Network+ Certification:

Worldwide IT Recognition

Network+ is an international industry credential that validates the knowledge of networking professionals with 18-24 months of experience in the IT industry. A typical candidate would have A+™ Certification or equivalent knowledge, but A+ is not required. It is an additional professional growth opportunity after A+ certification. Network+ is an accepted baseline, vendor-neutral certification for the networking professionals, which can also serve as a prerequisite to vendor-specific IT certifications.

Sponsored by CompTIA, the computing Technology Industry Association, Network+ certification is the industry-wide standard for measuring benchmark level, vendor-neutral networking skills. A group of high-tech companies created a task force under the auspices of CompTIA to identify, classify and publish skills standards for networking professionals employed in three types of organizations: information technology companies, channel partners and business-government firms. The task force defined the job tasks of network professionals through sound research. The job analysis became the foundation of an industry-wide certification program called Network+. During its first year, Network+ delivered more than twice as many exams as A+ during its first year.

A committee representative of the entire industry oversees the certification in areas of marketing, gaining an international presence and keeping the test current. Enormous resources are contributed to assure its accuracy, validity and reliability. The objective is to provide and maintain a test that serves to elevate the number and competence of the networking professional workforce. Additionally, the Network+ examination was created to eliminate redundant training and reduce the costs associated with training. The rigorous and thorough work of the committee has resulted in the creation of a special and fast-growing pool of network certified professionals with the ability to increase networking productivity.

According to a 1999 CompTIA workforce study of chief information officers and other IT executives in the U.S., nearly half of those surveyed indicated that they would be willing to pay a higher salary to an individual who had completed an industry–supported certification program for IT service and support. The same study also indicated that 88 percent of companies with $1 billion-plus in sales must train their service and support staff to meet company needs.

In recent industry studies, most certification candidates said attaining certification would help land their desired job because the employer would be confident that their general knowledge had been validated through an exam. They also report more widespread use of increased compensation as a reward for achieving certification. Above all, candidates feel the credibility associated with certification is its greatest attribute.

MAKING THE GRADE AS A

NETWORKING PROFESSIONAL

Already recognized by several companies from the largest corporations to the smallest start-ups, Network+ will soon be an essential requirement for networking professionals. This industry-wide mandate for more certified technicians has led high schools and community colleges to develop courses and career path curriculum leading to Network+ certification. Training centers nationwide are also expanding their capacity to prepare more candidates for the test. These efforts exemplify not only the ever-increasing importance of Network+ certification, but also its comprehensive benefits.

FOR EMPLOYEES:

§ Recognized proof of professional achievement. The Network+ credential validates that the holder has reached a level of competency accepted and valued by the industry.

§ Enhanced job opportunities. Network+ certification demonstrates the knowledge of networking professionals with 18-24 months of networking experience. The exam is ideal for those wishing to advance their careers and for individuals in career transition.

§ Launching pad to additional certifications. Network+ can serve as a prerequisite to other vendor-specific IT certifications.

§ Increased Opportunity for advancement. Certification gives you a greater chance for promotions. According to Computer Reseller News’ 2000 Salary Survey, certification can mean a 25 percent to 35 percent increase and dual certification often means bigger bonuses.

FOR EMPLOYERS:

Higher profits. Your company benefits from improved employee productivity, competence and confidence to quickly solve networking problems.

Customer satisfaction. When employees have a credential that demonstrates their competency, customer expectations are more likely met.

Lower training costs. Network+ validates networking costs. Certified employees need less training and are more qualified.

Lower hiring risks. According to the same study, 83 percent of employers surveyed indicated that certification makes new employee selection easier.

Vendor-neutral networking competencies. Network+ competencies can be applied to various networking systems.

NETWORK+ PARTNERSHIPS

CompTIA has established relationships with 80 companies that recognize Network+, including the following:

§ Novell® accepts the Network+ certification exam in place of their Networking Technologies exam for all Certified Novell Engineer® (CNE)® candidates.

§ Intel now awards transfer credit to individuals who are Network+ certified. Network+ certification is being accepted in lieu of Intel’s Technology Essential exam towards the following: Intel Certified Integration Specialist (ISIC),

§ Network Infrastructure Track and Intel Certified Solutions Consultant (ICSC), Solution Design Track (Network+ and A+ are both required).

§ Through Regents College’s new IT bachelor degree program, IT professionals can now receive college credit for A+ and Network+ certifications. The program is designed to meet the needs of busy IT professionals by allowing them to earn a BS/CIS degree at their own pace as well as earn college credit toward that degree for their certifications.

§ Lotus accepts Network+ as a certification that meets the networking competency requirement for Lotus’s CLP Domino Messaging Administrator R4 certification.

§ 3Com, in partner ship with WestNet Learning Technologies, offers high schools and colleges the NetPrep™ curriculum, which is mapped to Network+.

§ The Cisco Networking Academy curriculum prepares students for Network+ as well as the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifications.

NETWORK+EXAMINATION TESTS BASIC COMPETENCIES,

VENDOR-NEUTRAL SKILLS

Earning Network+ certification means that the candidate possesses the knowledge needed to configure and install the TCP/IP client. The exam covers a wide range of vendor-and product-neutral networking technologies.

The skills and knowledge measured by this examination were derived from an industry wide survey. The results of the survey were used in weighing the domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the relative importance of the content.

KNOWLEDGE OF

NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY

The portion of the test comprises 77% of the entire exam and is sectioned into nine domains (weighted percentages of importance in parenthesis):

§ Basic knowledge (18%)

§ Physical layer (6%)

§ Data link layer (5%)

§ Network layer (5%)

§ Transport layer (5%)

§ TCP/IP fundamentals (16%)

§ TCP/IP suite: utilities (11%)

§ Remote connectivity (5%)

§ Security (6%)

KNOWLEDGE OF

NETWORKING PRACTICES

This portion of the test comprises 23% of the entire exam. The sections and relative percentages of importance of this part of the test are:

§ Implementing the installation of a network (6%)

§ Maintaining and supporting a network (6%)

§ Troubleshooting a net work (11%)

(Please note that all percentages are approximate and are subject to change)

EXAM DESIGNED AS

MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST

The Network+ examination is administered on a computer at an authorized testing center. In an easy-to-use format, the examination looks very much like other electronic multiple-choice tests. Because of the desktop computer is connected into a testing network where your answers are stored, you receive your final scores as soon as you finish the test. Your answers to specific questions, and candidates are given a maximum time of 90 minutes to complete the exam.

“ The Network+ certification is a requirement of all Specialty Computers and Systems, Inc. (SCSI) technicians who are transitioning into networking. SCSI believes Network+ certification provides fundamental networking skills and serves as a launching pad to higher-end certifications.”

Robert Roxberry, president and founder

of Specialty Computers and Systems, Inc

“As a longtime CompTIA member and the leading provider of Net services software, it is natural that Novell embraces CompTIA’s Network+ certification. Making Network+ part of the CNE certification is an important step in Novell’s continuing support of industry-wide training and certification, an a natural extension of Novell’s vision of enabling all types of networks to work together as One Net. With growing demand for CNEs and other certified networking professionals, the combination of Network+ and CNE is an excellent career move.”

Karl Childs, Certification Program Manager for Novell Education

CONERSTONE

PARTNERS

The following companies provide support, direction and financial assistance for Network+:

3COM

COMPAQ

COMPUTERWORLD

ELEMENT K

E PRESENCE

GTSLEARNING

IBM

INTEL

LOTUS

MICROSOFT

NOVELL

US WEST

WAVE TECHNOLOGIES

INTERNATIONAL