Cisco CCENT or CompTIA Network+: A Point of Comparison

While one looks for entry-level credentials in the networking field, the global leaders Cisco and CompTIA are equally equipped with credentials that you could choose. Among these, the most prominent ones are Cisco CCENT certification and CompTIA Network + certification. But to choose one among both of these could be a hard judgment to make as both of these have their own recognition, trust and worth within an organization. Moreover, both of these also have an almost equal global recognition that could even make you harder to choose one of them. 

For this utter tough choice for the individuals, let us look at a few points of difference between the two:

CompTIA:

CompTIA is an acronym that denotes Computing Technology Industry Association and it is a trade organization that provides credentials with respect to IT industry. Apart from the Network+ certification, CompTIA has other hoards of credentials to offer. These include Security+ Certification, Project+ Certification, A+ Certification and Cloud Storage Certification etc. 

CompTIA Network+ Certification:

CompTIA Network+ Certification incorporates a broad view of networking but its approach is much lighter than the Cisco certifications. The course that CompTIA Network+ certification encompasses consists of topics such as:

·         Network services and protocols, which include TCP/IP suite and network topologies

·         Types of network media and various topologies

·         The knowledge of networking equipments such as modems, hubs, media converters, switches, routers and firewalls etc.

·         The network management with regards to seven layers of the OSI Model

·         Various kinds of diagnostic and software equipments and their use in identifying and troubleshooting the network issues

·         The understanding of features in security devices, the firewall features, network access security and authentication troubles etc.

With all these concepts to be studied well, CompTIA Network+ Certification is not an easy one to obtain. But with the help of various online programs that allow you to Pass CompTIA Certification withouttaking exam, you could always fulfill your dream of getting a credential without any training. 

Cisco:

Cisco is the California-based organization that designs, manufactures and sells networking equipments. It mainly targets the small businesses, houses and service providers etc. to offer products such as IP phones, Routers, Wireless LAN products and telephone equipments. And CCENT form Cisco is just the basic level certification, while it has more to offer in the form of Cisco CCNA certifications, CCDA Certifications, CCNP Certifications and CCDP Certifications etc. 

Cisco CCENT Certification:

Cisco CCENT certification is the basic level that offers an individual the knowledge about the following concepts:

·         Description of the data network operation

·         Implementation of small switched networks

·         The basic concepts of routing, operation of Cisco Routers and implementation of smaller routed networks

·         Identification of the threats in security of an organization and mitigating these effectively

·         Implementing and validating WAN Links

Which One to Choose:

While the CompTIA Network+ certification has a wider, but less concerned scope directed to its matter, Cisco tends to have an in-depth approach with a smaller scope of the topics it covers. It could basically be the choice of the individual, depending upon how deep they wish to get embedded in the networking world.