This course will prepare you for a career as a network technician and qualify you
to take the CompTIA Network+ certification exam (N10-009). You will master a variety
of networking concepts and gain a fundamental knowledge of network design, security,
cloud computing, and routing and switching.
Overview
Knowing how to install, configure, and troubleshoot a computer network is a highly marketable and in-demand skill—and it's an ideal time to explore online CompTIA Network+ courses to expand your career opportunities and earning potential!
This CompTIA Network+ certification course introduces the fundamental building blocks that form a modern network, such as hardware, topologies, and protocols, along with an introduction to the OSI model. The course provides in-depth coverage of the most important concepts in contemporary networking, including TCP/IP, Ethernet, wireless transmission, virtual networks, cloud computing, segmentation, security, performance optimization, and troubleshooting.
After reading the lessons and completing the exercises in this CompTIA Network+ certification course, you will gain the confidence to select the network design, hardware, and software that best fits your environment. You will have the skills to build a network from scratch and maintain, upgrade, troubleshoot, and manage an existing network. Finally, you will be well-prepared to take CompTIA's Network+ certification exam.
You will receive an exam voucher with your enrolment, which covers the fee to sit for the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) certifying exam upon eligibility.
How you will benefit
- Expand your career opportunities and earning potential
- Course content is aligned with the CompTIA Network+ certification
- Optional hands-on learning activities with simulations and live virtual machine labs
- Opportunity to practice on multiple-choice questions to prepare you for your Network+ certification exam (N10-009)
What you will learn
- Compare common network types, topologies, and architectures
- Characteristics and uses of networking hardware and tools
- How to install and configure wired and wireless networks
- TCP/IP functionality and protocols
- IP addressing concepts, including subnetting and VLANs
- Cloud computing, virtualization, and remote access systems and methods
- Tools and practices for monitoring network performance and health
- Network safety and security threats and how to mitigate them
- Explain how to troubleshoot and recover from network problems
- Identify the purposes of network policies and documentation
Syllabus
- Introduction to CompTIA
- Introduction to networking
- Infrastructure and documentation
- Addressing
- Protocols
- Cabling
- Wireless networking
- Network architecture
- Segmentation
- Wide area networking
- Risk management
- Security in network design
- Performance and recovery
- Final exam
Instructors
Linda Matthews
Linda Matthews has years of experience both in the classroom teaching technical material and in the field solving a myriad of technical issues.
Linda possesses the background to engage deeply with cybersecurity through teaching and intellectual focus. For the past eight years, she has lived with this vast and fascinating body of knowledge. Now, she regularly trains individuals in several of the most popular security courses from CompTIA and Microsoft.
Linda has a strong love for teaching and igniting the spark that can set students on a most worthwhile and fulfilling path.
Sara Perrott
Sara Perrott has been working in the information technology field for 20+ years and has devoted the last 10 of those to focusing on cybersecurity. She is a published author and a former college professor, and she is passionate about teaching the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Sara has a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security from the University of Phoenix.
Brett Glines
Brett Glines holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from BYU and an MBA from Emory University. Since 1995, he has excelled as a consultant and educator in the field of technical education, primarily specializing in information technology and certification. He has helped thousands transition into IT careers and holds certifications in CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+.
Brett is a master at leveraging online environments for learning and has been training online exclusively since 2015. His focus is on engaging students and ensuring they understand and remember what they learn. He uses practical examples, everyday analogies, and recall techniques to make learning easier and more effective.
Justin Burandt
Justin Burandt has built a strong career in information technology (IT) education, holding various leadership and support roles across several universities. As an assistant director at Miami Dade College's Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, he played a key role in developing the IT training infrastructure and expanding certification programs. Additionally, Justin has mentored over 120 students in Western Governors University's IT bachelor's programs. His teaching experience spans both online and in-person, including CompTIA Tech+, A+, and Network+ courses across high school, college, and adult education settings. He has also led IT seminars for various organizations, including governments, financial institutions, and businesses.
Requirements
Hardware requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
- Labs included in this program are not supported on mobile devices (i.e., phones and tablets).
- Please note that a Windows environment is required to complete some course assignments.
- A motherboard capable of client-side virtualization:
- A 64-bit CPU
- UEFI firmware
- Hardware virtualization support in UEFI
Software requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Mac: macOS 12 or later.
- Chromebook 113 or later
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Microsoft Word. To complete your assignments, you may need Microsoft Word 2003 or higher, or an equivalent word-processing program, such as LibreOffice, which is available to download for free.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader. (Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.)
Tools:
- Access to copper Ethernet cable-making tools and equipment:
- RJ-45 connectors
- A crimping tool
- Cat5, Cat5e, or Cat6 cable to practice on
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
- A reliable high-speed Internet connection.
Instructional material requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrolment. The following digital textbook for this course is accessed via links in the course lessons:
- CompTIA Network+ Guide to Networks, by Jill West (eBook)
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
FAQ
What kind of salary can I expect with CompTIA Network+ Certification?
The average CompTIA Network+ salary is $73,938 annually as of November 2024, according to ZipRecruiter, which equates to approximately $36.00 an hour.
Based on data from Infosec, data from three of the top job demand sites (Payscale, Salary.com, and Glassdoor) indicate that the average salary for Network+ holders ranges from $75,000 to $79,234, with a rough estimate of around $77,078.
This annual salary represents a positive trend compared to the previous average of $72,430, indicating a strong demand for network professionals with this certification.
Please note: Salary figures are provided for informational purposes only and reflect publicly available market data. Actual compensation can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, education, job role, and employer. WatSPEED does not guarantee any specific salary or employment outcome upon completion of this program.
What kinds of jobs can I get with a CompTIA Network+ Certification?
After obtaining your CompTIA Network+ certification, you are qualified for jobs such as a network administrator, IT consultant, network field engineer, computer technician, help desk technician, system engineer, network support specialist, and network analyst.
Is CompTIA Network+ worth it?
What is the CompTIA Network+ Certification?
The CompTIA Network+ certification is an entry-level certification that is widely recognized by the information technology industry. It is vendor-neutral, which means that technicians who achieve this certification are prepared to work in IT infrastructure. They gain essential networking knowledge and skills that are necessary for their roles. According to CompTIA, those who earn the Network+ certification demonstrate they possess network troubleshooting, network cabling, configuration, subnetting, and network operation skills. Furthermore, they understand emerging technologies, such as those related to virtualization and the cloud.
How much does the CompTIA Network+ exam cost?
The CompTIA Network+ exam voucher price is $358.00. With your enrolment in this course, you will receive an exam voucher for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam.
Does this course prepare you for a certification?
Yes. Once you complete your online course work, you can move forward to take the certification exam. CompTIA certification testing is administered by third-party vendors who offer a network of computer-based testing centers with thousands of locations worldwide. Proctor fees are not included as part of this course.
How do I do the applied labs if I don't have equipment?
The majority of labs can be done using the online lab system. A lab scheduling link is included.
How can I learn networking at home?
Learning networking at home is easy when you enrol in an online course like those offered by ed2go. With a virtual interactive lab environment and one-on-one interaction with your instructor, our complete online training is a great way to fit networking classes into your busy schedule.
When can I start the course?
This course is open enrolment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this course?
After you register, you will receive 6 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.
What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
What kind of support will I receive?
Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our client success team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will receive a digital badge from the University of Waterloo that you can share with your professional network.
Am I guaranteed a job?
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please contact our customer success team at watspeed@uwaterloo.ca. You can also call us at +1 (519) 888-4773 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered.