What is Bandwidth in Networking? Detail Guide
What is Bandwidth in Networking? Bandwidth in networking is the maximum rate at which data can be transferred…
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Networking Certification Comparison
CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, Network+, Security+, AWS, Azure and CEH side by side, cost, exam code, difficulty, validity and realistic salary range. Filter by experience level or vendor.
Exam codes, prices and salary ranges change. Prices shown are US list prices at the time of writing, always confirm the current exam version and fee on the vendor’s own site before booking.
Which Networking Certification Should You Get First?
If you are completely new to IT, start with CompTIA Network+ for a vendor-neutral foundation. If you already know the basics and want the strongest return on your time, go straight to the CCNA, it is the qualification hiring managers in enterprise networking actually look for, and it teaches configuration rather than terminology.
For a security career, Security+ is the standard entry point and is approved under the US DoD 8570 directive, which matters for government and defence contractor roles.
Certification Roadmap by Career Goal
| Career Goal | Start With | Then Get | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network Engineer | CCNA | CCNP Enterprise | CCIE Enterprise |
| Security Engineer | Security+ | CEH or CISSP | OSCP |
| Cloud Engineer | AWS Cloud Practitioner | AWS Solutions Architect | AWS DevOps Professional |
| IT Support moving to Network | Network+ | CCNA | CCNP |
| Wireless Specialist | CCNA | CWNA | CCNP Wireless |
| Network Automation | CCNA | Cisco DevNet Associate | DevNet Professional |
Network+ or CCNA, Which One?
This is the most common question, and the honest answer is that it depends on how much time you have.
| CompTIA Network+ | CCNA | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Vendor-neutral theory | Hands-on configuration |
| Study time | 6 to 10 weeks | 3 to 6 months |
| Lab practice | Optional | Essential |
| Employer recognition | Good for help desk and junior roles | Strong for network engineer roles |
| Salary ceiling | Lower | Higher |
If you can commit to three to six months and build a lab, skip straight to CCNA, it covers most of the Network+ material anyway and carries far more weight. Take Network+ first if you need a credential quickly, or if your employer specifically asks for a vendor-neutral one.
How Much Do These Certifications Really Cost?
The exam fee is rarely the full cost. Budget for:
- Study material, a good course or book set is typically $30 to $300.
- Lab practice, Cisco Packet Tracer is free and enough for CCNA; CML or physical kit costs considerably more.
- Practice exams, worth the money, and the single best predictor of whether you are ready.
- A retake, plan for the possibility. Failing once is common and does not mean the path is wrong.
- Renewal, every certification here expires. Cisco and CompTIA both allow renewal through continuing-education credits rather than a full re-sit.
Many employers will reimburse exam fees, and some pay for the training too. Ask before you pay for it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to prepare for the CCNA?
Most people need three to six months studying part time, assuming some existing IT background. Coming in with no networking experience, plan for six months and build a lab in Packet Tracer from week one, the exam tests configuration, not just recall.
Do networking certifications expire?
Yes. Cisco and CompTIA certifications are valid for three years and can be renewed with continuing-education credits or by passing a higher-level exam. Microsoft role-based certifications expire after one year but renew free through a short online assessment.
Is the CCNA still worth it in 2026?
Yes. Even as networks move toward cloud and automation, the CCNA syllabus covers the fundamentals every one of those technologies is built on, addressing, routing, switching and security. It remains the most widely requested networking certification in job listings.
Which certification pays the most?
Cloud certifications and the CCIE sit at the top of the range. But certifications do not pay salaries, roles do. A CCIE working as a network architect earns well because of the role; the certificate is what qualifies you to be considered for it.
Can I get a job with just a certification and no experience?
It happens, but a certification alone is rarely enough. What converts is a certification plus demonstrable hands-on work: a home lab you can talk about, configurations you have built, problems you have debugged. Interviewers ask what you have configured, not what you have read.
Should I do a cloud certification instead of a networking one?
Do networking first. Cloud networking is still networking, VPCs, subnets, route tables, security groups and peering are the same concepts with different names. Engineers who understand the fundamentals learn the cloud layer quickly; the reverse is much harder.
Related Guides and Tools
Read our full guide to the best certifications for network engineers and CCNA vs Network+ compared in detail. Test yourself with our free OSI model quiz, practise subnetting with the subnet calculator and VLAN calculator, or prepare for interviews with our top 50 networking interview questions. See all our free networking tools.
