October 28, 2015 at 14:50MikroTik - MTCNA
A Latvian company manufacturing equipment under the MikroTik brand has made its equipment and, in particular, the RouterOS operating system in recent years. Times go by, the company grows and develops, and every year expands its assortment, including in the direction of the Enterprise sector. Of course, he is still far from such giants as Cisco, Juniper, HP, but MikroTik is becoming more and more active in the masses in our country, and now MikroTik is always somewhere to spit.
The company won love for itself, for two reasons - affordable price and functionality. The process of choosing equipment comes down to choosing the hardware component, and for everything else, there is RouterOS with huge functionality. Naturally, as a good and established manufacturer of network equipment, MikroTik has its own certification system for engineers and IT specialists.
There are several levels of training:
Level 1 - the initial basic.
Level 2 - engineering certificates in the areas.
Level 3 - the highest, suitable for those who work with carrier-class networks, or the like.
Today we’ll talk about the initial certification training of MikroTik, namely the introductory course of MTCNA.
There can be many answers to this question. But since this is an introductory course, without it you cannot qualify for all other certificates. If we talk about the level of knowledge that this course will give you, this is the level of initial setup of MikroTik, as well as basic knowledge of network technologies.
There is a simple scheme.
When configuring src-nat, you made a mistake by writing the rule this way:
And it should be
I often see how Engineers, when setting up normal NAT, use netmap instead of dst-nat or srcnat instead of same. Of course it will work, but this does not mean that it is right.
If you cannot confidently answer the above questions or set up MikroTik “copy-paste” on other people's articles, then the course will be REQUIRED for you.
On all sites without exception, it is said that the course is "for all those" who deal with MikroTik equipment - from a sales manager and technical support specialist, to a network engineer. Unfortunately, this is not so: in most cases, sales managers cannot pull this course, since they must have basic knowledge of network technologies. Of course, network engineers and “bearded” admins who have already learned how to use MikroTik will be bored on their own, but technical support specialists or administrators who want to raise their level of knowledge will be just right, their own efficiency will be over the top 100%.
But I repeat again, if you plan to undergo further training at higher levels, then you will have to pass this exam.
Let's take a look at the person who has the MTCNA certificate.
Currently, MikroTik certification training in the Russian Federation is offered by several companies and independent trainers. However, if the course material is less clear, it is approved by MikroTik himself, and 90% consists of a pre-prepared presentation, then the training itself will be conducted by a specific trainer, so it is very important to approach the issue of choice. The training process takes place in live communication with the trainer; he must not only know the MikroTik equipment itself, but also know all the network technologies.
Unfortunately, not all trainers can “boast” of this knowledge, so I highly recommend, firstly, choosing the most “titled” trainers who have all the certificates: MTCNA, MTCRE, MTCWE, MTCTCE, MTCUME, MTCINE. Secondly, study his track record in IT, if it is not a CIO or a Network Engineer, then I would think about the quality of the submitted material. The theory is good, you can know it thoroughly, but practice very often goes against these data and life experience in “production” is VERY important. Also pay attention to additional information about the professional employment of a trainer. Since progress does not stand still, the coach must develop in the IT field. If you expect to receive other certificates in the future, I strongly recommend that you pay attention to the above facts, since at the top level courses, the coaching knowledge base will help you a lot. You can find a list of all trainers in Russia here.
I will not give specific figures, since all prices are publicly available on sites. In most cases, training centers are based on the basis of a distributor or reseller, respectively, so if you buy equipment from them, you may well ask for a discount. If you go as a group - ask for a discount. If you just go on their own, then ask for a discount, just think of a reason.
Although we must pay tribute, because the price usually includes 3 days of training, including theory and Labs, and even the certification exam and RouterOS as a gift, so in general, the cost is comparable or even sometimes cheaper than similar training from other manufacturers.
So, your employer gave the go-ahead and paid you the course, and also praised for having received a discount;) Usually the course lasts three days. You need to take a laptop with Wi-Fi and a regular network with you, do not drag on MacBook courses, take a regular laptop with Windows. Also, just in case, take two patch cords that work fine, a notepad, and a pen.
The training itself is divided into blocks, broken down by topic. First, the trainer tells you the theory, in the form of a presentation, then takes some time for questions and discussion of the material, after which you are invited to undergo laboratory work on the topic covered. If something does not work out, you can immediately parse the errors, or change the conditions of the task.
You can see the main topics on the official website in the corresponding outline descriptions for each training.
The last hours of the training are devoted to “debriefing,” for those who missed something. Before the start of the test, the trainer will go over the table of contents of the entire course to refresh memory. The exam is taken in the form of an online test on the site mikrotik.com, so for starters you register. The trainer will send an invitation to your mailbox in the form of a link, if you have no access to corporate mail from the outside, then indicate the mailbox to which you have access. Immediately at the time of passing the exam, the page with the test cannot be updated, the testing system will think that you are trying to deceive it, so just do not refresh the page. And do not try to print via pdf in chrome. By the way, about the language, all tests are written in English, however, in the process of passing the test, you can switch to Russian, but I warn you, the translation is not of the best quality.
Also, in the process of passing the test, you can contact the trainer with a request for a transfer, or give any explanation on the issue. The test takes 1 hour to answer 25 questions, this time is enough. Many people are interested in whether it is possible to take training or pass the exam in absentia, without being personally present at the training, the answer is NO in both cases, it is impossible to pass the exam without undergoing full-time training under the terms of MikroTik itself.
Let's start with the worst option, if you scored less than 50%, then the exam is considered not passed (according to my coach, he hasn’t had such yet). I may be wrong in the numbers (check with the trainer), but if you scored 50-60%, then the exam is considered not passed, but you will be given a second chance in an hour to retake. During this time, the trainer will look at what topics you “sailed”, and again will repeat the main points for you or analyze incomprehensible points. If you scored from 60% and above, then you become the owner of the certificate. For all who successfully passed the exam, in their personal account, the license of the 4th level is credited as a gift.
The company won love for itself, for two reasons - affordable price and functionality. The process of choosing equipment comes down to choosing the hardware component, and for everything else, there is RouterOS with huge functionality. Naturally, as a good and established manufacturer of network equipment, MikroTik has its own certification system for engineers and IT specialists.
There are several levels of training:
Level 1 - the initial basic.
- MTCNA - MikroTik Certified Network Associate
Level 2 - engineering certificates in the areas.
- MTCRE - MikroTik Certified Routing Engineer
- MTCWE - MikroTik Certified Wireless Engineer
- MTCTCE - MikroTik Certified Traffic Control Engineer
- MTCUME - MikroTik Certified User Management Engineer
Level 3 - the highest, suitable for those who work with carrier-class networks, or the like.
- MTCINE - MikroTik Certified Inter-networking Engineer
Today we’ll talk about the initial certification training of MikroTik, namely the introductory course of MTCNA.
Who will benefit from the MTCNA course?
There can be many answers to this question. But since this is an introductory course, without it you cannot qualify for all other certificates. If we talk about the level of knowledge that this course will give you, this is the level of initial setup of MikroTik, as well as basic knowledge of network technologies.
check yourself
There is a simple scheme.
When configuring src-nat, you made a mistake by writing the rule this way:
chain=srcnat action=masquerade
And it should be
chain=srcnat action=masquerade out-interface=ether1
- First question: why half of the letters began to fall into spam, and the remaining letters do not reach at all?
- Second question: If your mail server was configured without authorization from the local network, what will your SMTP server turn into?
I often see how Engineers, when setting up normal NAT, use netmap instead of dst-nat or srcnat instead of same. Of course it will work, but this does not mean that it is right.
If you cannot confidently answer the above questions or set up MikroTik “copy-paste” on other people's articles, then the course will be REQUIRED for you.
On all sites without exception, it is said that the course is "for all those" who deal with MikroTik equipment - from a sales manager and technical support specialist, to a network engineer. Unfortunately, this is not so: in most cases, sales managers cannot pull this course, since they must have basic knowledge of network technologies. Of course, network engineers and “bearded” admins who have already learned how to use MikroTik will be bored on their own, but technical support specialists or administrators who want to raise their level of knowledge will be just right, their own efficiency will be over the top 100%.
But I repeat again, if you plan to undergo further training at higher levels, then you will have to pass this exam.
What knowledge do you get?
Let's take a look at the person who has the MTCNA certificate.
- The holder of the MTCNA certificate knows how to restore MikroTik after an incorrect configuration or unsuccessful firmware using NetInstall.
- He knows how to raise a small office, configure NAT, configure a DHCP server and connect to a provider. Also, if it is a branch, it can raise PPP VPN server / client and register static routes to offices.
- Able to configure Wi-Fi both in the form of a client and in Access Point, and easily configure Access List.
- Able to analyze the employment of radio channels to select the optimal settings.
- It will be able to secure your local network with firewall filters.
- It can configure simple queues to prioritize traffic separation.
- Knows about RouterOS licenses and can select the necessary version.
- Able to use CLI
- Knows things like PCQ and NV2
How to choose a coach?
Currently, MikroTik certification training in the Russian Federation is offered by several companies and independent trainers. However, if the course material is less clear, it is approved by MikroTik himself, and 90% consists of a pre-prepared presentation, then the training itself will be conducted by a specific trainer, so it is very important to approach the issue of choice. The training process takes place in live communication with the trainer; he must not only know the MikroTik equipment itself, but also know all the network technologies.
Unfortunately, not all trainers can “boast” of this knowledge, so I highly recommend, firstly, choosing the most “titled” trainers who have all the certificates: MTCNA, MTCRE, MTCWE, MTCTCE, MTCUME, MTCINE. Secondly, study his track record in IT, if it is not a CIO or a Network Engineer, then I would think about the quality of the submitted material. The theory is good, you can know it thoroughly, but practice very often goes against these data and life experience in “production” is VERY important. Also pay attention to additional information about the professional employment of a trainer. Since progress does not stand still, the coach must develop in the IT field. If you expect to receive other certificates in the future, I strongly recommend that you pay attention to the above facts, since at the top level courses, the coaching knowledge base will help you a lot. You can find a list of all trainers in Russia here.
What's the price?
I will not give specific figures, since all prices are publicly available on sites. In most cases, training centers are based on the basis of a distributor or reseller, respectively, so if you buy equipment from them, you may well ask for a discount. If you go as a group - ask for a discount. If you just go on their own, then ask for a discount, just think of a reason.
Although we must pay tribute, because the price usually includes 3 days of training, including theory and Labs, and even the certification exam and RouterOS as a gift, so in general, the cost is comparable or even sometimes cheaper than similar training from other manufacturers.
I signed up, what's next?
So, your employer gave the go-ahead and paid you the course, and also praised for having received a discount;) Usually the course lasts three days. You need to take a laptop with Wi-Fi and a regular network with you, do not drag on MacBook courses, take a regular laptop with Windows. Also, just in case, take two patch cords that work fine, a notepad, and a pen.
The training itself is divided into blocks, broken down by topic. First, the trainer tells you the theory, in the form of a presentation, then takes some time for questions and discussion of the material, after which you are invited to undergo laboratory work on the topic covered. If something does not work out, you can immediately parse the errors, or change the conditions of the task.
You can see the main topics on the official website in the corresponding outline descriptions for each training.
Will there be an exam?
The last hours of the training are devoted to “debriefing,” for those who missed something. Before the start of the test, the trainer will go over the table of contents of the entire course to refresh memory. The exam is taken in the form of an online test on the site mikrotik.com, so for starters you register. The trainer will send an invitation to your mailbox in the form of a link, if you have no access to corporate mail from the outside, then indicate the mailbox to which you have access. Immediately at the time of passing the exam, the page with the test cannot be updated, the testing system will think that you are trying to deceive it, so just do not refresh the page. And do not try to print via pdf in chrome. By the way, about the language, all tests are written in English, however, in the process of passing the test, you can switch to Russian, but I warn you, the translation is not of the best quality.
Also, in the process of passing the test, you can contact the trainer with a request for a transfer, or give any explanation on the issue. The test takes 1 hour to answer 25 questions, this time is enough. Many people are interested in whether it is possible to take training or pass the exam in absentia, without being personally present at the training, the answer is NO in both cases, it is impossible to pass the exam without undergoing full-time training under the terms of MikroTik itself.
Surrendered or not surrendered?
Let's start with the worst option, if you scored less than 50%, then the exam is considered not passed (according to my coach, he hasn’t had such yet). I may be wrong in the numbers (check with the trainer), but if you scored 50-60%, then the exam is considered not passed, but you will be given a second chance in an hour to retake. During this time, the trainer will look at what topics you “sailed”, and again will repeat the main points for you or analyze incomprehensible points. If you scored from 60% and above, then you become the owner of the certificate. For all who successfully passed the exam, in their personal account, the license of the 4th level is credited as a gift.