Wizkid99

I know that it has been asked several times over and over again but I am at a point now that I need to start to make decisions. I am taking classes at an online college and need to figure out what is the best test to start taking. I have different information from my instructors and others from in the field. Some that are in the field say that you do not need to get your A+ before you test for your CCNA and CCNP certifications. Since the tests are well not just some change left over but more like car payments I want to know where I should start. I ultimately intend to get my CCIE but that may just be schoolboy hopes.

Those that can lend a direction, please do so.

Thank you in advance.

rs21

dude, A+ is a basic certification which every one must do who goes for CCNA in future. In A+ u learn basic fundamentals of networking, installation,maintainence n etc. For CCNA u must have some experience in networking, so that u can comfortably prepare for exams.

i suggest u go for A+ -> CCNA -> CCNP -> CCIE. this is the correct way be
successful in networking field.

Wats ur instructor comments about ur query?

JeffreyNYA

Actually if networking is the way you want to go, I would start with Net+. Its basically the A+ of networking. You don't really need to know how to put a PC together or how windows XP installs to do networking. Thats not to say you should not do it, I just don't see the need following the path you are wanting to take.

Wizkid99

My instructor said that the A+ is something that we all should get however it was up to us. The school that I choose does not even offer a discounted rate for taking the A+, CCNA, CCNP, or any other certification like some schools do. I know they just add it in the end after your tuition but it frees up money from the students pocket.

We have had several discussions as to the magnitude CompTIA certifications (with the exception of A+) compared to Cisco certifications. We were not specifically told to not take the CompTIA certifications but in a round about way was told that we would be waisting money, where as the Microsoft certifications would be looked at higher than the CompTIA certification

rs21

c what i told u earlier is my opinion n many people who are fresher in networking field follow this path. its u have to decide wat u want to do, if ur base level is not strong, ur top floors will not stnad for much time. i mean if u dnt have ur basic strong, than how u gonna prepare for CCNA n CCNP.

ur school people are correct, CompTIA does not hold much reputation than Microsoft Certification. But many networking aspirant go for a+ or network+ cert before they try their hands in mcse or mcsa.

dude, if u r having prob with financially with school,you can go for some other ways for certification preparation, like e-learning. There are sites which provide authorized study material, n chat sessions with experts to solve your queries.

Wizkid99

Thank you for your advice. I didn't mean to steer you to believe that I could not afford school but that school, 2 kids, and all the bills leaves little for extra to be spent on a certification if you know what I mean.

I'll just have to wait till I can part with the cash to take the test and since I am still in school it is not a huge priority. But the closer that I come to finishing I should be able to get a grant or something.

E-learning would be like taking the class all over again. I've checked it out and then I would still have to pay for the certification which is where I am now. Some programs are different. I'm looking to pay the exam fee and take the test, not another class, or the price of the ticket the same as another class.

Thank you all for your assistance.

Wizkid99

SilverDwn

Do you have a job in IT? If not then ask yourself whether you will be able to get a job in IT even if you have a A+ CCNA, etc.

Otherwise it will be a waste of money. CCNA will get you an 'Entry Level' networking job. CCNP means nothing without experience.

Also Networking is a very competitve field in IT because its so specialised so its hard to get a job. I dont mean to put you off, just pointing out reality.
Something like Systems/Desktop administration is a little more easier to get your foor in the door, then later if you decide, you could move onto networking.

bilbus

A+ = PCs
Network + = basic networks
CCNA = basic networks, with exposure to cisco
CCNP = cisco centric networking
CCIE = highest level cisco

You can skip A+ if you plan to work cisco or more on the networking side.

You can skip Net+ if you can pass the CCNA, since CCNA is better

allanbiats

The entire CompTIA Certification plan is based on being Vendor Neutral so that you would be able to know the principles involved in each area.

I just finished the CompTia A+ IT Technician Certfication and I started the Network+ path, and I will continue with the Security+ and the Server+ at a minimum.

The A+ IT Technician consists of two exams, the Essentials and then one elective and I chose the IT Technician path, instead of Remote Technician and Depot Technician. The two exams cost about $326 U.S. combined.

The Network+ consists of one exam and costs about $232 U.S. and again, it is Vendor Neutral.

The Cisco CCNA is intended to make you knowledgable of Cisco brand Routing and Switching principles, which of course, require knowing basic networking concepts, such as subnetting, IP addresses, routing protocols, etc. It requires two tests and the first one is about $160 U.S. If you pass the first test, you will have CCENT Certification, which is Entry level in the Cisco path.

Cisco has recently added 3 new Certifications that require you attain the CCNA level first. They are Wireless, Voice (VOIP), and Security.

Many organizations find that a CCNA that has some experience is enough to maintain their Cisco brand routing and switching equipment. More complex networks might need a CCNP and the CCIE is more like an Enterprise Level professional where you would have a WAN connecting multiple LANs with complex routing and switching equipment in many locations.

The path that I am considering is to get CompTia A+ and Network+ and Security+ and then using 2 of them as the basics for the Microsoft MCSA certification. Microsoft will accept 2 of them as electives for the Systems Administrator Exam, so my prior studies would not be lost there.

hope that helps

bilbus

Comptia may be vendor neutral, but its trash.

Personaly i would perfer to get exchange 2007 or SQL 2005 as an elective then a worthless comptia cert.

Having a CCNA is WAY better then network +.

CCNA shows you have a basic understanding of networking.
CCNP is what you should have if your working on large complex netwroks.
CCIE is a cert that only a very select few have, i would not say you "need" this, its nice but more of a "i have a CCIE, please pay me more" then anything else.

If you have a CCIE your conidered to be a top cisco expert.

SilverDwn

allanbiats I respectfully disagree with your perception. Despite comptia being vendor neutral, from where I come from its the certification that 16-17 years old college students get to try to get an internship. Its not going to get you a serious networking job

A CCNA, while yes its cisco, it pretty much teaches you the networking theory, ie; osi model, protocols etc, its not just about learning to configure their equipment though I wont deny that a significant portion of the course equips you with this skill.

I got my CCNA a couple of years back. I never had any certs previously, just experience. Even with the mighty CCNA i'm still considered by my peers to be a networking novice and i'm still yearning to play around with the good stuff. Imo (others may differ) its when you get the CCNP that people start taking you seriously. Its what i'm currently working on, hopefully will be CCNP certified by end of year .

Even the CCNP exams i've done, they cover 'open' standards like OSPF, IPSEC so its not Vendor specific how you're describing. Its just so happens that Cisco pioneered and implemented propriatory solutions to problems before they were adopted as a wider standard.

Sorry for my bias towards networking buts that my niche in the industry

allanbiats

Yes, I agree that Vendor Neutral isn't that good when you're working on a Cisco Network. But my CompTia Network+ training is giving me the basics of Networking. It won't make me have anywhere close to the knowledge that a CCNA would have, but it will allow me to troubleshoot connectivity problems and understand routing and switching and cabling, etc.

We aren't disagreeing about Vendor Neutral and Vendor Specific, I just need a starting point and I'm suggesting it for others in the same situation. The OP asked for suggestions about starting a career and I offered mine.

I'm in the job market right now and many of the jobs for Desktop and Helpdesk Support require CompTia A+, or equivalent. Some do mention MCDST. Not many mention Network+. I have more than 10 years experience in Desktop and Server support, but I need current certifications to get hired again, and A+ is a good way. If I have Network+, that would put me above someone that just had A+, and so would add'l CompTia Certs. If a position required CCNA, I wouldn't expect to be hired as quickly with Network+, if at all.

I'm very much aware that in order to go further, I will need Certs from the specific vendor that supplies what I'm working with, and that it will most likely be Microsoft and Cisco.