Cisco Certification Guide

Cisco Systems Inc. specializes in networking and communications products and services. The company is perhaps best known for its routing and switching products, which route data, voice, and video traffic through networks around the world. However, Cisco also offers storage networking, unified communications, telepresence and collaboration (WebEx) applications, and services ranging from simple product support to complete data center solutions and cloud management.

To make certain that IT specialists have the competencies and understanding essential to assist Cisco merchandise and resolve customers' era troubles on many fronts, the Cisco Career Certification software is all-embracing. That is, it starts on the access level, then advances to associate, professional, and professional levels, and (in a few certification areas) caps matters off on the architect level.

Each degree gives one or greater credentials. Obtaining a credential generally includes passing one or greater certification assessments. Most Cisco assessments are introduced via way of means of Pearson VUE. For better-degree credentials, applicants should additionally show they meet vital conditions. The better the extent of certification, the greater credentials and conditions one desires to fulfill the requirements.

• Cisco certification program overview
• Certifications within Cisco’s portfolio include the following credentials
• Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
• Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
• Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)

Cisco career programs offer many certifications and paths. However, two major paths involve network operations and network design. A typical Cisco network certification ladder starts with his CCENT certification at the entry level, progresses to CCNA, CCNP, and ends with CCIE. If you're design-oriented, you might instead consider starting with CCENT where he progresses to CCDA, then CCDP at the professional level, then CCDE, and completing the program in CCAr.

The Cisco Career Certification Program also includes many specializations. These certifications validate the skills of specific Cisco technology experts, including B. Application services for data centers, voice mail, messaging, or rich media. Cisco Specializations fall into two main categories, Technical Specialists, and for Digital Transformation Specialists. Between these two categories, there are currently 15 specialties for IT professionals to choose from.

The Technical Specialist category includes specializations across six subcategories:

• Collaboration
• Data Center (FlexPod)
• Network Programmability
• Operating System Software
• Service Provider
• Internet of things (IoT)

The Digital Transformation Specialist includes qualifications aligned with business architecture and customer success. One or two exams are usually required to obtain the Specialist title. Some credentials also have prerequisites.

Entry-, associate- and professional-stage credentials are legitimate for 3 years, CCIE and expert certifications are legitimate for 2 years and the CCAr is legitimate for 5 years. To maintain certifications current, Cisco experts want to recertify with the aid of using passing a recertification examination or advancing to a better stage in Cisco's certification hierarchy.

Cisco’s entry-level certifications

Cisco has two entry credentials: Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and Cisco Certified Technician (CCT). There are no prerequisites required to earn the CCENT or CCT credential. Each certification requires a candidate to pass one of her exams.

CCENT-certified professionals install, maintain, and troubleshoot small networks or branch offices in enterprise networks and implement basic network security. CCENT certification is a prerequisite for some CCNA Associate level Solution Track certifications and CCDA.

CCT diagnoses problems at customer sites and repairs or replaces network-related equipment. CCT currently offers a choice of one of several specialty trucks including Data Center and Routing and Switching.

Certification Exam Number of Questions Duration CCENT 100-105 ICND1 45-55 90 minutes CCT Data Center 010-151 DCTECH 65-75 90 minutes CCT Routing and Switching 640-692 RSTECH 60-70 90 minutes.

Cisco’s associate-Level Certifications

Cisco's associate-stage certifications encompass the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and the Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA). One ought to skip one or more certification checks to attain a CCNA or CCDA credential, relying on the music you choose.

The CCNA acknowledges primary competencies in installing, supporting, and troubleshooting stressed and/or wi-fi networks. One can select from numerous tracks, which include Cloud, Collaboration, Cyber Ops, Data Center, Industrial, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless. The CCNA is a prerequisite for the professional-stage CCNP certification. Prerequisites for the CCNA range rely on the answer tune selected as do the variety of required exams. All answer tracks require both one or exams.

Cisco created the CCDA to identify individuals who can design basic wired and wireless networks and integrate security and voice solutions. CCDA is a prerequisite for CCDP certification. To earn the CCDA, a candidate must hold a valid one of her CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching (or CCIE certifications), and pass one additional exam.

Cisco’s professional-level certifications

Cisco's professional certifications include two main programs:

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP). To earn CCDP, you must pass three certification exams and earn both the CCDA and CCNA Routing and Switching credentials, or Cisco CCIE or CCDE certification.

All CCNP solution paths, except Routing and Switching, require candidates to pass four exams. He only needs 3 exams

Routing and Switching Credential for CCNP exam. Prerequisites for all CCNP solution paths include her CCNA certification at a lower level or optional her CCIE certification.

CCNP: Service Provider credentials also accept Cisco Certified Internet Professional (CCIP) credentials as a prerequisite (deprecated in 2012).

The CCNP credential acknowledges specialists who plan, deploy, and troubleshoot neighborhood networks and huge location networks. The CCNP tracks are similar to the ones for the CCNA, except for Industrial and Cyber Ops, which aren't presented withinside the CCNP track. The CCNP is usually recommended to climb as much as the subsequent step at the cert ladder – the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert.

CCDP identifies skills in designing and deploying scalable and multilayer switched networks. You can switch from CCDP to Cisco Certified Design Expert.

Cisco’s expert-level certifications

Cisco's expert-level credentials include two main certifications: the coveted Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), and Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE). There are no prerequisites for either certification, but you must pass a written and rigorous practical exam to qualify for either certification.

As of July 2016, Cisco has updated the Expert level exam to include evolving technical areas. This new domain covers cloud, network programmability, and IoT and accounts for 10% of the exam's total scores. Cisco may change the topics contained in this section to reflect new technologies that have achieved sufficient commercial interest, potential, and exposure to merit consideration. The company describes this mechanism as a way to future-proof their certifications, so employers can be confident that those with current certifications are also up to date with important new networking technologies.

For many network track professionals, earning a CCIE is the pinnacle of their career. CCIE is currently one of the CCIE Technical Tracks that include Collaboration, Data Center, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless, with technical expertise and knowledge of Cisco networking products and solutions.

CCDE identifies professionals who design infrastructure solutions for large enterprise environments encompassing the technical, operational, business, and budget aspects of a project.

Cisco’s architect-level certifications

Earning a Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) certification is a smart choice for individuals looking for positions such as network architects and data center architects. CCar is like a PhD. Cisco Career Certification Program - The highest level of certification offered by Cisco. This credential validates a senior network infrastructure architect's skills in planning and designing an IT infrastructure based on business strategy. Many consider CCar to be the most difficult technical certification to achieve.

To achieve CCDE certification, you must design a network solution that implements your assigned strategy. Then you have to go before a Cisco-appointed panel to explain and defend that solution.

Related jobs and careers

Whether you are following community operations or community layout profession path, Cisco certifications are uniquely located to help IT specialists as they are put together to satisfy numerous Cisco-associated profession roles. Regardless of your preferred professional path, task possibilities are considerable for professional Cisco specialists. An easy look for Cisco CCNA specialists on famous task boards – SimplyHired and Indeed – yielded between 7,500 and 9,500 task postings each.

Job openings vary based on factors such as experience and whether the focus is on network operations or network design. The following list is not exhaustive, but shows some common vacancies by qualification:

• CCENT: Help desk or technician roles
• CCT: Engineer (field, network, application support) or systems administrator
• CCNA: Engineer (network, telecommunications), technician (network, network operations), or analyst (network, network operations center)
• CCDA: Engineer (network, system, design, lead), analyst (interface), interface developer, or technical specialist
• CCNP: Network administrator, engineer (support, network) or advanced technician, as well as senior-level roles
• CCDP: Senior-level roles; senior network design engineer, senior analyst, cyber protection analyst, or network designer
• CCIE: Expert-level roles; network architect, engineer (lead, systems, network), or senior network administrator
• CCDE: Expert-level roles; systems engineer, senior network engineer, network architect, network design engineer, or IT infrastructure team lead
• CCAr: Architect (lead, network, enterprise, voice data, and more)

Training and Resources

Cisco maintains a comprehensive list of training and self-study resources. These resources include various forms of online learning, practice exams, and study labs, with links to his website for each certification. The Cisco Learning Network offers candidates a free basic membership that includes access to exam topics, live seminars, IT training videos, study groups, forums, study materials, and more. The subscription-based Cisco Platinum Learning Library gives professionals on-demand learning and access to over 400 courses, his hands-on vLab, support library, and more. Additional training materials are also available from Cisco Press.