CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Online Training & Certification Prep
Build vendor-neutral networking expertise recognised across the industry. The CompTIA Network+ N10-009 course combines structured instruction from Certified Partner instructors with Live Labs on real network equipment, preparing you for the exam and the day-to-day demands of a network technician role.
Course Overview
CompTIA Network+ (exam code N10-009) is a vendor-neutral certification that validates the foundational networking skills required to configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks in enterprise environments. It is widely required or preferred in job postings for network technician, systems administrator, and IT support roles, and it satisfies the DoD 8570 baseline for the Technical Level II category.
The N10-009 exam, released in 2024, updated the domain structure to reflect current infrastructure realities: cloud networking, network virtualisation, and zero-trust security principles now appear alongside traditional TCP/IP, routing, switching, and troubleshooting content. Five domains are covered — Networking Fundamentals, Network Implementations, Network Operations, Network Security, and Network Troubleshooting — with the troubleshooting domain carrying the heaviest exam weighting at 22%.
Boost eLearning’s Network+ course is delivered across three modalities. Certified Partner instructors guide you through each domain with on-demand video instruction that explains the “why” behind every technology, not just the configuration steps. Structured reading materials reinforce terminology and concepts for exam retention. And Live Labs connect you to real routers, switches, and firewall appliances so you practise subnetting, VLAN configuration, ACL deployment, and wireless setup on actual hardware — building the troubleshooting instinct that separates capable technicians from those who can only answer multiple-choice questions.
Because Network+ is vendor-neutral, the skills you acquire apply across Cisco, Juniper, HP/Aruba, and cloud-managed environments. It is an excellent standalone certification for those earlier in their career, and a valuable complement to vendor certifications such as CCNA for professionals who want a documented baseline that hiring managers outside of Cisco-centric shops recognise immediately.
Our Pass Guarantee applies to Network+: complete the course, sit the exam, and if you do not pass, we support your continued study at no additional cost.
What You'll Learn
- Explain and apply the OSI and TCP/IP networking models and common port/protocol mappings
- Perform IPv4 subnetting including CIDR, VLSM, and supernetting calculations
- Configure and verify routing protocols including static routes, RIPv2, OSPF, and BGP concepts
- Implement VLANs, trunking, and inter-VLAN routing on managed switches
- Deploy and troubleshoot 802.11 wireless networks including security standards and channel planning
- Explain cloud networking models (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS) and virtualisation concepts including SDN and NFV
- Configure and verify network services: DHCP, DNS, NTP, and SNMP
- Apply network security controls including ACLs, firewall rules, VPNs, and network segmentation
- Identify and explain zero-trust architecture principles and authentication frameworks
- Use network troubleshooting tools (ping, traceroute, nslookup, Wireshark, cable testers) to resolve issues
- Understand physical media types, connector standards, and structured cabling best practices
- Explain disaster recovery, high availability, and business continuity concepts for network infrastructure
Who This Course Is For
- Entry-level network technicians and IT support staff seeking a vendor-neutral credential
- Helpdesk and desktop support professionals moving into networking roles
- Systems administrators who manage network infrastructure alongside server responsibilities
- Military and government IT personnel requiring DoD 8570 compliance (Technical Level II)
- Students building a foundational certification before pursuing vendor-specific credentials
- IT professionals in SMB environments responsible for all aspects of the network
Course Outline
- OSI model layers and encapsulation process
- TCP/IP model and comparison to OSI
- IPv4 addressing: classes, subnetting, CIDR, VLSM
- IPv6 addressing, types, and dual-stack transition
- Common protocols and port numbers (HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH, DNS, DHCP, SMTP)
- Network topologies: star, mesh, hybrid, spine-leaf
- Physical media: copper (Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6A), fibre (SMF/MMF), connectors, and TIA-568 standards
- Static and default routes
- Dynamic routing: RIPv2, OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP overview
- VLAN configuration and 802.1Q trunking
- STP variants: STP, RSTP, and MSTP
- Link aggregation (LACP)
- NAT/PAT operation and configuration
- DHCP scope configuration and relay agents
- IEEE 802.11 standards: a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 4/5/6/6E)
- 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz channel planning and interference
- SSID, BSS, ESS, and roaming
- Wireless security: WPA2-Personal, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3
- Wireless deployment modes: autonomous, controller-based, cloud-managed
- Common wireless issues: interference, coverage gaps, authentication failures
- Cloud service models: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
- Cloud deployment models: public, private, hybrid, community
- Virtual networking: virtual switches, VLANs in hypervisors, overlay networks
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN) concepts and controllers
- Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV)
- Network as a Service (NaaS) and cloud-managed networking
- DNS hierarchy, record types (A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, PTR, TXT), and troubleshooting
- SNMP versions and MIB structure
- Syslog severity levels and log management
- NTP stratum hierarchy and configuration
- Network monitoring: bandwidth, latency, packet loss baselines
- Documentation: logical/physical diagrams, IP address management (IPAM), change management
- Network security concepts: CIA triad, least privilege, defence in depth
- Zero-trust architecture principles
- Firewalls: stateful, NGFW, ACL-based packet filtering
- VPN types: IPsec site-to-site, SSL/TLS remote access, split tunnelling
- Network segmentation: DMZ, screened subnet, microsegmentation
- Authentication: RADIUS, TACACS+, 802.1X, MFA
- Common attack types: DoS/DDoS, VLAN hopping, ARP spoofing, DNS poisoning, on-path attacks
- CompTIA troubleshooting methodology (7 steps)
- Layer 1u20133 troubleshooting using OSI model approach
- Tools: ping, traceroute/tracert, nslookup/dig, ipconfig/ifconfig, netstat, route
- Packet analysis with Wireshark: filtering, following streams, identifying anomalies
- Physical layer tools: cable testers, tone generators, optical power meters
- Wireless troubleshooting: SNR, RSSI, roaming issues, authentication failures
- Common network issues: duplex mismatch, IP conflicts, routing loops, MTU black holes
- Live Lab practicals: VLAN + ACL + DHCP relay scenarios
- Full-length timed N10-009 practice exams
- Performance-based question (PBQ) simulation practice
- Domain weighting review and gap analysis
About the Certification Exam
- Exam code
- N10-009
- Length
- 90 minutes
- Questions
- Maximum 90 (multiple choice, performance-based)
- Passing score
- 720 out of 900
- Exam cost
- ~$358 USD
- Where
- Pearson VUE (test centre or online proctored)
The certification exam fee is paid separately to the testing provider and is not included in the course price unless stated otherwise.
Live Labs Included
Hands-on practice on real environments
This course includes Live Labs — direct access to real hardware and cloud environments so you build the skills the exam actually tests.
- Configure VLANs and 802.1Q trunks on managed switches, assign ports to VLANs, and verify inter-VLAN routing via a Layer 3 switch SVI
- Deploy a DHCP server with multiple scopes and configure IP helper-address relay on a router to serve clients across different VLANs
- Build an ACL-based firewall rule set on a router to permit specific traffic flows and deny all others, then verify behaviour with extended ping and Wireshark capture
- Configure a site-to-site IPsec VPN between two routers and verify encrypted tunnel establishment and traffic traversal
- Perform structured cable testing with a cable tester, identify a miswired patch and correct it, then verify connectivity through the fixed cabling path
- Use Wireshark to capture and analyse a DHCP four-way handshake and a DNS query/response sequence, identifying each packet type and its fields
Pass Guarantee Included
Complete this course and if you don't pass the certification exam on your first attempt, we'll refund your course fee or give you a free retake — your choice.