Top 5 Networking Certifications

Networking is considered to be a very competitive field for one to build a career in and opportunities for future growth. It’s a rapidly developing sphere and professionals can only withstand such competition and stand out among a mass of other professionals by obtaining some of the best networking certifications in the market. There are several technologies that emerge daily in the market and have been covered in the curriculums of these networking certification programs. Some of the technologies that system administrators have to master include; routing and switching, server configurations, and network security measures, for instance, fixing firewalls and regulating content. Getting to learn these certifications can prove to be a difficult task, but the comforting fact is that all these certifications have provisions for all expertise levels.

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

First, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert is a certification by Cisco that is highly rated and is considered the most marketable in the Networking field. A large percentage of CCIE professionals are absorbed into Cisco while the rest of the professionals are engaged in other big networking corporations. In this particular certification, Cisco requires the credentials of various certification levels and recommends a total of eight years’ experience in the relevant networking field. To achieve a CCIE certification, one requires a bit of effort and experience since the exam contains both written and the lab exams in order to be fully successful. The interesting facts about CCIE are that a candidate must pass first a written exam (400-101) and only then lab exam within 18 months after the completion of the certification exam. The cost of CCIE written exam worldwide is 150 dollars. The study materials that are available for this course include self-study materials, training materials, online materials and networking books.

CompTIA Network+

Another certification that is among the best for Networking is CompTIA Network+. CompTIA networking certification is considered the friendliest available since it requires no experience in order to partake in the course. It educates about several emerging technologies in the market. It effectively serves across all levels of the professionals that include both the entry, intermediate and experts. The exams of the CompTIA are frequently changed and improved to cover the new emerging technologies and the reviews that are provided by the users thus making it one of the efficient networking courses in the market. To get Network+ certification one needs to take N10-007 exam, as N10-006 is retiring this year (31st of August, 2018). The cost per exam for CompTIA Network+ certification is 294 dollars, but the price often varies according to the locations in which the exam is to be taken. The study materials are also conveniently available to candidates since the self-study certifications are present on the specific websites namely: Certification.comptia.org or Proprofs.com.

Cisco Certified Network Professional

Cisco Certified Network Professional is a top networking certification that is meant for the networking experts who are in the intermediate level of their career. CCNP is a certification offered by Cisco and has several sub-categories that the networking professionals can choose from the same. Some of these subcategories include:

    Cloud

    Collaboration

    Data center Integration

    Routing and Switching

    Cybersecurity

    Being a wireless and networking service provider.

In order for a professional to be a CCNP, he/she should have undergone preceding Cisco certifications known as the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA). This ensures that the person is equipped with the necessary basic knowledge from the previous certification and thus making the contents of this certification in-depth. CCNP certification is meant for intermediate levels of professionals. Routing and switching is the most popular subcategory of this professional course since it is hugely marketable. One has to sit for 3 exams (300-101, 300-115, 300-135). Each exams costs $300. After this particular networking certification, professionals can undertake the Cisco Certified Networking Expert exams, which is the final step for the expert level of Networking. A professional can choose specific specializations from any of the levels of the Cisco certifications.

Wireshark Certified Network Analyst (WCNA)

Wireshark Network Analyst is among the most demanding networking certifications in the market. It was founded in 2007, and the Wireshark University mainly offers it. Wireshark Certified Networking course covers mainly the following specifications;

    Network troubleshooting

    TCPIP network communications

    Network security

    Network configurations

The main requirement for Wireshark Certified Network Analyst certification is to pass the single DoD 8570 certified multiple-choice exam. This certification is meant for people from all levels of expertise i.e. entry level, intermediate and the expert levels. Once the certification is acquired, it expires after three years and therefore it is required of the networking professionals to acquire 20 subsequent CPE credits that are done yearly. This is one of the best networking certifications since it covers the essential and the relevant technologies of the networking infrastructure.

Juniper Networks Certified Enterprise Routing and Switching Expert (JNCIE-ENT)

Juniper Networks Certified Enterprise Routing and Switching Expert is a networking certification that majorly covers routing and switching in networking at all levels. This networking course is majorly meant for the networking professionals on the intermediate and the expert levels. The vendor for this certification is the Juniper Networks which deals with networking infrastructure for instance firewalls, routers, and switches, all aimed at the data center technologies. This vendor competes with other top Networking vendors, for instance, Cisco, HPE, and brocade to provide the best networking certifications in the market. The credentials that are available for this certification include: associate, specialist, professional, and expert. The specializations of this profession include:

    Data Centre

    Network Security

    Routing and Switching

    Service providing

To acquire the certification, a prospective candidate should be able to pass an eight-hour JPR-943 exam. Its cost is $1,400. Once acquired the certification is valid for 3 years hence requires renewal.

Conclusion

To sum up these 5 certifications that are the leaders in networking. Choose the one that appeals to you most. Although they will cost you time and money, you still will get the benefit. And the, you will be among those “crazy” people, who like their daily work!