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CompTIA’s Network+ certification is aimed at IT professionals with nine months experience in network support or administration. The Network+, exam code N10-003, was first introduced in 1997 and was most recently updated in May 2005. As of mid 2005, CompTIA says that over 150,000 people hold this certification. Network+ is an entry-level, vendor-neutral certification that you can achieve on your way to more advanced certifications, such as the Microsoft MCSE and EC-Council CEH.

In fact, when paired with the CompTIA A+, it counts as an elective for the Microsoft MCSA. Although there are no prerequisites for this certification, CompTIA recommends that you possess the A+ certification.

This certification is well suited to system and network administrators. The Network+ designation is achieved by passing one conventional format exam that covers topics including: media and topologies, protocols, standards, network implementation, and network support. The Network+ certification thus demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of foundational networking subjects. Like other CompTIA offerings, once a person achieves the Network+, the certification will not expire.

Topic-Level Outline
Prerequisites: A+ Certification: OS Technologies or equivalent experience

TOPICS

Unit 1: Basic networking concepts

  • Topic A: Networking fundamentals
  • Topic B: Types of servers
  • Topic C: Topologies
  • Topic D: Planning in network design

Unit 2: The OSI Model

  • Topic A: Introduction to the OSI model

Unit 3: Network adapters

  • Topic A: Network adapter configuration
  • Topic B: Troubleshooting network adapter problems

Unit 4: Introducing protocols

  • Topic A: Introduction to protocols
  • Topic B: Channel access methods
  • Topic C: Transport protocols
  • Topic D: Remote access protocols
  • Topic E: Security protocols

Unit 5: Network cabling and devices

  • Topic A: Network communication methods
  • Topic B: Cables and connectors
  • Topic C: Coaxial and fiber optic cables
  • Topic D: Ethernet and Token Ring devices

Unit 6: Internetworking components

  • Topic A: Introduction to internetworking
  • Topic B: Introducing bridges, routers and switches

Unit 7: Remote and WAN connectivity

  • Topic A: Introduction to remote connectivity
  • Topic B: Installing and configuring a modem
  • Topic C: Remote Access Service (RAS) and remote access clients
  • Topic D: WAN connectivity

Unit 8: Troubleshooting hardware components

  • Topic A: Introduction to troubleshooting
  • Topic B: Introduction to common network tools
  • Topic C: The science of troubleshooting

Unit 9: TCP/IP fundamentals

  • Topic A: Evolution of TCP/IP
  • Topic B: TCP/IP fundamentals

Unit 10: TCP/IP addressing and subnetting

  • Topic A: IP addressing
  • Topic B: Subnetting and special addressing
  • Topic C: TCP/IP installation and configuration

Unit 11: Name resolution

  • Topic A: The HOSTS file and Domain Name System
  • Topic B: NetBIOS name resolution

Unit 12: Firewalls and proxies

  • Topic A: Firewalls
    Topic B: Proxy servers

Unit 13: Troubleshooting network connectivity

  • Topic A: TCP/IP troubleshooting tools
  • Topic B: Telnet
  • Topic C: File Transfer Protocol
  • Topic D: Troubleshooting examples

Unit 14: Identifying network operating system features

  • Topic A: Microsoft Windows
  • Topic B: Novell NetWare
  • Topic C: UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS X Server
  • Topic D: AppleShare IP

Unit 15: Network clients

  • Topic A: Network client review

Unit 16: Directory services

  • Topic A: Windows networking concepts
  • Topic B: Directory services planning and implementation
  • Topic C: Introduction to Active Directory
  • Topic D: New Active Directory features in Windows Server 2003
  • Topic E: Windows NT domains
  • Topic F: Novell Directory Services/eDirectory

Unit 17: Accessing and managing resources in a Windows network

  • Topic A: Creating and managing Active Directory user accounts
  • Topic B: Introduction to group accounts
  • Topic C: The NTFS file system and permissions
  • Topic D: Working with shared folders
  • Topic E: Introduction to printing concepts

Unit 18: Monitoring and troubleshooting a Windows server

  • Topic A: Introduction to server monitoring
  • Topic B: Troubleshooting with Event Viewer
  • Topic C: Working with the Performance console

Unit 19: Managing and troubleshooting resources in a NetWare network

  • Topic A: User and group management
  • Topic B: Rights and trustee assignments
  • Topic C: User account restrictions
  • Topic D: NDS/eDirectory context
  • Topic E: NetWare log files
  • Topic F: Using monitoring and management tools

Unit 20: Fault tolerance and disaster recovery

  • Topic A: System fault tolerance
  • Topic B: Replication
  • Topic C: Backup and UPS

Unit 21: Routine maintenance

  • Topic A: Keeping NOS software up to date
  • Topic B: Virus protection

Unit 22: Troubleshooting

  • Topic A: Assessing and responding to problems
  • Topic B: Troubleshooting procedures
  • Topic C: Troubleshooting scenarios

Appendix A: Installing NetWare 6.5

  • Topic A: Basic NetWare server installation

Appendix B: Installing Windows 2000 Server

  • Topic A: Installing Windows 2000 Server

Appendix C: Network+ exam objectives map

  • Topic A: Network+ 2005 exam objectives