Cisco Networking Cisco Networking Certifications & Career PathsCertifications & Career Paths

Associate, Professional & ExpertAssociate, Professional & ExpertMain Paths Linked to SpecialistMain Paths Linked to Specialist

Associate OverviewAssociate Overview

Cisco certification is comprised of three basic tiers: Associate (CCENT & CCNA), Professional (CCNP) & Expert (CCIE). There are many certifications within each tier but to be recognized as in that tier you must possess the main certification of that tier.

CCENT - Cisco Certified Entry CCENT - Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician Networking Technician

The Cisco CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking The Cisco CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician) certification validates the skills required for Technician) certification validates the skills required for entry-level network support positions, the starting point entry-level network support positions, the starting point for many successful careers in networking. Candidates for many successful careers in networking. Candidates should have the knowledge and skill to install, operate should have the knowledge and skill to install, operate and troubleshoot a small enterprise branch network, and troubleshoot a small enterprise branch network, including basic network security. CCENT certification is including basic network security. CCENT certification is the first step toward achieving CCNA, which covers the first step toward achieving CCNA, which covers medium size enterprise branch networks with more medium size enterprise branch networks with more complex connections. complex connections.

Recommended TrainingRecommended TrainingInterconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1ICND1))

CCNA – Cisco Certified Network CCNA – Cisco Certified Network AssociateAssociate

The Cisco CCNA network associate certification validates the ability The Cisco CCNA network associate certification validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks, including implementation and verification of and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. This new curriculum includes connections to remote sites in a WAN. This new curriculum includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills. This new curriculum also includes (but is not limited to) the skills. This new curriculum also includes (but is not limited to) the use of these protocols: IP, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing use of these protocols: IP, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Serial Line Interface Protocol Frame Relay, Protocol (EIGRP), Serial Line Interface Protocol Frame Relay, Routing Information Protocol Version 2 (RIPv2),VLANs, Ethernet, Routing Information Protocol Version 2 (RIPv2),VLANs, Ethernet, access control lists (ACLs) access control lists (ACLs)

Recommended Training Recommended Training Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1ICND1) v1.0) v1.0Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2ICND2) v1.0) v1.0

CCNP – Cisco Certified Network CCNP – Cisco Certified Network ProfessionalProfessional

CCNP certification validates a network professional's ability to CCNP certification validates a network professional's ability to install, configure and troubleshoot converged local and wide area install, configure and troubleshoot converged local and wide area networks with 100 to 500 or more nodes. Network Professionals networks with 100 to 500 or more nodes. Network Professionals who achieve the CCNP have demonstrated the knowledge and who achieve the CCNP have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to manage the routers and switches that form the skills required to manage the routers and switches that form the network core, as well as edge applications that integrate voice, network core, as well as edge applications that integrate voice, wireless, and security into the network. wireless, and security into the network.

Recommended Training Recommended Training Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCIBSCI) ) Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN) Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN) Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks (ISCW) Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks (ISCW) Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks (ONT) Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks (ONT)

CCIE – Cisco Certified Internetwork CCIE – Cisco Certified Internetwork ExpertExpert

For over ten years, CCIE has identified For over ten years, CCIE has identified networking professionals with the highest networking professionals with the highest level of expertise. Less than three percent level of expertise. Less than three percent of all Cisco certified professionals earn of all Cisco certified professionals earn their CCIE. Experience is the best their CCIE. Experience is the best preparation for the hands-on CCIE lab preparation for the hands-on CCIE lab exam. exam.

CCDA – Cisco Certified Design CCDA – Cisco Certified Design AssociateAssociate

The CCDA certification (Cisco Certified Design The CCDA certification (Cisco Certified Design Associate) indicates a foundation or apprentice Associate) indicates a foundation or apprentice knowledge of network design for the Cisco knowledge of network design for the Cisco converged network. CCDA certified converged network. CCDA certified professionals can design routed and switched professionals can design routed and switched network infrastructures and services involving network infrastructures and services involving LAN, WAN, and broadband access for LAN, WAN, and broadband access for businesses and organizations. businesses and organizations.

Recommended Training:Recommended Training: Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions

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