Which is the premier network certification?

ITGuy88

Net+, MCSE, or Cisco cert? Which is the most recognized in the profession?

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keatron

Depends on what type of job roles you're looking for and what you define as networking. Network+ is not by any means the equivilent of MCSE and definantly not CCIE. Network plus is vendor nuetral, the other two are are not. You should consider Network+ a good starting point for either MCSE or any of the Cisco certs.

Ricka182

I would say CCIE is the guru-level of networking certs, followed by Juniper certs. Net+, like Keatron said is not by any means equal.

strauchr

CCIE by far is the dominant cert but it doesn't mean a thing if your working with MS products. Each cert has its own place with the products you'll be working with. MCSE is the top for MS, CCIE for Cisco. Having never done Cisco certs I can't say which is harder/better but by reputation and requirements CCIE is considered the god of certs.

mikey_b

As far as "network" certs, Network+ is basically the foundation. It teaches about OSI and various protocols which serve as the basis for network communication. It doesn't even compare to the Cisco CCNA exam, and is far, far below the CCIE. Similarly, on the Microsoft side of things the Network+ covers only the foundation topics for the infrastructure exams like 291, but while the Network+ tests to see if you know what things are, the MS side gets into actually making it work in software (server) and Cisco gets into making things work in firmware (ios).

I consider MCSE to be more of a technical architect certification, while MCSA is more for the administrators.

I consider CCIE to be the top IT certification, designed for engineering leads and specialists, the best in their field, while CCNA displays confidence administering and managing network infrastructure. CCNP is middle of the road and can really go either way depending on experience.

Network+, while not as "potent" on a resume, indicates basic knowledge and the ability to learn networking concepts, and when used in conjunction with other certs, shows a desire to improve ones skillset, making you more valuable to a prospective employer.

filkenjitsu

Lots of Networking options.

Cisco - Juniper - Nortel - Lucent - Motorola - Comptia Net+

Cisco has lots, but these are common: CCIE, CCNP, CCNA

Juniper is supposed to be mega difficult also, but I believe they have entery level certs.

Nortel has varying, like Cisco, easy to very hard

I do not know much about Lucents certs.

Do not know much about Motorola, they control most of the market with Push-To-Talk, SMS, Data, type switches in the cellular industry. They are 3rd only to Lucent and #1 guy, Nortel.

Chivalry1

CCIE

shadown7

I also say CCIE!

Ten9t6

As others have said...it depends on the environment. CCIE is a really good one.....

Others have mentioned Juniper....I can tell you that the JNCIA M/T (entry level) has a lot of CCNP/IP level topics..The JNCIS M/T (second level) was harder than my CCIE R/S written. So, Juniper exams are no joke. From what I have seen so far, the JNCIE looks like a more difficult than the CCIE R/S. You have to pass the JNCIS to qualify for the JNCIP lab.....and that lab qualifies you to take another lab..the JNCIE. The last time I looked, there were only about 124 in the world. Good stuff....

Kenny

filkenjitsu

I can tell you that the JNCIA M/T (entry level) has a lot of CCNP/IP level topics..The JNCIS M/T (second level) was harder than my CCIE R/S written. So, Juniper exams are no joke. From what I have seen so far, the JNCIE looks like a more difficult than the CCIE R/S. You have to pass the JNCIS to qualify for the JNCIP lab.....and that lab qualifies you to take another lab..the JNCIE. The last time I looked, there were only about 124 in the world. Good stuff....

WOW, LOOKS LIKE JUNIPER IS KILLER!

filkenjitsu

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Expert (JNCIE-M)

Exam code: CERT-JNCIE-M

Practical exam (hands-on lab)

Held at selected Juniper Networks testing centers

Exam length: 8 hours

Pass/fail status is available within ten business days

Prerequisite certification: JNCIP-M

Recommended Training: Above plus additional training as individually required

At the pinnacle of the M-series & T-series certification track is the 1-day JNCIE-M practical exam. Maintaining the industry standard for technical excellence established by the JNTCP, the JNCIE-M certification continues to give candidates the opportunity to distinguish themselves as the truly elite of the networking world. The 8-hour format of this exam requires that candidates troubleshoot a pre-configured ISP network consisting of 10 M-series routers. Candidates are then presented with additional configuration tasks appropriate for an expert-level engineer.
The JNCIE-M is valid for two years. Re-certification is achieved by passing the current version of the JNCIS-M exam.

Exam topics MAY include:
Expert Level Operation, Configuration, and Troubleshooting skills, Routing Protocols: BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, and RIP, Routing Policy, Firewall Filters, CoS, MPLS, VPNs, IPv6, and Multicast.

filkenjitsu

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional (JNCIP-M)

Exam code: CERT-JNCIP-M

Practical exam (hands-on lab)

Held at selected Juniper Networks testing centers

Exam length: 8 hours

Pass/fail status is available within ten business days

Prerequisite certification: JNCIS-M

Recommended Training: Above plus additional training as individually required

The JNCIP-M is designed to validate the networking professionals' ability to configure and troubleshoot common routing scenarios. Throughout this 8-hour practical exam, candidates will build an ISP consisting of seven M-series routers and multiple EBGP neighbors. Successful candidates will perform system configuration on all seven routers, install an IGP, a well-designed IBGP, establish connections with all EBGP neighbors as specified, and correctly configure the required routing policies. Passing the JNCIP-M exam is a requirement for attempting the JNCIE-M practical exam.
The JNCIP-M is valid for two years. Re-certification is achieved by passing the current version of the JNCIS-M exam.

Exam topics MAY include:
Advanced Operation, Configuration, and Troubleshooting skills, Routing Protocols: BGP, OSPF, IS-IS and RIP, Routing Policy.

filkenjitsu

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist (JNCIS-M)

Exam code: JN0-303

Written exam

Administered at Prometric testing centers worldwide

Exam length: 90 minutes

Exam type: 75 multiple-choice questions

Passing grade: 70%

Pass/fail status is available immediately

Prerequisite certification: none

Recommended Training: Above plus
Advanced Juniper Networks Routing
Advanced Policy

The JNCIS-M is designed for networking professionals with advanced knowledge of, and experience with, the Juniper Networks M-series Routers, T-series Routing Platforms, and JUNOS Software. The JNCIS-M exam tests for a wider and deeper level of knowledge than does the JNCIA-M exam. Sources of question content include the M-series routers (and T-series routers and JUNOS Software) documentation set, on the job product experience, as well as the understanding of Internet technologies and design principles considered to be common knowledge at the Specialist level. Passing the JNCIS-M exam is a prerequisite for attempting the JNCIP-M practical exam.
The JNCIS-M is valid for two years. Re-certification is achieved by passing the current version of the JNCIS-M exam.

Exam topics include:
Operation, Configuration and Troubleshooting, Routing Protocols: BGP, OSPF, and IS-IS, Routing Policy, MPLS, Multicast Router and Network Security, Router and Network Management, VPNs, and IPv6.

Note: In cases of identical topics in both the JNCIA-M and JNCIS-M exam, questions are of a more advanced nature on the JNCIS-M exam.

filkenjitsu

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIA-M)

Exam code: JN0-201

Written exam

Administered at Prometric testing centers worldwide

Exam length: 60 minutes

Exam type: 60 multiple-choice questions

Passing grade: 70%

Pass/fail status is available immediately

Prerequisite certification: none

Recommended Training:
Configuring Juniper Networks Routers-M (CJNR-M)

Designed for experienced networking professionals with beginner to intermediate knowledge of the Juniper Networks M-series Routers, T-series Routing Platforms, and JUNOS Software, this written exam verifies the candidate's basic understanding of Internet technology and related platform configuration and troubleshooting skills.
JNCIA-M exam topics are based on the content of the Configuring Juniper Networks Routers-M (CJNR-M) instructor led training course. Just as the CJNR-M is the first class most students attend when beginning their study of Juniper Networks M-series routers (and T-series routers and JUNOS software), the JNCIA-M exam will be the first certification exam most attempt. This exam is NOT a prerequisite for the JNCIS-M exam.

The JNCIA-M is valid for two years. Re-certification is achieved by passing the current version of the JNCIA-M exam.

Exam topics include:
Operation, Configuration and Troubleshooting, Routing Protocols: BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, and RIP, Protocol Independent Routing Properties, Routing Policy, Firewall Filters, MPLS, and Multicast

garv221

hands down network+...LOL.