What is CCNA and CCNP in networking?

People around the globe were never connected so well in the history of mankind. With technology increasing its impact on global communication and in providing solutions every passing year, networking plays an important part in the process. From socializing with the community to medical diagnosis, from controlling the manufacturing facility to navigation around the globe, networks are playing an integral part in today's era.

So, what is a computer network? According to Wikipedia, A computer network, more specifically, a digital telecommunications network, is a collection of nodes that share resources. Nodes are computing devices using a common telecommunication technology. Nodes use data links for transmitting data; the data links consist of physical cable media such as twisted pair and fiber-optic cables or the wireless methods, such as Wi-Fi, microwave transmission, or free-space optical communication. Computer networks are classified by various criteria, for example, by signals, the transmission medium used to carry their signals, bandwidth, communications protocols to organize network traffic, the network's size, topology, traffic control mechanism, and organizational intent.

Many services and applications you enjoy are supported by computer networks, including:

• World Wide Web
• Digital video
• Digital audio
• Shared use of application and storage servers
• Printers and fax machines
• Use of email and instant messaging applications.

The most widely used computer network is the Internet.

You must have heard of Cisco Systems, Inc., which is a global player in offering networking and communications services and products. Routing and switching products are among Cisco System's most popular devices, which help in directing data across networks globally. 

Apart from devices, Cisco offers certifications to make sure that IT professionals have the capability to use Cisco products and have skills to provide services and guidance to customers.

If you are planning to choose a career path in networking, Cisco training is the best choice for you to take a start. Cisco now offers training and certification programs for students, software developers, and engineers to succeed in this promising career path. Various levels of exams are offered by Cisco, which are CCNS, CCNP, and CCIE, and they are the most sought-after certifications in the IT industry. 

What is CCNA certification?

CCNA is the abbreviation of Cisco Certified Network Associate. It is the entry-level of Cisco CCIE certification and the base for the professional and expert level certifications. CCNA training and certification is in high demand and demonstrates the ability of an individual to:

• Manage a medium-sized network
• Configure a network
• Install a medium-sized network
• Operate and troubleshoot routed and switched networks.

Areas of CCNA certification

The certifications are available in eight areas:

• Cloud
• Collaboration
• Data Center
• Industrial/IoT
• Routing and Switching
• Security
• Service Provider and Wireless.

Scope of CCNA certified professional:

Following are the job roles of CCNA certified professionals and their average salaries

Job Roles

What is a CCNP certification?

CCNP stands for Cisco Certified Network Professional. As evident from the name, it is the professional level of CCIE certification, which introduces you to the intermediate level of networking technologies. Several modules are included in CCNP Certification. CCNP security has four modules, and CCNP R&S has three module examinations. Professionals working on local or wide area network (LAN or WAN) infrastructure can benefit from this certification. This certification demonstrates an individual's ability to:

• Plan
• Implement
• Verify
• Troubleshoot LANs and WANs.

Areas of CCNP certification

Seven domains are covered in CCNP certifications:

• Cloud
• Collaboration
• Data Center
• Routing and Switching
• Security
• Service Provider
• Wireless

Scope of a CCNP certified professional:

Following are the job roles of CCNP certified professionals and their average salarie

CCNA vs. CCNP

If you are confused in selecting certification appropriate with your career path, here is a comparison of the two to guide you:

Level:

Both the certifications differ in their levels. CCNA is an Associate level certification, whereas CCNP is a professional level Cisco certification.

Prerequisite:

You don't need to have any prerequisite for taking the CCNA exam, while CCNP requires a CCNA certificate or CCIE certification as a prerequisite.

Number of exams:

Number of exams needed to be passed to earn CCNA certification are two. On the other hand, CCNP certifications require three to four exams. The Routing and Switching credential can be earned by passing three exams. The rest of the tracks require four exams.

Knowledge level:

CCNA certifications offer basic knowledge of networking. On the other hand, CCNP certifications provide in-depth knowledge of advanced networking technologies.

Pay scale:

Professionals who have earned CCNP certificates earn higher salaries than CCNA certified professionals. Reason for that is the fact that CCNA is a prerequisite of CCNP.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a career move in the IT industry, networking is a very promising domain for you. A computer network, more specifically, a digital telecommunications network, is a collection of nodes that share resources.

Nodes are computing devices using a common telecommunication technology. Many services and applications you utilize are supported by computer networks, including World Wide Web, transmission of digital content, sharing of resources like applications, printers, fax machines, 

use of email and instant messaging applications. 

As more devices are getting connected, and more firms are transforming into having a digital landscape, networking certifications can be a promising career move.

Cisco offers multiple certifications in networking at different levels. CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) both serve as a boost in the careers of networking professionals. CCNA equips professionals at a basic level, whereas CCNP requires CCNA as a prerequisite, and trains professionals to master areas at an advanced level. Certified professionals are offered job roles as Network administrator, Information security analyst, IT/Computer Networking System Engineer, Network Engineer, and Network Security Engineer.