CCNA vs NETWORK+

sparkz

G'Day lads,

I am currently studing for ccna and I'm curious which is better and harder ccna or network+, would it be advisable to do one before the other, also which exams do you consider to be most like the real test, boson, beach front?

Any advice would be appreciated, i've read several of the forums and you all seem pretty knowledgeable.

Cheers.

Webmaster

Welcome sparkz,

CCNA is definitely harder than network+. If you want to take them both, the way to go would be to take the Network+ first, some of the topics are similar but CCNA goes much deeper into details. If you take Network+ first, you'll have the basic knowledge to start with CCNA. Once you took CCNA there's no need to take Network+, it will add close to nothing (although employers often don't know the difference so it might make you more marketable) I would suggest taking CCDA after CCNA if you want all the details. Network+ is what, CCNA is how and CCDA is what when and how...

For CCNA I would go for Boson if I had to choose between the two.

Johan

sparkz

Thanks for the tips, i think i will try network+, due to my limited background in networking, i'll head over to the network+ forum for advice on where to start.

Webmaster

Good choice... see you in the Net+ forums... be sure to read our Network+ TechNotes...

sparkz

Hi webmaster,

Just a quick question, i noticied all your qualifications, which do you cosider the most valuable in terms of employment, ie is one always in more demand than the others?

Cheers.

Webmaster

IMHO:

This depends on the job your looking for... having just an MCSE is close to worthless if you want to build (complete) networks, but very desirable for system administration. I worked for an outsourcing company for 4 years and when I added CCNA to MCSE I was finally able to get the projects at the large enterprises, I was primarily working with Exchange 5.5 but the fact I knew how to configure the router that connected the email environment to the outside world definitely made me a lot more valuable. In large enterprises with different locations CCNA is definitely most valuable... note: to the one that hired me, personally I gained most of my networking knowledge from the CCDA exam, but since this cert is less known to companies...

At the time I needed to, I think I made the good choice by combining MCSE, CCNA and CCDA, but with just one of these certs separately, it would have been (is) hard to get a job at all, but MCSE would be the one that would give the best chance to get a job. It's hard to get a real networking position with router config tasks and such with just CCNA... but again this all depends on the job you're applying for and also very important the experience you have. I worked in the IT industry for years before I even knew I could get certified... and at that time you didn't need certs either... I got a flashy company (sports-) car for a 600 meter drive those were the days...
For example, someone with a couple of years hands-on experience in the networking field (from cabling to configuring routers and switches) could benifit greatly from 'just' a CCNA cert...

So in short: MCSE is most valuable as for salary and getting a job, CCNA is necessary if you want a real networking job, and combined with MCSE CCNA is usually very good for your salary, marketability, and last but not least your knowledge. CCDA is something you do for yourself unless you want a consultancy job and/or get CCDP certified...

Even if you are going for a networking career as in routers/switches/cabling/VoiceoverIP/firewalls etc. (CCNA, CCDA, CCNP CCIE, other cisco Specialist certs) I would always suggest to do at least MCSA if you're not planning on going for MCSE.

Anyway, I think you are making a wise choice by taking Network+ before CCNA. It will ensure you know the basics and increase the value of your CCNA. I guess the moral here is: combine thou certs

Johan

bellboy

or you could use a network+ course as prep, by studying for it but not actually taking it

sparkz

Thanks for the in depth reply, i guess nothing beats experience, will have a crack at network+, enjoying the website, good to converse with people in the industry.

Cheers.