Throughout your IT career, earning certifications will help you develop the skills you need to advance your career. IT certifications can also validate the skills you already have. No professional IT resume is complete without at least some certifications. Certifications are vital for those who wish to specialize in a certain area of computing, such as computer networks.
Why do you need a Network Certification?
If you believe that getting a network certification will give you the skills you need to become more competitive for the jobs or promotions you want, getting certified can be a solid way to invest in your career.
Gaining Network Certifications will help you gain positions like network technician, network administrator, network engineer, network architect, or other network-related professionals. Knowledge of networks can also be useful for certain system administration positions.
You may also want to know the Top 5 Cloud Computing Certifications today since most companies are shifting to cloud technology.
Best Network Certifications
Below is the list of the best 5 network certifications you need for your IT career including their exam cost, prerequisites validity, and possible job roles:
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
CCNA certification proves that you have what it takes to navigate the ever-changing IT landscape. The CCNA exam covers Network Fundamentals, IP Services, Security Fundamentals, Automation, and Programmability. Designed for agility and versatility, CCNA ensures that you have the skills to manage and optimize today’s most advanced networks.
- Cost: $300
- Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites but one or more years of experience implementing and administering Cisco solutions is recommended.
- Active Status: Valid for 3 years
- Possible job roles: Help desk technician, Network support technician, Network administrator, Entry level network engineer.
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Network + validates the technical skills necessary to securely establish, maintain and troubleshoot the critical networks that businesses rely on. Unlike other vendor-specific network certifications, CompTIA Network + prepares candidates to support networks on any platform. CompTIA Network + is the only certification that covers the specific skills that network professionals need.
- Cost: $348
- Prerequisites: CompTIA A+ &/or a minimum of 9 months networking experience recommended
- Active Status: Generally three years after launch
- Possible job roles: Junior Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Datacenter Support Technician, System Administrator.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Achieving CCNP Enterprise certification proves your skills with enterprise networking solutions. To earn CCNP Enterprise certification, you pass two exams: a core exam and an enterprise concentration exam of your choice.
The core exam focuses on your knowledge of enterprise infrastructure including dual-stack (IPv4 and IPv6) architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation.
Concentration exams focus on emerging and industry-specific topics such as network design, SD-WAN, wireless, and automation. You can prepare for concentration exams by taking corresponding Cisco training courses.
- Cost: $900 to $1,200.
- Prerequisites: No formal prerequisites for CCNP Enterprise, but having good understanding of the exam topics before taking the exam
- Active Status: Valid for 3 years
- Possible job roles: IT Team Leader, Advanced technician, Network Specialist, Network Design Engineer
Juniper Networks Certified Associate – Junos (JNCIA-Junos)
JNCIAJunos is the associate level certification for Juniper Networks technologies. This is the required first step for those seeking more advanced certifications from Juniper Networks in data center technologies, enterprise routing and switching, or service provider routing and switching.
- Cost: $200
- Prerequisites: Requires one exam. No prerequisites.
- Active Status: Valid for three years
- Possible job roles: Network Support Engineer, Enterprise Network Program Manager, Data Services Network Technician, Network Engineer
SolarWinds Certified Professional
Becoming a SolarWinds Certified Professional (SCP) ensures that you have the technical expertise to use and maintain SolarWinds network and systems management products effectively. SolarWinds products are used prominently in certain industries, like government and accounting.
- Cost: $200
- Prerequisites: Six months of on-the-job experience with SolarWinds products, Familiarity with the technology and processes related to SolarWinds product features, including but not limited to, PerfStack™, NetPath™, and AppStack™, One year of experience in a technical role, working in network, systems, applications, or security and compliance management or engineering
- Active Status: Valid for three years
- Possible job roles: Sr. SolarWinds Engineer, Information Srcurity Analyst, Netwok Sysytem Engineer, Network Security Lead
