Network+ Certification Preparation

Course Description

CET1588 (Network+) is a 3-credit Computer Engineering Technology course offered across Florida College System institutions that introduces students to the fundamental concepts, technologies, and practices of modern computer networking. The course is aligned with the CompTIA Network+ industry certification and prepares students to install, configure, manage, secure, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. Students explore networking models, protocols, hardware, addressing schemes, services, security, and troubleshooting methodologies typically required of an entry-level network technician or administrator.

The course is part of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). Courses that have the same academic content and are taught by faculty with comparable credentials are given the same prefix and number and are considered equivalent courses, and equivalent courses are guaranteed to transfer to any other institution participating in the SCNS.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain core networking concepts, including the OSI reference model and TCP/IP model layers and their functions.
• Identify and describe common networking ports, protocols, and services (e.g., FTP, SSH, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/HTTPS, SMTP, SNMP).
• Compare and contrast network topologies, architectures, and types (LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN, SAN, WLAN).
• Configure and analyze IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, subnetting, CIDR, and address assignment methods.
• Identify networking appliances such as routers, switches, firewalls, IDS/IPS, load balancers, proxies, and wireless devices and explain their functions.
• Describe and apply routing and switching technologies, including static/dynamic routing, VLANs, and spanning tree.
• Configure and secure wireless networks, including SSIDs, encryption standards, authentication, and access points.
• Apply network security principles such as access control, authentication, common attack types, and mitigation techniques.
• Use a structured troubleshooting methodology to identify, diagnose, and resolve common network problems.
• Demonstrate proper cabling, transmission media, and physical installation practices.

Optional Outcomes

• Summarize cloud concepts, including deployment models (public, private, hybrid) and service models (SaaS, IaaS, PaaS).
• Explain SDN and SD-WAN concepts and the role of automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Describe Zero Trust architecture and SASE/SSE security concepts.
• Use network monitoring, log aggregation, and flow data analysis tools to evaluate performance.
• Implement change and configuration management practices, including baselines and documentation.
• Prepare for and attempt the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) certification exam.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The course covers the five domains aligned with the CompTIA Network+ exam: Networking Concepts (23%), Network Implementation (20%), Network Operations (19%), Network Security (14%), and Network Troubleshooting (24%):

• Networking Concepts — OSI model, TCP/IP, ports and protocols, traffic types (unicast, multicast, broadcast, anycast), transmission media, topologies, and IP addressing.
• Network Implementation — routing technologies including static and dynamic routing (BGP, EIGRP, OSPF), NAT, PAT; switching technologies including VLANs, interface configuration, and spanning tree; and wireless devices including channels, SSID, encryption, and access points.
• Network Operations — documentation (physical/logical diagrams, rack diagrams, IPAM, SLAs); life-cycle management (EOL, EOS, decommissioning); change management; and configuration management including baselines.
• Network Security — common attacks, hardening techniques, authentication methods, physical security, access control, and remote access technologies.
• Network Troubleshooting — troubleshooting methodology: identifying the problem, establishing a theory, testing, planning and implementing a solution, verifying functionality, and documenting findings; cabling and physical interface issues; performance and connectivity issues.

Optional Topics

• Cloud and Virtualization — NFV, VPC, network security groups, cloud gateways, deployment models, and service models.
• Modern Network Architectures — SD-WAN for geographically distributed networks and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for efficient provisioning.
• Scalability Technologies — VxLAN (Virtual extensible Local Area Network) for large-scale network deployments.
• Automation and APIs — programmable interfaces and scripting in network management.
• Hands-on Lab Simulations — packet capture, device configuration, and virtual lab environments.

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks: CompTIA Network+ N10-009 study guides (commonly Mike Meyers, Sybex/Todd Lammle, or Pearson/CompTIA Official Study Guide).
• CompTIA Resources: CertMaster Learn — a comprehensive, self-paced eLearning environment that uses videos, assessments, performance-based questions, and simulated labs to prepare candidates for the CompTIA certification exam.
• Lab/Simulation Tools: Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3, Wireshark, virtual machines (VMware/VirtualBox), and physical lab kits with switches, routers, and cabling.
• Command-line Tools: ipconfig/ifconfig, ping, traceroute/tracert, nslookup/dig, netstat, arp, and nmap.
• Reference: Official CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Exam Objectives document.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of this course supports entry-level networking roles. Job roles directly connected to the information learned from the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) exam include: junior network administrator, who installs and maintains the network and hardware systems; NOC technician, who oversees, manages, and troubleshoots the components of an organization's network; network support specialist, who evaluates network performance data; and systems administrator, who ensures organizational hardware and software are working as intended.

This course also provides a foundation for advanced study in cybersecurity, cloud administration, and Cisco-specific certifications such as the CCNA.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course is designed to prepare students for the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) certification exam. Exam series code N10-009 launched June 20, 2024; the exam includes a maximum of 90 questions, a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions, has a duration of 90 minutes, and a passing score of 720 on a scale of 100–900. CompTIA recommends candidates have CompTIA A+ certification along with 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience in a junior network administrator or network support technician role.

The CompTIA Network+ certification is recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and aligns with NICE/DoD 8140 work roles including technical support specialist, network operations specialist, and system administrator. The CompTIA Network+ certification is good for three years and may be renewed through continuing education credits or by earning a higher-level certification.

Course Format

Most Florida colleges deliver CET1588 as a lecture course with embedded hands-on lab activities (in person, hybrid, or fully online). Students should expect approximately 45 contact hours over a standard 15–16 week semester, with significant out-of-class lab and study time recommended.