Cisco Certifications
| Access Routing and LAN Switching Access Routing and LAN Switching | Cable Communications Cable Communications |
| CCDA Cisco Certified Design Associate | CCDP Cisco Certified Design Professional |
| CCIE Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert | CCIP Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional |
| CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate | CCNP Cisco Certified Network Professional |
| CCNP Old | CCSP Cisco Certified Security Professional |
| CCVP Cisco Certified Voice Professional | Content Networking Content Networking |
| CRMAM CRM Express for Account Managers | CRS Carrier Routing System |
| IP Communications IP Communications | Network Management Network Management |
| Optical Optical | Proctored Exams for Validating Knowledge |
| Sales Sales Expert | Specialist |
| Storage Networking Storage Networking | VPN and Security VPN and Security |
| Wireless LAN Wireless LAN |
Cisco
Cisco Systems is one of the leading manufacturers of network infrastructure equipment and is a major certification vendor in the information technology (IT) field. Cisco certifications are designed for students who design, implement, maintain, secure and troubleshoot network and multi-service network infrastructures based on Ciscos hardware solutions, as well as Cisco Channel Partners and Resellers who sell Cisco network, network security and multi-service network infrastructure solutions.
Available Cisco Certifications
The Certifications for Cisco are varied and includes general and specialized certifications. The general certifications are available at three different levels:
- Associate
- Professional
- Expert
The Associate level is a prerequisite for the Professional certifications and has the following certifications:
- Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
The Professional level has the following certifications:
- Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)
- Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP)
The Expert level is the highest attainable level and has the following certifications:
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Routing & Switching
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Security
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Service Provider
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Storage Networking
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Voice
Cisco also offers Specialist certification in specific technology areas. These include:
- Five Access Routing and LAN Switching Specialist Certifications
- One Content Networking Specialist Certifications
- Three Foundation for Channel Partners Specialist Certifications
- Ten IP Communications Specialist Certifications
- One Optical Specialist Certifications
- Three Storage Networking Specialist Certifications
- Seven VPN and Security Specialist Certifications
- Four Wireless LAN Specialist Certifications
Each of these Cisco Certifications has one or more examinations that must be passed.
Cisco Recertification
A successful Cisco Certification student will retain the Cisco certification for two years only, in the case of Specialist certifications, and three years only, in the case of Associate and Professional certifications. After this period the student must recertify their Cisco certification by retaking and passing the current exams for that certification, or by taking and passing the Cisco exams at a higher certification level. The Certified Internetwork Expert certification does not require recertification.
Cisco Examinations
The Cisco examinations vary from one certification to another although some exams are credit towards more than one certification. The examinations also vary in difficulty from one level of certification to the next. These examinations can be approximately between one and two hours long. The prices for these examinations also differ; though most will set you back approximately $125 US per examination for most exams and $300 USD for the CCIE exams. The examinations are usually computer based, proctored and delivered in a secure environment, although certain of the CCIE certifications also have a lab component to its requirements. Registration for Cisco examinations can be done on the Internet or by telephone in the United States and Canada. Alternatively you can visit www.prometric.com to locate your nearest testing center where you can register.
Preparing for a Cisco Certification:
Proper preparation is important for any Cisco certification. There are plenty of Cisco Certification study materials that you can use in preparation for your certification exams. These include the official Cisco Training courses and official Cisco Self Study Training Guides from Cisco Press, as well as Cisco braindumps that are available online. Generally, you should be familiar with the topics tested in the certification exam and should have some hands-on experience to be in good stead for any certification exam.
