CompTIA A+ - Passed, now where to go ?

[BoozerDawg]

I recently thought its about time I got some certifications, just to help with job prospects, as everything I know is self taught with not much to put on CV. I started reading Mike Meyers CompTIA A+ book about 3 months ago, and within the past 2 weeks did the first exam, passed, took the second exam yesterday and passed that also, so certified on that now (thank god, so much old crap I will never have to deal with on the exam).

I know its not really considered very important cert but I just felt like having that one done and dusted sorts me out for going for further certs (almost like a theory test for driving). Something that does interest me is the Networking side of things (something I have little knowledge about but would be interested in learning). I currently have an IT job at a school (which I'm learning all about how domains/active directory etc works, which is also kind of interesting), and I'm learning while there but the pay is a bit naff, so hopefully I will take what I can, get some more certs then move on

Is the CompTIA Network+ worth going for ? I know there's a Cisco one too but I've read that's good if you plan to really only work in Cisco environments, whereas the Network+ is a bit more general.

What say you guys ?

 

[FoxEye]

I did the Network+ years ago when I was on the dole. It's not hard. It's also not valued by anyone as a serious qualification. Possibly because it's not hard

People who want to get into networking all seem to go down the Cisco certs route. Well, so they keep telling me. I was never really that interested in networks; did the Network+ thing because it was free for me I honestly don't think it helps at all to get a job. YMMV.

 

[paradigm]

Don't bother with the network+.

Go straight into the CCENT (first half of the new CCNA) and get that under your belt. The CCENT doesn't go particularly proprietary and tries to stay more "general" networking.

Then you have a good stepping stone to finishing your CCNA R&S.

I wouldn't look twice at seeing a network+ on a CV that passed over my desk, it's just too simple.

 

[Ev0]

I'd also look at doing Security+ as well, can be easily self studied using the Mike Meyers book too and gives a good high level look at things.

 

[FoxEye]

I wouldn't look twice at seeing a network+ on a CV that passed over my desk, it's just too simple.

This is true, as I said. I mean, a couple hours at night school once a week for a couple months, and most of it I already knew (real basic stuff, do you understand IP addresses and net masks? Know what a router does does? Easy peasy).

Didn't revise or anything, walked into the exam and got, iirc, something like 90%.

Nobody even asks me about it in interviews. Nobody

 

[Janesy B]

This is true, as I said. I mean, a couple hours at night school once a week for a couple months, and most of it I already knew (real basic stuff, do you understand IP addresses and net masks? Know what a router does does? Easy peasy).

Didn't revise or anything, walked into the exam and got, iirc, something like 90%.

Nobody even asks me about it in interviews. Nobody

If you pick things up well just go for the CCNA, it's not difficult, it does take time though.

 

[paradigm]

If you pick things up well just go for the CCNA, it's not difficult, it does take time though.

By "time" what do you mean? I got my colleague through his CCENT and CCNA R&S in less than 2 calendar months, with nothing more than the CBT nugget videos, the cisco press study guide and GNS3/packet tracer labs.

Likewise, i did my CCNA voice in less than 4 weeks, and my CCNP R&S in less than 6 months.

 

[Janesy B]

By "time" what do you mean? I got my colleague through his CCENT and CCNA R&S in less than 2 calendar months, with nothing more than the CBT nugget videos, the cisco press study guide and GNS3/packet tracer labs.

Likewise, i did my CCNA voice in less than 4 weeks, and my CCNP R&S in less than 6 months.

I am suggesting that he can't just walk into the exam with no practise or revision and get 90%.

 

[jsmoke]

Did the A+ and N+ years ago, IP addressing I think was the trickiest thing getting all the subnet masks and IP addresses correct.

 

[paradigm]

I am suggesting that he can't just walk into the exam with no practise or revision and get 90%.

Not without any prior cisco exposure no.

On the other hand, all I did for my CCNA Voice was read the Cisco Press book, book an exam, and 100% it

Did the A+ and N+ years ago, IP addressing I think was the trickiest thing getting all the subnet masks and IP addresses correct.

And herein lies the problem with the network+. If basic maths was the hardest part, the qualification is useless.

 

[jimjamuk]

Sorry Network+ isnt regarded highly in most industries and a CCNA would beat it hands down - yes its Cisco orientated but for 95% Cisco follows the standards out there and most companies have some sort of Cisco infrastructure (not all!). Its also a fairly decent benchmark before looking at experience on CV's.

Get the CCENT done and then you can pick your flavour of CCNA these days with Routing and Switching being the "standard"

CCNP is just a bit more indepth and i found the CCIE written exam to just be a composite of the CCNP modules with a bit added in

 

[BoozerDawg]

Sorry for the late reply, looks like the consensus is skip Network+ and go for CCENT, so I think that's what I'l do Any suggested materials for this ? Networking has never been mine strong point (the most technical things I've done was setting up ICS for a few PC's at home, and being shown how to setup VLAN's, tagging ports and trunk ports at work, but it was more step by step rather than how/why I'm doing it).

 

[FirebarUK]

Ignore networking and go get yourself some AWS certifications

 

[jsmoke]

I remember using some network simulator software, I think it was from Cisco but I can't remember the name. It let you drag and drop equipment and set IP's and subnet masks. Worth looking into whats available.