Self-Assessment
We’ve included a self-assessment in this Exam Cram to help you evaluate your readiness to tackle the Network+ certification. It is also designed to help you understand the skills and experience you need to pass the CompTIA Network+ certification exam.
Network+ Professionals in the Real World
The next section describes an ideal Network+ candidate, although we know full well that not all candidates will meet this ideal. In fact, the description of that ideal candidate might seem downright scary. But take heart: Increasing numbers of people are attaining CompTIA certifications, so the goal is within reach. You can get all the real-world motivation you need from knowing that many others have gone before you, so you will be able to follow in their footsteps. If you’re willing to tackle the process seriously and do what it takes to obtain the necessary experience and knowledge, you can take—and pass—the certification test involved in obtaining a Network+ certification. In fact, we’ve designed this Exam Cram to make it as easy as possible for you to prepare for the exam. But prepare you must!
The same, of course, is true for other CompTIA certifications:
A+ certification: A testing program that certifies the competency of entry-level service technicians in the computer industry. It is targeted at computer technicians with six months of experience.
Linux+ certification: Linux continues to develop and expand, and today it is a common sight in networks of all sizes. The Linux+ certification introduces students to this open-source operating system and provides a solid background in Linux, including installation, file systems, OS navigation, troubleshooting, and managing services.
Server+: The Server+ certification is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge of server hardware, server best practices, and server maintenance. Some of the technologies covered include upgrading and repairing server hardware and software, troubleshooting hardware configurations, and best practices when working in the server room.
The Ideal Network+ Candidate
The following list describes some relevant statistics about the background and experience an ideal individual might have. Don’t worry if you don’t meet these qualifications or don’t come that close. This is a far from ideal world, and where you fall short is simply where you have more work to do.
Academic or professional training in network theory, concepts, and operations. This includes everything from networking media and transmission techniques to network operating systems, services, and applications.
Between 9 and 24 months of networking experience, including experience with Ethernet, routers, and modems, with particular emphasis on the TCP/IP suite. This must include installation, configuration, upgrading, and troubleshooting experience.
Two or more years in an internetwork environment that includes hands-on experience with web servers, email servers, database servers, and DHCP and DNS servers. A solid understanding of each system’s architecture, installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting is also essential.
Experience with the Internet, intranets, and extranets.
Familiarity with client and network operating systems.
Experience working with networking protocols—specifically, TCP/IP. If you were to review all the criteria that go into making an ideal Network+ candidate, you will find that it boils down to practical experience in a technical position involving installing, configuring, and maintaining networks.
We believe that well under half of all certification candidates meet these requirements, and that, in fact, most meet fewer than half of these requirements—at least, when they begin the certification process. But because others who already have been certified have survived this ordeal, you can survive it too—especially if you heed what our self-assessment can tell you about what you already know and what you need to learn.
Put Yourself to the Test
The following series of questions and observations is designed to help you determine how much work you must do to pursue CompTIA Network+ certification and what kinds of resources you may consult on your quest. Be honest in your answers, or you’ll end up wasting money on an exam you’re not yet ready to take. There are no right or wrong answers, only steps along the path to certification. Only you can decide where you really belong in the broad spectrum of aspiring candidates.
Two things should be clear from the outset:
Even a modest background in computer science will be helpful.
Hands-on experience using network technologies is an important ingredient in certification success, but it’s not mandatory.
Educational Background
1. Have you ever taken any networking concepts or technologies classes? [Yes or No]
If Yes, proceed to question 2. If No, you might want to augment the material in this book with a book that approaches the topic of networking from an independent point of view and not from a certification point of view. When looking for a suitable book, look for those that explain technologies such as TCP/IP, routing, network design, and others in a clear and concise manner.
2. Do you have experience using and working with a network? [Yes or No]
If Yes, you will probably be able to better understand CompTIA’s Network+ objectives. Even being around networks as a user makes you familiar with how they are designed to function. If you’re rusty, brush up on basic networking concepts and terminology—especially networking media as they relate to the TCP/IP suite, network security, dial-up fundamentals, and remote connectivity. Then proceed to question 3.
If No, you might need to delve a little deeper into networking concepts. This is as simple as obtaining an easy-to-read, up-to-date networking basics book.
3. Do you have experience working with network and client operating systems? [Yes or No]
If Yes, you are on the right track. Network+ requires knowledge of working with both client-side operating systems such as Windows 98/Me and network operating systems such as Windows 2000. Knowing how to navigate such OSs can be a benefit when you’re configuring and troubleshooting network connectivity from within an operating system.
If No, crank up a computer with an OS on it, and start going through it. Look for the network configuration screens. Look to the help file within the OS for quick tutorials and for help in configuring the client system for network connectivity.
If this sounds like a lot, it isn’t. Perhaps the single most important element for successful completion is a desire to learn all about networking. It is, after all, really quite interesting. As soon as your desire to learn kicks in, the test becomes that much easier.
Hands-on Experience
CompTIA cites hands-on experience as a key to success on the CompTIA Network+ test. This is true because hands-on experience reinforces what is written in this book. However, Network+ covers a broad range of networking technologies—some of which you might never see in your networking career. In such a case, all you can do is rely on book knowledge. So can you pass the exam without reinforcing knowledge with practical, hands-on experience? Yes. Is it advised? No. Bottom line—the more experience you have, the better. If we leave you with only one realization after you take this self-assessment, it should be that there’s no substitute for time spent installing, configuring, and using the various networking products upon which you’ll be tested repeatedly and in depth. If you have never worked with any of the networking products or operating systems mentioned earlier, you would be well advised to review these topics at least three or four times.
Testing Your Exam Readiness
Whether you attend a formal class on a specific topic to get ready for an exam, or you use written materials to study on your own, some preparation for the Network+ certification exam is essential. At $239 per attempt, you want to do everything you can to pass on your first try. That’s where studying comes in.
For any given subject, consider taking a class if you used self-study materials, took the test, and failed anyway. The opportunity to interact with an instructor and fellow students can make all the difference in the world, if you can afford that privilege.
If you can’t afford to take a class, try the Training Resources link at www.comptia.com for pointers to free practice exams. Even if you can’t afford to spend much, you should still invest in some low-cost practice exams from commercial vendors, because they can help you assess your readiness to pass a test better than any other tool.
We have included practice questions at the end of each chapter, plus two practice exams at the end of the book. If you don’t do that well on the questions at the end of the chapters, you can study more and then tackle the practice exams. From there, feel free to surf the Web and do a little research on the Network+ exam. Newsgroups are a good place to look, because a number of people are willing to chat about their experiences studying for and taking the Network+ exam.
If you take the practice tests and score 85% or better, you’re probably ready to tackle the real thing. If your score isn’t above that crucial threshold, obtain all the free and low-budget practice tests you can find, and get to work. Keep at it until you can break the passing threshold comfortably.
Because the Internet is the most rapidly changing segment of Information Technology (IT), the test might change, but this book’s material is sufficiently comprehensive that it will be a good preparation tool regardless. Also, you should be aware that CompTIA and other certifications reserve the right to do slipstreaming, in which questions are removed and new ones are added without announcement. We scoured the latest trends and interviewed many industry veterans in an attempt to prepare you for the inevitable changes that will occur.
Onward, Through the Fog!
After you’ve assessed your readiness, undertaken the right background studies, obtained the hands-on experience that will help you understand the technologies at work, and reviewed the many sources of information to help you prepare for a test, you’ll be ready to take a round of practice tests. When your scores come back high enough to get you through the exam, you’re ready to go after the real thing. If you follow our assessment regime, you’ll know not only what you need to study, but also when you’re ready to schedule a testing date at Prometric or VUE.
Good luck!