After weeks of studying, practice labs, and countless review sessions, I finally passed the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) certification exam this past Sunday. It was a challenging but rewarding experience and along the way, I also earned the CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (CIOS) badge by stacking this certification with my A+. In this post, I’ll share the resources I used, what the exam covers, and why these certifications matter for anyone starting out in IT.
My Study Tools and Resources
I relied heavily on Dion Training’s lectures, which provided a solid foundation and helped me stay on track. To reinforce my learning, I mixed in:
- Professor Messer Free Lectures and study groups (a must have for CompTIA exams).
- Practice exams from both Dion Training and the official CompTIA website.
- Hands-on labs with a Linux VM and my Windows environment, where I tested commands and got comfortable with networking tools in action.
In total, I clocked over 32 hours of structured content, plus additional time for labs and practice tests.
What the Network+ Exam Covers
The exam is built around five domains, each covering a key part of networking:
- Networking Concepts (23%) – OSI model, networking fundamentals, devices, cloud, and protocols.
- Network Implementation (20%) – Routing, switching, wireless technologies, and physical installations.
- Network Operations (19%) – Monitoring, disaster recovery, and access management.
- Network Security (14%) – Threats, attacks, and defense strategies.
- Network Troubleshooting (24%) – Methodologies, tools, and fixing performance issues.
For me, the troubleshooting and operations sections stood out they tested not just knowledge but the ability to think through real world problems.
Why Network+ Matters
Industry Recognition – Network+ is vendor neutral and respected across the IT world, proving you have solid networking fundamentals.
Skill Validation – It demonstrates your ability to work with IP addressing, subnetting, routing, switching, wireless, security features, and troubleshooting.
Career Impact – Network+ can help you land roles like Network Support Technician, Junior SysAdmin, or IT Support Specialist. It also sets the stage for certifications like Security+ or CCNA.
Professional Credibility – Passing shows employers you have consistent, reliable networking knowledge even without years of field experience.
The CIOS Badge: A Bonus Credential
By stacking CompTIA Network+ with CompTIA A+, I earned the CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (CIOS) badge. This isn’t a separate exam, but a recognition of combined skills in IT operations and networking.
It tells employers I can:
- Troubleshoot hardware/software across desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.
- Manage networking concepts and protocols.
- Bring versatility to IT operations roles.
It’s especially valuable for early career IT professionals pursuing positions in support, help desk, or network administration.
What’s Next on My Journey
As the saying goes: you can’t properly secure a network without first understanding how it works. That’s why Network+ is such a strong foundation for IT and cybersecurity careers.
My next steps are clear:
- Earn the CompTIA Data+ certification.
- Study for Security+ to deepen my security knowledge.
- Complete a course on Industrial Control Systems (ICS).
- Continue hands-on practice with labs from Hack The Box.
And when I’m not buried in study guides? You’ll probably find me out on the river fly fishing. One of my favorite breaks from IT is chasing trout like the beautiful brown I caught on the Warm River in Eastern Idaho.
Danny Bruce Blog 
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