Networking

Networking is the usual second step out of help desk work and the point at which pay tends to move. This covers what the entry credential is, what the two main routes cost, how long people prepare, and what the ladder looks like above it.

For information and self-assessment only, to help you prepare. Always refer to the official certifying body's own materials and content outline as the source of record.

Official body: CompTIA ↗ — publisher of Network+ and its exam objectives; Cisco publishes CCNA as the vendor-specific alternative

Typical cost: $350–$700; Range reviewed 2026-08-05. Confirm current fees with the certifying body.
Typical prep time: 8–16 weeks; Varies widely with prior experience.
Certifying body: CompTIA

Two routes, and how to choose

CompTIA Network+ is vendor-neutral and tests concepts that apply anywhere. Cisco's CCNA is vendor-specific and goes deeper on configuration, which matters if you are heading somewhere that runs Cisco equipment. Neither is a prerequisite for the other. Look at job listings in your area before choosing: the one local employers name is the one worth having.

What the exam actually tests

Addressing and subnetting, the protocol stack, common services like DNS and DHCP, physical media and hardware, wireless, and troubleshooting. Subnetting is the topic people most often underestimate — it is arithmetic under time pressure, and the only reliable preparation is doing a large number of them until the conversions stop requiring thought.

How long people prepare

Two to four months alongside a job is typical, and prior support experience shortens it considerably. Lab time matters here more than for A+: a handful of cheap second-hand switches, or a virtual lab, turns abstract protocol descriptions into something you have actually watched fail and fixed.

Where it leads

Network technician / NOC analyst
Monitoring, first-line diagnosis, and change execution. Shift work is common and it is the fastest way to see a lot of failure modes in a short time.
Network administrator
Owning configuration and capacity for a site or region. Usually where routing and switching knowledge stops being theoretical.
Network or security engineer
Design rather than operation. Frequently the branch point toward security, cloud networking, or infrastructure architecture.

Not sure you are ready?

Take the free practice test for this field — 25+ original questions, scored instantly, with a per-topic breakdown showing where the gaps are.

Take the networking practice test →

Or compare ways to study for it

Frequently asked questions

Do I need A+ before Network+?

No, there is no formal prerequisite, though CompTIA suggests the order. If you already work in support and understand hardware and operating systems, going straight to Network+ is reasonable and common. What matters is whether the underlying concepts are familiar, not which certificate came first.

Network+ or CCNA?

Network+ is broader and vendor-neutral; CCNA is deeper and specific to Cisco equipment. If local employers advertise Cisco environments, CCNA carries more weight there. If you want a general foundation that travels, Network+ is the safer first move. Some people eventually do both.

How much subnetting do I need to know?

Enough to do it quickly without a calculator. It appears throughout the exam and in the job, and the difference between candidates is almost always speed rather than understanding. Practising fifty subnetting problems is more useful than rereading the chapter three times.

Can I learn this without equipment?

Yes — virtual labs and network simulators cover most of the ground for free or nearly so. Physical equipment helps with cabling and hardware faults, but it is not the barrier people expect, and second-hand switches are inexpensive if you want them.

The free study kit: schedule template, exam-day checklist, grade tracker

One email when the numbers change. Double opt-in, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.