Cisco CCNA Certifications Exams

Vendor: Cisco

Certification overview

The Cisco CCNA certifications are considered as the second level of the Cisco career certifications since they rank after the CCIE certifications. The CCNA certifications are fundamental because they basically validate the individual's ability in the following areas: installation, configuration, operation and troubleshooting of routed networks that are both switched and medium sized. Apart from there being generalized information about these certifications there is specified information that entirely depends on the type of the CCNA certification. For instance, the Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching certification is categorized as one of the designated certifications in that the candidates who opt for them as the first choice advance to the next levels quite easily.

The Cisco CCNA certifications are always valid for a period of three years before recertification. The process of recertification involves sitting for the latest exams in the category or opting for more advanced levels. The significance is to ensure that candidates are continually informed on the changes and advancements that occur. The entry level certification ensures that the candidates understand the verification of different IT systems popularly referred to as the WAN. It is therefore simple to obtain the CCNA certifications since there are several CCNA training facilities that are available. The CCNA training facilities ensure that the candidates obtain the required knowledge and skills that is core to tackle and pass the required exams. Moreover getting CCNA training is fundamental because it ensures that individuals understand the domains that relate to the server and other desktop tools.

There are several benefits with regards to the CCNA certification. The candidates are assured of obtaining jobs in the best IT firms. In addition, with proper CCNA training in the following areas; switching protocols, the referencing of most of the protocols that are affected by the networking system and the connectivity of those protocols, give one the opportunity to explore other certifications that are of advanced levels. The CCNA video certification for instance ensures that the individuals obtain skills and knowledge with regards to operation, installation and configuration of the CCNP Video NETWORKS.

On successful completion of the exams the candidates get the opportunity of working as:

• Web designers
• Network administrators
• Network managers
• Service administrators
• Service providers
• Network advisors

The candidates also get the opportunity of advancing to the higher levels of the Cisco certifications. It is therefore fundamental to understand and pass the exams in order to rise up the job ladder. The CCNA Certifications ensure that there is better management of the IT services in a friendlier environment.

There are no prerequisites for most of the CCNA certifications though there are exceptions. If one opts for the Cisco CCNA certification for example, they are required to have the basic CCIE certifications and the CCNP Routing and Switching certification. The importance of these requirements is to ensure that the candidates understand the basic operation of the Cisco routers and switches and their related networking services.

Required exams

In order to earn the CCNA certifications, it is important to understand the basics of the certification and this can be confidently earned by ensuring that the candidates obtain the CCNA training. Some of the popular approaches towards obtaining sufficient training include the CCNA online training, the CCNA training videos that can readily be downloaded or purchased in most of the Cisco outlets. The candidates can also obtain the information with regards to the CCNA certification by attending boot camps. Generally, the candidates are required to pass two tests the ICND1 and the ICND2 that ensure the candidates understand the basics of the CCNA certification.

Required courses

The CCNA certifications are preferred by most of the IT professionals since there are no obligatory courses that they are required to undertake. The candidates are encouraged to take the CCIE certifications in order to familiarize themselves with the actual contents of the CCNA certifications. In addition it is advantageous for candidates who have prior knowledge on the networking services.

Study materials

There are lots of study materials that an individual obtain in order to prepare for the CCNA exams. Most of the study materials are popularly obtained from the CCNA training sessions. Other study materials can be obtained online or through purchasing them from appropriate bookstores worldwide. Some of the popular study materials include the CCNA handbook that contains all the contents of the syllabus and several practice questions that prepare the candidates for the actual exams.