AWS vs Azure vs CCNA vs Linux: Which IT Course?

AWS vs Azure vs CCNA vs Linux: Which IT Infrastructure Course Should You Choose?

TIIT has six courses for cloud, networking and server careers. They build on each other. Here is what each covers, who it suits, the order to take them in, and what is and is not included about official certification.

In association with: NSDC - National Skill Development Corporation

The 6 cloud, networking and Linux courses at a glance

Course	Best for	Duration	Main topics
Cloud Computing – CCNA & CCNP	Freshers, IT support and anyone starting in networking	4–6 Months	Networking basics, IP addressing and subnetting, Cisco IOS, VLANs, routing (OSPF, BGP basics), wireless, network security, WAN, cloud and hybrid networking, CCNP enterprise topics
Linux & MCSE	Beginners and desktop support staff moving into server work	3–4 Months	Linux commands, users and permissions, services, networking, shell scripting; Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Hyper-V, PowerShell
Linux RHCE	Learners with basic Linux who want advanced admin and automation	2–3 Months	Red Hat Enterprise Linux, storage and LVM, SELinux, firewalld, SSH, systemd, boot recovery, shell scripting, cron, Ansible playbooks, roles and Vault
AWS Cloud Computing	Students and IT staff who want to work on Amazon Web Services	2–3 Months	EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, load balancing and Auto Scaling, RDS and DynamoDB, Route 53, CloudFront, CloudWatch, Lambda, containers, CloudFormation, DevOps, cost management
Azure Cloud Computing	Students and IT staff, especially in Microsoft-based companies	2–3 Months	Azure VMs, virtual networks, storage, Microsoft Entra ID and RBAC, security, Azure SQL and Cosmos DB, App Service, AKS, backup and Site Recovery, Azure DevOps, Azure AI
Cloud Computing with AI	IT students and developers who want cloud and AI together	4–6 Months	AWS, Azure and Google Cloud basics, virtualisation, Docker, Kubernetes, Machine Learning, cloud AI services, Generative AI and RAG, serverless, DevOps and MLOps

A sensible learning order

Foundation – networking or operating systems. Cloud platforms are built on networks, servers and operating systems. Start with CCNA & CCNP if you are drawn to networks, or Linux & MCSE if you are drawn to servers and user management.
Advanced Linux and automation. Once you are comfortable with Linux, Linux RHCE adds enterprise administration and Ansible automation. It is a strong base for DevOps.
A cloud platform. Choose AWS or Azure to learn virtual servers, cloud networking, storage, security, monitoring and deployment.
Cloud with AI. Cloud Computing with AI adds containers, Kubernetes, Machine Learning and Generative AI services on top of cloud fundamentals.

Beginners can join any of these courses directly – each one starts with fundamentals. Basic computer knowledge helps, and some networking or Linux knowledge makes cloud courses easier.

AWS or Azure: which first?

Both are widely used cloud platforms, and the core ideas are the same: virtual machines, virtual networks, storage, identity and access, databases, monitoring and backup. Pick the one used by the companies or job openings you are targeting. Azure is common in organisations that already run Microsoft and Windows Server infrastructure. AWS training at TIIT also includes a Linux fundamentals module for EC2. Once you know one platform well, learning the second is much faster.

Training vs official certification – read this first

AWS: TIIT provides AWS training only. It does not conduct the official AWS exam or issue AWS certification, and the AWS exam fee is not included. You can register for the official exam separately.
Linux RHCE: TIIT provides RHCE-oriented training. The official Red Hat exam is not included or conducted by TIIT; Red Hat awards RHCE after you pass its exam.
CCNA & CCNP: Cisco certification is awarded by Cisco after you pass its official exam. Exam tracks change, so check Cisco's current requirements before registering.
MCSE: Microsoft retired the MCSE certification in 2021. At TIIT, "MCSE" means Windows Server and Microsoft infrastructure training, not a Microsoft certificate.
Azure: the course covers many foundational and practical Azure topics that support certification preparation; check the latest official exam requirements.

Every course ends with TIIT's own ISO 9001:2015 and NSDC-authorised certificate, which can be verified online through its QR code. This certificate is separate from any vendor certification.

Jobs these courses lead towards

Depending on your skills and experience: Network Support Engineer, NOC Engineer and Junior Network Engineer (CCNA & CCNP); Linux or Windows Server Administrator, IT and Desktop Support Engineer (Linux & MCSE); Linux System Administrator and DevOps or Automation Engineer (RHCE); Cloud Support Associate, Cloud Administrator and Junior Cloud Engineer (AWS, Azure); and AI Application Developer or Cloud DevOps Trainee (Cloud Computing with AI). Completing a course does not guarantee a particular job – employers look at practical skill, projects and experience.

Where to study near Mira Road, Vasai and Palghar

These courses run at TIIT's Mira Road head office (opposite Mira Road station, East), Bhayandar (East) and Boisar (West) branches. Vasai, Nalasopara and Virar students usually join at Bhayandar; Saphale and Palghar students usually join at Boisar. Call +91 90768 32616 for batch timings, lab details and fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I learn AWS or Azure first?

Choose the platform used by the companies or jobs you are targeting – the core cloud ideas are the same on both. Azure is common in organisations that already use Microsoft and Windows Server; AWS is widely used across startups and enterprises. After one, the second is much faster to learn.

Do I need CCNA or Linux before learning cloud computing?

It is not compulsory, because the AWS and Azure courses start with cloud fundamentals. Networking (IP addressing, DNS, subnets) and Linux knowledge make cloud much easier, so many students do CCNA or Linux first.

Does TIIT provide official AWS or Red Hat certification?

No. TIIT provides AWS and Linux RHCE training only. It does not conduct the official AWS or Red Hat exams or issue those vendor certifications, and exam fees are not included. You can register for the official exams separately. TIIT gives its own course completion certificate.

Is MCSE still a valid Microsoft certification?

No. Microsoft retired the MCSE certification in 2021. TIIT's Linux & MCSE course teaches Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and DHCP administration along with Linux, but it does not award a Microsoft certification.

What is the difference between Linux RHCE and Linux & MCSE?

Linux & MCSE (3–4 months) covers Linux fundamentals plus Windows Server administration and suits beginners. Linux RHCE (2–3 months) goes deeper into Red Hat Enterprise Linux administration and Ansible automation, and is best for learners who already know basic Linux.

Which course is best for a career in networking?

Cloud Computing – CCNA & CCNP (4–6 months). It goes from networking fundamentals and Cisco device configuration to enterprise routing, network security, troubleshooting and cloud networking, and leads towards roles such as Network Support Engineer and NOC Engineer.