Hey everyone! I'm currently a Computer Science student looking to start my career in Cloud and DevOps. I've found a 6-8 month training program that includes Linux and CCNA in the first half, followed by AWS and DevOps tools in the second half. I'm trying to figure out whether investing my time in the full CCNA is necessary for entry-level roles in DevOps, or if I could get by with just learning the basic networking concepts like IPs, DNS, and routing on my own. If you were starting fresh, what would you prioritize to be job-ready as quickly as possible? I'd love to hear any practical advice from those already working in the DevOps or Cloud space. Thanks!
5 Answers
There’s value in knowing CCNA basics, but as others mentioned, you may not need the full certification. Perhaps consider Network+ as a stepping stone? I've heard it's a bit easier and covers many basics before you dive deep into CCNA.
Having CCNA on your resume could help you land a job, but you can definitely teach yourself what you need. Make sure you grasp basics like subnetting and firewall management; we often see candidates who miss these key points during interviews.
A full CCNA might be overboard for a Cloud role. While it's great to know networking, a basic understanding is usually enough. Cloud tends to simplify a lot of network complexities, but knowing the essentials like IP addressing and DNS can be really helpful in the long run.
Exactly! Having a CCNA can help with communication when working with network teams, but it’s not mandatory.
Honestly, you don't need a CCNA. Focus on learning the fundamentals of Linux first; that's the real backbone for most DevOps tools. Understanding how protocols work and what the OSI layers do is a must, but nobody expects you to configure complex network equipment.
True! A CCNA might prove your knowledge, but you can self-study for the essential stuff and save the certification fees.
I went for CCNA when I started, and even though I work in software now, the knowledge has still been beneficial. My main advice is to focus on understanding the core concepts instead of just the latest tools; they change a lot.
Right? You definitely don’t need to dive deep into routing protocols; just having a grip on the basics will suffice in most cloud jobs.