All CCNA certifications: importance, benefits, exams

Certification: Cisco CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate

Cisco CCNA certification is one of the most recognized and authorized networking certification internationally. Globally, Cisco services are being utilized and every organization working under it demands services of professionals who have CCNA certification. CCNA certification validates the skills of an individual regarding the operations of network system. There are three levels of Cisco certifications, entry, associate and expert level. The CCNA exam is the associate level certification which builds a strong foundation of the basic networking concepts. This exam is designed to critically test the skills of individuals at troubleshooting, configuring, operating and installing Cisco network services and products. Thus, the Cisco CCNA credential holders are known to have all the fundamental knowledge about the operations and implementations of Cisco products and services.

Candidates who successfully attain this certification are able to secure high job posts in the network industry. They are automatically eligible and demanded for several important and high paying job roles in the organizations working under a network system. There are number of seats reserved for CCNA holders in IT based organizations. The Cisco CCNA exam is designed and updated with the advance technologies and the current network solutions.

The candidates who have fresh CCNA degree in hand can find better increments and raised positions in the industry. As mentioned above, there are several positions saved for this credential holders, among which are the following:

- Network designers

- Network specialists

- Network engineers

- Network administrators

- Support engineers

- Data center administrators

The basic purpose of this exam is to test a candidate for the skills of operating and implementing the network solutions. It tests the candidates for the required knowledge and concepts about subjects like installation, operation, configuration and troubleshooting solutions of organization branch networks that will range from small to medium size. For the candidate who is able to attain the certification, it is a proof of his/her abilities and understanding of all these subjects. The above mentioned topics are a vast area of knowledge and students opting for this certification must be familiar with the following concepts:

- Identification, recognition and operation of IP data network and network protocols

- The selection of the right network devices

- Verification and configuration of VLANs

- Verification and configuration of network security

- Operation and identification of IPv4 and IPv6

- Routing and switching operations and configuration

- Configuration, verification and identification of WAN technology

- Installation and troubleshooting of routers and switches

Other than that, there are several concepts like understanding of each network solution and product that has been designed by Cisco.

The CCNA certification is based on different related fields and concepts. Under the title of CCNA there are several other fields available that are regarded as the pathways for this certification. Candidates who opt for this exam can select one of the following pathway as a profession or specialization

- CCNA Data center

- CCNA security

- CCNAVideo

- CCNA voice

- CCNA wireless

- CCNA Switching and routing

- CCNA service provider

- CCNA service operation

Each pathway covers a vast area of knowledge and subjects. Candidates who will opt for any of the above mentioned specialization would have to cover the area of knowledge and lab practices based under its title, Other than the basic knowledge of CCNA concepts.

The Cisco CCNA exam is an open exam for which anybody with the foundation level or 12 year of education can apply. However, it has been suggested that candidates should opt for some sort of experience in the IT field to fully experience the complexity and challenging nature of the certification/field.

Required exams:CCNA certification requires no exam. The candidate who applies for this exam must have 12 years of education that is the basic foundation requirement for any degree or certification. The exam is based on a written paper. Individuals who clear this exam can successfully attain the certification.

Required courses:There are no courses required for the exam but it has been recommended by the experts to take the training provided by cisco itself for this exam. The courses that Cisco recommended include the famous ICND exam part 1 and part 2. There are other courses available including the hands on practice lab sessions.

Study materials: Candidates can find several virtual platforms online. There are study materials provided by Cisco itself for the candidates for who apply for this exam. You can find several online resources like books, virtual labs, handouts, old papers, training session, and other CCNA study guide. CCNA study materials are also available on different websites the access of which is provided by Cisco itself.