Technology is continuously being developed, improved, and worked upon. With this continuous growth and development in the IT sector, networks are also getting more and more advanced and complex in nature. Therefore, the demand for such IT professionals who are trained and skilled in performing various networking activities is stronger than ever. Business organizations seek the services of such networking professionals and engineers who can successfully implement various networking solutions for their organization.
Validation of IT Skills Globally Through Cisco
If you plan to move your IT career into the field of networking, then getting a Cisco networking certification can be helpful to have your skills validated as experienced networking professionals. By receiving proper training and certification in networking, you can learn to handle and optimize your organization's network systems more effectively. You will also gain the necessary skills to set up, manage, and troubleshoot routed and switched networks. Once you have obtained necessary training and certification, you can easily either work as a network administrator, engineer, consultant, specialist, or expert for your organization's networking team.
Cisco Networking Certifications
Presently, Cisco offers the following networking certifications in the IT industry:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate certification(CCNA)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional certification (CCNP)
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert certification (CCIE)
1. CCNA Certification
A Cisco CCNA Certification validates your skill and expertise as a Network Professional. Once you have completed your CCNA certification, you will be able to:
- Make connections to various remote sites through WAN
- Detect and fix network security threats
- Have sound knowledge of networking fundamentals and terminology
CCNA certification is probably one of the most popular certifications offered by Cisco. It is considered to be one of the industry's most sought-after networking credentials.
Once you have obtained the CCNA certification, you can either work for any reputable organization as a network consultant or as an engineer.
Key concepts covered by CCNA Certification:
The CCNA certification focuses on the following operations and skills:
- Understanding the working of different types of network topologies for creating a robust network
- Developing comprehensive knowledge about the operations of computer networks and their integration with other components of the network
- The configuration of different switches and the operations of inter-switch communication networks
- Using the services of IP networks to meet the requirements of various networks
- Carrying out routing activities with a variety of relevant Cisco tools
- Managing all aspects of operating a WAN
- Creating the required number of WAN connections and connecting to the WAN with the prescribed methods and standards
- Implementing the relevant controls in all associated networks at the branch level
CCNA Certification Exams:
There are no specific prerequisites as such to qualify for the CCNA Certification Exams. You can either take the composite CCNA exam or take the ICND1 (CCENT) and ICND2 separately.
To become a CCNA certified professional, however, you need to first clear the following three papers:
- 200-125 or CCNA composite
- 100-105 or ICND1
- 200-105 or ICND2
2. CCNP Certification
Cisco CCNP Routing & Switching validates your skills as a trained and qualified Network Engineer. Cisco Certified Network Professional Routing & Switching certification is ideal for skilled network professionals with some years of practical experience in the field of networking and plan to perform various network operations on Cisco-based network systems independently. It helps you to gain Cisco routing and switching certification insight as a credible IT professional.
Through CCNP certification, you will also manage to acquire the necessary skill set to implement and execute and troubleshoot local-area networks as well as wide-area networks for your clients in a Cisco-based environment. Once you have completed your CCNP training and certification successfully and developed sound Cisco routing and switching certification insight, you have the option to put it to practice by either working as a network technician, engineer or even a system engineer for any reputed organization globally.
Key concepts covered by CCNP Certification:
The CCNA exam develops and tests your skills in the following areas:
- Establishing EIGRP solutions and configuring simple EIGRP
- Working with OSPF in multiarea environments and their configuration
- Working with Cisco routers and setting up an eBGP system
- Setting up IPv6 systems for the organization
- Setting up redistribution systems using IPv6 or IPv4 technology
- Designing path control systems using Layer 3 technology
- Assessing the different network components required to set up VLAN solutions for any network
- Creating security solutions using layer 2 technologies
- Setting up and monitoring a plan for supervising the performance of the network
- Configuring network services in layers 2 and 3
- Setting up VoIP solutions for support services
CCNP Certification Exams:
In order to obtain the CCNP certification, you will first need to clear the following three exams:
- Cisco 300-101 or the routing exam
- Cisco 300-115 or the switching exam
- Cisco 300-135 or the TSHOOT exam
Prerequisites for CCNP Certification Exam:
To qualify for the Cisco CCNP certification, you are required to first clear the CCNA certification exams as a prerequisite.
CCIE Certification
The CCIE certification is specially designed for those experienced network professionals and engineers who are responsible for the efficient planning, management, and troubleshooting of complex, converged network architecture for their organization.
Prerequisites for CCIE Exam:
There are no specific prerequisites to obtain the CCIE routing and switching certification. Students need to first clear the 400-101 CCIE Routing and Switching exam followed by a CCIE lab exam. It is advisable, however, to have some years of professional experience in networking and gather some Cisco routing and switching certification insight before appearing for the CCIE certification exam.
There are numerous options for Cisco routing and switching certifications that you, as an aspiring IT professional, can choose from. You should consult with routing or switching professional before deciding which course to opt for. You can also do some research work by visiting various job portals and see which jobs are available in the IT industry to holders of different certifications.
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