The Cisco Design Career Certifications

Welcome to our second Leg of the blogging, bringing information to one and all about the Cisco Career Certification Series.

In this part, I would blog to you the different levels of Career and Certifications Under the Design Series.

Hold on to your seats and let's begin this blogging spree.

End of Part 1

this ends our part one of the Certification Spree for Cisco. the Scope of Part One is:"Routing and Switching"
Summary for this part is:

• the typical questions as well as the answers why certify for Cisco.
• the common certifications that a candidate may take. this includes information on the pre-requisites and the required exams and the validity of each certification.

On the second part, we would discuss would discuss on the Certifications on the Design field. hope you would still enjoy and follow my blog...

this is Joseph Lao saying Good Day.

CCNP (Cisco Certified Networking Professional)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP®) validates knowledge and skills required to install, configure and troubleshoot converged local and wide area networks with 100 to 500 or more nodes. With a CCNP certification, a network professional demonstrates the knowledge and skills required to manage the routers and switches that form the network core, as well as edge applications that integrate voice, wireless, and security into the network. The CCNP curriculum includes building scalable Cisco networks, Cisco multilayer switched networks, securing converged wide area networks, and optimizing converged networks.

CCNP Pre-requisites : A valid CCNA or any CCIE certification can act as a pre-requisite.
CCNP Exams and Pre-Requisites.

EXAMS
642-901-BSCI- Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks
642-812-BCMSN-Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Network
642-825-ISCW-Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Network
642-845-ONT-Optimizing Cisco Converged Networks

-OR-

EXAMS
642-892-Cisco Composite Exams
642-825-ISCW-Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Network
642-845-ONT-Optimizing Cisco Converged Networks

Validity: all Cisco exams are valid to three years. to recertify one must pass the recertifcation exams (number 642).

CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) Router and Switching

CCNA validates a candidate's ability in installing, configuring, operate and troubleshoot middle sized routed and switched networks. including implementations and verifications of various connections in WAN. This curriculum also includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networks, concepts and terminology and performance based skills. this curriculum of certifications also teaches the candidates about these protocols namely: RIP (Router Information Protocol) versions 1&2, Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) and its enhanced version, the Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP), VLANs (virtual LANs), access lists and Basic Security Protocols.

CCNA Pre-requsites: None
Required Exams

1. CCNA #640-802 Exam

Recommended Training:

1. ICND-1 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices -1) v1.0
2. ICND-2 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices- 2) v1.0

OR: This other Recommend exams:

Exam No: 640-822 (ICND-1) v1.0 and 640-816 (ICND-2) v1.0

Validity and Re-Certification:
This certification is valid for 3 years. to recertifiy, you must passed the ICND-2 or the current CCNA exam or pass a Concentration exams (Security, wirless or voice) or pass the current CCDA exam or any exams (642-XXX) for professional level or specialist exams (excluding the Sales representative) or pass a current CCIE, CCDE written exams.

Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT™)

Router and Switching.

Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT™) validates the ability to install, operate and troubleshoot a small enterprise branch network, including basic network security. With a CCENT, network professional demonstrates the skills required for entry-level network support positions - the starting point for many successful careers in networking. The curriculum covers networking fundamentals, WAN technologies, basic security and wireless concepts, routing and switching fundamentals, and configuring simple networks. CCENT is the first step toward achieving CCNA, which covers medium size enterprise branch networks with more complex connections.

Pre-requisites: None
Exams needed to be taken:640-822 ICND-1 Interconnecting Cisco Network Decvices-1
Recommended Training: ICND-1

Validity: valid to 3 years. To recertify, one must pass ICND-1 or ICND-2 or pass the current CCNA Exam, Any Cisco Concentration Exams i.e (Switches, Wireless and voice) or pass any 642-XXX exams for professional level and or Specialist Exams (excluding Sales Specialist) or pass a current written exams for CCIE and CCDE exams.

Typical Q&A for Cisco Certifications

Typical Questions and Answers
1.Q:What is Cisco's Certification Exams?
A: Cisco Provides five Levels of Certifications namely:

• CCENT- Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician
• CCNA-Cisco Certified Networking Associate
• CCNP-Cisco Certified Networking Professional
• CCIE-Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert

2. What Does "Cisco Certified" means?
A: Cisco certified means that you've met the requirements that Cisco Systems, has created to identify specific levels of competence in working with Cisco device i.e (Routers, Switches, Access Points, etc.). This includes also your knowledge in passing the exams and other requirements. It is also an edge, why? Because it stands you out meaning that you are an expert in networking field.
3. What are your Benefits?
A: It gives you the edge over your competitors when comes in job hunts, hiring or any related business. Pay-offs may be also increased, better jobs (promotions) and confidence that you can do it. To employers, it would serve as independent evidence that you've demonstrated the skills and abilities required to complete the program and to be certified. Customers also benefit from this certification, why? it gives an additional evidence of your qualifications and the suitability for the task at hand.

Well, these are the Common Q&A's. Specific Topics would be later on discussed.
This is Joseph Lao Signing Off.