Network+ Certification for Not Yet Techies 2

Network+ certification is accepted by Novel in place of its own Networking Technologies exam that is a requirement for its Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) certification. Network+ certification has a special niche in the networking certifications field because it is so general.

Intel accepts Network+ certification in place of its own Technology Essential exam for its Intel Certified Integration Specialist (ICIS), Network Infrastructure Track, and Intel Certified Solutions Consultant (ICSC), Solution Design Track (though you also need A+ certification for this too).

Lotus accepts Network+ toward meeting the networking competency portion of its CLP Domino Messaging Administrator R4 certification.

Therefore, Network+ is widely recognized through the industry itself as indicating good broad basic networking knowledge.

The value of a Network+ certification is not particularly high among employers. There are just too many MCSEs and CNEs running around looking for work. However, you may be able to leverage an N+ cert into an entry-level Help Desk job, so you can get some experience WHILE you are working on your more advanced certification.

After all, although Network+ certification is good to first learn the general basics of networking before you learn about the specifics of the software, employers don't use "general software." They have NT or NetWare etc. They need someone who can work with their operating system.

That's why Network+ is a good beginning but only a beginning.

CompTIA stands for The Computer Technology Industry Association, a non-profit organization with the goal of encouraging cooperation within the computer industry. It was formed in 1982. The advantage it had in founding the A+ certification is that certifications to foster a company's own products were not so common years ago. Plus, the most fierce competition is in software and networking, not hardware. Repair of computers is not where the big money is in the IT industry.

Networking is big money, so the Network+ certification was a logical and helpful move on their part.

You must pass just one test to get your Network+ certification.

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