Computer hardware and networking, which were traditionally known to be non-lucrative career options, have slowly garnered tremendous attention now. The reason for this paradigm shift is simple. This huge demand for hardware and networking professionals came with the wide use of computers, laptops, mobiles, desktops and the proliferation of the internet in both the private and government organizations. Today, it has become a favorite career option especially amongst technical-minded individuals, who want to knock the doors of the IT sector as job seekers. Read Computers have become an indispensable part of our daily life.

A course in hardware and networking teaches the forming or making up of a network that helps in the data processing and transfer and the know-how of data linking, its supply, and its transfer by way of hardware like network interface cards, cables, switches, hubs, etc.

Is Hardware Networking, or vice-versa?

In the study of hardware, the students learn the art of dealing with various computer-hardware components such as chips, motherboard, processor, RAM, circuit boards, modems, external hard disks, CPUs, printers, and keyboards whereas, in networking students study different aspects of connecting more than two computers.

Increasing Demand for Hardware and Networking Professionals

From offices to colleges to homes, computers and laptops are being widely used nowadays. Since there is a rapidly increasing demand for hardware and networking professionals who are well equipped and capable of dealing with technical challenges, the hardware and networking sector promises a good career.

Job Prospects:

It is estimated that the IT industry is set to create around 10 million jobs in the years to come. As a result, there is going to be a great demand for hardware and networking professionals who also have Cisco, Red Hat, and Microsoft certifications.

Job Roles:

Some of the job roles that hardware and networking professional can perform are:

• Network Engineer
• Web or Multimedia Manager
• Security-Database Development
• IT Technician
• Network Programmer and Analyst
• IT Manager
• Chief Information Officer
• Project Leader
• Network Support Technician
• IT Administrator
• Network Administrator
• Network Application Programmer
• System Engineer
• Technical Support
• System Administrator

Skill Sets Required for Hardware and Networking

A candidate who dreams of becoming a successful hardware and networking expert should have the following attributes:

• On the spot problem analysis
• Critical thinking skills & creative problem-solving abilities
• Knowledge of computer hardware
• Knowledge of assembly and maintenance of computer-parts
• Installing and configuring LAN networks
• Installing and configuring DHCP client
• Maintaining servers and networks
• Hardware troubleshooting

Students can either pursue a degree/diploma or certification programs in hardware and networking. In India, there are various universities or recognized institutes and colleges that offer courses in hardware and networking at different levels. The duration of the professional and certification programs in hardware and networking may vary between 15 to 18 months depending on the chosen programme’s duration.

Best 9 Colleges offering short as well as long-term certificate courses in Hardware and Networking in India

1. Indian Institute of Hardware Technology, Bangalore:

IIHT provides certification courses in Hardware and networking field with various specializations, both for students and working professionals. IIHT offers courses that cover diverse technologies such as IT-IMS, Social, Mobility, Analytics, and Cloud. It is ranked as one of Asia’s Best IT training institutes. It was established in the year 1993 and has been continuously expanding since then.

3. Aptech Training Institute:

APTECH has always been a pioneer in IT education and training. It has a wide network of centers throughout India and overseas. Offering a plethora of software and hardware courses that cater to the demands of a beginner who wants to learn computer basics to a software engineer, it has also trained about 6.4 million students to date. It offers a wide range of courses in Hardware and Networking fields.

2. Jetking, Mumbai:

Jetking is one of the leading hardware and networking institutes in India. It boasts of its specialization in training non-technical students to transform them into IT professionals. Jetking has academic collaborations with Microsoft, CompTIA, Redhat Linux, HeathKit, Novell and Pearson VUE, ensuring that its curriculum is at par with the international curriculum.

4. Rooman Technologies, Bangalore:

Rooman is one of the leading training institutes for Hardware, Networking and Internet Security in Bangalore. It has a wide network, with branches spreading from all over India and abroad. It has a placement cell that is well-connected with many of the major IT companies like Infosys, Honeywell, Wipro, HCL, HP, IBM etc.

5. Avera Academy, Mumbai:

Avera offers Hardware & Networking, MSCE, CCNA, and Linux certifications in technical collaboration with ACI Infocom Ltd. & Prometric. The academy boasts of commencing more than nine million exams through a network of over 10,000 testing locations in more than 160 countries in the year 2008.

6. Institute of Computer Technology and Engineering, Lucknow:

ICTE is a leading Computer Institute in Uttar Pradesh. It offers a wide range of courses with International Certifications, such as Cisco Certified Network Associate, Cisco Certified Network Professional, MCSA, MCSE, RHCE, RHCT, VPN, and Wi-Fi Networking.

7. Jasoda Devi College for Computer Hardware and Networking:

This institute focuses strongly on quality training and has pioneered a unique way to grooming students. The college provides various courses in Hardware and Networking. It has strong Training and Placement cell managed by an additional full-time Training and Placement Officer.

8. CSC Computer Education Private Limited, Chennai:

CSC Computer Education Private Limited is one of the most renowned and old training institutes, with over 375 centers in South India and Sri Lanka. It excels in providing IT training. It also offers various long and short-term Hardware and networking courses.

9. Cognex Technology Pvt Ltd, Chennai:

Cognex Technology Pvt. Ltd offers various Hardware and Networking courses. Located in Chennai, the institute also provides high-quality outsourcing and lucrative practiced training.

Note: The list is in no particular order.

Scope and career

The proliferation of computers and technology has witnessed an increase in the demand for computer engineers and experts in every sector and industry in India. Likewise, the domain of hardware and networking is spreading its wings with each passing day. There is also a plethora of job opportunities abroad, with much better remuneration. Then there are also a few other options, where a professional can either start his or her own company in hardware or software or can opt for a career in teaching.

A hardware and software certified professional can also work in:

• Database management
• Telecommunication sector
• Government sectors
• IT Sector
• Computer hardware and software implementation and maintenance
• Gaming
• Web designing
• Embedded systems
• Multimedia

and in various other industries that require computers and computer application.

Where to Find Government and Private jobs?

Some of the government sectors that can provide government jobs for hardware and networking professionals are:

• ECIL
• DRDL
• ISRO
• BEL

Some of the multinational private companies that provide high salaried jobs are

• Infosys
• Wipro
• Oracle
• TCS
• HCL Technologies
• Oracle
• IBM
• Facebook
• Amazon
• Yahoo
• Microsoft
• Cisco
• Google

The PayScale

As far as salaries are concerned, it could be very attractive. A Fresher can expect his/her first salary to be around Rs. 1 lakh to 2.5 lakh per annum. But of course, with knowledge and experience, the salary will improve. There are also a multitude of job opportunities with robust salaries for those who wish to work abroad. Check out Best 4 Animation and Visual Effects Institutes in Bengaluru.

You Might Want To Read:
Doeacc B Level Internet Technologies And Tools Mock Test Paper 190, Ugc Net Defense Strategies Question Paper 2 2010 2, Media Studies, Ugc Net Economics Question Paper 2 2006, Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services Mains Anthropology Mock Test Paper 62, C S I R Life Science Solved Question Paper 1 2016, Ugc Net Museology Question Paper 2 2014, Delhi University M A Russian Mock Test Paper 8, Mock Test Paper 2 With Keys, I G S Geophysics Question Paper 3 2015