Would like to get to a network administrator level.

Im currently in the field as system support specialist at a non profit. I would really like to enhance my network admin skills. What certs would move me towards expert. My boss says network + which i failed recently. He would like to get a few MCTS, network + then move into CCNA role.

Right now Im studying for network +, Security +, then CCENT, then looking into the Microsoft route..

Suggestions would be appreciated..

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matt333

sounds like a good plan. i did a similar route net+ then Cisco.. it really helped me, learned a lot from it. you will definitely need the concepts you learn in the CCNA if you want to get into network admin position Good luck! net+ and ccent have some overlap.. if your low on money id go straight to Cisco

gdeusthewhizkid

your right .. glad i posted your path sounds like what i wanna do.. Since im already fresh with the networking topics in my head.. I might as well go straight for CCNA & CCent. How was the CCENt was it similar to the Net +

cmitchell_00

I believe you are on the right path now. The Net + is an overlap material for the CCNET exam but; if you are fresh I would take Net + first. I hear people say if they could do it all over they would just take the CCNA first or Net + then CCNA. However, if you don't understand the basic foundation you'll be lost with the Cisco material and I don't remember learning subnetting from Network + but, I learned the basics (i.e. cable types, OSI model etc...).

YFZblu

I'll be taking my CCENT on Monday, and when I started studying for it I was really glad I had the Network+ knowledge to lean on.

IP addressing, cabling, protocols, etc are all covered in network+. Subnetting is technically covered in Net+, however the exam is notorious for only asking one or two subnetting questions. So if your goal is to simply get the cert for employment purposes, you can always skip subnetting completely and pick it up when you start CCENT. That's what I did, and I killed Network+.

And for the record, I received exactly ONE subnetting question on the Net+ exam. A little frustrating considering some can spend weeks on subnetting before it finally clicks.

gdeusthewhizkid

just took the net+ missed it by a few points. 697. Im gonna take it a again in a few weeks.. when i get my money right. It frustrated me that I had that setback but i have to pass this test. Im glad i did prepare for it tho. I was really weak at networking even though Ive been a support technician for almost 10 years. I really learned a lot preparing for the network +. I should do well next go round...

gdeusthewhizkid

honestly I didnt see a lot of subnetting question on the network + i just took.. Im sure CCNa has ton of it. Hopefully i can take the net+ and the CCENT soon.. I still dont get subnetting at all..

gdeusthewhizkid

do you suggest getting security + after network plus and ccent or before?

buzzkill

gdeusthewhizkid wrote: »

honestly I didnt see a lot of subnetting question on the network + i just took.. Im sure CCNa has ton of it. Hopefully i can take the net+ and the CCENT soon.. I still dont get subnetting at all..

Subnetting comes with practice, practice and more practice.

You need to be **** hot at subnetting before taking the CCENT as you will no doubt discover once you start reading some of the recommended books for it.

YFZblu

gdeusthewhizkid wrote: »

do you suggest getting security + after network plus and ccent or before?

Security+ is structured around networking, so once you pass Network+ Security+ should have lots of familiar material.

matt333

gdeusthewhizkid wrote: »

just took the net+ missed it by a few points. 697. Im gonna take it a again in a few weeks.. when i get my money right. It frustrated me that I had that setback but i have to pass this test. Im glad i did prepare for it tho. I was really weak at networking even though Ive been a support technician for almost 10 years. I really learned a lot preparing for the network +. I should do well next go round...

sorry to hear that, youll get it next time. like everyone say subnetting comes from practice.. dont over complicate it. its just 1s,0s after all. i learned it from train signal with Cris [FONT=arial, sans-serif]Bryant but I'd pass the net+ before worrying about subnetting[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, sans-serif]Many people use this site for practice
[/FONT]subnettingquestions.com - Free Subnetting Questions and Answers Randomly Generated Online
[FONT=arial, sans-serif] id google around for more options [/FONT]

gdeusthewhizkid

thanks man.. will do that....

gdeusthewhizkid

i decided to do net +, security+, then CCENT, then take a break for a little.. My head hurts lol... Would these certs open doors for me ?

matt333

gdeusthewhizkid wrote: »

i decided to do net +, security+, then CCENT, then take a break for a little.. My head hurts lol... Would these certs open doors for me ?

IMO dont stop at the CCENT.. CCNA is a good stopping point.. besides once you get into the cisco material you wont want to stop.. its very addictive

gdeusthewhizkid

ok gotcha CCENt, network +, CCNA & security +.

kurosaki00

I think Net+, Sec+ and CCNA is a good path, can be done in a year with good planning and dedication.

Net+ will give you general knowledge about network and certain systems tasks. CCENT will not go with you to printers and installation of stuff like that.
And is sad to see a Network Admin that can provide routing answers but cant install a network printer.
Net+ and Sec+ will give you strong general knowledge of security, networks and systems.
CCNA will be the icing on the cake with specific more advance knowledge.

gdeusthewhizkid

I have a very strong hardware tech background as well as network admin background.. My employers just wanna see the certs so they can validate promoting me to network admin...

gdeusthewhizkid

kurosaki00 wrote: »

I think Net+, Sec+ and CCNA is a good path, can be done in a year with good planning and dedication.

Net+ will give you general knowledge about network and certain systems tasks. CCENT will not go with you to printers and installation of stuff like that.
And is sad to see a Network Admin that can provide routing answers but cant install a network printer.
Net+ and Sec+ will give you strong general knowledge of security, networks and systems.
CCNA will be the icing on the cake with specific more advance knowledge.

how long did it take for you to get CCent and network +.. I would like to get those first... since i know there's overlap.

Jason0352

Forget the Net+ cert if you're eventually going to get the CCENT. Waste of money imo since CCENT covers the relevant parts of Net+ already - plus teaches more in depth networking theory. Are they still covering BNC connectors on Net+ these days?

higherho

I'm currently going through the CCENT and it's going to be a subnneting hell :0 but I'm practicing my subnetting skills all the time. Heck at lunch last week I took a piece of paper out and starting putting IP's down and getting my magic number so I can get my subnet number.

Security + is not that bad but I would go the route your going. Network + (its been a while since I seen the concepts to it) but I do remember CCENT being a little bit more difficult.

Network + > Security + > CCENT > CCNA is the perfect route. However, for myself I skipped the network plus and just went for the CCENT because my job required me to gain the Security + first and I realized that the security + is technically higher than Net. But in your case I would get the Network + first then go right into CCENT and then CCNA (ICND2). After you get that, security + will be a breeze.

best site ever to increase your subnetting, VLSM, binary, etc skills.

http://www.subnetskills.com/index.php?Pg=binary-to-decimal

EDIT

the above poster (jason) is correct about the CCENT if your boss is not requiring networking +

kurosaki00

I recommended taking net+ because you said you failed the exam recently.
But now you say you have a good network background.
If so, I may say go ahead to ccna.
But remember this, Cisco exams are in a whole new level in difference with comptia. Way more complex and difficult.
By difficult I mean the complex and range of knowledge it covers, not difficult like tricky or something like that.
So I kind of still think to clear out the comptia triforce and go ahead for ccna.

I failed ccent then passed it. For me it was very challenging exam.
Net+ and A+ for me were quite easy because my background(work and personal) and background studies (major in comp science).
I say a person with good understanding of systems and networks (basics) and experience working in it. By work I mean actual supervised/paid work.
Should clear out the comptia triforce in a couple of months. Maybe 5 months? Depends on how much you study, your dedication, how well you retain material etc etc. Its very personal/individual.

CCNA for me is another thing, another level. Not only there is a lot of knowledge needed but a lot of applied knowledge needed.
I say from 3months-1yr easily depending on the person.
It can be done in a very short time, but I find hard to believe that someone that just opened up to ccna material and passes it in a month or two have what it takes to manage the tasks in the job.
You dont just need to know how to do something, you need to know how to get there by many ways. Troubleshooting etc.

YFZblu

Jason0352 wrote: »

Forget the Net+ cert if you're eventually going to get the CCENT. Waste of money imo since CCENT covers the relevant parts of Net+ already - plus teaches more in depth networking theory. Are they still covering BNC connectors on Net+ these days?

I don't disagree with you as far as pure coursework is concerned; however Network+ is certainly more marketable for whatever reason, so if one is looking for quick employment I would argue Network+ is more valuable than CCENT in that respect.

Roguetadhg

Studying the CCNA (at the time) I passed the Net+ without picking up a "Net+" book, it was all knowledge gained from going through the CCNA studies.

gdeusthewhizkid

yea lol..... what certs would you suggest since im already in the field almost 10 years but only have a mcp xp. would like to get some certs thinking of getting the mcitp for support tech out the way first.. since it's a bit cheaper...