Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate by providing efficient and flexible solutions to complex IT infrastructures. As a result, cloud certifications have become increasingly popular among professionals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers.
For network engineers, the cloud presents a unique opportunity to learn new skills and gain valuable certifications that can help them stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry. As hybrid and multi-cloud setups become more common, there’s a growing need for network engineers who can create, set up, and oversee cloud networks.
In this blog post, we will discuss the best cloud certifications for network engineers to help them stay competitive in the job market and advance their careers. We will examine the top certifications offered by the leading cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and provide insights into the skills and knowledge required to obtain them.
Which Cloud certification is best for Network Engineers?
For a network engineer looking to specialize in cloud computing, several certifications can be beneficial. Here are a few of the most popular and highly-regarded cloud certifications for network engineers:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Cloud: This certification is ideal for network engineers who want to work with Cisco cloud solutions. It covers cloud characteristics and deployment models, cloud infrastructure, and network architecture and design for cloud environments.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: For network engineers aiming to work with AWS, the leading cloud platform, this certification is a good fit. It delves into the fundamentals of AWS architecture, covering how to design, deploy, and manage systems that are scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant.
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate: This certification is for network engineers who want to work with Microsoft Azure cloud solutions. It covers various Azure services, including virtual machines, storage solutions, and virtual networks, and how to implement them.
- Google Cloud Certified – Professional Cloud Network Engineer: This certification is designed for network engineers who want to work with Google Cloud. It covers topics such as designing and implementing Google Cloud networks, load balancing, network security, and network monitoring.
- CompTIA Cloud+: This certification covers various cloud computing concepts, including cloud infrastructure design, security, deployment, and maintenance. It is suitable for network engineers who want to learn the fundamental principles of cloud computing.
- VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization: This certification is for network engineers who want to work with VMware network virtualization technologies. It covers NSX architecture, deployment, management, and troubleshooting.
Ultimately, the best certification for a network engineer interested in cloud computing will depend on their specific goals, interests, and the technologies they plan to work with. Therefore, it is recommended to research and compare the requirements and contents of each certification to find the one that best fits your career path.
Who is a Network Engineer?
Network engineers plan, construct and manage networks to ensure they’re optimized and functioning as intended. The demand for network engineers is huge due to the tremendous growth of technology. They are responsible for the foundation of an organization’s IT system. Additionally, Network Engineers are responsible for planning, putting into action, and carrying out entire computer networks within a company.
Responsibilities of a Network Engineer:
The major key responsibly of a network engineer include:
- Firstly, plan for new initiatives and expand the existing network infrastructure
- Secondly, provide consistent solutions based on issues like traffic congestion, infrastructure upgrades and routine troubleshooting
- Thirdly, Install any hardware or software, create back-ups for all the systems and monitor the system performance
- Also, Document solutions/blueprints for any network related issues
Top Certifications for a Network Engineer
Getting certified can open up opportunities, making you more visible and attractive in your industry. In a competitive environment, certification shows you’re dedicated to practical learning, making you a valuable asset to potential employers. To move forward in your career, consider these top certifications.
1. Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer (GCP)
A Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer (CNE) manages and implements network architectures using GCP. Apart from GCP, those who pass should be adept at handling hybrid connectivity, network architecture security, VPCs, network services, and using the GCP Console command-line interface. This certification mainly aims to recognize and validate your abilities to act as a respected Professional Cloud Network Engineer.
The Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam assesses your ability to:
- Firstly, design, plan, and prototype a GCP Network
- Secondly, implement a GCP Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
- Then, configure network services
- Further, implement hybrid interconnectivity
- Lastly, implement network security
Preparatory Resources:
The resources you choose define how well you’ll pass the exam. They enrich your learning experience. You must refer to the following resources:
- To begin with, you must refer the Professional Cloud Network Engineer learning path
- Secondly, learn with Google Cloud documentation
- Also, Practice Tests for Google Associate Cloud Engineer Exam
- You can learn with Online Tutorials as they provide in-depth understanding of the exam. Additionally, it also covers exam details and policies. Therefore learning with Online Tutorials will result in strengthening your preparation. Moreover, practice tests assess your readiness for the exam. They help you diversify your study strategy and boost your confidence. Start practising now!
2. AWS Advanced Networking Specialty
AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty exam is designed for candidates who have the knowledge and skills to perform complex networking tasks. You will learn how the network impacts infrastructure performance, security, availability, and integration with AWS services. However, it is recommended that individuals should have technical AWS Cloud experience related to advanced networking.
This exam validates candidates abilities in:
- To begin with, Designing, developing, and deploying cloud-based solutions using AWS
- Then, Implementing AWS core services with basic architecture best practices
- Also, Maintaining and designing network architecture for all AWS services
- Finally, Leveraging tools to automate AWS networking tasks
Preparatory Resources:
Choosing the right resources with reliable content is very important. Here area few quick links that will definitely benefit your preparations and help you ace the exam:
- Firstly, you must get practical expertise with AWS Training. Types of training available include digital training, classroom training and private training
- Secondly, learn with AWS Whitepapers. They not only strengthen your preparation process but also helps you build a strong strategy to lay your focus on.
- Next, understand the concepts in depth with AWS Certified Advanced Networking Official Study Guide: Specialty Exam Book
- Moreover, Online Tutorials enhance your knowledge and help you stay consistent and determined.
- Finally, Practice Tests for AWS Advanced Networking Specialty
Self-Evaluation is the key to keep your preparations under check and therefore Practice Tests are essential. The more you’re going to practice, the better for you. Further, these tests familiarise you with the real exam environment and also help you analyse areas that need improvement. Start practising Now to be fully ready on the exam day!
3. VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization
The VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization 2020 (VCP-NV 2020) exam verifies that you can transform the economics of network and security operations of any company. The VCP-NV 2020 certification shows you can set up, arrange, and manage NSX virtual networks, no matter the physical setup. Passing the Professional NSX-T Data Center 3.0 exam results in the VCP-NV certification, indicating you can install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot software-defined networks using VMware’s NSX-T 3.0 Data Center.
The exam objectives for VCP-NV 2020 certification are the following:
- Architecture and Technologies
- Products and Solutions
- Planning and Designing
- Installing, Configuring, and Setup
- Performance-tuning, Optimization, and Upgrades
- Troubleshooting and Repairing
- Administrative and Operational Tasks
Preparatory Resources:
You must have the right information and tools to crack the exam. Here we provide you an overview view of the best learning resources:
- Firstly, get hands-on experience with training courses. The VMware NSX-T Data Center: Install, Configure, Manage [V3.0] course offered by VMware supplements your preparations,
- Secondly, you can learn with VMware Press and VMware Certification Market Place
- Moreover, you must join the VMware Community to connect with other candidates
- Also, refer to Online Tutorials to enhance your knowledge
- Finally, Practice Tests for VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization exam
Practice tests are the most effective and beneficial method of determining your level of preparation. Analyzing your answers will help you find areas where you need to focus your efforts and will also reveal whether you are on track to meet the exam objectives. Start Practising Now!
4. Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA (200-301)
Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA (200-301) exam is an associate-level, principle-based exam that encompasses technology areas; namely, Networking, Security, and Automation. It assesses a candidate’s understanding of network basics, IP connectivity, network access, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability. All support technicians involved in the fundamental installation, operation, and verification of Cisco networks will benefit from this exam.
The objectives for the Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA (200-301) are:
- Network Fundamentals
- Network Access
- IP Connectivity
- IP Services
- Security Fundamentals
- Automation and Programmability
Preparatory Resources:
If you choose the correct set of resources for yourself, passing the exam can be simple. There are several resources from which to pick. Here are a few quick links to assist you with your exam preparation:
- Firstly, CISCO Training Program to enhance your skills. Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course is offered by CISCO.
- Secondly, as books are an essential ingredient in preparations you must refer the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library 1st Edition by Wendell Odom and Cisco CCNA Certification, 2 Volume Set: Exam 200-301 1st Edition by Todd Lammle.
- Next, join the CISCO Community to make the studies more comprehensive with multiple viewpoints.
- Also, refer the Online Tutorials to broaden your knowledge horizon
- Finally, Practice Tests for Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA (200-301)
Practice or mock exams can be one of the most useful resources for preparing for the exam. The major goal of creating practise exams is to simulate a real exam setting for the candidate. As a result, taking practise examinations might help you identify your strengths and limitations. Start Practising Now!
5. CompTIA Network+ (N10-007)
CompTIA Network+ exam is great for building a career in IT infrastructure. It focuses on troubleshooting, configuring, and managing networks. It also covers important security concepts to help network experts work closely with security professionals. Additionally, it equips you with the knowledge to keep the network robust. This test confirms that an IT professional can design and set up effective networks, handle and maintain network devices, and assess the pros and cons of existing setups. It also involves supporting the creation of virtualized networks.
The CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) exam objectives include:
- Networking Concepts
- Infrastructure
- Network Operations
- Network Security Network Troubleshooting and Tools
Preparatory Resources:
There goes a lot of hard work and consistency in preparation for an exam. You need access to the right resources to enrich your preparations. Here are some of the highly suggested resources you must use to ace the exam:
- Firstly, learn with the eLearning solution that is CertMaster Learn. It is interactive and self-paced that includes a customizable learning plan and performance-based questions for Network+.
- Secondly, CompTIA Labs for Network+ helps the candidate to acquire the necessary hands-on skills for Network+ certification.
- Further, the CertMaster Practice is a tool that assesses your knowledge and exam readiness. This is filled with question-first design, real-time learning analytics, and content refreshers.
- Also, you must refer to the CompTIA Network+ N10-007 Certification Study Guide to be thorough with the fundamental principles of installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network technologies.
- Additionally, learn with our Online Course that offers complete course coverage with 172 learning videos. This course offers Life-Long Access to upgrade your knowledge.
- Moreover, Online Tutorials provide a sea of knowledge that you must dive into before starting your preparations.
- Lastly, CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) Practice Tests for CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) exam
Practice Tests provide the exact insight of where they need to work on. The more you practice, the easier you’ll find taking the actual exam. Solving practice tests will help you learn the quirks of the actual exam. They will help you build your own exam-taking endurance. So, ready to evaluate yourself, try free practice test here!
Experts Corner
Professional credentials demonstrate your dedication to your chosen field. They assist you in being relevant in today’s fast-paced corporate world. Because of the rise in cloud computing, the demand for Certified Network Engineers has increased in recent years. The certifications listed above will help you keep ahead of the competition and serve as a useful benchmark. They’ll provide you with an industry-recognized credential and help you advance in your career by validating your technical abilities and expertise.
As a network engineer developing new skills demonstrate the ability to be flexible and innovative in this new environment. All these certifications above cover a wide range of networking domains and are sought after by employers. Breathe life into your career aspirations and begin fulfilling your real potential today with professional certifications for Network Engineer!
