Cramming up study guides and learning resources to pass the GCP Network Engineer Certification? Are you sure you’re doing this the right way? Well, a single cram session won’t suffice!
Listen to the advice of experts to fully understand the certification exam. Also, learn about the best ways to study and take the test effectively. As they say, certification exams aren’t simple. That’s why in this article, we’ll guide you step by step to succeed in the GCP Network Engineer exam.
Before we get into the guide on how to prepare, let’s take a quick look at the exam details and all the important information about the certification. Now, without waiting any longer, let’s start.
Exam Overview: GCP Network Engineer
A Professional Cloud Network Engineer is an individual who executes and manages network architectures in the Google Cloud Platform. Since the exam is mainly focused on the acknowledgement and validation of a candidate’s skills to perform the role of a Professional Cloud Network Engineer. Here are a few skills that the Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam will validate-
- Design, plan, and prototype a GCP Network
- Implementing a GCP Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
- Configuring network services
- Implementing hybrid interconnectivity
- Implementing network security
Since this is a professional certification. Therefore, here are a few requirements that a candidate must fulfil before appearing for the Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam.
- First thing first, one must have at least 1 year of hands-on experience working with Google Cloud Platform.
- Secondly, he/she must have performed work on networking or cloud teams with architects who create the infrastructure.
- Subsequently, Considerable experience in the implementation of hybrid connectivity, VPCs, network services, and security of the network architectures.
- Last but not least, ensures successful cloud implementations using the command line interface or the Google Cloud Platform Console.
All Exam Details Here!
Now that you have acquired the basic idea about the Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam. So, now we’ll move on to the next most essential criteria of the certification i.e. exam details. Since this is a professional certification exam, it becomes all the more important to understand and go through each and every detail. Therefore, in this section, we spare no details!
Basic Exam Details
Your confidence and morale will definitely take a hit the moment you’re there in the examination centre and the exam format looks familiar. In the same vein, understand that the Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam is 120 minute (2 hours) long. The candidate may encounter various types of questions. These include- Multiple choices and multiple select. But, the exam is only available in the English language. And, as far as the registration fee is concerned its only USD 200. Since there are no prerequisites for the same. But, the recommended experience is as follows-
- More than three years of industry expertise including more than one years designing and managing solutions using GCP.
And, the moment you’re certified, the certification is only valid for 2 years only.
Course Outline: GCP Network Engineer
The course outline forms the most important aspect of the examination. Since the course outline is going to let you all understand the exam objective on a deeper level. Therefore, one must review the course outline so that he/she has a clear idea about all the topics to be well versed with.
The Professional Cloud Network Engineer Certification comprises of the seven mains domains which are as follows-
Domain 1- Designing, planning, and prototyping a GCP network
- First of all, designing the overall network architecture
- Secondly, designing a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
- Subsequently, designing a hybrid network
- Lastly, designing a container IP addressing plan for Google Kubernetes Engine
Domain 2- Implementing a GCP Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
- First thing first, configuring VPCs
- Secondly, configuring routing
- Also, configuring and maintaining Google Kubernetes Engine clusters
- In addition, configuring and managing firewall rules
Domain 3- Configuring network services
- Firstly, configuring load balancing
- Secondly, configuring Cloud CDN
- Thirdly, configuring and maintaining Cloud DNS
- Fourthly, enabling other network services
Domain 4- Implementing hybrid interconnectivity
- To begin with, configuring interconnect
- Subsequently, configuring a site-to-site IPsec VPN
- Lastly, configuring Cloud Router for reliability
Domain 5- Implementing network security
- First of all, configuring identity and access management (IAM)
- Secondly, configuring Cloud Armor policies
- Subsequently, configuring third-party device insertion into VPC using multi-nic (NGFW)
- Fourthly, managing keys for SSH access
Domain 6- Managing and monitoring network operations
- Firstly, logging and monitoring with Stackdriver or GCP Console
- Subsequently, managing and maintaining the security
- After this, maintaining and troubleshooting connectivity issues
- Also, monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting latency and traffic flow
Domain 7- Optimizing network resources
- First of all, optimizing traffic flow
- Secondly, optimizing for cost and efficiency
And, finally, this long list of domains is over. We agree that the preparation will take time. But if you’ll follow our step by step preparatory guide. This examination will feel like a light breeze. So, let’s not waste any more time and begin with the preparatory guide.
Preparatory Guide: GCP Network Engineer
In this section, we’re providing you with all the latest learning related to the Professional Cloud Network Engineer Certification exam. So, here we go.
Review all Exam Objectives
As you start getting ready for the Professional Cloud Network Engineer Certification exam, your first step is to go to the official Google Cloud website. Look over all the things they want you to know for the exam. This will help you understand the test better and feel more confident. This step is like building the base for your preparation. So, remember to start with the trusted website and then use other study materials.
Download the Exam Guide
Your next step in the preparatory guide is to go through the official Study Guide for Professional Cloud Network Engineer Certification exam. You can download the official study guide from the Google Cloud official website. This exam study guide is the perfect tool to grasp the course outline for the same. Not to mention, this will make sure that you have a very clear vision of the examination. So, make sure to download the exam guide for your own betterment.
Try training
When it comes to training, there is none who can beat Google Cloud itself. Google cloud provides various extensive training courses. These are the on-demand training and instructor-led classes. This will offer you the up to date information regarding the same that too at your own comfort.
Try online forum or study group
Online forums or study groups can be really helpful when you’re getting ready for the Professional Cloud Network Engineer Certification exam. So, don’t hesitate to join these groups online. Also, you can ask questions about things you’re finding hard to understand.
However, joining isn’t something you have to do. It’s really up to you. But, these study groups can keep you motivated when you see many others are working towards the same goal as you.
Hands-on Experience
This exam is designed in such a way that it validates the technical skills associated with the job role. Take it from us, this by far is the best preparation for the exam. We highly recommend this. So, in case you feel you require more experience or practice, go for the hands-on labs available by Qwiklabs and the GCP free tier to enhance your expertise and skills.
Self Evaluation Time
And, finally, it’s time for self-evaluation. Take it from us, Self Evaluation is the last step of your success. The more you’re going to practice, it’s better for you.
Not only does it helps you understand the areas where you lack but also, ensure you’re strengthening your skills as well. So, go through as many practice tests as much you can. FOR MORE PRACTICE TEST, CLICK HERE!
Tips and Trick directly from Experts
Tips and tricks always come handy whenever you’re preparing for the certification exam. So, make sure to put into action the following tips and tricks-
A single study cram session will not suffice
First, know that these certifications aren’t like exams where you can just study overnight and be ready. These certifications are designed to make sure you really understand the stuff and can do it in a real GCP setup. And, that kind of learning comes from using all the study materials and actually practicing in a GCP environment.
Do your homework before you do your homework
Certification exams are not similar to your regular university examinations. These can make you pull your hair out. So, make sure to go through all the exam objectives first and then start with the learning and understanding. Since certification vendors want you to qualify. That’s why they are transparent about the exam content. Not to mention, every minute exam will help you in prepping. As every certification exam is unique. Therefore, make sure to do your homework.
Instructor-led training is the gold standard of learning
When you’re getting ready using instructor-led training, use the newest info and study materials. This way, you won’t worry about using old stuff. Plus, you can talk to the experts, which is a great way to learn. This kind of learning is top-notch.
Free study resources are out there—you just need to know where to find them
The internet is cluttered with so many resources but you need to understand which resources to rely upon. Both proper training and more relaxed learning can make your learning even better. Above all, don’t forget the self-study as it’s the most important one.
Timeless exam day test-taking tips
Examination calls for a lot of things including anxiety and many open-end threads that might be floating in your head. So, we don’t want you to teetering somewhere with nervousness and anxiousness. Therefore, before taking the exam, try the following
- Slow down
- Check your work
- Trust your instincts
- Relax
You won’t know everything on the exam, and that’s fine!
Every exam has some confused moments because every exam can’t be familiar to you. And, the examination is fashioned in such a way that you will at some point get flustered. But, remember one thing- it’s okay to not know everything in the examination. This is very normal. Because certifications are difficult for a reason. Thereby, making certifications so highly regarded.
And, in the end, we would suggest working hard for your certification as they are the proof that you are a professional who can survive under any circumstance. So, work hard and try as many practice sets as you can.
All the best
