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I keep debating over which test I should take. I just graduated the 23rd of August with a B.S. in Network Admin and have been looking for jobs but haven’t landed one so far. I have books for both exams and I’ll pick one up read a couple chapters and then set it down for a couple days and then maybe pick up the other one and do the same. I don’t want to sound like I’m making an excuse but the reason I keep putting the certification off is b/c I needed a break from school and the constant studying of the past several years; which I have now gotten. But it’s now time to buckle down and get my first certification. CCNA (ICND1/ICND2) or Network+?

Please give me your opinion on why it would be more beneficial than the other.

Thanks

@HP @Cisco @CompTIA

29 Spice ups
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I would go with the Network +, as this is a “neutral vendor” course. I would also say the starting point for all network courses out there as this give you the basic and starting knowledge to proceed. I would recommend this to do before the CCNA course.

6 Spice ups
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If you have a BS in Network Admin, Network+ should be a cake walk. CCNA will carry far more weight on your resume however in my opinion.

22 Spice ups
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CCNA. Works best when in Cisco NetAcad (Networking Academy).

Given the Seattle profile pic, should be plentiful community colleges which offer the NetAcad. Big advantage of NetAcad is being with like minded students, having hard equipment provided, having an on hand instructor for consultation (quick or not so quick), and successful completion grants a CCNA test voucher. Can be encouraging for an employer to see a continuing education course beyond the BS degree on the résumé. Drawback is the two-semester format. First semester ought be review and straightforward. Second semester will require dedicated study and practice time.

Somewhere before completing the CCNA, take the N+. May even be able to get a discount CompTIA voucher, if the college participates in a partner program. N+ has ~10% material or so not covered in CCNA when last checked.

As may be known, CCNA R&S is the gateway cert to the rest of the Cisco world…and there is a lot to that world.

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Agree. N+ is an entry level cert. CCNA is nearing intermediate level.

7 Spice ups
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Keep in mind that once you have a certification, there are many networking professionals who will scoff at you, until you can prove you can actually do the work. I’ve seen more “certified” people than non-“certified” people who don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground, yet they can study for, and pass a test. These “certification” programs should make mandatory the hands-on proofing of the student’s skills with real-life testing on real-life equipment. Only then will network professionals who don’t have time for “certification” testing take “certified” people seriously. /

5 Spice ups
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For the CCNA, it is the entry point. Would need 2-3 more associate level certs (e.g., security, wireless, voip, CCDA), and CCNP helps.

Cisco NetAcad helps, as there is direct hands-on for the duration of the course. Again, a starting point.

Next level up is getting more of the hands-on. That can be done via your contacts, user groups, internship(s), and so on.

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What on earth could you study for a 4 year degree in Network Administration that doesn’t include Cisco coursework?
I would go for the CCNA .No need to take the network+ if you already have a 4 year degree in Network Administration.

6 Spice ups
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Absolutely right

You are going to get a lot further by developing a home lab setup and gaining practical experience in systems and network setup.

I have interviewed people who have been qualified with certs from here to eternity but have never crimped the end of a CAT 5 cable, installed a a server, run p2v migration or done anything ‘real’

Practical experience matters

4 Spice ups
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Network + then CCNA

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Well, this thread sure isn’t going to help you decide. Lots of conflicting opinions. I might as well throw mine into the mix!

If you want to ease back into studying nice and gently and you would like a relatively ‘easy win’ then go for Network+. If you think that you have the discipline required to put real effort into studying then you will get far more from the CCNA. In fact, I believe quite strongly that you will get more from CCENT/ICND1 than you will from the Network+. I’m not saying it’s a waste of time though - any time you spend studying ‘networking’ is going to be useful. ICND1 and Network+ have an awful lot of overlapping content, so doing Network+ will go a long way to preparing you for CCNA.

Vendor neutrality isn’t as important as some people describe. Learn the semantics and then google the syntax. Unless you’re working with a specific brand a lot, you’ll probably have to do that anyway half the time.
Lets say you’ve connected your windows/mac/linux computer to a brand new router. You’ve given your computer the network settings outlined in the documentation but you can’t get any response from the router. You think back to your studying and decide that you want to check the ARP table. You type ‘show arp’. It doesn’t work. 3 seconds later you’ve googled the correct command and now you’re typing ‘arp -a’.
CCNA did not necessarily teach you the exact commands for every vendor, but it does teach you exactly what tool you should be looking for. Google can give you the translation very easily. After you’ve learned how to achieve all of your networking goals using cisco, translating the syntax to any other system takes seconds.

7 Spice ups
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If you want to get into network, CCNA, no question, if you want an understanding of networks, but intend to pursue another any, Net+.

1 Spice up
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My view is to take them both.

Network+, by itself, is nearly useless in terms of getting employment. When combined with other certs, it shows a lot more.

Network+ is, imho, pretty easy and is vendor neutral.

CCNA, on the other hand is only partly vendor neutral - the rest is hard core Cisco.

What do you want to do with your future?

3 Spice ups
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+1 for this, CCNA is the path you should go on. Network+ wouldn’t add any more weight to the accreditation that you already have.

1 Spice up
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Been there Done that - If you can pass the CCNA, then the Net+ will be a snap. That said, The CCNA caries more weight than the Net+, but having more certs on your resume is better than fewer so if you can afford the cost of the exams, do both.

1 Spice up
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If you are reading the Network+ material and feel that you are learning things, start there. The CCNA is at a higher level than Network+.

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I passed Net+ as I’m working with different vendors. There fore, this is answer: if your path is only/mostly with Cisco equipment, then CCNA is beginning of long journey on certification path. Otherwise, go to Net+.

Lot of vendors accepting CompTIA exams in their track. Microsoft doing so, for example.

If I remember correctly, you can take Net+ and then just second CCNA exam.

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I’ll echo as well. CCNA.

CCNA covers everything that Net+ covers, plus some more Cisco specific stuff → More value.

In general all those ‘+’ tests are very low level and basic. ‘Studied’ one afternoon before taking the Sec+ as ,my employer at the time wanted me to get it. Very very low level…

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You should be able to pass the Network+ with just your education alone, it is pretty basic. The CCNA you will need to buckle down for. If I were you I would take the Network+ cold and see if you got a good education :slight_smile: If you have never taken a certification test, the Network+ is a good one to start with to break the ice.

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I’ll second that. If you can pass the CCNA, I’d say it’s pretty safe to assume the Net+ wouldn’t be an issue.

In my mind, you’re better off devoting the time to the more valuable certification, and then if you choose to, you can always grab the CCNA. I’d assume anyone interested in a CCNA certification probably realized that if you have a CCNA, you’re more than likely solid on anything the Net+ would ask of you.

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CCNA! It is highly respected.