Today’s world has changed into a global village where everyone is interconnected through so many media. Networking experts are one group of professionals employed by the new IT industry of today. For a bachelor’s in networking and hardware, applicants must have graduated from twelfth grade or have done a three-year diploma from a State Board of Technical Education. For the lateral entry scheme, though students with a background in computer science/information technology (CS/IT) are preferred, students from any discipline can generally apply, provided they have completed a six-month course in computers from an institute of repute. This course is available only in a handful of colleges.

You may prefer to apply for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, and then become CCNA professional. One of the most essential reasons for you to opt for a Cisco certification is to obtain a better job. Although many employers hire employees according to the experience they have, many others require candidates who are Cisco certified for careers such as network analyst, network administration, network support, intranet specialist, technical support, network engineer or network security expert. The CCNA certification can verify and qualify you with the right training, experience and knowledge. After understanding the concepts of computer hardware, you may also be qualified as a desktop support engineer. Other certification courses are also available. This course is typically open to all graduates, including graduates of the Bachelor of Computer Applications, Master of Computer applications, Bachelor of Technology, Master of Technology or Bachelor of Science. The course is also open to working professionals.

Topics covered in hardware and networking courses

The objective of the bachelor’s course is to provide intensive and deep conceptual understanding of technology in networking, security and void solutions. CCNA certifications can equip an IT professional to operate, troubleshoot, configure and install router and switched networks. The CCNA course certification can teach you how to connect to remote sites through Wide Area Networks, the basic necessities about wireless networks and how to alleviate security attacks. CCNA Certification is valid for three years, after which the certificate has to be upgraded. Upgrading is important because it can enable the candidate to meet the specifications and requirements of the latest and updated versions of network-related topics like installation, configuration and troubleshooting. To recertify your certificate, you can reappear in the exam. Other courses like Diploma in Networking, Red Hat Certification and Diploma in Computer Hardware are alternate options.

Subjects are classified under different categories such as desktop support, network connectivity, network theory, common network protocols, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) services, network local area network (LAN) infrastructure, network WAN infrastructure, remote networking, disaster recovery, troubleshooting, network operating systems and alternate network protocols. Any degree programme or certification you decide to take, even if it is not under Cisco, will typically entail subjects under those categories, as they are broad streams that include the possibility for further specialisation.

Colleges offering hardware and networking courses

A few colleges and institutes that offer bachelor’s programs, diploma programs and certification courses in hardware and networking include:

• Admerit College, Patna
• Infoland Institute of Advanced Computing, New Delhi
• Institute of Computer Technology & Engineering, Lucknow
• International Academy of Information Technology, Noida
• International Academy of Information Technology, Dehradun
• Jasoda Devi College for Computer Hardware & Networking, Jaipur
• Jetking, New Delhi, Ghaziabad
• Rooman Technologies, Bangalore

Programmes are subject to change, it is advisable to check directly with a school for current programme availability.

Sources

“B.Sc Networking,” ADMERIT, http://admerit.org/course-details-BSCNT.html
“Bachelor of Science in Network Technology,” International Academy of Information Technology, http://iait.net.in/courses-2/courses-smu/
“Certificate in Networking,” Rooman Technologies, http://www.rooman.net/home/courses.aspx?course_id=11
“Courses,” Jasoda Devi College for Computer Hardware and Networking, http://www.jdci.net/jdc-chn.html
“Courses,” Jetking, http://jetking.com/short_courses.php
“Networking & Infrastructure Mgmt Programmes,” NIIT, http://niit.com/services/ITEducationforIndividuals/HWandNetworkingCourses/Pages/HWandNetworkingCourses.aspx
“Our Courses,” Infoland Institute of Advance Computing, http://www.infoland.co.in/courses.html
“Retirement of CCIP Certification,” CISCO, https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-14595
“Salary for Certification: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA),” PayScale, http://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Certification=Cisco_Certified_Network_Associate_(CCNA)/Salary#by_Job
“Technical Courses,” Institute of Computer Technology & Engineering, http://icte.co.in/technical-courses/
“Training & Certifications,” CISCO, http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/certifications/index.html
“What is CCNA?,” Internetwork Training, http://www.internetworktraining.com/ccna-faq.aspx