Many companies reseller or distributor of Cisco products push their employees to certify (or people looking for certified). This is because the partner program, Cisco requires companies that they employ staff certified, become Premier, Silver or Gold partner, thus having access to additional services and facilities by Cisco itself (free publicity, various demo kits, etc…)
To obtain certification the easiest way is certainly to take courses, usually organized by Cisco Training Partners. The courses are taught by certified instructors Cisco, Cisco Certified Systems Instructor (CCSI) and usually have a high added value given by the laboratories (test played on practical classroom training environments containing real Cisco devices).
Cisco certifications have a fixed term, because this networker today must keep up to date and technology evolves so quickly. Certifications CCNA , CCDA , CCNP , CCDP and specializations have a duration of three years. Certification CCIE two. After this period you will need to recertify, which does not mean to repeat all the tests but in principle a recertification examination for each type of certification achieved.
Cisco certifications follow two branches:
1. Network Installation and Support
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Associate)
- CCNP (Cisco Certified Networking Professional)
- CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert)
2. Design and Engineering Network
- CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate)
- CCDP (Cisco Certified Design Professional)
For all these certifications exist variants WAN for Service Providers (less wanted, to tell the truth). There is also new specialized Cisco (Cisco Qualified Specialist Designation in Cable, Security, SNA/IP, Voice).
And certainly the certification to start with, for those who install and support networks. It consists of a single test. The exam covers a range of basic knowledge on networking and something even more specifically on Cisco equipment. Knowledge networking applications are still above that necessary to overcome the Microsoft MCSE exams, for example. It must be clear about the concept of subnetting (knowing how to handle IP addresses) and understanding the basics of routing protocols. It also important to know at least basic Cisco IOS Interface and switching on some concepts (local network).
The course recommended by Cisco for this exam is the ICND (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices).
And the second level of certification in the field installation and support networks. To get it you must have passed the CCNA and have much more in-depth knowledge of Cisco network environments. The CCNP certified will be able to implement medium to large networks with technologies ranging from routing to switching to dial-up and even the media. It’s almost impossible to reach this level of certification without having a good experience in implementing Cisco networks.
The CCNP certification can be achieved by passing four exams separately:
- Routing
- Switching
- Remote Access
- Support
The respective courses recommended by Cisco:
- BSCN (Building Scalable Cisco Networks)
- BCMSN (Building Cisco Multilayer Switching Networks)
- BCRAN (Building Cisco Remote Access Networks)
- CIT (Cisco Internetwork Troubleshooting)
CCNP Specializations
CCNP specializations have been eliminated from certification programs since 14/05/2001. Some of them have been replaced by certification “Cisco Qualified Specialist”.
Cisco Qualified Specialist
It is very specific certifications covering defined areas of networking:
- Cable: Requires knowledge in the configuration and installation of cable equipment from Cisco. These technologies are rarely used by us.
- Internet Solutions: This specification tries to fill the gap between knowledge of Cisco equipment and technologies and the creation of applications that can make a business over the Internet. Provides the knowledge necessary to combine hardware and applications to create an e-commerce, for example.
- Security is a specialist focused exclusively on security (firewall, intrusion detection, etc.). One of the most interesting specialties.
- SNA/IP is a specialization focused on the integration of IBM (Token Ring, AS/400) and new IP technologies. Exists in two variants (Support and Design).
It is probably the most famous and sought after Cisco certification. Who has this certification has a thorough knowledge of Cisco products, processes, routing, switching, protocols and networks. The certification provides a practical laboratory in which the candidate must set up a limited network of Cisco devices, identifying problems and seeking solutions.
To pass the exam required a lot of experience in installation and configuration of Cisco devices. The certification includes several courses and plenty of documentation. In addition to pass the test lab (held only in Brussels for the European area) may need to be groped more than once.
The courses recommended are:
- BSCN (Building Scalable Cisco Networks)
- BCMSN (Building Cisco Multilayer Switching Networks)
- BCRAN (Building Cisco Remote Access Networks)
- CIT (Cisco Internetwork Troubleshooting)
- (Cisco Internetwork Design)
- SNAM (SNA Configuration For Multiprotocol Administrators)
The certification is based on CCIE Routing and Switching. There are other variations:
- CCIE Communications & Services. This branch is dedicated to service providers (including notions of WAN Switching).
- CCIE Security. It focuses on safety.
The other variants (SNA / IP, ISP Dial, WAN Switching and Design) have been withdrawn.
This is the certification basis in class design and engineering of networks. It’s a good starting point if you deal more design implementation of networks. Requires basic knowledge of Cisco network design. The course on which the certification is the DCN (Designing Cisco Networks).
And the second level of certification for those involved in network design. Requires quite advanced on the design and implementation of Cisco networks. In particular, three of the tests necessary to achieve certification are the same as the CCNP certification.
- Routing
- Switching
- Remote Access
In addition you must pass the test of Design. The respective classes are:
- BSCN (Building Scalable Cisco Networks)
- BCMSN (Building Cisco Multilayer Switching Networks)
- BCRAN (Building Cisco Remote Access Networks)
- CID (Cisco Internetwork Design)