Frequently asked questions
How the labs work, what they cover, and where they fit into exam prep. If something isn't answered here, get in touch.
Getting started
Is there a free tier?
Yes - 3 full labs, no card required. The free tier covers beginner labs; paid tiers unlock unlimited labs and the advanced and expert catalog.
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 the labs work
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 can't just memorize one static topology, and automatic grading checks your running config the way the exam does rather than leaving you to self-assess.
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 - every lab covers routing, switching, security, or services topics that map directly to the CCNA exam objectives, with real device consoles and test-case grading instead of multiple-choice quizzes. Subnetica is an independent practice 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.
Can Subnetica replace a full study course?
No, and it isn't meant to. It's the hands-on repetition half of exam prep - the part flashcards and video courses can't give you. Pair it with a course or study guide for the conceptual and memorization-heavy material each exam expects.
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?
No analytics, no advertising, and no third-party tracking cookies. See the privacy policy for the full detail on what is and isn't collected.
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 practice platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cisco Systems, Inc. or CompTIA, Inc.
subnetica© 2026 · Practice, not memorize.CCNA is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ are registered trademarks of CompTIA, Inc. Subnetica is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cisco Systems, Inc. or CompTIA, Inc.