Network+ or A+

[iain187]

I've just been called for an interview... the job says the ideal candidate would either have Network+ or A+ qualifications or 1 years plus experience (hi!)

what sort of things do those qualifications entail? Just want to sort of know what they might be looking for exactly

All I did on my application is detail what I do at my current job and they have asked me in! (I look after about 15 users/windows server 2003/terminal services server etc)

they want me to progress and do a MCSA in 24 months, is that reasonable? I would sort of like to have some kind of formal qual/education to my name.

 

[McBunny]

i always remember been told the a+ thing was a joke of a qualification

 

[Cookie]

Not really a joke, more a basic tech exam.

I have one

Did both tests in about 2 minutes each

Network+ is actually quite good, but that's just basic network stuff.

Tbh I'd say you already have the knowledge for both, by far

 

[iain187]

good.

I've just read the letter now, and it says at the end of the interview there will be a 'short test'

if you were to test a support technician at interview stage, what sort of things would you ask?

 

[Longy]

I give people a short test in interviews you'd be surprised the crap it filters out.

 

[iain187]

what do you ask them?

 

[dk]

MCSA in 24 months is a piece of piss (well except it won't be an MCSA by the time you finish as thats 2003 stuff), i did the MCSE in 2 weeks

 

[KDF]

if you were to test a support technician at interview stage, what sort of things would you ask?

I have, but on a more specific subject.

General stuff I would ask would be simple things like..

If you needed to reconfigure the core kernel using basic I/O algorithms using nothing but base16 math, what would your equation look like...


Just basic stuff any decent tech would know TBH.

 

[iain187]

lol... my face just dropped! :rasp:

 

[BenWall]

I've got a A+. Means nothing to me personally as I don't want to work in IT. Piss easy though, outdated questions though.

 

[cava83]

Example questions might be handy, instead of just saying "Hi, I have one"....... :rasp:

 

[ChrisR]

We give our interviewees little tests, if they are coming in as non trainees then it's usually some basic AD admin and troubleshooting.

Think the trainees get something like outlook or office problems to solve.

 

[Cookie]

I like giving technical tests.. ones with practical answers and ways for someone to show their troubleshooting steps.

Not just a list of questions, because that's pointless and doesn't help either party

 

[jaleach]

If you needed to reconfigure the core kernel using basic I/O algorithms using nothing but base16 math, what would your equation look like...

That's ok - but it's a Network+ exam - so I'd ask the following:

i) - What is the DR/BDR-only multicast address for OSPF routers?
ii) - How many hosts can a classful class-B network have?
iii) - How many hosts can a network with the following address have: 192.168.1.0/31
iv) - Is EIGRP a distance vector or link-state protocol?
v) - At which layer of the OSI Model does UDP sit?

[ Answers on a postcard! ]

 

[jaleach]

I like giving technical tests.. ones with practical answers and ways for someone to show their troubleshooting steps.

Not just a list of questions, because that's pointless and doesn't help either party

Ah - I like these too.. so for additional points:

I have two routers in a network - RtrA and RtrB..
RtrA ---- [internet] ---- RtrB

I send an ICMP echo from RtrA to RtrB. By using 'debug ip icmp' on both Routers I can see the echo leave RtrA and be received on RtrB and I can also see RtrB send an ICMP echo-reply - however, the reply is not seen at RtrA. What possible causes might prevent RtrB from reaching RtrA?

 

[iain187]

Well you have identified my weak points I must say (although if they let me have google in this test...)

 

[jaleach]

iain - I don't think Network+ quite goes to that detail , so don't worry.. Honestly, I would skip on and do the CCNA though - it's more valuable both as a learning tool and tick on the CV skills list.

 

[KDF]

That's ok - but it's a Network+ exam - so I'd ask the following:

i) - What is the DR/BDR-only multicast address for OSPF routers?
ii) - How many hosts can a classful class-B network have?
iii) - How many hosts can a network with the following address have: 192.168.1.0/31
iv) - Is EIGRP a distance vector or link-state protocol?
v) - At which layer of the OSI Model does UDP sit?

[ Answers on a postcard! ]

I know or could work out all but the first one which I can't remember. Somwhere in the multicast IP range I would guess

take it you've done a CCNA.

 

[jaleach]

take it you've done a CCNA.

Erm -it was a while ago.... CCIE 23,333

 

[KDF]

just check my OSPF chapter..

224.0.0.5 or 224.0.0.6:rasp:

 

[Cookie]

ii is 65534 isn't it?

v - UDP is transport layer

f**k knows about the rest, I don't touch networks nowadays

 

[KDF]

That's ok - but it's a Network+ exam - so I'd ask the following:

iii) - How many hosts can a network with the following address have: 192.168.1.0/31
iv) - Is EIGRP a distance vector or link-state protocol?

[ Answers on a postcard! ]

ii is 65534 isn't it?

v - UDP is transport layer

f**k knows about the rest, I don't touch networks nowadays

iii)
A /31 bit subnet give you 2 address's per subnet, but as you have a network address and a broadcast address this leaves you with no useable address's.

iv)
EIGRP is a distance vector protocol.

 

[Macester]

Ah - I like these too.. so for additional points:

I have two routers in a network - RtrA and RtrB..
RtrA ---- [internet] ---- RtrB

I send an ICMP echo from RtrA to RtrB. By using 'debug ip icmp' on both Routers I can see the echo leave RtrA and be received on RtrB and I can also see RtrB send an ICMP echo-reply - however, the reply is not seen at RtrA. What possible causes might prevent RtrB from reaching RtrA?

Firewall rule?

 

[KDF]

No return route on router B, or an incorrect route is installed in the routing tables.

 

[bully]

I have both, A+ took me about 2 weeks to study for, could have done it in 2-3 evenings. N+ was a little bit harder but a week of evening study would have done it.

Whilst some people think they are not that great, its a good place to start but CCNA is too.

I done a CCNA course the week after my N+ and done loads of practice exams and p1ssed through them. Due to a work problem I never took the real thing. Dont forget you need to renew every few years. Its not that difficult if you prepare properly. Mate I work with just done his and we dont work with Cisco stuff everyday, just now and again.

 

[Jizzlobber]

I've been an IT tech for ten years now and I haven't got a clue what you're blathering about.

Still, it's a nice day outside so I might wash the car.

 

[iain187]

Ah - I like these too.. so for additional points:

I have two routers in a network - RtrA and RtrB..
RtrA ---- [internet] ---- RtrB

I send an ICMP echo from RtrA to RtrB. By using 'debug ip icmp' on both Routers I can see the echo leave RtrA and be received on RtrB and I can also see RtrB send an ICMP echo-reply - however, the reply is not seen at RtrA. What possible causes might prevent RtrB from reaching RtrA?

i was talking to my IT service contract man today and asked if he had any ideas what would come up in a first line support test @ interview stage, he gave me a word doc with near enough this exact question hah.

from what I've found out i think i am going to be pretty sh!t hot prepared for this interview/test so I guess I'll see what happens. Looking forward to it really!

 

[DMS]

A+ is outdated IMO. Not really worth much.
The Network+ does teach you some useful stuff, but I'd agree with doing the CCNA instead. Much more useful and in-depth, and the stuff you learn is invaluable. It also looks much better on a CV.
I really need to start swotting up in preparation for my CCSP exam(s). Only really learnt the ASDM stuff up to yet.

 

[iain187]

i got a phonecall today offering me the job subject to sorting out my notice from where i work now etc. :rasp:

there were some stinker questions on the test but nothing too bad to do with networking like your lot here

well made up anyway

 

[ChrisR]

gd gd

 

[jaleach]

i got a phonecall today offering me the job subject to sorting out my notice from where i work now etc. :rasp:

there were some stinker questions on the test but nothing too bad to do with networking like your lot here

well made up anyway

Haha - Congratulations! Wish you all the best..

I had two interviews for a job in the last week, still waiting to hear the outcome. Means working in London tho - which I'm not fond of.

 

[jaleach]

iii)
A /31 bit subnet give you 2 address's per subnet, but as you have a network address and a broadcast address this leaves you with no useable address's.

Ahh - see, this one is a trick question... sorta. Yes there are only two addresses per subnet, but you don't need a network or broadcast address as /31 would only be used on a point-to-point link.