Top 11 Lan Administrator Certifications

Certifications for LAN administrators are important in the job market as they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has a level of competency and expertise in the area. This knowledge can help employers decide if an individual is qualified for a specific role or not, as well as give them confidence in the employee’s ability to perform their duties effectively. Certifications also provide LAN administrators with professional recognition and credibility, which can be beneficial when applying for jobs or promotions. Additionally, certifications can help LAN administrators stay up-to-date on new technologies and industry trends, allowing them to remain competitive in the job market.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Lan Administrators and explain how these certifications can help to advance a lan administrator's career.

What are Lan Administrator Certifications?

Lan Administrator Certification is a certification that demonstrates a person's expertise in network administration. It is an industry-recognized credential that verifies an individual's ability to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Local Area Networks (LANs). The certification typically requires the successful completion of an exam and may also require hands-on experience with LANs.

The certification can be beneficial for those seeking to enter the field of network administration or advance their careers within the profession. By demonstrating knowledge and expertise in the area, it can open up new job opportunities as well as increase salary potential. Having this certification can also help employers better evaluate candidates for positions involving LANs and provide assurance that they are hiring qualified professionals. Furthermore, having this certification can help build confidence among employers that the certified individual has the necessary skills to effectively manage their network environment.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the certifications available and understand the topics that are covered in each certification before you begin studying. This will help you focus your efforts and ensure that you are ready for the exam.

Related: What does a Lan Administrator do?

Top 11 Lan Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Lan Administrators today.

1. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in networking technologies. It is designed to help individuals develop a career in network administration, support, and engineering. The certification covers topics such as network architecture, media and topologies, security, routing and switching fundamentals, performance-based skills, and more.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the CompTIA Network+ exam. To get certified, you must pass one 90-minute exam with a score of 720 or higher on a scale of 100-900. The exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it will cost around $300 USD to take the exam at an authorized testing center. You can also purchase study materials online for additional preparation costs.

2. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a certification program offered by Microsoft to validate the technical skills and knowledge of IT professionals. The MCSE certification is designed for individuals who work with Windows Server, client operating systems, networking, and security. It is also applicable to those who design and implement solutions based on Microsoft products and technologies.

To obtain an MCSE certification, a candidate must pass one or more exams that cover topics such as designing, implementing, configuring, troubleshooting, and administering Windows Server-based networks. There are currently eight core exams available for the MCSE certification. Depending on the specific exam chosen, it can take anywhere from two to six months of study time to prepare for the exam.

The cost of each exam varies depending on the country in which you take it. Generally speaking, however, most exams cost around $150 USD per attempt. In some cases there may be additional fees associated with taking an exam such as proctoring fees or exam retake fees.

In order to maintain your MCSE certification you must pass at least one recertification exam every three years. This ensures that your skills remain up-to-date with current technology trends and best practices in the industry.

3. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in networking technologies. It is a mid-level certification for network engineers, system administrators, and network technicians.

The CCNA certification covers topics such as IP addressing, routing protocols, switching technologies, WAN technologies, and security fundamentals. It requires individuals to demonstrate their knowledge of these topics by passing the CCNA exam.

The CCNA exam typically takes around two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD.

In order to obtain the CCNA certification, individuals must pass both the ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1) and ICND2 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2) exams or just the single CCNA Composite exam which combines both parts into one test.

It usually takes several months of study and practice before attempting either of these exams. A variety of resources are available online to help prepare for the exams including books, videos, practice tests, and more.

4. Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional (JNCIP)

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional (JNCIP) is a professional-level certification program designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in Juniper Networks technologies. The JNCIP certification requires a deep understanding of routing, switching, security, and other advanced networking concepts. It is ideal for experienced network engineers who want to demonstrate their expertise in Juniper Networks technology and gain recognition from the industry.

To obtain the JNCIP certification, individuals must pass two exams: JN0-103 (Junos Routing and Switching Essentials) and JN0-662 (Service Provider Routing and Switching). Both exams are multiple choice with varying levels of difficulty. It typically takes several months to prepare for these exams as they cover a wide range of topics related to Juniper Networks technology.

The cost of the JNCIP certification varies depending on your location. Generally, the cost of each exam ranges from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or travel expenses if you need to take it at an offsite location.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your official JNCIP certificate from Juniper Networks which will recognize your achievement and demonstrate your expertise in Juniper Networks technology.

5. Citrix Certified Professional – Networking (CCP-N)

The Citrix Certified Professional – Networking (CCP-N) certification is a professional level credential designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are responsible for configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Citrix networking solutions. The CCP-N certification is intended for network engineers and administrators who have experience in deploying and managing networks using Citrix products.

To earn the CCP-N certification, candidates must pass one exam: 1Y0-341 - Deploying Citrix ADC 13 with Traffic Management. This exam tests your knowledge of deploying, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Citrix NetScaler Gateway and NetScaler SD-WAN solutions.

The exam takes about 90 minutes to complete and costs $200 USD. To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you take a training course from a certified instructor or self-study using official training materials from Citrix. It typically takes several weeks to study for the exam depending on your background knowledge of networking technologies.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register your certification in the MyCitrix portal. Once registered, you will be able to access your digital badge which can be used on social media sites such as LinkedIn to showcase your achievement.

6. VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)

VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (VCP-NV) is a certification program designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills in deploying, configuring, and managing VMware NSX virtual networks. This certification is intended for engineers who have experience with networking concepts and technologies, as well as working knowledge of VMware products.

In order to obtain the VCP-NV certification, individuals must first complete a qualifying course offered by VMware or an authorized training partner. The course can be taken online or in person at a certified training center. Once the course has been completed, individuals must pass the VCP-NV exam to become certified.

The VCP-NV exam typically takes between two and four hours to complete and consists of multiple choice questions. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $250-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the qualifying course if it is not taken online.

Once an individual has successfully passed the VCP-NV exam, they will receive their official certification from VMware which will remain valid for two years before needing to be renewed. Renewal requires completion of continuing education activities such as attending conferences or taking additional courses related to VMware products and technologies.

7. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. The RHCSA certification is designed for system administrators who are responsible for the installation, configuration, and management of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.

It typically takes about 4-6 months of study and practice to prepare for the RHCSA exam. To get the RHCSA certification, you must pass the RHCSA exam. The exam consists of performance-based tasks that require you to demonstrate your skills in managing a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system.

The cost of the RHCSA exam varies depending on which country you take it in. In the United States, the cost is $400 USD. The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide.

8. Check Point Security Administration (CCSA)

Check Point Security Administration (CCSA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who administer Check Point Security solutions. The CCSA certification is designed to demonstrate that an individual has the necessary skills to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot Check Point Security Gateways and Firewalls.

The CCSA certification requires passing a single exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center or online. The exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, management, and troubleshooting of Check Point Security Gateways and Firewalls.

It typically takes around two months to prepare for the CCSA exam. Candidates should have experience working with Check Point products before attempting the exam. It is also recommended that candidates take an official course from Check Point or use self-study materials to ensure they are fully prepared for the exam.

The cost of taking the CCSA exam varies depending on location. In the United States, it costs $250 USD per attempt. In other countries, prices may vary due to local taxes and currency exchange rates.

9. HP ASE – Advanced Server Solutions Architect V2

HP ASE – Advanced Server Solutions Architect V2 is a certification program from Hewlett-Packard that validates an IT professional's knowledge and expertise in HP server solutions. This certification is designed to test the individual's skills in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting HP server solutions.

The HP ASE – Advanced Server Solutions Architect V2 certification requires passing two exams: the HP ASE – Advanced Server Solutions Architect V1 exam, and the HP ASE – Advanced Server Solutions Architect V2 exam. The first exam covers topics such as virtualization, storage, networking, security, and high availability. The second exam focuses on advanced topics such as performance tuning, scalability and clustering.

It typically takes around 3-6 months to complete both exams depending on your level of experience with HP servers.

You can get certified by taking the exams through PearsonVUE or Prometric testing centers. You will need to register for each exam separately and pay the corresponding fees for each one. The cost of the exams varies by country but generally ranges from $150-$300 per exam.

10. Brocade Certified Network Engineer (BCNE)

Brocade Certified Network Engineer (BCNE) is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of network engineers who design, implement, and maintain Brocade-based networks. The BCNE certification is intended for IT professionals who have at least one year of experience with Brocade products and technologies.

To obtain the BCNE certification, you must first pass an online exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as networking fundamentals, routing protocols, switching technologies, and Brocade product features. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

The cost of the BCNE exam is $125 USD. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. Once you have passed the exam, your name will be added to the official list of certified Brocade Network Engineers on the Brocade website.

11. F5 Networks Certified Technology Specialist (F5-CTS)

F5 Networks Certified Technology Specialist (F5-CTS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to configure, manage, and troubleshoot F5 products. The certification is targeted towards system administrators, engineers, and other IT professionals who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of F5 products.

The F5-CTS certification exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as installation and configuration of F5 products, troubleshooting issues with F5 products, and understanding how different features work. It takes approximately two hours to complete the exam.

To get the F5-CTS certification, you must first register for an exam at an authorized testing center. Once registered, you will be given access to a practice test which you can use to prepare for the actual exam. After completing the practice test, you can then take the actual exam at an authorized testing center.

The cost of taking the F5-CTS certification exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD per attempt.

Do You Really Need a Lan Administrator Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and what their career goals are. If someone is looking to pursue a career in network administration, then a Lan Administrator Certificate can be beneficial. The certificate proves that the individual has the skills necessary to successfully manage and troubleshoot local area networks (LANs). It also demonstrates that the individual has taken the time to gain a deeper understanding of LAN technology, which employers often value.

On the other hand, if someone already has experience in network administration or IT, then obtaining an additional certification may not be necessary. In many cases, employers are more interested in an applicant’s actual experience with networks than any certificates they may have. Additionally, some people may not need a Lan Administrator Certificate because their job does not require them to manage and troubleshoot LANs.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they need a Lan Administrator Certificate. Those who are just starting out in network administration or IT may benefit from obtaining one, as it can help them stand out from other applicants and demonstrate their knowledge of LAN technology. However, those who already have experience and expertise in these areas may not need one at all.

Related: Lan Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Lan Administrator Certifications

1. What certifications are available for LAN Administrators?

Answer: Certifications available for LAN Administrators include CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, and Microsoft MCSA/MCSE.

2. How long does it take to become certified as a LAN Administrator?

Answer: The length of time to become certified depends on the certification chosen and the individual’s experience level. Generally, the process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year of study and practice.

3. What is the cost of becoming certified as a LAN Administrator?

Answer: The cost of certification varies depending on the exam and any associated training materials or courses that may be required. Generally, certifications range in price from around $100 - $500 USD.

4. Is certification as a LAN Administrator necessary?

Answer: Certification is not necessarily necessary in order to work as a LAN Administrator, but it can be beneficial in demonstrating competency and knowledge in the field which could lead to better job opportunities or higher salaries.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a LAN Administrator?

Answer: Generally speaking, there are no specific prerequisites for most certifications; however, some may require prior experience or knowledge in order to pass certain exams or tests associated with the certification process.