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Comptia Network+
If you want an entry into the world of computer networks then Comptia's Network+ exam is an excellent choice. Recognised throughout the world, it shows an employer that you have the skills to install, configure, and troubleshoot networks at a basic level. A company won't quite hand you the keys to the server cabinet with just a Network+ qualification, but it can gain you the work-experience you need to progress to higher levels. Comptia updated the Network+ exams in 2005, and there could well be another update in the pipeline, now that Vista has arrived. Comptia recommend that you have a least 9 months network experience before trying for this qualification, but it's not mandatory. To give you an idea of just what is involved for the Network+, here's how the exam is broken down:
There is only one exam to take for the Network+ qualification, and it's 85 multiple choice questions. There is a maximum score of 900, but you only need 554 points to pass. The exam lasts 90 minutes. Here's an outline of the different areas of Network+. Bear in mind that you won't be studying to be an expert in all of these fields just yet. But you are expected to know the basics.
Media and TopologiesThis is all about what networks are, the different types of networks available, and the hardware involved. You're expected to get to grips with Star, Bus, Mesh, and Ring networks; the different types of cables involved in setting up the network; and hardware like hubs, switches, routers, gateways, Network Interface Cards, firewalls, and a whole lot more besides.
Protocols and StandardsNow that you know what a network is, and some of the hardware involved, the next step is all about how computers and hardware on a network communicate. You'll be expected to know all about MAC addresses, Open Systems Interconnect layers, IP addresses, subnetting, TCP/IP, TCP/UDP, what Ports are, DNS, NAT, and a whole host of other baffling acronyms (there's over 200 of them in the Network+ reference list).
Network ImplementationYou'll now have a good understanding about network hardware, and the essential protocols and standards. Now it's time to study a wide-range of ways to set up and configure the network. You'll study Unix, Linux, Mac OS X, Netware, Windows, and Appleshare IP. You're expected to know how to configure a connection to these systems, as well as how to implement security measures.
Network SupportNetworks are complex beasts, and there's always something going wrong with them. You'll be expected to know what is involved in diagnosing and fixing network problems. The tools you'll need to know about are: trace, ping, arp, netstat, nbtstat, ip/if config, and lots more. You'll be expect to learn about the logical approaches to solving network problems, as opposed to just scratching your head and jumping straight in.
The ExamIf you to want get a taste of the exam, here's a few sample questions that Comptia have released for Network+ (Answers at the bottom of this page.) Q1. Which network topology provides multiple, redundant links? A. bus Q2. What is the default protocol used on the Internet? A. TCP/IP Q3. Which network device has the capability of amplifying and regenerating network signals but has no capability of routing or segmenting? A. a cable
ConclusionComptia's Network+ is not an easy certificate to gain, and involves lots of study. Which is why it's so highly regarded as an entry-level qualification. Once you pass this certificate, you can go on to become a well-paid network engineer. You're the server guy! <-- Back to Comptia A+ | Move on to Microsoft Office Certificates --> <--Back to the Beginner's Computing Contents Page View all our Home Study Computer Courses
(The answers are D, A, and B) |