Cisco Certifications
Overview
Cisco certifications are, in turn, certifications in the field of networking issued by Cisco. Without networking equipment, no information technology (IT) sector will operate. The devices may be of different kinds, which we will discuss later. Cisco certification establishes different levels of networking expertise. In the networking sector, job levels are specified based on these certifications.
Cisco Certifications is a set of Cisco certifications. Cisco Systems, founded in 1984 by two computer scientists in San Jose, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley, is an American multinational technology conglomerate. Cisco is a high-tech firm that develops, manufactures, and distributes networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and other high-tech services and products.
Cisco Systems Inc. specializes in networking and communications products and services. The company’s most well-known products are its business routing and switching products, which direct data, voice, and video traffic across networks all over the world. Cisco also offers tools for storage networking, unified communications, telepresence, and collaboration (WebEx), as well as a range of services ranging from simple product support to complete data centre and cloud management solutions. Cisco certifications, as an industry leader, can be a valuable tool for professionals looking to break into the computer business, as they cover a wide range of networking topics and can train you for a variety of roles.
Cisco has identified five different levels for networking professionals. Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect are the five levels of qualification. Any professional area will recognize these five levels of Cisco certification. Also, nine distinct fields are identified in the field of information technology. For Cisco certification, each of these nine fields has the same five levels. Routing and switching, industrial, design, wireless, service provider, cloud, data centre, collaboration, and security are the nine disciplines.
Different Variants of Cisco Certifications including CCNA Certification
Primary Cisco Certification
Primary Cisco certifications begin with the fundamentals of networking. Cisco Accredited Entry Level Technician is the first basic qualification (CCENT). The Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) certification is another choice. The CCENT Accredited person possesses the abilities of an entry-level network engineer. Networking careers begin with these two key certifications. Cisco Trained Technicians at the entry-level are capable of diagnosing, restoring, repairing, and replacing essential Cisco networking and system equipment at customer sites.
Associate Certification
You must have entry-level Cisco certifications to receive any associate credential. As previously mentioned, the entry-level certifications are CCENT and CCT. An individual at the associate level can effectively manage a network. There are various levels of associate certification for each of the nine types of fields. You must have the associate-level Cisco qualification to obtain any Professional level credential. It is entirely up to the consumer to choose the type of field he desires. There are various associate certifications for different types of fields.
Professional Certification
Technical certifications are a form of Cisco certification that is more advanced. These certifications are more difficult to obtain than associate-level certifications. Skilled level applies to networking abilities that are more advanced. Please visit the Cisco website for more information on technical certifications.
Expert Certification
The expert tier of Cisco certifications includes the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications, as well as their variants. Any WAN establishment will benefit from the expert Cisco certification. He is capable of identifying the top echelon of global internetworking experts. The most prestigious network certifications in the world are expert certifications.
Architect Cisco Certification
The highest degree of Cisco certification is Cisco Accredited Architect. This Cisco certification is something that any inter-networking professional aspires to achieve. CCNA accredited professionals can manage and configure inter-networking devices in any private IT project. After passing the CCNA exam, job placement is guaranteed. In the field of information technology networking, the CCNA qualification is the most well-known.
Many people aspire to become CCNA certified. To obtain a CCNA certification, you do not need a bachelor’s degree. Many people start their careers in networking by receiving a Cisco certification. CCNA certification is also a prerequisite for Cisco technical certifications.
Cisco developed certification programmes to help IT professionals deploy and manage Cisco technology. There are four or five levels of certification (path to network designers): Entry (CCENT), Associate (CCNA/CCDA), Professional (CCNP/CCDP), Expert (CCIE/CCDE), and recently Architect (CCAr: CCDE previous), as well as nine different technical paths: Routing & Switching, Design, Industrial Network, Network Security, Service Provider, Service Provider Operations, and Storage Network. The right Cisco course for you is decided by your preferences, level of experience, and career goals. The two most popular certification paths are network and software creation.
Regardless of where you start, the courses and tracks are built to help you develop your Cisco skills. You can select from admission, associate, technical, specialist, or upstream certificates. Each level has one or more certifications available. In general, a certification needs one or more examinations. The majority of Cisco tests are administered by Pearson VUE. Candidates must also demonstrate that they meet the prerequisites for higher levels of education. The higher your certification level, the more certificates and requirements you’ll have to meet. Cisco has worked hard to develop several certifications that cover everything you may want to know about networking.
Cisco is redeveloping training and certification systems in preparation for the industry’s main positions for teachers, engineers, and software developers, thanks to today’s dynamical IT technology. Cisco Certification is divided into several types depending on the level of expertise gained during the certification process.
Entry Level
The starting point for people interested in a career as a networking professional. Certifications within Cisco’s portfolio include the following certifications for Entry Level:
Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)
CCENT will help you to maintain, resolve problems and manage systems on smaller or larger networks.
Cisco Certification Technician (CCT)
A CCT qualification enables you to operate at customer locations on-site and to provide network maintenance and replacement to guarantee the smooth operation of your network equipment.
CCT Data Center
Required Exam: 010-151 DCTECH
CCT Routing and Switching
Required Exam: 100-490 RSTECH
Associate Level
Master the fundamentals for a fulfilling career and broaden your prospects with cutting-edge technology. Cisco offers two separate Associate level certifications. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) could be the next steps in your network journey (CCDA).
CCNA focuses on basic network installation, support, and troubleshooting for wired and wireless networks. A CCNA certification can be used on a variety of tracks, including management of Switching & Routing and Data Center.
CCDA is in charge of designing, constructing, and certifying Cisco Voice wired and wireless networks. Before taking the certification and passing a single additional examination, you must have a valid CCENT, CCNA Routing & Switch, or CCIE certification.
Cisco’s credential portfolio comprises the following Associate Level certifications:
CCNA
Required Exam: 200-301 CCNA
Cisco Certified DevNet Associate
Required Exam: 200-901 DEVASC
Cisco Certified Cyber OpsAssociate
Required Exam: 200-201 CBROP
Professional Level
To tailor your certification level, choose a core technology course and a focused exam. As you progress through the Cisco professional certifications, the difficulty of each test begins to rise quickly. Cisco Certified Professional Network (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) are professional certifications for Cisco that require further examinations at other levels than certificates.
CCNP, like CCNA, comes with a variety of tracks from which to choose. CCNP is a step toward a Cisco Internetwork Expert-certified certification that trains professionals in the planning, execution, and resolution of problems for local and wide-ranging networks.
To make the best step before taking a design expert’s test, CCDP teaches professionals how to design and deploy scalable and multi-layer networks.
Cisco’s credential portfolio comprises the following Technical Level certifications:
Cisco Certified DevNet Professional
Required Exams:
Core exam: 350-901 DEVCOR
Concentration exam
Choose one: 300-435 ENAUTO, 300-835 CLAUTO, 300-635 DCAUTO, 300-535 SPAUTO, 300-735 SAUTO, 300-910 DEVOPS, 300-915 DEVIOT, 300-920 DEVWBX
CCNP Enterprise
Required Exams:
Core exam: 350-401 ENCOR
Concentration exam
Choose one: 300-410 ENARSI, 300-415 ENSDWI, 300-420 ENSLD, 300-425 ENWLSD, 300-430 ENWLSI, 300-435 ENAUTO
CCNP Collaboration
Required Exams:
Core exam: 350-801 CLCOR
Concentration exam
Choose one: 300-810 CLICA, 300-815 CLACCM, 300-820 CLCEI, 300-835 CLAUTO
CCNP Data Center
Required Exams:
Core exam: 350-601 DCCOR
Concentration exam
Choose one: 300-610 DCID, 300-615 DCIT, 300-620 DCACI, 300-625 DCSAN, 300-635 DCAUTO
CCNP Security
Required Exams:
Core exam: 350-701 SCOR
Concentration exam
Choose one: 300-710 SNCF, 300-715 SISE, 300-720 SESA, 300-725 SWSA, 300-730 SVPN, 300-735 SAUTO
CCNP Service Provider
Required Exam:
Core exam: 350-501 SPCOR
Concentration exam (choose one): 300-510 SPRI, 300-515 SPVI, 300-535 SPAUTO
Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional Required Exam:
Core exam: 350-201 CBRCOR
Concentration exam: 300-215 CBRFIR
Expert Level
This is the most widely recognised certification in the technology industry. For several practitioners, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) and Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) are the next steps (CCDE). As a Network Specialist, you can be identified by these qualifications.
A CCIE certificate would dramatically boost your career chances. Cisco’s technical tracks, including Collaboration, Data Center, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Providers, and Wireless, as well as CCNA and CCNP, are covered in the CCIE.
CCDE offers you the expertise to develop infrastructure projects for broad business environments, covering all aspects of such a project.
Certifications within Cisco’s portfolio include the following certifications for Expert Level:
CCDE
Required Exams: 352-001 CCDE Written Exam, CCDE Practical Exam
CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
Required Exams: ENCOR 350-401, CCIE Routing and Switching lab, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0 lab
CCIE Enterprise Wireless
Required Exams: ENCOR 350-401, CCIE Wireless v3.1 lab, CCIE Enterprise Wireless v1.0 lab
CCIE Collaboration
Required Exams: CLCOR 350-801, CCIE Collaboration v2.0 lab, CCIE Collaboration v3.0 lab
CCIE Data Center
Required Exams: DCCOR 350-601, CCIE Data Center v2.0 lab, CCIE Data Center v3.0 lab
CCIE Security
Required Exams: SCOR 350-701, CCIE Security v5.0 lab, CCIE Security v6.0 lab
CCIE Service Provider
Required Exams: SPCOR 350-501, CCIE Service Provider v4.0 lab, CCIE Service Provider v5.0 lab
Architect Level
The highest level of accreditation is possible, and it recognises network designers’ architectural abilities. The Cisco Architect Certified (CCAr) is the most advanced Cisco certification currently available. This is one of the most difficult certifications available today, granting you the ability to design and construct corporate networks in response to the needs of a specific organisation. In comparison to other Cisco certificates, you will be required to build a model network based on one piece of training work before submitting it to an official Cisco panel. With this certification, you’ll be qualified to work as a full-fledged network architect.
CCAr
Required Exam: CCAr Board Exam
Training & Resources
Cisco has a comprehensive list of self-study training tools and services. These resources include a range of online learning methods, practical exams, research labs, and links on each credential’s website. Exam topics, live seminars, videos of IT training, research groups, forums, study materials, and more are all available via the Cisco Learning Network. Professionals should subscribe to the Cisco Platinum Learning Library for on-demand learning and access to more than 400 courses, realistic vlabs, support books, and more. Additional educational materials are also available from Cisco Press.
Advantages of Cisco Certification
Cisco certifications have many advantages for those who choose to work with Cisco products. Cisco is a network services pioneer, with both large and small businesses relying on their network equipment and applications. Cisco products have the advantage of being frequently updated with constant updates, allowing them to perform better than rival products.
Since so many businesses can use these goods and services, understanding knowledge related to Cisco networks is a major benefit when searching for jobs. Of course, general network knowledge is valuable, but advanced knowledge of CISCO products, with their vast array of network resources and choices, can be a powerful selling point for IT job seekers.
Proven Skills Mastery
Cisco certification demonstrates to prospective employers that you have mastered the skills necessary to deploy, run, and troubleshoot a Cisco network. Tiny networks are covered by the CCENT certification, while medium-sized networks are covered by the CCNA certification.
Advanced Certifications as a stepping stone
As they gain experience, most IT professionals hope to become team leaders or progress to more senior positions. The CCENT and CCNA certifications are prerequisites for advanced and specialist level Cisco certifications, which may lead to new opportunities in the future.
Higher Earnings Potential
IT professionals with certifications receive higher average salaries than those without certification. Salaries are highly individualised and based on many complex variables, but IT professionals with certifications earn higher average salaries than those without certification. The CCNA certification, according to CIO, could earn IT professionals 8-13 % more than they would without it.
Great Acceptability
Cisco is a well-known brand in the IT world. It’s well-known all over the world for not just the comprehensive platform it provides, but also for the incredible features that have made IT simpler for companies. As a result, someone who has been qualified and certified to use the platform and features will undoubtedly receive the same level of care. Candidate awareness is supported by Cisco teaching. When you have your credential, you should put it on your resume to illustrate that you have the technical expertise to work with complex networking models. It also lets you increase your chances of landing a job in the Cisco networking sector. Since the market is always changing, certifications must evolve as well.
A Prerequisite for Future Certification
The CCNA is a requirement for most technical and expert-level Cisco certifications. Only after you have earned your CCNA may you pursue other Cisco certifications. If you want to finish the Cisco programme, you must carefully plan your moves. If you have a valid CCNA certification, you can also enrol for another Cisco certification. So, don’t let the passing of time rob you of this chance.