Frequently asked questions
How the learning system works, how the labs fit into it, and where it supports exam prep. If something isn't answered here, get in touch.
Getting started
Is there a free tier?
Yes - start with 3 full labs, no card required. Paid tiers are for learners who want broader and unlimited lab access, while the lessons, quizzes, review system, and learning paths make up the wider learning experience.
Do I need my own networking equipment or software?
No. Every lab gives you a real virtual terminal on routers, switches, and hosts directly in the browser - there's nothing to install, and no home lab or licensed simulator required.
Do I need networking experience to start?
No. The catalog spans Beginner through Expert, so you can start with static routing and IPv4 addressing fundamentals and work up to multi-area OSPF, BGP, and stateful firewall labs.
How learning works
What is Subnetica?
Subnetica is a structured, interactive platform for learning computer networking. Lessons teach concepts, graded quizzes check understanding, virtual labs provide practical application, and spaced repetition helps you retain what you learn.
Can I learn networking from the beginning?
Yes. Learning paths and the curriculum start with networking fundamentals and build toward routing, switching, services, security, and troubleshooting. You can follow a guided path or explore individual topics.
How is Subnetica different from Packet Tracer or GNS3?
Nothing to install - labs run entirely in your browser. Each attempt regenerates IPs, subnets, and device configs from the template, so you practice the process instead of memorizing one topology, and automatic grading gives you immediate feedback.
What does "randomized every run" actually mean?
Every time you start a lab, its IP addresses, subnet ranges, and device configuration are regenerated from the template. The same lab template gives you a different addressing scheme and a different starting state each attempt, so you practice the process instead of recalling one answer key.
How are labs graded?
Test cases evaluate your running configuration live against the lab's objectives. You can re-check at any point to see exactly which cases pass and which still fail, so it's a feedback loop rather than a single pass/fail at the end.
What topics do the labs cover?
Four areas: routing (static and default routing, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, summarization, IPv4 addressing and subnetting), switching (VLANs and trunking, spanning tree, router-on-a-stick and SVIs), security (ACLs, stateful firewalls, packet filtering, segmentation), and services (DHCP, DNS, NAT and PAT).
Exam preparation
Is Subnetica good for CCNA exam prep?
Yes. The curriculum includes lessons, quizzes, practical labs, and published coverage mappings for relevant CCNA objectives. Subnetica is an independent platform and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Cisco.
Does it help with CompTIA Network+ or Security+?
For Network+, yes - the routing, switching, addressing, and troubleshooting material overlaps heavily, and Network+ is largely vendor-neutral. For Security+, the labs cover the network-security slice (ACLs, firewall rules, segmentation) but not cryptography, governance, risk, or incident-response theory, which need separate study.
Does Subnetica replace every certification resource?
Subnetica can provide a structured path for learning networking, including lessons, quizzes, practical labs, and spaced repetition. Certification candidates may still need complementary resources for physical hardware, wireless equipment, physical media, or other capabilities outside a virtual environment.
Are the labs Cisco IOS?
No. Labs use FRRouting and Linux networking with Cisco-like routing syntax. They provide realistic virtual routers and hosts for practicing underlying networking concepts, but commands and behavior can differ from Cisco IOS.
Account and billing
Is my profile public by default?
No. Profile and leaderboard visibility both default to private for every account. The public leaderboard only shows users who have explicitly opted in by switching their visibility to public in settings.
Do you track me or run ads?
We don't run ads or third-party advertising trackers. We use a self-hosted, cookieless analytics system to understand aggregate site usage and improve Subnetica. It is not used to build advertising profiles. See the Privacy Policy for details.
How are payments handled?
Payments are processed by Stripe - card details are handled by Stripe rather than stored by Subnetica. See the privacy policy for how that data is handled.
CCNA is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ are registered trademarks of CompTIA, Inc. Subnetica is an independent learning platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cisco Systems, Inc. or CompTIA, Inc.
subnetica© 2026 · Learn, practice, retain.CCNA is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ are registered trademarks of CompTIA, Inc. Subnetica is an independent learning platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cisco Systems, Inc. or CompTIA, Inc.