Trusted by 15,000+ IT Professionals
From Experience
To Expertise
Live IT Training That Actually Prepares You
Our Graduates Work At
Cisco
AWS
Microsoft
Fortinet
Our Story
How It All Started
We didn’t start as a training company. We started as engineers who got tired of the gap between certifications and real skills. Here’s our story.
The Beginning — A Vision for Change
Our journey didn’t start in a conference room with a business plan. It started in server rooms, data centers, and late-night troubleshooting sessions. We’ve been there ourselves. Hiring certified engineers who froze when facing real outages. Watching colleagues pass exams but struggle with production configs. The gap between certification and real-world skills was massive. And frustrating. That’s why we built SMEnode Academy.
Growing Together
We already had SMEnode Labs – hands-on workbooks for engineers who learn best by doing. But we kept hearing the same feedback: “I get stuck and have no one to ask.” “I’m not sure if I’m doing this the right way.” “I need someone to push me and keep me accountable.” Self-study works for some. But most professionals need more than a workbook. They need live guidance from someone who’s been there, done that.
Global Reach
So we built it. Live training with real instructors who’ve solved the problems you’re facing right now. Today, our students span across 40+ countries, proving that quality education knows no boundaries. From server rooms in Lagos to data centers in London, IT professionals join the same live sessions. Same quality instruction. Same hands-on labs. Geography is no longer a barrier to becoming the engineer you want to be.
Our Journey
Key Milestones
Cloud Changed Everything
AWS and Azure weren’t optional anymore. Neither was our response. We built cloud certification programs from scratch – not repackaged content, but real training designed by architects who’d migrated enterprises to the cloud.
15,000 Engineers Later
5,800+ certified. 98% pass rate. 40+ programs. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. What matters is this: engineers who trained with us are now leading teams, architecting solutions, and building careers they’re proud of.
Where It All Started
We launched with one CCIE track and 15 students who took a chance on us. No fancy marketing. No big promises. Just solid training from engineers who knew the craft. Word spread. More students came. The foundation was set.
Going Global
We ditched the physical classroom. Went 100% live online. Suddenly, geography didn’t matter. Students from 40+ countries joined the same sessions. Same quality. Same interaction. No compromises.
Our Purpose
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
We exist to close the gap between certification and competence.
Too many engineers pass exams but freeze when production goes down. They memorize commands but can’t troubleshoot under pressure. We’ve hired those engineers. We’ve seen that gap firsthand.
So we built something different. Live training with real instructors who’ve solved real problems. Hands-on labs where you break things and fix them. The kind of practice that turns knowledge into instinct.
We don’t just help you pass tests. We help you become the engineer companies actually need.
Our Vision
SMEnode Academy isn’t for everyone.
If you’re looking for shortcuts or easy certificates, we’re not the right fit. Our courses run longer than most competitors because proper learning takes time. We don’t rush through material just to hit a deadline.
But if you’re an IT professional who’s serious about mastering your craft – whether that’s earning your CCIE, transitioning to cloud, breaking into cybersecurity, or leveling up your automation skills – you’re in the right place.
We’ve been there ourselves. And now we’re here to guide your way forward.
Our Values
What We Stand For
02
No Shortcuts
Our courses run longer than competitors. On purpose. Proper learning takes time. We don’t rush through material to hit arbitrary deadlines. You’ll finish when you’re actually ready – not when a calendar says so.
01
Engineers First, Always
Every decision we make starts with one question: does this help our students become better engineers? Not “does this sell more courses” or “does this look good on marketing.” If it doesn’t make you better at your job, we don’t do it.
05
Community Over Competition
Our students help each other. Share configs. Answer questions. Celebrate wins. This isn’t a solo grind – it’s a community of engineers pushing each other forward.
04
Honesty Over Hype
We won’t promise you’ll become a CCIE in 30 days. We won’t claim our course is “easy” or “guaranteed.” What we will do: tell you exactly what it takes and help you get there. No BS.
03
Real Skills Over Paper Credentials
Certifications matter. But being able to do the job matters more. We teach both. You’ll pass your exam and actually know what you’re doing when you get to work Monday morning.
Our Approach
Two Ways to Learn
We believe there’s no single path to becoming a great engineer.
Certification-Based Training
Want a specific certification? We’ve got you covered. Our certification tracks follow official exam syllabi – but we don’t stop there.
Every course includes real-world best practices that go beyond what vendors put in their documentation.
✓ You’ll pass the exam AND know how to apply those skills in production.
From CCNA to CCIE. From AWS Cloud Practitioner to Solutions Architect. From CompTIA to Fortinet. Pick your certification, and we’ll get you there.
Career-Based Training
Not sure which certifications you need? Start with the job you want. Our career programs are built around specific roles:
Network Engineer
Security Engineer
Automation Engineer
System Engineer
DevOps Engineer
Each program combines multiple skills and technologies into a structured path. You’ll learn exactly what employers expect.
Leadership
Meet Our Experts
We don't hire trainers.
We hire engineers who can teach.
Our team of 15 instructors brings thousands of hours of real-world experience to every class. They hold the industry’s most respected certifications — multiple CCIE tracks, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Expert, and more.
They’ve built networks, secured infrastructures, migrated enterprises to the cloud, and automated operations for companies that can’t afford downtime. They’ve made mistakes, learned from them, and now they’re sharing those lessons with you.
They don't teach from slides. They teach from experience.
And that experience becomes your expertise.
Michael Richardson
CCIE #54321 (Enterprise & Security)
Triple CCIE with 18+ years designing and implementing large-scale enterprise networks. Former Cisco TAC engineer.
David Chen
CCIE #48976 (Data Center & SP)
Dual CCIE specializing in data center and service provider technologies. 15+ years consulting experience.
Sarah Thompson
AWS Solutions Architect Professional
AWS certified instructor with 12+ years cloud architecture experience. Designed solutions for Fortune 500 companies.
Why SMEnode
How We're Different
Beyond the Syllabus
Official exam topics are just the starting point. We teach best practices from real production environments - the stuff you won't find in any study guide. What actually works in enterprise networks, not just what Cisco or AWS puts in their documentation.
Live Classes, Real Interaction
Got a question? Ask it. Confused about a concept? Get it clarified immediately. Stuck on a lab? Your instructor walks you through it. No pausing videos and hoping someone answers your forum post three days later.
Hands-On Labs with EVE-NG
Theory means nothing if you can't apply it. Every course includes dedicated lab hours on our EVE-NG platform. Real topologies. Real problems. Real scenarios you'll face on the job and in technical interviews.
Free Mentorship
Every student gets 1-on-1 mentorship throughout the program. Not just during class hours - we're here for career guidance, interview prep, and those tricky configurations that keep you up at night.
100% Guarantee
Our Pass Guarantee Promise
We’re confident in what we deliver. Confident enough to back it up. Complete the course, do the labs, and put in the work. If you don’t pass your certification exam on the first attempt, retake the entire course for free. No fine print. No hoops to jump through. Plus, we offer a 14-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
- Free course retake if you don't pass
- No questions asked refund policy
- Free course retake if you don't pass
- No questions asked refund policy
