How much is worth a CCENT vs Network+

Hi,

Right until yesterday, I was pretty sure to take the Network+ certification. I like the fact that the Network+ is neutral (not vendor based). However, while I was looking at the required exams for CCNA (which I would like to do), I noticed that the 100-101 ICND1 exam (CCENT cert) is part of CCNA. Since I noticed this, I'm thinking about taking CCENT instead of N+, because I would be only 1 exam away from CCNA and would have a CCENT cert.

I am not planning on rushing to go to CCNA. My planning was to take a basic network cert (N+, CCENT), make sure that I understand the basics of networking and then move up to CCNA when I have time. Father of 2 beautiful girls, wife currently at school and 2 jobs, I am a very busy man. But I am at a point in my career where I need to learn more and I would love to get to know networking more. Networking is an important part of my day to day and I'm struggling there.

My question is, how much is worth a CCENT vs a N+ in the industry ? I am not looking at changing job, but I like to think that a cert would do me some good in my resume. I am looking to get certified to have more knowledge into networks at this point but if a CCENT or N+ can help me to get a better job, that's a good ROI. I've been working in IT for about 10 years now and have been playing around with Cisco devices for the past 5 years. I know the basics in IOS, but relays too much often on Google and third parties to troubleshoot issues with Cisco/network devices. Currently, our network is entirely Cisco based and I am often lost when trying to resolve an issue or understand some concepts; thus why I would like a basic cert and then move up to CCNA if I feel the need and have the time. I am sure my current employer would like to have a tech with more knowledge in IOS, since we are pretty much all at the same level. Our network has more than 50 managed switches, firewalls, VPNs and fiber/SFP equipment.

What do you guys think ? Which cert pays better on a resume ? I understand that both certs are pretty similar in term of knowledge (CCENT pushing Cisco while N+ is more about concepts I believe). It would makes sense for my current job to go the Cisco route since everything is Cisco here, but I am doing this for my-self at home.

Thanks,

Guillaume.

Find more posts tagged with

Free for TechExams community: Cybersecurity salary guide

Compare cert salaries and plan your next career move

Button

Comments

Vask3n

Honestly it is not fair to say that the main difference between the two is just that N+ is vendor neutral and Cisco is vendor specific.

Have you seen the new CCENT/ICND1 exam? It is gnarlier than the current one and they are pushing CCNA/ICND2 topics onto ICND1.

So there wouldn't really be any comparison between the two anymore- CCENT is definitely a more challenging and impressive exam than Network+.

The difference between the two is that CCENT expects you to already MASTER subnetting by the time you take the exam, whereas Network+ may or may not even grill you on subnetting in the first place. When you get CCENT let alone CCNA you can actually say you have mastered the material because it is the only way to pass the exams especially the router sims.

On Network+ you will get questions that are based on memorization, history, and standards which is just not as real world as Cisco.

networker050184

I wouldn't bother with the N+ personally. If you plan is to make a career in networking then the CCENT/CCNA are going to have much better ROI for you.

bbarrick

networker050184 wrote: »

I wouldn't bother with the N+ personally. If you plan is to make a career in networking then the CCENT/CCNA are going to have much better ROI for you.

Especially if you are already working in and around Cisco devices.

danny069

A lot of jobs look for CCENT/CCNA, I don't really see a lot that require the N+, however if you want to build foundations of networking, then take the N+ first, then ICND1, ICND2. In a real world scenario, a guy I worked with a month ago took his ICND1 3 times. On the 3rd time, he passed, and after he passed he said he definitely got noticed more with the CCENT on his resume, more call backs, more interviews, etc. (I am located in nyc, queens, most jobs are in manhattan) Now he is working with Bloomberg as a network technician, he had also just graduated with a bachelors in computer science with a focus on networking. I e-mailed him yesterday to follow up to see how he was doing and if he completed his CCNA, he never responded so I guess he must be busy. I was the one who motivated him too, and kept pushing him to take his CCENT and told him not to give up. Anyway I hope the bastard e-mails me back.

DoubleNNs

If you already have some experience w/ Cisco and some prior networking knowledge, jump right into the CCENT.

bigdogz

This depends on where you live and what type of work you want to do.
I have my Network+ 3 years ago and I thought this was more simple and brought up some general topics using Windows client workstations. It did not include the current simulations that are in the exam today.
I just recently took the CCNAX boot camp and almost fell asleep only because I already know 95% of the material and I wanted a refresher for the exam.

If you are in the US the Network+ is more popular than Europe. It is part of DoD 8570m standards used by the government which may help you if you would like to work in that environment. The Net+ now needs to be renewed by EU's (or CPE's which are known by most) and an annual fee. If you want to get in a server admin position the Net+ should assist you.

The CCENT will deal more with subnetting and as with all other Cisco exams once you answer the question you cannot go back. You have to renew the CCENT after 3 years. The CCENT will soon be a prerequisite for the CCDA. If you wish to go down the path of network admin or network engineer and learn Cisco gear than you should go for the CCENT.

Regards,
Bigdogz

Souljacker

I'd only recommend Net+ over CCENT if you have extra cash or a company that is paying for it. If it's a decision of one OR the other, the Cisco cert will look more impressive on your resume so go for that first.

Vask3n

Souljacker wrote: »

I'd only recommend Net+ over CCENT if you have extra cash or a company that is paying for it. If it's a decision of one OR the other, the Cisco cert will look more impressive on your resume so go for that first.

Solid advice here and this is basically how I see it- if I have an employee paying for training or exam costs then of course I would feel free to take any cert exam and corresponding training, but if I am paying out of my own pocket for a test it is going to be one that I think is worth it.

Souljacker

Besides, we're more fun over here in Cisco land.

shellee1983

networker050184 wrote: »

I wouldn't bother with the N+ personally. If you plan is to make a career in networking then the CCENT/CCNA are going to have much better ROI for you.

I agree with this statement. Network + is a far more basic certification and few employers look for this. Cisco certs are far more difficult however they are more coveted by employers.

leonardg

Thank you everyone for your answers. When I googled about the differences between N+ and CCENT, I read over some blogs and posts that N+ and CCENT were quite the same in many ways. However, this was before the new exam (100-101) as some posts were over 1-2 years old. Therefore, since the exam content changed as Vask3n mentionned, these comments are not relevant anymore. I didn't know that the exam changed, so it's good to know.

Now that Cisco is pushing ICND2 topics into ICND1, N+ might be "officially" the easiest between the 2 and less complex.

What I'm thinking to do is not to take the N+ exam/cert. However, I might order the N+ Mike Meyers book, read it and then jump to CCENT/CCNA studies/cert. I agree, it will probably be redundant while studying for ICND1 if I read N+ before, but I think reading N+ book and understanding the basics could provide me a good starting point to jump to (now) more difficult ICND1. What do you guys think about this plan ? As I said before, I am not in a hurry, I'm taking my time. I can afford a 40$ book, but you are right, if I can avoid a 250$ fee for N+ exam, I will.

DoubleNNs

I think that's a great plan. You'll build a stronger foundation that way and the Cisco exam will be easier in turn.

Vask3n

leonardg wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your answers. When I googled about the differences between N+ and CCENT, I read over some blogs and posts that N+ and CCENT were quite the same in many ways. However, this was before the new exam (100-101) as some posts were over 1-2 years old. Therefore, since the exam content changed as Vask3n mentionned, these comments are not relevant anymore. I didn't know that the exam changed, so it's good to know.

Now that Cisco is pushing ICND2 topics into ICND1, N+ might be "officially" the easiest between the 2 and less complex.

What I'm thinking to do is not to take the N+ exam/cert. However, I might order the N+ Mike Meyers book, read it and then jump to CCENT/CCNA studies/cert. I agree, it will probably be redundant while studying for ICND1 if I read N+ before, but I think reading N+ book and understanding the basics could provide me a good starting point to jump to (now) more difficult ICND1. What do you guys think about this plan ? As I said before, I am not in a hurry, I'm taking my time. I can afford a 40$ book, but you are right, if I can avoid a 250$ fee for N+ exam, I will.

This is an excellent plan, and earlier I did not mean to sound condescending to Network+ as an exam, but dollars for dollars and knowledge for knowledge (ok I made that phrase up), you can spend 261 to get a shot at N+ or 150 to get a shot at CCENT which is a more significant certification. However, your idea for getting the N+ book as a reference and starting point is a good idea- I think there are also some free Network+ videos on youtube (Professor Messer) so you can also jump right in on those!

fly2dw

leonardg wrote: »

What I'm thinking to do is not to take the N+ exam/cert. However, I might order the N+ Mike Meyers book, read it and then jump to CCENT/CCNA studies/cert. I agree, it will probably be redundant while studying for ICND1 if I read N+ before, but I think reading N+ book and understanding the basics could provide me a good starting point to jump to (now) more difficult ICND1.

This is good! As many have already mentioned the Network+ is not really a resume enhancing certification for many jobs. However it is better for completeness and preparing you for certifications such as CCENT/CCNA. Back when I did a Network+ I did not have as much experience in networks as you, I was more systems (As I still am, but slowly gaining a lot more exposure and skills on networks), that is why I studied for the exam. Back then there was no expiry date on CompTIA certifications which meant it could just stay on the resume without having to flag it as expired at some point (Which is always better). However now it expires, if you are going a networking route I doubt you would bother re-taking the Network+ when you have the likes of a CCNA to re-take or even CCNP etc (Unless you took another CompTIA cert instead like Security+ as this will refresh your other CompTIA certs, again like I did).

Therefore the fact you have some good experience already, your plan above seems sound in my opinion. The Network+ is a good certification and if you know all the content well, you can concentrate on the more Cisco specific topics within the CCENT (Oh and sub netting... a lot of it). For me I thought it was great as I didn't have to get bogged down with the OSI model and ports/protocols etc as the Network+ had covered all that, it was just a refresher. I am currently enjoying my ICND2 studies, hopefully take the exam in a month or so to complete my CCNA!

Best of luck!

ph1x10n

fly2dw wrote: »

...(Unless you took another CompTIA cert instead like Security+ as this will refresh your other CompTIA certs, again like I did)

You can renew your CompTIA certs through achieving a wide variety of other certs including CCENT/CCNA/CCNP (for renewing net+), its not limited to just CompTIA certs, you do need to be 'enrolled in the Continuing Education Program' though.
CE Program: Renewing Through Other Certifications

fly2dw

ph1x10n wrote: »

You can renew your CompTIA certs through achieving a wide variety of other certs including CCENT/CCNA/CCNP (for renewing net+), its not limited to just CompTIA certs, you do need to be 'enrolled in the Continuing Education Program' though.
CE Program: Renewing Through Other Certifications

Ah yes very true, thank you for adding that information.

Sorry I forgot to mention that, however I wasn't a fan of this method as you have to pay a fee to enroll on that program if I remember correctly? As mentioned already the CompTIA certifications are really for your own learning benefit to pursue a variety of different paths (Which I highly recommend), as opposed to resume candy and specialist skills.

ph1x10n

Yea it costs about $50 a year I believe.

DoubleNNs

fly2dw wrote: »

However now it expires, if you are going a networking route I doubt you would bother re-taking the Network+ when you have the likes of a CCNA to re-take or even CCNP etc (Unless you took another CompTIA cert instead like Security+ as this will refresh your other CompTIA certs, again like I did).

Cisco certs renew the Network+.

Edit: I didn't read the rest of the thread. ::foot in mouth::

gadav478

I always hear better things about the CCENT than the Network+ so I would definitely say go for the CCENT. However, if you are new to networking, the Network+ literature is good to learn the foundations. I learned more from studying the Network+ than my CCENT.

leonardg

Thank you guys, I appreciate all your replies. I just ordered N+ Mike Meyers book from Amazon !! I can't wait to receive it and read it

N+ reading first, then move up to CCENT / CCNA

Again, thank you, all of you

Dyasis

leonardg wrote: »

Thank you guys, I appreciate all your replies. I just ordered N+ Mike Meyers book from Amazon !! I can't wait to receive it and read it

N+ reading first, then move up to CCENT / CCNA

Again, thank you, all of you

That's the book I am reading now, and I am enjoying it, seems to be organized well.

Good luck