Companies that use the cloud to operate their operations rely more and more on suppliers like Cisco, which creates the underlying networking hardware and software.
A Cisco certification can make you stand out at work and on the job market if you’re looking to become a network specialist.
But how can you pick the best path when there are so many Cisco certifications available? Here are some important things concerning Cisco training and certifications.
In this blog, we shall discuss how to get a CCNA certification, Cisco networking certifications
Cisco-certified network professional. Before discussing Cisco certification, we shall initially look at what is CISCO.
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What is CISCO?
In terms of products and services, Cisco Systems Inc. focuses on networking and communications. The company’s business routing and switching technologies, like route data, voice, and video traffic across networks all over the world are probably best known for their use in business.
However, Cisco also offers storage networking, software for unified communications, telepresence, and collaboration (WebEx), as well as a variety of services, ranging from basic product support to advanced solutions for data centres and cloud administration.
The Cisco Career Certification programme is broad to ensure that IT professionals possess the abilities and knowledge required to support Cisco products and resolve customers’ technological issues from a variety of angles. That is to say, it starts at the entry level, moves on to the associate, professional, and expert levels, and ends at the architect level.
There are a few credentials accessible at each level. Most often, passing one or more certification tests is required to earn a credential. Pearson VUE provides the majority of Cisco examinations. Candidates must additionally continue to comply with the criteria for higher-level qualifications. One needs more qualifications and prerequisites to fulfil the requirements for a higher level of certification.
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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)
The career programme at Cisco provides several certifications and professional pathways. Nevertheless, both network operation and network design are covered by its two primary pathways.
The Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician credential is typically the first step on a ladder of Cisco networking certifications that also includes the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) and CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert).
As an alternative, those who are more interested in design can start with the CCENT, advance to the CCDA, then the CCDP at the pro level, then the CCDE, and end the programme with the CCAr.
There are several specialisations available through the Cisco Career Certification programme. These certificates recognise a professional’s expertise in Cisco technology, such as rich media, voicemail and messaging, or data centre application services.
Cisco’s specialties are divided into two main groups, one aimed at technical specialists and the other at specialists in digital transformation. There are now 15 specialisations available to IT professionals between these two groups.
Six subcategories within the category of technical specialist contain the following specialisations:
- Collaboration
- Data Center (FlexPod)
- Network Programmability
- Operating System Software
- Service Provider
- Internet of things (IoT)
Credentials focused on Business ecosystems and Consumer Experience are included in the category of Digital Transformation Specialists. One or two exams must typically be passed to earn a specialised credential. Some credentials also have prerequisites.
CCIE and professional certificates are valid for two years, entry-, associate-, and professional-level credentials are applicable for three years, and the CCAr is for five years.
Cisco-certified professionals must recertify every two years by passing a recertification exam or moving up in Cisco’s certification hierarchy.
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Cisco’s Entry-Level Certifications
The Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and the Cisco Certified Technician are Cisco’s two entry-level certifications (CCT). Both the CCENT and CCT credentials can be earned with just one exam, and there are no prerequisites for either one.
Small networks or a group of business networks can be installed, maintained, and troubleshot by CCENT-trained specialists who also implement fundamental network security.
For several associate-level CCNA solution track qualifications as well as the CCDA, the CCENT credential is a requirement.
CCTs work on-site with clients, analysing problems and fixing or modifying network-related hardware. A CCT may pick from several speciality tracks, some of which at the present are Data Center and Routing and Switching.
Cisco’s Associate-Level Certifications
The Cisco Certified Network Associate and the Cisco Certified Design Associate are associate-level qualifications from Cisco. Depending on the pathway you select, passing one or two certification tests is required to obtain a CCNA or CCDA credential.
Basic knowledge of setting up, maintaining, and debugging wired and/or wireless networks is recognised by the CCNA. Tracks like the Internet, Connectivity, Cyber Operations, Cloud Server, Industrial, Routing and Switching, Protection, Service Provider, and Wireless are available for selection.
The professional-level CCNP certification requires the CCNA as a prerequisite. The number of exams needed for the CCNA differs based on the solution track selected. Both one and two exams are necessary for every solution track.
Cisco developed the Cisco Certified Design Associate Exam to find people who can build fundamentally wired and wireless networks and include voice and security solutions. The Cisco Certified Design Associate Exam (CCDA) certification is a requirement for the CCDP certification.
Candidates need to pass one more exam in addition to having either a current Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician, CCNA Routing and Switching (or any other CCIE certification) certification.
Types of CCNA Certification
- Cisco Certified Design Associate Exam
- CCNA Cloud
- CCNA Collaboration
- CCNA Cyber Ops
- CCNA Data Center
- CCNA Industrial
- CCNA Routing and Switching
- CCNA Security
- CCNA Service Provider
- CCNA Wireless
Cisco’s Professional-Level Certifications
The Cisco Certified Network Professional and the Cisco Certified Design Professional are the two main professional-level certifications offered by Cisco. The CCDA and CCNA Routing and Switching certifications, as well as any Cisco CCIE or CCDE certification, are required for the CCDP, which can be obtained by passing three tests.
Candidates must pass four tests to qualify for any CCNP solution track other than Routing and Switching. The CCNP: Routing and Switching certifications only require passing three tests. All CCNP solution paths require either the entry-level CCNA certification or a CCIE certification.
The CCNP credential rewards specialists in wide-area and local networking who design, deploy and debug these systems.
Except for Industrial and Cyber Ops, which are not available in the CCNP track, the CCNP tracks are the same as those for the CCNA. Climbing to the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert certification would be the ladder to the CCNP certification course. So, if you want to become a Cisco Certified Design Expert, you can first get the CCDP.
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Cisco’s Expert-Level Certifications
Cisco offers two main certifications at the expert level:
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
- Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
This new domain, which targets the cloud, network programmability, and the Internet of Things, contributes 10% to the final exam score. When new technologies attain a level of commercial traction, viability, and presence that makes them exam-worthy, Cisco may alter the topics covered in this domain to reflect those developments.
The organisation defines this technique as a way to assist in future-proof its certificates so that employers may presume that persons who possess current qualifications are also knowledgeable about crucial new networking technology.
The CCIE is often the pinnacle of a network-track professional’s career. The current list of CCIE technical tracks includes Collaboration, Network Infrastructure, Routing and Switching, Protection, Service Provider, and Wireless. A CCIE is a professional with advanced technical skills and knowledge of Cisco network products and solutions.
Cisco’s Architect-Level Certifications
Getting the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) certification is a wise decision for individuals looking for jobs as network architects or data centre architects.
The highest degree of certification offered by Cisco, the CCAr is comparable to a PhD in the field of career certification. A senior network architect who can plan and create IT infrastructures based on a business strategy would benefit from earning this accreditation, which verifies their abilities. The CCAr is frequently regarded as the hardest tech certification to obtain.
To earn the CCDE certification, you must develop a network solution to carry out a specific strategy and then defend that solution in front of a Cisco-assembled panel.
Related Jobs and Careers
Whether you’re interested in a career in network operations or network design, Cisco certifications are ideally suited to help IT professionals get ready for a range of Cisco-related job responsibilities.
There are many job prospects for qualified Cisco experts, regardless of your career path of choice. Job options differ depending on aspects like experience and whether you’re interested in network operations or network design.
The following list, which is undoubtedly not complete, lists some typical work options by certification:
- CCENT: Help desk or technician roles
- CCT: Engineer or systems administrator
- CCNA: Engineer, analyst or work at network operations centre)
- CCDA: Network Engineer, System Engineer, analyst, technical specialist or many other jobs related to this certificate.
- CCNP: Network administrator, support engineer, network engineer, or any other senior-level roles.
- CCDP: senior network design engineer, senior analyst, cyber protection analyst or network designer
- CCIE: Certified candidate will get Expert-level roles as a senior network administrator
- CCDE: Certified candidate will get Expert-level roles as a senior IT infrastructure team lead or any other roles like senior network engineer.
- CCAr: Certified candidate will obtain the Architect level role or similar other roles.
Now that you have understood how to get a CCNA certification, CISCO networking certifications and how to become a CISCO-certified network professional. So, if you want to become a CCNA-certified candidate, you can join CCNA Course in Salem, which will help you understand the core concepts of networking from basic to advanced.