also be asked to describe the Telnet, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, terminal, and TACACS+/RADIUS administration access connections for APs and WLCs.
