Cloud Network Technology AAS-T (I-BEST)

Program Details Page Cloud Network Technology AAS-T (I-BEST)

Here is a general overview of what your classes will look like following each quarter. This information may change. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses. To see which materials are needed for your courses, click this bookstore link (Links to an external site.) and enter the course information.

What is I-BEST?

General Overview

When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), or Spring (April)

length of the program icon How long is the program? 6 quarters (22 to 24 months) with 92 total credits 

When do classes meet? Mondays - Thursdays, times vary between early mornings to evenings. Hybrid and online options are available.

Are summer classes required? Yes. You will not be able to complete this degree without enrolling in one summer quarter.

The Cloud Network Technology program is designed for entry-level students to develop skills needed to gain employment as cloud practitioners, computer network technicians, configuration and support technicians, and network and computer systems administrators. You progress through classes in maintenance and repair of Microsoft Windows and Linux Operating systems implemented in physical and cloud-based environments and prepare for industry certifications, including CCNA, Linux+, and AWS Cloud Practitioner.

To earn an Associate of Applied Science-Transfer Degree (AAS-T), you must complete 62 technical credits and 30 additional credits of General Education, with specific requirements in English and mathematics.

This program can be used as an entry point to Renton Technical College’s BAS in Computer Network Engineering.

You can learn more about the Cloud Network Technology program in our $25 class CCP 046 Bridge to Information Technology Programs.

What does a computer network and computer systems administrator do?

What is the average salary?

$103,070 annually Links to an external site. in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most computer network and computer systems administrators earn at least $74,810; there is a wide salary range. Jobs that pay high salaries may require a four-year bachelor degree!

Who can I contact with questions?

 (Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

  1. Functioning, recent Windows laptop or computer, not an Apple or Chromebook (you must be able to install software)
  2. 32GB USB drive ($20)
  3. Webcam
  4. Headset with microphone
  5. Working internet connection
  6. Textbooks and software ($550 total) - includes TestOut LabSims used in CNT 254

Materials Warning

Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

Key Course Icons (learn more)

expensive materials green means the class has expensive materials lots of assignments red means the class has lots of assignments technical vocabulary purple means the class has a lot of technical vocabulary complex content orange means the class has complex content fast pace blue means the class moves at a fast pace key quarter gold means that this is the most challenging quarter in the whole program

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Quarter 1

 [Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,062
Description: This quarter introduces you to computing basics and all of our information technology programs. You also complete two General Education classes. What are your ENGL&101 placement options?
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
IT 101 Fundamentals of Computing YES 5
ENGL& 101 English Composition (required for AAS-T) YES 5
ANTH& 234 Religion and Culture
or other social science class		 varies by class 5

Quarter 2 key quarter

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,941
Description: This quarter has two core classes and a math prerequisite for the next quarter (you can take a computer science CSI class or cybersecurity CYA class or general education elective if you do not need this prerequisite). Learn more about math placement to plan your pathway.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 140 or 156 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in IT 101.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 140 Routing and Switching I expensive materials YES 5
CNT 156 Bits and Bytes of Cloud Computing NO 5
AMATH 190 Financial Algebra lots of assignments NO 5

Quarter 3

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,941
Description: In your second Cisco class, you build on your knowledge of routing and switching in wireless networks (WLANs) with security and basic configurations. You also learn Linux scripts and server management. This quarter has two core classes and one transfer mathematics class (MATH& 146 is recommended if you plan to continue in the BAS in Network Engineering).

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 150 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 140, and you cannot take CNT 160 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 156.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 150 Routing and Switching II lots of assignmentscomplex contentfast pace same as 140 5
CNT 160 Core Networking and Cloud Computing YES 5
MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics
or other transfer math class		 YES 5

It's time to apply for graduation! You finish your certificate in Quarter 3.

Quarter 4

[Summer] Quarter 4 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,941
Description: You learn about databases through SQL and queries and also protocols for web architecture.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 262 Introduction to Databases with SQL YES 5
CNT 180 Introduction to Programming TBD 5
--- elective from General Education (strongly recommended for BAS preparation) or CSI or CYA varies by section 5

Quarter 5

[Fall] Quarter 5 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,941
Description: This quarter has two core classes and one general education elective.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 259 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 140 and CNT 150. You cannot take CNT 263 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 140.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 259 Secure Enterprise Networks NO 5
CNT 263 Linux Essentials YES
--- elective from General Education (strongly recommended for BAS preparation) or CSI or CYA varies by section 5

Quarter 6

[Winter] Quarter 6 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,941
Description: In your final quarter, you will work on Windows servers, both physical and virtual. You then have the choice of an advanced cloud networking class or an internship that you find. This quarter consists of two core classes and one CSI or general education elective. If you plan to continue in the BAS in Network Engineering, general education is recommended strongly.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 254 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 160 or CYA 140. You cannot take CNT 290 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT CNT 259. CNT 294 requires the permission of the program faculty. 
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 254 Network Infrastructure lots of assignmentscomplex contentfast pace YES 5
CNT 256 Cloud Solutions Architect YES 5
CNT 290
or CNT 294		 Next Level Networking Topics
or Internship		 NO 5

Grand Total Estimate: $12,367

Continue your education! You can enroll in RTC's Network Engineering BAS. Western Governors University Links to an external site. also has pathways from your AAS-T degree to their bachelor degrees in Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Information Technology, Network Security, and more.

Not quite the career path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!

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