Authored by Derrick Jackson & Co-Author Lisa Yu

Why Network+ Still Matters When Everything’s Going Cloud-Native

Cloud computing didn’t eliminate networking. It made it exponentially more complex.

Organizations thought they’d move everything to the cloud and networking would become someone else’s problem. Instead, they discovered hybrid environments require deeper networking knowledge than ever before. You’re not just managing a local network anymore. You’re orchestrating connections between on-premises infrastructure, multiple cloud providers, remote workers, IoT devices, and edge computing nodes.

The uncomfortable truth? There’s a massive skills gap.

Companies desperately need professionals who understand both traditional networking and modern cloud architectures. That’s exactly where Network+ positions you. Networking, while absolutely fundamental to most IT careers, is often an item that doesn’t get the attention that it deserves.

The New Networking Reality

Let’s be real about what’s happening in the industry:

What’s Disappearing:

• Basic cable pulling and switch configuration jobs
• Simple network monitoring roles (AI handles this now)
• Isolated, single-location network management

What’s Exploding:

• Hybrid cloud network architecture
• Zero-trust security implementation
• Software-defined networking (SDN)
• Network automation and orchestration

The latest Network+ exam (N10-009, released in 2024) reflects this shift dramatically. It now includes software-defined networking (SDN/SD-WAN), infrastructure as code (IaC), zero-trust architecture, and emerging security frameworks like SASE.

This isn’t your uncle’s networking cert anymore. It’s evolved into something far more valuable: a comprehensive foundation for modern infrastructure roles.

The CompTIA Network+ Evolution Story

Network+ launched in 1999 as CompTIA’s answer to the industry’s need for vendor-neutral networking credentials. While Cisco dominated with product-specific certifications, Network+ took a different approach: teach universal networking principles that work everywhere.

That philosophy has kept it relevant through massive technological shifts.

The exam series has progressed through multiple versions, including N10-001 (1999), N10-002 (2002), N10-003 (2005), N10-004 (2009), and subsequent iterations leading to the current version, N10-009.

The current N10-009 version represents the most significant update yet. CompTIA didn’t just refresh the content. They reimagined what network professionals need to know in an era of distributed, software-defined infrastructure.

AI’s Impact on Networking and Network+ Certification

How AI is Transforming Network Management

Modern network management platforms leverage AI for increasingly sophisticated tasks. AI-powered platforms are increasingly capable of automating routine and complex tasks that were once the exclusive domain of human administrators.

What AI Does Well:

• Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms analyze historical data to identify patterns that precede network failures, allowing administrators to address issues proactively before they cause outages.
• Automated Troubleshooting: When issues arise, AI can rapidly correlate data from multiple sources, perform root cause analysis, and in some cases, apply automated fixes, drastically reducing mean time to resolution (MTTR).
• Intelligent Resource Allocation: AI can monitor network traffic patterns and dynamically allocate bandwidth and other resources to ensure optimal performance and quality of service (QoS).
• Pattern recognition and anomaly detection
• Automated configuration management
• Real-time performance optimization

What AI Takes Away

The reality is that AI has eliminated many entry-level networking tasks:

• Basic monitoring and alerting (AI could perform this 24/7 without breaks)
• Simple configuration tasks (automated through templates)
• First-level problem identification (AI flags issues instantly)
• Routine maintenance scheduling (predictive algorithms handle this)
• Basic traffic analysis (AI processes millions of data points simultaneously)

What Remains Firmly Human Territory

The rise of AIOps does not make foundational networking knowledge obsolete; it elevates its importance. Here’s what AI can’t replace:

Complex Problem Solving: When AI identifies an anomaly, humans determine the root cause. When multiple systems interact in unexpected ways, humans untangle the complexity. AI can say “something’s wrong.” Humans figure out why and how to fix it.

Physical Infrastructure Management:

• Hardware installation and replacement
• Cable management and physical troubleshooting
• Data center operations
• On-site emergency response

Business Context and Decision Making: An AI may flag an anomaly, but it lacks the business context and deep architectural understanding to interpret its full significance or to design a complex, strategic solution.

Security Incident Response: While AI detects anomalies, human judgment determines:

• Whether it’s a real threat or false positive
• The appropriate response strategy
• Communication with stakeholders
• Legal and compliance implications

How Network+ Adapts to AI Integration

The modern Network+ curriculum acknowledges this AI-augmented reality. The exam tests whether you can think like an IT professional, not just recall information. It emphasizes:

• Understanding fundamental principles that guide AI decisions
• Interpreting AI-generated reports and recommendations
• Knowing when to override automated systems
• Integrating AI tools into troubleshooting workflows

Cloud’s Dominance in Modern Networking

Network Components Now Living in the Cloud

The shift to cloud has fundamentally altered what networking professionals manage:

Virtual Networks:

• Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) replacing physical network segments
• Software-defined perimeters instead of hardware firewalls
• Cloud-native load balancers handling traffic distribution
• Serverless architectures eliminating traditional network boundaries

Hybrid Connectivity:

• Site-to-site VPNs connecting on-premises to cloud
• Direct cloud connections (AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute)
• SD-WAN managing multi-cloud environments
• Edge computing bringing cloud closer to users

Cloud-Native Services:

• DNS services fully managed in cloud
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for global distribution
• API gateways replacing traditional network services
• Container networking with Kubernetes and service meshes

How Network+ Addresses Cloud Networking

The exam acknowledges that pure on-premises networks are becoming rare. Modern Network+ content includes:

• Understanding cloud networking concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS implications)
• Hybrid cloud architecture and connectivity
• Cloud security models and shared responsibility
• Virtual network configuration and troubleshooting
• Cloud-native monitoring and management tools

Who Actually Benefits from Network+ (Let’s Get Specific)

The Infrastructure Professional

You’re already managing servers or providing IT support. You understand computers but networks feel like black magic. Every time someone mentions VLANs or subnet masks, you nod knowingly while secretly googling under your desk.

Network+ transforms that confusion into confidence. It fills the exact gap between “I can configure a server” and “I understand how that server communicates with everything else.”

Real opportunity? Companies running hybrid environments need professionals who understand both traditional infrastructure and cloud networking. Someone has to configure those VPN connections. Someone has to troubleshoot hybrid DNS issues. Someone has to ensure on-premises systems can securely communicate with cloud resources.

The Career Transitioner

Maybe you’re in a non-technical role but you’ve become the unofficial IT person. You’re the one who figures out why the Wi-Fi is slow or helps set up the new printer. You’ve got aptitude but no credentials.

Network+ serves as industry-recognized proof of your capabilities. It transforms “I’m good with computers” into “I’m a certified networking professional.” Unlike vendor-specific certs that limit you to one technology stack, Network+ opens doors across all industries and platforms.

The Security Aspirant

You’re interested in cybersecurity but everyone says you need networking knowledge first. They’re right. You can’t secure what you don’t understand.

Network+ provides the essential foundation, covering not just how networks operate but how to secure them. The exam includes substantial security content, from basic hardening techniques to understanding attack vectors. It’s the perfect stepping stone to Security+ and advanced security roles.

The Cloud Engineer in Training

Cloud certifications are hot, but here’s what AWS and Azure training won’t tell you: without networking fundamentals, you’ll struggle with anything beyond basic deployments. VPCs, subnets, security groups, load balancers. They’re all networking concepts wrapped in cloud terminology.

Network+ gives you the vocabulary and understanding to excel in cloud roles. You’ll actually understand what you’re configuring instead of just following tutorials.

Breaking Down the N10-009: What You’re Actually Learning

The Network+ N10-009 exam covers five comprehensive domains, each targeting real-world networking competencies.

Domain 1: Networking Concepts (23%)

This isn’t memorizing the OSI model (though you’ll do that too). It’s understanding how data actually moves through networks. You’ll master:

• IP addressing and subnetting (yes, you’ll finally understand subnet masks)
• Routing and switching fundamentals
• Common protocols and their purposes (TCP, UDP, ICMP, and more)
• How different network types actually function
• Cloud networking concepts and their relationship to traditional networking

Domain 2: Network Implementation (20%)

Here’s where theory meets reality. You’ll learn to:

• Configure routers and switches (the right way)
• Deploy wireless networks securely
• Implement VLANs and network segmentation
• Work with both IPv4 and IPv6 (because IPv6 is finally happening)
• Understand virtual network implementation in cloud environments

Domain 3: Network Operations (19%)

The day-to-day reality of network management:

• Creating and maintaining network documentation
• Monitoring and analyzing network performance
• Managing network services (DHCP, DNS, the services that make networks useful)
• Business continuity and disaster recovery
• Working with AI-powered monitoring tools

Domain 4: Network Security (14%)

Every network role is now security-adjacent:

• Physical and logical security measures
• Wireless security protocols (beyond just “use WPA3”)
• Implementing network security features and defense techniques
• Basic attack types and mitigation strategies
• Cloud security considerations and shared responsibility models

Domain 5: Network Troubleshooting (24%)

The highest-weighted domain because this is what you’ll do most. Real troubleshooting methodology, not just “restart the router”:

• Systematic problem-solving approaches
• Using the right tools for diagnosis
• Identifying and resolving common issues
• Performance optimization
• Interpreting AI-generated alerts and recommendations

The Modern Additions That Make Network+ Essential

Software-Defined Everything

SDN and SD-WAN aren’t future technologies—they’re current reality. Modern networks are increasingly software-defined, allowing centralized management and dynamic configuration. Network+ ensures you understand these concepts at a practical level.

Zero-Trust Architecture

The old “castle and moat” security model is dead. Zero-trust assumes no implicit trust, requiring continuous verification. Network+ introduces these concepts because every network professional needs to understand them.

Infrastructure as Code

Networks are increasingly managed through code and automation. While you won’t become a programmer, you’ll understand how modern infrastructure deployment works.

Cloud Integration

The exam acknowledges that pure on-premises networks are becoming rare. You’ll learn how traditional networking concepts apply to cloud and hybrid environments.

Let’s Talk Money and Time (The Real Investment)

Financial Reality Check

The base exam costs between $358-$369 in the United States. But that’s just the beginning. Here’s the full picture.

Minimum Investment:

• Exam voucher: $358-369
• Study materials: $50-100 (if using free/budget resources)
• Practice exams: $20-50
• Total: ~$450-500

Realistic Investment:

• Exam voucher with retake: $500-600
• Quality video course: $50-200
• Study guide/books: $50-70
• Practice exams: $50-100
• Lab equipment/software: $100-200
• Total: ~$750-1,170

Premium Path:

• Boot camp or instructor-led training: $1,995-3,500
• Official CompTIA materials: $500-600
• Multiple practice resources: $200-300
• Total: ~$2,700-4,400

Time: The Hidden Investment

On average, most sources suggest a preparation timeline of 6 to 12 weeks for a candidate with some foundational IT knowledge.

Complete Beginner (No IT experience):

• Timeline: 3-4 months
• Weekly commitment: 15-20 hours
• Total study time: ~200 hours

IT Professional (Non-networking role):

• Timeline: 2-3 months
• Weekly commitment: 10-15 hours
• Total study time: ~120-150 hours

Experienced (Some networking exposure):

• Timeline: 6-8 weeks
• Weekly commitment: 8-12 hours
• Total study time: ~60-80 hours

The Certification That Pays You Back

According to recent data, Network+ holders earn:

• Entry-level: $45,000-$70,000
• Mid-career: $60,000-$96,000
• Specialized roles: $70,000-$117,000

But raw salary data misses the point. Network+ often serves as the key that unlocks higher-paying specialized roles. It’s the foundation that makes everything else possible.

Strategic Exam Preparation (What Actually Works)

The Multi-Resource Approach

No single resource covers everything perfectly. Successful candidates typically combine multiple learning methods.

Professor Messer provides a complete, high-quality video course covering every single N10-009 exam objective. The entire course is available for free on YouTube.

Beyond that, mix in:

• Paid courses from Udemy, CBT Nuggets, or ITPro.TV for different perspectives
• Official CompTIA guide or third-party books for deep understanding
• Virtual labs using GNS3 or Packet Tracer for hands-on practice
• Multiple practice exam vendors to see different question styles

The 90-Day Sprint Method

Days 1-30: Foundation Building

Watch comprehensive video series. Read corresponding book chapters. Take notes on unfamiliar concepts. No practice tests yet (avoid false confidence).

Days 31-60: Active Learning

Complete hands-on labs. Start practice questions by domain. Research topics you struggle with. Join study groups or forums.

Days 61-75: Intense Review

Full practice exams under timed conditions. Focus extra time on weak domains. Review all incorrect answers. Create quick reference sheets.

Days 76-90: Final Polish

Daily practice questions. Review notes and reference sheets. Schedule exam for day 85-90. Light review only in final days.

Exam Day Reality

The exam includes up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, mixing multiple-choice and performance-based questions (PBQs).

PBQ Strategy:

These test real skills, not memorization. Common scenarios include configuring network settings, troubleshooting connectivity, and analyzing traffic. Many candidates save these for last since they’re time-intensive. Practice with simulations beforehand.

Time Management:

• 45-60 seconds per multiple-choice question
• 5-10 minutes per PBQ
• Flag uncertain questions for review
• Don’t let one question derail your timing

Passing score: 720/900 for the N10-009. You can miss questions and still pass comfortably.

Career Progression: Your 5-Year Network Journey

Year 1: Foundation Building

Starting with Network+:

• Typical roles: Network Technician, NOC Technician, Junior Network Admin
• Salary range: $45,000-$70,000
• Focus: Gain hands-on experience while studying for next cert
• Next move: Add Security+ or cloud basics

Year 2-3: The Specialization Decision

Network+ Plus Complementary Certs:

• Security path: Add Security+ → CySA+ → Specialized security
• Cloud path: Add Cloud+ → AWS/Azure networking specialties
• Advanced networking: Add CCNA → CCNP or similar
• New salary range: $65,000-$95,000

Year 4-5: Expertise and Leadership

Multiple Advanced Certifications:

• Potential roles: Network Engineer, Cloud Architect, Security Engineer
• Salary range: $90,000-$130,000+
• Consider: Management skills, architecture certifications
• Focus: Become the go-to expert in your chosen area

The Compound Effect

Each certification multiplies your value. Network+ alone proves fundamental competence. Network+ plus Security+ shows well-rounded skills. Network+ plus cloud certs demonstrates modern relevance. A full stack makes you indispensable.

Working with AI: The New Partnership Model

AI as Your Assistant, Not Your Replacement

Successful IT professionals view AI as a force multiplier. Modern network technicians work WITH artificial intelligence tools that enhance their capabilities:

AI Handles:

• Continuous monitoring of thousands of metrics
• Pattern recognition across massive datasets
• Automated alerts for anomalies
• Predictive failure analysis
• Basic configuration templates

You Handle:

• Interpreting AI findings in business context
• Making judgment calls on edge cases
• Physical infrastructure changes
• Complex multi-system troubleshooting
• Strategic planning and architecture decisions

Future-Proofing Your Network Career

The professionals thriving alongside automation share traits. They understand fundamentals deeply (what Network+ provides). They embrace automation as a tool, not a threat. They focus on skills AI can’t replicate. They continuously learn and adapt.

A professional with a strong grasp of the OSI model, routing protocols, and security principles—the very knowledge validated by Network+—is required to supervise the AI, validate its findings, and implement solutions that align with business goals.

Making the Decision: Is Network+ Right for You?

Strong Yes If:

• You’re in IT but networking feels like a weak spot
• You want vendor-neutral knowledge before specializing
• You’re transitioning into IT from another field
• You need foundation before pursuing security or cloud
• You want to understand how modern infrastructure actually works

Consider Alternatives If:

• You already have 3+ years of hands-on networking experience
• You’re committed to a specific vendor ecosystem (go straight to CCNA)
• You only want to code (though understanding networking helps there too)
• You’re looking for immediate specialization without foundation

The Bottom Line

Network+ provides comprehensive, vendor-neutral networking knowledge that applies universally. In a world of hybrid infrastructure, cloud services, and software-defined everything, that foundation becomes more valuable, not less.

The cert costs time and money. But for professionals ready to build or advance their infrastructure careers, it provides returns that far exceed the investment.

As of 2024, Network+ remains valid for three years before renewal is required through continuing education or recertification. That’s three years to build on this foundation and advance your career.

Your Next Steps

Ready to start your Network+ journey? Here’s your action plan:

1. Download the exam objectives from CompTIA’s website
2. Assess your current knowledge with a diagnostic test
3. Choose your study resources based on learning style and budget
4. Create a realistic timeline (remember: 2-4 months for most people)
5. Join the community through forums, study groups, or social media
6. Schedule your exam 3-4 weeks out to create accountability

The network continues to evolve. AI handles more routine tasks. Cloud abstracts traditional boundaries. But the need for professionals who truly understand how it all works together? That’s only growing stronger.

Please check out our other overviews:
CompTIA A+ Certification Overview 2025

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