Pakedge Certified Network Administrator (PCNA) hands-on, online curriculum and certification
$1,250 up front, with a $600 rebate upon achievement of a passing score on the PCNA exam within 60 days of registration
The Pakedge Certified Network Administrator (PCNA) networking certification program combines interactive online training with guided, hands-on practical learning, providing dealers and technicians with the networking knowledge and skills they need to design, install, and manage wired and wireless IP networks without travel or sacrificing time away from customer projects.
The Pakedge PCNA certification program is more than just a training course – it is a training experience that brings together a practical learn-by-doing style of hands-on instruction with comprehensive online courses that offers dealers and distributors everything they need to design, install, and manage wired and wireless IP networks.
The upfront cost for the dealer is $1,250 US MSRP per enrollee. Enrollment in the six-course PCNA curriculum also includes accompanying Pakedge networking equipment (U.S. MSRP value of $2,300) for the hands-on tutorials, including: RK-1 Router with BakPak®, SX-8P Managed PoE Switch, WK-1 802.11ac WAP with 2x2 MIMO array and 1.3 Gbps aggregate throughput, P2 Power Distribution Unit, and necessary cables. The enrollee is able to keep their gear and Control4 will provide a $600 rebate per technician who passes within 60 days of registration, resulting in a final cost of just $650 per certified technician.
In order to obtain certification, enrollees must successfully complete six courses: Networking Essentials, Switches, Routers, Wireless Access Points, Remote Monitoring & Management and Network Planning – all designed to directly address key network design requirements, troubleshooting issues and other processes relevant to developing a futureproof home.
As homeowners expect integrators to add new smart devices and products to their homes, a strong network is crucial to supporting this influx. Reliable and consistent network design is foundational to a responsive and stable connected home, and a poorly designed network can directly impact the homeowner experience. Control4 customers benefit from home networks installed by PCNA certified dealers because they are assured that their networks are built correctly, every time. A home network installed by a PCNA certified dealer means that customers know that their network needs will be managed by an expert who has a comprehensive understanding of both wired and wireless IP networks.
Practical, hands-on training for networking has been lacking throughout the connected home and custom install industry. Technicians learn mainly through trial and error. The result is that the networking foundation of many homes and small businesses tends to be the root cause of chronic issues — caused more so by the lack of best-practice knowledge than through defective or failed equipment.
Over 30% of the support calls that Control4 was receiving from dealers were tied to network connectivity issues and not equipment failure. The PCNA program was developed to address those issues head-on and allow dealers the opportunity to train and strengthen their team’s networking expertise. Dealers can have their technicians enroll and complete the PCNA course work from home or office, during work hours or on their own time, without incurring the cost of travel for traditional training.
Through online guided tutorials, technicians can learn the fundamentals of how TCP/IP works. They can directly experience the material differences between different types of Ethernet cables (CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6a, CAT7), and they can drill down into the workings and configuration options of network routers, switches, and wireless access points, as well as learn the logical processes for designing networks for predictable, reliable performance.
Technicians become certified and are awarded a certificate of completion after achieving a passing score on the online PCNA exam, proctored by a third-party. Technicians additionally benefit from retaining the Pakedge networking gear for their own use so that they can continue to gain experience via daily use. For dealers, a team of PCNA certified technicians helps differentiate their business – this certification lets current and prospective customers know that they value network management.
Pakedge Certified Network Administrator (PCNA) hands-on, online curriculum and certification
Category
Product > Best Education or Support Program
Winner Status
- Winner
Share