Cisco Career Certifications are IT Professional certifications for Cisco Systems products. The tests are administered by Pearson VUE. There are five levels of certification: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Specialist, as well as seven different paths, Routing & Switching, Design, Network Security, Service Provider, Storage Networking, Voice, and Wireless.
Training
Traditional educational institutions that teach Cisco skills are called "the Cisco Networking Academy". Cisco Networking Academy Students can request exam vouchers that allow them to take the retired exam for an extended period of time. Cisco courses are also offered at collegiate institutions.
Re-certification
All CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, CCSP, CCVP, and CCIP certifications are valid for three years, All CCIE certifications and Specialist certifications are valid for two years. Re-certification requires re taking the current exam previously passed, or passing a higher level examination.
Entry Level Certification
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician
The lowest level of Cisco's certification is CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician). CCENT covers basic networking knowledge. It is appropriate for entry-level network support positions. CCENT certified people can install, manage, maintain & troubleshoot a small enterprise network, including network security.
The CCENT certification is earned upon passing the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND) Exam(640-822).
Associate Certifications
Associate Certifications are the 2nd of 4 levels of CISCO certs. This level divides all CISCO certifications into separate subject matter paths.
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
The CCNA validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot enterprise level router and switched networks. This includes design implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. New CCNA training includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking and Voice.
The CCNA certification is earned upon passing the ICND1 640-822 and ICND2 640-816 exams. Examinees may take the exams separately or the single 640-802 composite exam.
These exams are conducted by authorized test centers at a cost of USD$125 each for the ICND1 or ICND2 exams and, effective 06-23-2008, USD$250 for the composite CCNA exam.
CCNA Paths
At the CCNA level, CCNA certified individuals will specialize in specific technologies. All specialized tracks require an individual to pass and maintain a CCNA certification.
- CCNA Security
CCNA Security validates knowledge of security infrastructure, threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and threat mitigation. Skills include installation, troubleshooting and monitoring of network devices to maintain integrity, confidentiality and availability of data and devices and develops competency in "Cisco IOS Network Security"
This certification is earned by passing the IINS 640-553 (Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security, or IINS) exam. The price of the exam is USD$250.
- CCNA Voice
The Cisco CCNA Voice certification validates a skill set for specialized job roles in voice technologies such as voice technologies administrator, voice engineer, and voice manager. The CCNA Voice certification involves implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications. It validates skills in VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voicemail solutions. Candidates also get exposure to the Cisco Unified Communications architecture and design covering mobility, presence, and TelePresence applications.
The CCNA Voice certification is earned by passing the 640-460 IIUC (Implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications) or 642-436 CVOICE (Cisco Voice Over IP) exams.
- CCNA Wireless
The CCNA Wireless certification validates the knowledge of professionals supporting wireless LANs including Networking Associates/Administrators, Wireless Support Specialists and WLAN project managers. The CCNA Wireless certification involves implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials.
The CCNA Wireless Certification validates candidate's skills in the configuration, implementation and support of wireless LANs, specifically those networks using Cisco equipment. Students completing the recommended Cisco training are provided with information and practice activities to prepare them for configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting basic tasks of a Cisco WLAN in SMB and Enterprise networks. Employers will be able to validate their staff have the skills needed for basic wireless networking on a Cisco WLAN in SMB and enterprise networks after completing certification.
The CCNA Wireless certification is earned by passing the 640-721 IUWNE (Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials) exam.
CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate)
CCDA certified people can design switched or routed networks of LANs, WANs, and various dial services.
A CCNA certification is not required to take the CCDA exam (640-863 DESGN), but Cisco recommends being familiar with CCNA-level material, as well as BCMSN-level knowledge of Cisco-based LANs.
Professional certifications
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification validates knowledge and skills required to install, configure and troubleshoot converged local and wide area networks with 100 to 500 or more end devices. A valid CCNA certification is required to obtain and maintain a CCNP certification.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
The CCNP is considered proof of having the ability to work with medium-sized networks with technology such as QoS, broadband, VPNs, and security-minded features. In addition to CCNA exams, professionals must pass either four separate exams, or a composite exam along with two separate exams.
- 642-901 BSCI: Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI)
- 642-812 BCMSN: Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN)
- 642-825 ISCW: Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks (ISCW)
- 642-845 ONT: Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks (ONT)
The BSCI and BCMSN tests can be taken as one single composite test known as the 642-892 Composite
Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
The CCDP certification is an advanced network design certification validating knowledge of Cisco devices and the way to interconnect them. Active CCNA, and CCDA certifications are required to earn this certification. There are two exams in common between the CCNP and CCDP (642-901 BSCI & 642-812 BCMSN) so that a CCNP and CCDA certified person can attain CCDP certification by passing a single test (642-873 ARCH).
Required Exams:
- 642-901 BSCI: Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI)
- 642-812 BCMSN: Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN)
- 642-873 ARCH: Designing Cisco Network Service Architecture
OR
- 642-892 Composite (BSCI and BCMSN)
- 642-873 ARCH: Designing Cisco Network Service Architecture
Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)
The CCIP certification is a professional certification covering the end-to-end protocols used in large scale networks.
To attain this certification tests must be passed in the areas of routing, BGP, MPLS, Quality of service and the routing exam from the CCNP track (642-901 BSCI).
Required Exams:
- 642-901 BSCI: Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI)
- 642-642 QOS: Quality of Service
- 642-611 MPLS: Implementing Cisco MPLS
- 642-661 BGP: Configuring BGP on Cisco Routers
There are two composite exams that can be done in place some of the above.
- 642-691 BGP+MPLS: BGP + MPLS Exam (composite in place of 642-611 + 642-661)
- 642-892 BSCI+BCMSN: Routing + Switching Exam (composite in place of 642-901)
Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)
The CCSP certification is an advanced network security certification. Candidates for the certification are tested for advanced knowledge of various Cisco security products.
To attain this certification several tests must be passed in the areas of VPN, IDS, PIX firewall, Secure IOS, the Cisco SAFE, as well as having a CCNA or higher level certification (e.g. CCNP or CCIP).
The common practice is to take four exams, one of which is selected from a list of electives.
Required Exams:
- 642-504 SNRS: Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches
- 642-524 SNAF: Securing Networks with ASA Foundation
- 642-533 IPS: Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System
And one of the following:
- 642-591 CANAC: Implementing Cisco NAC Appliance
- 642-545 MARS: Implementing Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System
- 642-515 SNAA: Securing Networks with ASA Advanced
Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP)
The CCVP is a certification covering all aspects of IP Telephony/VOIP networks and applications.
To attain this certification, five tests must be passed in the areas of Quality of service, Cisco VoIP, IP Telephony Troubleshooti
Cisco Career Certifications - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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