General Discussion - CCNA vs. Net+

Author

CCNA vs. Net+

jagojago12

2003-09-17, 6:31 pm

If you already have a CCNA, what is the importance of holding a Network+ certification? Do any of you think I should "forget" about the Network+ cert if I have already attained my CCNA?

Some people may view the CCNA as a higher-level certification than the Network+, but if there is a benefit with the Net+, it's that it's vendor-neutral while the CCNA it's Cisco. That's not to say the skills involved with a CCNA are not able to be applied to more things than Cisco, but generally the Net+ cert can be looked at as a more broad set of networking concepts.

For example, I think the Network+ certification also deals with the OSI model, and of course binary math and maybe even some subnetting.

ChrisDfer

2003-09-17, 11:05 pm

If I got my CCNA before I got my network+ I most likely would not have got my network+, unless of course I had some special reason for doing so. I would perhaps spend that $200 somewhere else where I might not have already proven knowledge of. Maybe spend it on taking a Linux and MS exam and prove that you don't just know the "talking points" about the OS's but that you actually know how to use them. However, I think someone without the CCNA would find the Network+ very helpful because it works as a great primer to everything else. Just my view and if I was you I wouldn't think anything of it.

Boulware5

2003-09-17, 11:08 pm

Net+ is a waste of money if you already have a CCNA in my opinion.

Tarzanboy

2003-09-18, 2:29 am

The only plus that a Network+ offers that the CCNA doesn't, is that you can keep it for life. Aside from that, it is a waste, if you have a CCNA.

Cheers,
TB

Papiya

2003-09-18, 7:49 am

quote:
Originally posted by Boulware5
Net+ is a waste of money if you already have a CCNA in my opinion.

Agreed. Net+ might be a good prep fot the Net+ if you know nothing about networking, but in practice it isn't worth much since there are so many more valuable networking certs (MCSE, CNE, RHCE, CCIE) out there. And at least CCNA put you in the track to be a specialist in Cisco products, which the Net+ does not.

jeff50ho

2003-09-18, 9:33 am

I actually got my CCNA before I got my Net+. I don't think any cert is a waste. I am using my Net+ to count towards my MCSA right now so it wasn't a complete waste and the Net+ covered a broad range of topics. I say you should take advantage of an opportunity and add an extra cert. It has also helped me at my job because I am that much more valuable. Believe it or not the last cert I got was my A+. I don't think there is quite such a thing as going backwards with certs. Think of it as a collection to show you have demonstrated knowledge in a particular area.

Forsaken

2003-09-18, 10:06 am

I think Net+ is a good stepping stone prior to taking the CCNA tho

Sponsored Links