Cisco CCNA certifications

Certification: Cisco CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate

Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA) is an entry-level credential specially designed for professionals who want to pursue career in the field of networking. The CCNA certification is designed to test the fundamental skills and knowledge in installing and supporting small to medium sized networks. The following topics are covered in the CCNA certification exam:

• Design of LAN and WAN, and the OSI model
• Routing protocols and routers which includes EIGRP, OSPF and RIP)
• IP addressing
• Virtual LAN (VLAN) and Wireless LAN (WLAN)
• Security and management of networks, which includes ACLs

Cisco has designed separate CCNA cert and exam for the various specialized areas of computer networking. The specific CCNA certs are:CCNA Routing and Switching, CCNA Data Center, CCNA Security, CCNA Service Provider, CCNA Service Provider Operations, CCNA Video, CCNA Voice, and CCNA Wireless.

The Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching certification covers complete networking concepts starting from network applications to protocols and other advanced applications. This certification allows candidates to have practical experience as well. The CCNA Data Center certification tests the candidate’s knowledge on design, maintenance and implementation of data center. CCNA Security certification validates the candidates’ skills in working with security of Cisco networks which includes designing security infrastructure, identifying threats, etc.

CCNA Service Provider certification demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge on configuring and troubleshooting Cisco Service Provider networks. Cisco Service Provider Operations certification judges the candidate’s basic understanding of troubleshooting core network framework. CCNA Video certification is very demanding for professionals who want to specialize in the audiovisual and VoIP networking environment. The Cisco CCNA Voice certification tests the candidates’ knowledge and skills in various voice technologies. CCNA Wireless certification validates the candidates’ knowledge and skills in configuring and monitoring various wireless LANs.

CCNA certifications provide opportunity for a variety of job roles, which includes:

• Junior Network Administrator
• Network Engineer
• Network Analyst
• Network Programmer
• Network Manager
• Network Technician

Cisco CCNA certification is very valuable in the IT industry. Employers are continuously looking to hire certified professionals who have expert technical knowledge in respective networking fields. CCNA certifications thus give recognition, higher salary and better job prospect. CCNA certification opens opportunity to pursue higher certifications like CCNP and CCIE.

The CCNA certification exam generally has no prerequisites; however, Cisco offers various training programs to help candidates prepare for the exam. Cisco highly recommends that candidates participate in these training programs before attending the exam. Validity of the CCNA certification is three years. Recertification is required after the validity period.

Required exams: The candidates need to pass a written CCNA exam for obtaining the CCNA certification. These exams are require extensive preparation and so taking the training programs offered by Cisco are recommended. Candidates need to successfully pass the CCNA exam in order to receive the CCNA certification.

Required courses: There is no mandatory CCNA certification training program that the candidates need to take for attaining the CCNA certification. Cisco recommends training programs for each area of specialization. The CCNA syllabus is very extensive; as a result CCNA certification training can be very useful.

Study materials: The syllabus for the CCNA certification program gives the list of topics to be covered in the exam. Candidates must first review the list and set a self target to complete the syllabus well before the exam. Candidates must focus on the areas they are weak at. Practice exams are great way to identify one’s weaknesses. As CCNA certification deals with technical subjects, continuous learning and experimenting is necessary in order to do well in the CCNA exam. The candidates must get familiarized with Cisco equipments as much as possible before the actual exam. A number of study materials are available which are very useful for the CCNA exam. These include various CCNA certification books, CCNA practice tests which are identical to the actual CCNA tests, various e-learning resources, etc. You can get a CCNA certification kit in the market which may become your comprehensive guide to the CCNA certification exam. CCNA study guide provides various tips which are very useful in passing the CCNA certification exam. Tips and information regarding the CCNA certification exam can be found online as well. Various forums and discussion boards are also available online to guide the candidates. Irrespective of everything, the candidate must find sufficient time to study and get prepared for the exam.