CNA Certification: Opening the Door to Networking Jobs

April 5, 2005
By Alan Drumer alan.drumer@hqpublications.com

You don't need a four-year computer science degree to land a good-paying networking job (although that kind of four-year degree is not a bad asset to have). If you don't have the time and money to get the degree, choose a carefully-selected computer certification exam instead. Pass it, and you have a valuable credential for landing a good technical support job or other networking jobs.

Certification became a reality thanks to Novell. In the early 90's, the company once ran as much as 70% of the business world's networks. To support their brand, in 1989 they began CNE (Certified Novell Engineer) Certification. Since then they have issued more than a half million certificates in that and other specialties. One of their most popular offerings is CNA Certification (Certified Novell Administrator).

Keeping Networks Up and Running

CNAs provide companies direct support for software users in various work environments including professional offices and small businesses, work groups or departments, and corporate information services (IS).

Some of the tasks a CNA is prepared to handle include:

Set up user workstations
Manage users and resources in a network environment
Execute network applications and share software resources
Install and configure print servers
Set up printing
Automate access to the network
Customize and optimize the desktop
Handle routine software maintenance
Monitor network performance

Learning Network Administration Basics

Novel recommends that CNA Certification candidates have a fundamental knowledge of networking before learning the specifics of Novell networking. They strongly recommend that individuals have a CompTIA Network+ certification before pursuing the Novell CNA. In a recent survey the vast majority of Novell CNAs, who had obtained the Network+ certification prior to earning the Novell certification, rated the CompTIA knowledge as VALUABLE to HIGHLY VALUABLE in preparing them for the CNA. Achieving the Network + certification ensures you have a good understanding of network implementation, support, media, topologies, protocols, and standards—all necessary areas of knowledge to successfully pursue the CNA certification.

About The Author

Alan Drummer is a writer and video producer based in Burlingame, California. His specialties include outdoor adventure, travel, technology and advertising and marketing. Trained as an ad agency copywriter, his TV spots for children won some of the industry's major awards. His features have appeared in publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Magazine, and online at playstation.com.

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