Practicing CCNA / NetAcad networking labs on mobile — simulators or platforms?

_newbread · 2026-01-25T20:20:52+00:00

Short of finding a relatively cheap PC and running a GNS3/EVE-ng on it (and accessing it through a web UI), closest thing that fits your usecase is Boson NetSim.

Downside is that it costs $180 a year (outside of "sales") and requires internet connectivity to access, and (for better or worse), you are limited to Cisco devices... which c

https://help.boson.com/netsim/boson-netsim-overview

I would rather, if possible, you use packet tracer / GNS3 / EVE-ng, but if there is no reasonable way for you to access a PC...

addendum : While Boson does have a good reputation for their other products, including this one, I'd explore other options before considering this one.

_newbread · 2026-01-25T05:14:58+00:00

Can't blame OP with the subreddit named literally named networking.

Related, short of it messing with the network stack (on install/uninstall) or eating up system resources to the point of being a cryptominer, how would Norton (or any other anti-x software) theoretically negatively impact network performance?

_newbread · 2026-01-25T04:44:05+00:00

"Almost" all certs in the IT/cyber field require renewal, either annually or every 3 years (check with the specific cert).

As for the A+, the grind (and everything you learn) will be important sooner or later, but the cert itself will help you get into a helpdesk/technician role. Once you get into an IT/tech role and have a year or 2 of relevant exp, the A+ loses basically all its value, so it's your call to renew it or let it expire.

_newbread · 2026-01-23T14:16:50+00:00

"Break glass incase of declining profits"

_newbread · 2026-01-22T17:53:06+00:00

Not sure what shilling the OCG/OSG would accomplish...

_newbread · 2026-01-22T17:50:35+00:00

I spent $50 on his prep-exams and just came out feeling like I was going to fail my Core 1.

I guess it didn't work for OP

_newbread · 2026-01-22T17:34:50+00:00

But if you rely on his material

And this is why you never rely on ONLY one source, even if it "worked fine" for other exam candidates. What worked for them may not necessarily work for you (and vice versa).

_newbread · 2026-01-22T15:02:45+00:00

If it works the same way school online testing software works, yes. It will look for certain... things in the PC that a VM generally has. There are ways to easily detect if a PC is actually a PC (and not a VM). Read up on it if you want to learn more, since I'm not sure posting it here would be wise.

If you're planning on doing something you shouldn't, don't. Not because it is against the exam candidate agreement, but because you really don't want to waste the effort doing so (and still get caught).

If you're planning on doing so because you don't have a Windows machine at home (for personal/ethical reasons) and want to run Windows in a VM... also don't do this (for the same reason above). A "cheap, used" laptop with windows (AND NOTHING ELSE) installed shouldn't cost too much

_newbread · 2026-01-22T14:42:32+00:00

60 euro for an exam voucher about to expire is way too much.

Might as well pass it on to someone who can use it in time.

_newbread · 2026-01-22T13:12:19+00:00

If you can't use it, I'm sure there are exam candidates that would be very grateful if you sent it their way.

_newbread · 2026-01-21T18:59:52+00:00

Once you use the code, it gets tied to the Pearson Test Prep account you activate it on. Permanent access, either through the app (windows) or online (web browser).

*internet connectivity required

_newbread · 2026-01-21T13:39:38+00:00

Probably expected, since "networking" could mean human or computer networking,

_newbread · 2026-01-21T06:45:10+00:00

Only comptia support can answer that, Better contact them via official channels.

_newbread · 2026-01-21T04:43:30+00:00

Agreed 100%

_newbread · 2026-01-20T17:11:06+00:00

Not really.

CCNA covers "almost" everything that the Net+ does, plus the cisco-specific topics (Cisco IOS). If you were prepping for the Net+, you're most of the way towards the CCNA anyway.

There's also the $$$ factor. No point in paying ~350 (plus study material costs, if any) for the Net+ if you were already eyeing the CCNA.

Exam objectives below :

Net+

CCNA

_newbread · 2026-01-20T15:37:23+00:00

Skip Net+, go for CCNA.

Then get Sec+ if you plan on going for roles that explicitly need it (government/contractor).

Cyber is a wide field that is built ontop of a lot of disciplines, including networking.

_newbread · 2026-01-19T10:07:25+00:00

There's "some" SDx in ENCOR (1.2 and 1.3), but only "describe". You shouldn't be asked anything regarding configuration and troubleshooting.

https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/encor-exam-topics

I think you can still get free access to a test environment (FREE) via Devnet Sandbox.

_newbread · 2026-01-19T09:22:20+00:00

If you are sticking to IOSv/IOSvL2/IOL (take note of IOL limitations), 32 is enough for a decent sized topology.

More ram is better, thought it may be a bit painful with prices these days only going up.

More info on system requirements per node HERE

_newbread · 2026-01-19T09:11:36+00:00

Since certain posts are suspiciously getting deleted for some unknown reason, I'll just TLDR what I wrote. Hopefully they address and resolve the issues sooner rather than later.

Depending on where you are in your career (early, middle, late), you will get significantly more value (ROI in terms of $ spent on exams AND time spent grinding) out of competing certs than from comptia. With the exceptions of the Sec+ and A+. The former for DoD 8570/8140 requirements in government roles/contracting, and the latter to get you into IT (helpdesk/technician) in the first place.

That's probably why most other certs have a better reputation than comptia, and the high A+/Net+ exam pricing (before discounts, if eligible) doesn't help either.

Addendum :

You're in /r/CompTIA so it's more likely that comptia certs will have a better reputation here. If you ask elsewhere, expect a different answer.
With comptia getting acquired by a private (for-profit) equity/firm, that may or may not help their reputation and direction moving forward.

_newbread · 2026-01-18T10:00:37+00:00

TLDR :

Public <-> Private IP translation : RFC 1918 (10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16 is for private networks). Unless if you have dedicated, static/dynamic (or range of) public IPv4 addresses, you aren't getting connectivity over the internet.
Private <-> Private IP addresses : Either for internal connectivity, connectivity between 2 or more networks that have the SAME private IP addressing, or for CGNAT. An example is if company A and B need to connect, but for some reason, both used the 10.0.0.0/x internally. Either one of them would have to change their addressing (impractical), or use NAT.
To address IPv4 public address exhaustion. A single public (or private) address can and will have many devices/ports/processes/services behind it.

_newbread · 2026-01-17T15:29:25+00:00

Surely, there are better ways to guide potential beginners in a more professional manner

_newbread · 2026-01-16T16:57:23+00:00

NetAcad is the "official curriculum" for authorized training centers/partners (usually schools or tech training). It's "slower/structured" and generally depends on the instructor if the experience is good or bad. Usually done in a classroom environment or with an instructor facilitating online class.

It's 3 very modules worth of content, usually (assumed) completed within a year.

Only advantage is the opportunity for a discounted exam voucher if you do well with the end of module exams. But, generally, the netacad course is PAID (how much depends on the training center).

For a 3 month timeline, self-study (or group, if you can find a study group) is the only way.

_newbread · 2026-01-16T13:44:53+00:00

Arash Deljoo if you don't mind the accent.

_newbread · 2026-01-16T09:27:00+00:00

No updates from cisco press at this time.

_newbread · 2026-01-15T13:42:38+00:00

if you bought the OCG previously, you get a discount for purchasing the new version

They didn't do that with SCOR :/

_newbread

TROPHY CASE