CCNA vs. Hardware and Networking Training

1. CCNA vs. Hardware and Networking Training Presented By: Abhinav Shashtri

2. Overview • Introduction: • Scope • Vendor Relationship • Keeping Your Experience in Mind • Conclusion

3. Introduction: • Many Hardware and Networking professionals are faced with the dilemma as to which industry certification to take, especially in the very beginning of their career. • The choice usually boils down to the 2 leading certifications: Cisco’s CCNA Routing and Switching and CompTIA’s Hardware and Networking Training+. • Let’s take a closer look at them to reply the query: CCNA or Hardware and Networking Training+? Is it worth having both? If yes, then why and in which order? But first, what’s the difference between the two?

4. Scope • CompTIA Hardware and Networking Training+ Certification: demonstrates one’s knowledge of Hardware and Networking Traininging features and functions, including Hardware and Networking Training technologies, installation and configuration, media and topologies, management, and security. • Cisco’s CCNA Routing and Switching Certification: validates the candidate’s ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched Hardware and Networking Trainings. • Not to jump to any conclusions simply however, however the descriptions counsel Hardware and Networking Training+ being a basic certification, with CCNA R&S validating more advanced knowledge and proven hands-on experience.

6. Vendor Relationship • The biggest difference between these certifications is the fact that Hardware and Networking Training+ has been developed as a vendor neutral certification. • It provides candidates with knowledge and understanding of Hardware and Networking in general, and you can apply this knowledge to most Hardware and Networking Trainings. • CCNA, on the other hand, was specifically designed for Cisco’s Hardware and Networking Training technology and products. • Although the program does cover other Hardware and Networking topics too, the difference and the focus are obvious.

7. Keeping Your Experience in Mind • If you don’t have much Hardware and Networking Training experience and want an entry level yet professionally recognized certification, Hardware and Networking Training+ is a smart way to go. • It is a very well-organized and structured program that aims to fill the knowledge gaps most people have in the beginning of their Hardware and Networking career. • Hardware and Networking Training+ teaches you what Hardware and Networking technology is. It may be a good foundation for Cisco’s CCNA (or Microsoft, or other vendor specific certifications for that matter), which teaches you to configure and troubleshoot this technology. So, if you're a beginner, don’t look in the CCNA direction for now. Your time will come.

8. For those who have a few years’ Hardware and Networking Traininging experience and understanding, CCNA may be a very logical and career boosting way to go. • It is a very in depth study of Hardware and Networking as a whole, including routing, protocols, Industry Penetration. • As the Hardware and Networking is vendor-neutral, it is recognized by almost all companies. Many of them, including Dell, HP, Ricoh, Sharp and Xerox require it.

9. Conclusion • Whichever certification you opt for, you need to start with evaluating your career goals, as well as the current level of experience and knowledge. • Even people who have years of expertise under their belt should keep in mind to clear their schedule for lots of learning time, since the exams are powerful. • Yet, hard as it all may be, your effort will definitely pay off, whether you choose the foundational Hardware and Networking Training+, or CCNA certification as a more advanced option. • https://www.exltech.in