Should you learn networking or cloud first? It's one of the most common questions from people starting their IT career in 2025. CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and AZ-900 (Microsoft Azure Fundamentals) represent two different paths — but which one should you take first?
This guide breaks down both certifications, compares their career paths, and helps you decide based on your goals.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | CCNA | AZ-900 |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate-Hard | Beginner |
| Study Time | 2-4 months (100-200 hrs) | 2-4 weeks (20-40 hrs) |
| Exam Cost | $330 | $99 |
| Focus | Routing, switching, Cisco CLI | Cloud concepts, Azure services |
| Hands-On? | Yes (heavy CLI work) | Minimal (concept-focused) |
| Vendor | Cisco-specific | Microsoft Azure |
| Entry-Level Salary | $55K-$75K | $50K-$65K |
| Best For | Network engineering roles | Cloud/hybrid IT roles |
CCNA: The Networking Foundation
CCNA is the gold standard for network professionals. It proves you can configure, manage, and troubleshoot Cisco routers and switches — skills that are still essential even in cloud environments.
What You'll Learn
- IP addressing and subnetting
- Routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP)
- Switching and VLANs
- Network security fundamentals
- Wireless networking
- Network automation basics
CCNA Reality Check
CCNA is significantly harder than AZ-900. You'll need hands-on practice with Cisco CLI, subnetting calculations, and network troubleshooting. Most people need 100+ hours of study time.
AZ-900: The Cloud Entry Point
AZ-900 is Microsoft's entry-level cloud certification. It's designed for complete beginners and focuses on understanding cloud concepts rather than configuring services.
What You'll Learn
- Cloud computing concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
- Azure services overview (VMs, storage, databases)
- Azure pricing and cost management
- Security and compliance basics
- Azure Active Directory fundamentals
AZ-900 Reality Check
AZ-900 is one of the easiest IT certifications to earn. It's purely conceptual — no hands-on configuration required. Most people pass with 2-4 weeks of study.
Choose Based on Your Career Goal
Choose CCNA First If...
- You want to be a Network Engineer
- Your target company uses Cisco equipment
- You prefer hands-on technical work
- You want to work in NOC/SOC environments
- On-premises infrastructure interests you
- You're willing to invest 3-4 months studying
Choose AZ-900 First If...
- You want a quick win to build momentum
- Your company is migrating to Azure
- You're exploring cloud careers
- You have limited study time right now
- You're in a non-technical role needing cloud knowledge
- You want to understand cloud before diving deep
Career Paths Compared
Salary & Job Market
| Role | Typical Certs | Avg Salary (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Network Administrator | CCNA | $65,000 |
| Network Engineer | CCNA + CCNP | $85,000 |
| Cloud Support Engineer | AZ-900 + AZ-104 | $70,000 |
| Cloud Administrator | AZ-104 | $80,000 |
| Cloud Network Engineer | CCNA + AZ-104 | $100,000 |
| Solutions Architect | AZ-305 or CCNP | $120,000+ |
The Hybrid Advantage
Professionals with both networking AND cloud skills are in highest demand. Even cloud environments need networking knowledge — VPCs, VNets, load balancers, and firewalls all require networking fundamentals.
The Smart Strategy: Get Both
Here's what I recommend for most people:
- Start with AZ-900 — Quick win (2-4 weeks), low cost ($99), builds cloud foundation
- Then tackle CCNA — Deeper technical skills, higher market value
- Follow up with AZ-104 — Combines your networking + cloud knowledge
This approach gives you:
- An early certification win to build confidence
- Cloud context that makes CCNA concepts more relevant
- A powerful combination that stands out to employers
The Verdict
AZ-900 first, CCNA second. AZ-900 is faster and cheaper — use it as a stepping stone. Then invest the serious time in CCNA to build deep technical skills. Together, they make you valuable in both traditional and cloud networking roles.
Common Questions
Is CCNA still worth it with everything moving to cloud?
Absolutely. Cloud networking (Azure VNets, AWS VPCs) is still networking. The fundamentals — IP addressing, routing, switching concepts — transfer directly to cloud environments. Many "cloud networking" jobs specifically ask for CCNA.
Can I skip AZ-900 and go straight to AZ-104?
Yes, AZ-900 isn't a prerequisite for AZ-104. However, if you're new to cloud, AZ-900 provides a gentler introduction and builds confidence before tackling the more technical AZ-104.
Which has more job openings?
Cloud certifications (Azure, AWS) currently have more job postings. However, CCNA jobs often have less competition and more stable demand. Both are solid career investments.
I'm completely new to IT. Which should I start with?
Start with AZ-900. It's beginner-friendly, affordable, and achievable in weeks. This gives you a win and helps you decide if you want to go deeper into cloud or networking.
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