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Networking careers and certifications

Try 10 practice questions for the CCNP, CCIE ENCOR 350-401

This practice quiz for CCNP and CCIE ENCOR 350-401 explores what readers must know about IP routing essentials -- including BGP and OSPF -- from the new certification guidebook. Continue Reading
How Cisco certification changes alter CCNP and CCIE tracks

Here's what to expect from the colossal Cisco certification changes to the CCNP and CCIE tracks that aim to increase material relevance and benefit network engineers' daily lives. Continue Reading
Prepare for CCNP, CCIE ENCOR 350-401 with this guide preview

Here's an excerpt from the new 'CCNP and CCIE ENCOR 350-401 Official Cert Guide' that provides the key IP routing essentials network engineers require for their job roles. Continue Reading
Understand business value to advance your networking career

Network pros can use the CAR mindset -- challenge, action and result -- to better match their networking initiatives with business goals and advance their career opportunities. Continue Reading
Try these 6 official practice questions for CCNA 200-301

These practice questions for CCNA 200-301 lay out what readers need to know about network security best practices from 'CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 2.' Continue Reading
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A look inside 'CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 2'

Network security is a crucial skills area for network engineers, and the CCNA 200-301 reflects this. Here's a chapter excerpt on network security from the new guide.Continue Reading
Traditional, emerging topics unite in the new CCNA exam

As of Feb. 24, all eyes are on the CCNA 200-301 exam -- Cisco's latest update to the CCNA track. Here's a look at what's on the exam and how it compares to previous CCNA exams.Continue Reading
What SD-WAN certifications and courses are available?

A few SD-WAN certifications do exist, but they're heavily focused on specific vendors and their respective products. Find out why market-wide certs are unlikely.Continue Reading
Cisco CCNA practice test: Try these 20 exam questions

Use this CCNA practice test as study material to prepare for the Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching 200-125 exam. With 20 questions on a range of topics, we're not playing around.Continue Reading
Try a CCNA 200-301 practice quiz from the official cert guide

This practice quiz provides a sneak peek into the new 'CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 1,' which reflects Cisco's CCNA certification and exam redesigns.Continue Reading
Prepare for the CCNA 200-301 exam with this guide preview

Here's a sneak peek at what to expect from Cisco's redesigned CCNA exam directly from 'CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 1' by author Wendell Odom.Continue Reading
Learn how to get started with your networking career

Wherever you are on your networking career path, these expert insights can help you decide where to go and give advice about job requirements, certifications and industry changes.Continue Reading
Discover the wireless certifications that matter

Find out which wireless certifications are worth pursuing with this expert advice that dives into vendor-specific, vendor-neutral and specialized certification options.Continue Reading
Network pros on new Cisco DevNet certification: 'Finally!'

Want to learn infrastructure as code? Now, there's a Cisco cert for that. Learn more about the new network automation certification suite, plus changes to the CCNA, CCNP and CCIE.Continue Reading
Learn about the top telecom certifications

Use this expert advice to wade through myriad telecom certifications and pinpoint the top certifications for the industry, like TCO, iNARTE and BICSI certifications.Continue Reading
How to improve your networking career path in 3 steps

Network technology is always changing. As a result, your IT network skills need to evolve, as well. Take a look at three steps you can take on your networking career path.Continue Reading
10 metrics to drive a NetOps 2.0 culture shift

If an object at rest tends to stay at rest, how can IT leaders get the network moving at the speed of DevOps? Start with performance review metrics that reflect NetOps goals, experts suggest.Continue Reading
NetOps

NetOps, also referred to as NetOps 2.0, is a networking approach that encompasses the use of DevOps tools, methods and techniques to create an agile, scalable and programmable infrastructure capable of delivering business-critical applications and ...Continue Reading
How do I improve my network programming knowledge?

When it comes to SDN and programmable network skills, combining training with practice and hands-on experience can help advance your programming knowledge.Continue Reading
How to bridge the network engineering skills gap

Training for new network engineering skills should emphasize basic concepts behind building a network, whether it's software-defined, intent-based or disaggregated.Continue Reading
network engineer

A network engineer is a technology professional who has the necessary skills to plan, implement and oversee the computer networks that support in-house voice, data, video and wireless network services.Continue Reading
How to implement an SDN training strategy

Each organization approaches SDN training with its own strategy depending on its motivation and requirements. Here are some pointers to consider.Continue Reading
system administrator (sysadmin)

In information technology (IT), a system administrator (sysadmin) is a person who supports a multi-user computing environment and ensures continuous, optimal performance of IT services and support systems.Continue Reading
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification)

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification) is a series of technical certifications for senior networking professionals who design, build, implement, maintain and troubleshoot complex enterprise networking infrastructures.Continue Reading
From consultant to enterprise network engineer: How to make the switch

Learn how one former network design consultant made a major career change, leaving her position at a vendor and landing her dream job in the enterprise.Continue Reading
CCNA certification

Cisco Certified Network Associaten (CCNA) is an entry-level certification for the Cisco certified professional program.Continue Reading
Learn SDN in school, experts urge today's networking students

Despite old school ways, academic tides slowly turn in SDN's favor -- as textbooks and instructors recognize network programming is here to stay.Continue Reading
How to become a network architect, from those who did it

You wouldn't be an engineer if you didn't love networking, but are you looking to make a career move? Find out how to become a network architect and whether it's right for you.Continue Reading
Getting started: Why it's time to learn Python for SDN

Not all programming languages are created equal. For networking pros ready to dive into coding, network engineer Will Murrell suggests starting with Python.Continue Reading
How can I get started with SDN technologies?

Networking expert Lee Doyle explains how network architects can get started using software-defined networking technologies -- whether in the campus network, WAN or data center.Continue Reading
'Troubleshooting Cisco IP Networks' offers Cisco TSHOOT exam advice

In this book chapter excerpt, author Amir Ranjbar gives advice on the new CCNP TSHOOT 300-135.Continue Reading
When, not what, defines today's networking career

Learning new technologies is a constant challenge, but it is one that IT pros need to overcome to ensure a networking career remains relevant.Continue Reading
The ultimate life-hack: Start your own SDN hackathon

Seeking skills in network programmability? Attending an SDN hackathon may be the best bet. And if you can't find one, why not organize your own?Continue Reading
Network programming skills from scripting to DevOps: What to learn

Networking pros don't need to become code monkeys, but a little network programming can go a long way toward advancing their careers.Continue Reading
Context makes network security policy smarter, but not easier

Traditional approaches to network security are no longer sufficient to combat today's advanced threats. Attacks now target users and applications, and experts say an approach called context-aware security is essential to the defense. That's because ...Continue Reading
How the next, hot new technology era offers opportunities for IT

The age of fabrication provides lessons for IT departments to create innovative products to drive business and make their department stand out.Continue Reading
SDN automation and business value are cornerstones of programmability

Interop keynote panelists tackled the importance of SDN automation and abstraction, as well as common challenges regarding SDN deployment.Continue Reading
Cisco Modeling Lab: What you need to know

Network architect Teren Bryson gives SearchNetworking readers an early peek into Cisco's forthcoming Cisco Modeling Lab.Continue Reading
VMware certification programs: Recasting the old, developing the new

VMware has revised their cloud, data center virtualization and end-user computing programs, in addition to developing a network virtualization one.Continue Reading
Brocade SDN certification: What to know about its product credentials

Brocade now offers two SDN certification credentials focused on its virtual router product platform. Here's what you need to know.Continue Reading
VMware NSX will change the network admin role: Are you ready?

VMware NSX could bring network virtualization under the management of system admins, or it could alter the network admin role. Which will it be?Continue Reading
Your next job may be 'network programmer': What you'll need to know

SDN brings flexibility to networking, but this will require engineers to gain new skills in order to fill the emerging role of network programmer.Continue Reading
A DevOps primer for network engineers

DevOps is a movement promoting better collaboration between developers and system administrators. In this primer, we explore how it might affect networking pros.Continue Reading
What's the value of ITIL foundation certification?

The ITIL foundation certification sets the baseline for understanding the move to an IT service management model. Whether it is required by your organization, for personal resume enhancement, or even to move into another type of IT role, an ITIL ...Continue Reading
CCNA quiz: Test your skills from routing configuration to VLANs

In this CCNA quiz, you can test yourself on a number of skills found in the CCNA certification study guide, ranging from Cisco IOS router configuration to setting up VLANs with Cisco switches and monitoring spanning tree protocol operation.Continue Reading
Storage certification guide for networking pros

Networking pros are seeking storage training as they become responsible for converging data center and storage networks. Storage certification programs may offer the right skills -- or at least a start.Continue Reading
Virtualization certification guide for the networking pro

Virtualization training can be obtained through real-world experience, but networking pros find that virtualization certification programs can help them obtain new skills proactively and can differentiate them as job candidates.Continue Reading
Networking certification guide

This networking certification guide covers the majority of networking-related certifications available to IT professionals. Only credentials likely to be recognized as having value within the networking industry have been selected, which led us to ...Continue Reading
Learning Path: Network and Web Site Administration

NETWORK AND WEB SITE ADMINISTRATION....network operations center (NOC) - internetworking - firewall - proxy server - DMZ - NAT - EGP - BGP - peering - colocation - IGP - DHCP - network operating system - Novell Directory Services (NDS) - nslookup - ...Continue Reading
IT Survival Kit: Networking refreshers

Quick Network Security & Hardware Refreshers School is out for college students across the US, but the learning never stops for IT professionals.Continue Reading
Cisco Information Security Specialist (CISS)

Cisco Information Security Specialist (CISS) is an entry-level certification attesting that the holder has demonstrated the foundational knowledge and skills required to install and support a Cisco Self-Defending Network... (Continued)Continue Reading
MPLS and Cisco CCIP certification

MPLS and Cisco CCIP certification resources are provided in this introduction to our Cisco CCIP MPLS certification series. MPLS originates in proprietary work from Cisco, but it is widely used for routing traffic across high-speed, high-traffic ...Continue Reading
Cisco CCIP MPLS certification: Introduction

Learn skills required for the MPLS portion of the Cisco CCIP certification. These skills are tested in the CCIP 642-611 -- Implementing Cisco MPLS Exam.Continue Reading
Cisco certification

This Cisco certifications guide covers CCNA, CCNP, CCIE and more. Decide whether getting a Cisco certification is necessary for your career, which one you should get and how to study and pass your exam.Continue Reading
Network administration guide

Good network administration is the backbone of today's technology-dependent enterprises. Network administrators are charged with keeping expansive networks and numerous applications running smoothly, and the job can seem overwhelming at times. We're...Continue Reading
Certified Wireless Networking Professional (CWNP)

Certified Wireless Networking Professional (CWNP)is the name for the family of wireless certifications from Planet3Wireless.Continue Reading
CompTIA Security+ exam overview

An overview of the CompTIA Security+ exam overview including some basic facts about the exam and some analysis and perspectives of the exam.Continue Reading
CCNA exam preparation guide

A learning guide for CCNA exam preparation with book chapters, expert advice and quiz.Continue Reading
Network+ certification: Where does CompTIA Network+ take you? Part 3

Network+ certification: Where does CompTIA Network+ take you?Continue Reading
Network+ certification: Review of exam specifics, Part 1

The CompTIA Network+ certification is an international, vendor-neutral industry credential that validates the knowledge of networking professionals with at least nine months of experience in network support or administration or adequate academic ...Continue Reading
Network+ certification: Saving money with CompTIA vouchers, Part 5

Network+ certification: Saving money with CompTIA vouchersContinue Reading
Network+ certification: The Lowdown on the CompTIA Network+ Certification, Part 4

Network+ certification: The Lowdown on the CompTIA Network+ CertificationContinue Reading
CompTIA Network+ exam FAQs, Part 6

If you have questions about the CompTIA Network+ exam, find answers in this FAQ provided by ProProfs.Continue Reading
CompTIA Network+ certification

Networking operators or administrators wishing to undertake the ComTIA Network+ certification test should read through the following articles. They offer clarification on some commonly asked questions (FAQs) about the Network+ exam and provides ...Continue Reading
Network+ certification: Exam strategies, Part 2

Before you begin to study specific components of exam, it is always good to get a general feel for the exam first. This tip provides some exam strategies to help with taking the CompTIA Network+ certification test.Continue Reading
Routing versus routed protocols and the CCNA

Many networking professionals don't really know what a routing protocol is or does. There are those who also couldn't tell you the difference between a routing protocol and a routed protocol. If you are working as a network engineer or preparing to ...Continue Reading
Wireless networking (CWNA)

Do you think you know a lot about wireless networking? Are you interested in taking the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) exam? Test your knowledge with our 13-question quiz on wireless networking!Continue Reading
Fundamentals of IP - Chapter 5 of CCNA Intro Exam Certification Guide

Chapter 5 of "CCNA Intro Exam Certification Guide" by Wendell Odom describes the core concepts behind OSI Layer 3. Because CCNA focuses on TCP/IP, you also will learn about the main Layer 3 protocol used by TCP/IP -- namely, the Internet Protocol (...Continue Reading
CompTIA A+ resources

What are the benefits of becoming A+ certified? And what should you study before taking the exam? These handy resources supplied by ProProfs.com will help you on your way to passing the A+ exam.Continue Reading
Crash Course: Networking certifications

If you've been in the networking field for even a short while, you've undoubtedly realized the importance of certifications to your career prospects. But there are a slew of certs out there and figuring out which ones are right for you is hardly an ...Continue Reading
Answer Key: Major IT players: How'd they start out?

Answer Key: Major IT players: How'd they start out?Continue Reading
Infranet Initiative

The Infranet Initiative is a collaborative effort to develop a high-performance universal public network that would serve as a supplement to the Internet for businesses and other high-demand users.Continue Reading
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is an intermediate-level certification in the Cisco certified professional program.Continue Reading
ACTA (America's Carriers Telecommunications Association)

ACTA (America's Carriers Telecommunications Association) is a lobbying organization for over 165 small long-distance telephone carrier companies.Continue Reading
ITU-T (Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunications Union)

The ITU-T (for Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunications Union) is the primary international body for fostering cooperative standards for telecommunications equipment and systems.Continue Reading
set-top box

A set-top box is a device that enables a television set to become a user interface to the Internet and also enables a television set to receive and decode digital television (DTV) broadcasts.Continue Reading
CCNA 640-801 primer

Get helpful CCNA preparation hints.Continue Reading
Which networking courses, such as MCSE, CCNA, etc., are best to learn the basics?

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CCNA Basics: Network media types

This chapter describes the common types of network media, including twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, and wireless.Continue Reading

Networking careers and certifications

Definitions to Get Started