CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Network+ Certification
The Network+ Certification is provided by CompTIA, which is a non-profit trade association and provides various professional certifications for the IT industry, all over the world. CompTIA also offers membership programs for companies which include informative resources for the businesses and allows them to stay updated and at the forefront of the IT industry. CompTIA’s certifications including the Network+ certification are recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) which increases their significance in the IT industry.
The Network+ certification from CompTIA validates the skills and competency of a networking professional to maintain, troubleshoot and configure a basic network infrastructure. Similar to other CompTIA certifications, the Network+ certification is international and neutral regarding to vendors.
The CompTIA Network+ certification has a strong repute in the certification world and is included by Microsoft in their Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) program. Other corporations and network specialist companies including Novell, Cisco and HP also recognize the significance of CompTIA’s Network+ certification and include it as a part of their own certification tracks.
CompTIA recommends candidates planning to get the Network+ certification, to first achieve the A+ certification and have at least nine months of hands on experience in the following areas to attempt the Network+ certification:
- Network support and administration.
- Formal academic and technical training.
Although there are no mandatory pre-requisites from CompTIA, having the A+ certification is suggested.
The first exam for the Network+ certification N10-001 was introduced in 1999 and has been through 4 revisions. The latest version of the exam is N10-004 and according to the CompTIA website nearly a quarter million people all over the world hold the Network+ certification.
Examination Details
The latest Network+ certification exam known as N10-004 CompTIA Network+ Exam (2009 Edition) will be valid till 2012, after which it shall be revised again. The Network+ certification provides a good foundation for candidates interested in attempting other networking certifications from vendors such as Microsoft or Cisco.
The exam consists of 100 questions which have to be attempted in 90 minutes. The passing score on a scale of 100 – 900 is 720. The exams are currently available in 3 different languages worldwide and costs $239, although CompTIA members are eligible for discounts.
Although the Network+ certification has lifetime validity, in some situations a re-test it may be required by an employer to ensure that a Network+ certified engineer’s skills are up to date regarding the technology, released since the time of the formal receiving of the certification, in the first place.
Certified professionals have the option of taking the Network+ 2009 bridge exam (BR0-002) to re-certify themselves. If the candidate has cleared the CompTIA Network+ exam (N10-003) then they are eligible to take the bridge exam otherwise to recertify the candidate must retake the complete Network+ N10-004 exam.
The Network+ 2009 bridge exam (BR0-002) is a 50 questions test with duration of 60 minutes and requires a passing score of 500 on a scale of 100 – 900.
Exam Topics
In the complete Network+ (N10-004) exam there are six important examination goals to be achieved in order to pass and obtain the certification.
- Network Technologies
- Network Media and Topologies
- Network Devices
- Network Management
- Network Tools
- Network Security
N10-005 CompTIA Network+ Study Guide
CompTIA Network + Practice Exams
- Network+ Practice Exam 1
- Network+ Practice Exam 2
- Network+ Practice Exam 3
- Network+ Practice Exam 4
- Network+ Practice Exam 5
- Network+ Practice Exam 6
- Network+ Practice Exam 7
- Network+ Practice Exam 8
- Network+ Practice Test 9
- Network+ Practice Test 10