CCNP
This updates my article at:

CCNP for Not Yet Techies

Cisco Certified Network Professional is a "Professional"
level Cisco certification. This places it between the
beginning CCNA and the advanced CCIE.

Subjects emphasized by it include:

Security
Converged networks
Quality of service (QoS)
Virtual private networks (VPN)
Broadband technologies

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a
prerequisite to taking the CCNP exams.
Cisco again complicates things by giving
you the choice of beginning with one exam or two.

The one exam (composite) is:

642-891 Composite

This test lasts 120 minutes and has 80-90 questions.

The two exams are:

642-801 BSCI

This exam lasts 75-90 minutes and is
55-65 questions.

642-811 BCMSN

This test lasts 75-90 minutes and is
60-70 questions.

Then, you must take and pass these two exams:

642-821 BCRAN -- Building Cisco Remote
Access Networks

This tests last 75-90 minutes and has
60-70 questions.

642-831 CIT -- Cisco Internetwork Troubleshooting

This tests last 75 minutes and has 55-65 questions.

This certification is good for three years - then you
must be recertified.

For more information:

Cisco Certified Network Professional
- posted by RickStooker @ 12:10 PM (0) comments

 
CCNA
This updates my article at:

CCNA for Not Yet Techies

The Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA)
certification is still the foundation, beginning certification.
It and the CCDA are the two Cisco Associate-level
credentials, they have no prerequisites.

You can get CCNA by either taking one comprehensive
exam which will cover all required topics -- or by taking
two separate exams where the required topics are split
up between the two exams.

I'm not sure what the point of doing it this way is.
I guess it makes it easier for people who are intimidated at
trying to remember everything at one time. They can split
up their learning, as long as they're willing to pay for an extra test.

The one test is:

1. 640-801 CCNA

This lasts 90 minutes and contains 55-65 questions.

The two tests are:

1. 640-821 INTRO

This lasts 75 minutes and contains 45-55 questions.

2. 640-811 ICND

This lasts 60 minutes and contains 40-50 questions.

The CCNA is good for three years. After that, you must
be recertified.

For more information:

Cisco Certified Network Associate
- posted by RickStooker @ 10:09 AM (0) comments

 
CCIE
This updates my article at:

CCIE for Not Yet Techies

Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) is
still the premier Cisco certification. As these credentials
go, it's fairly old -- 11 years now, which means it predates
the certification fashion.

It is well recognized as one of the most widely respected
in the networking industry. Unlike the MCSE, which
has been diluted by the emphasis placed on it as an
entry-level certification even though Microsoft did not
intend for that, the CCIE is still reserved for
accomplished professionals.

Its hands on exam requires practical experience as well
as book learning. Less than 3% of people who hold other
Cisco certifications attain the CCIE, keeping it at an elite
level despite its growing popularity.

Although Cisco gives out less advanced certifications such
as Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA), you are
not required to obtain this before shooting for the CCIE.
However, they do recommend that you have at least 3-5
years of work experience in the field first.

Certification Magazine conducted a survey which found
that the CCIE was the most highly paid credential in the
industry. CCIE holders earned an average of $96,870 a year.

There are now 4 CCIE tracks:

Routing and SwitchingService ProviderSecurityVoice

For each track, you must first pass a written exam,
then a practical laboratory problem.

All written exams are two hours long and consist of
multiple choice questions.

The written exam for Routing and Switching covers networking
theory, including IP, IP routing, non-IP desktop protocols,
bridging and switch-related technologies.

You have seven choices for the written exam for Service Provider:

Cable
Dial
DSL
IP Telephony
Optical
WAN
Switching Content Networking

Half of each exam covers IP routing and switching,
and the other half is on the chosen speciality.

The written exams for both the Security and
Voice tracks are both two hours long and
consist of multiple choice questions.

The hands on laboratory exams for all four tracks
are eight hour tests that simulate real life situations
and problems you must find and correct. You
must score at least 80% to pass.

To retain your CCIE credential, you are required
to pass one CCIE test every two years.

For more information:

Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert

- posted by RickStooker @ 8:42 AM (0) comments

 
CCDP
This updates my article at:

CCDP for Not Yet Techies

The Cisco career path (or track) which requires the
Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) is now
called theNetwork Engineering and Design track.
The CCDP is the Professional, final, level.

According to Cisco, the CCDP must have the ability
to design routed and switched networks of LAN,
WAN and dial access services.

The first level of this track is still the Cisco Certified
Design Associate (CCDA) certification, and this is a
prerequisite to taking the CCDP exams. So is the Cisco
Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) credential.

The tests are:

1. 642-801 BSCI -- Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI)
2. 642-811 BCMSN -- Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN)
3. 642-871 ARCH -- Designing Cisco Network Architectures (ARCH)

These tests run from 75 to 90 minutes and contain 55 to 70
questions.

OR

1. 642-891 Composite -- Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks
(BSCI) and Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN)

This test takes 2 hours and contains 80 to 90 questions.

2. 642-871 ARCH -- Desiging Cisco Network Architectures (ARCH)

The CCDP certification is good for three years, then you must get
recertified.

To learn more go to:

Cisco Certified Design Professional
- posted by RickStooker @ 8:39 AM (0) comments