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Cisco CCNA

Certification: Cisco CCNA - Cisco Certified Network Associate

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) provides basic knowledge and skills of networking. Cisco provides network certification in five levels: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architecture. CCNA is the associate level certification. The Cisco CCNA certification is taken as the industry standard for the field of networking. CCNA certified professionals are able to install, operate and configure LAN, WAN, and other small networks using various protocols like IP, Serial, IGRP, VLANs, RIP, Ethernet, etc. Cisco CCNA certification is available in the following areas of specialization:

  • CCNA Routing and Switching
  • CCNA Data Center
  • CCNA Security
  • CCNA Service Provider
  • CCNA Service Provider Operations
  • CCNA Video
  • CCNA Voice
  • CCNA Wireless

CCNA Routing and Switching certification demonstrates the candidates’ capability to install, operate, configure and troubleshoot medium-sized networks. CCNA Data Center certification is a role focused training for network professionals. This certification addresses design, maintenance and implementation of data center. CCNA Security certification proves the candidates’ skills and knowledge in securing Cisco networks. The candidates must be able to build a security infrastructure, identify threats, validates associate-level knowledge and skills required to secure Cisco networks. With a CCNA Security certification, a network professional demonstrates the skills required to develop a security infrastructure, recognize threats on networks, and reduce those threats.

CCNA Service Provider certification is suitable for network engineers who concentrate on modern Service Provider technologies. The candidates appearing for this certification must have the skills and knowledge to configure, operate and troubleshoot Cisco Service Provider networks. Cisco Service Provider Operations certification demonstrates fundamental knowledge in troubleshooting core network framework. CCNA Video certification allows audiovisual professionals to upgrade their skills in Video-over-IP video network-oriented environment. The Cisco CCNA Voice certification tests the candidates’ skills in voice technologies like IP PBX, call control, IP telephony, and other VoIP technologies. Voice and networking professionals with CCNA Voice certification can also benefit from this training and extend their career into video networking. CCNA Wireless certification tests the candidates’ skills in configuring and monitoring wireless LANs having Cisco equipment.

Being Cisco CCNA certified, professionals can get opportunities in following job roles, depending on the area of specialization:

  • Network Specialists
  • Network Administrators
  • Network Support Engineers
  • Voice Technology Administrator
  • Voice Engineers

Passing a Cisco CCNA exam will give you great satisfaction and your resume will look more attractive to the employers. There will be more promising job opportunities with higher salary. According to a survey, certified professionals usually get 5% to 15% more salary than the non certified professionals.

Most of the Cisco CCNA certification has no formal prerequisites; however, it is recommended that the candidates must have one to three years of relevant job experience before attending the Cisco CCNA exam. CCNA Security, CCNA Service Provider Operations, CCNA Voice and CCNA Wireless certifications require that the candidate should have a CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching or a CCIE certification before attending these respective fields.

Required exams: The candidates need to pass a written exam in order to be Cisco CCNA certified. These exams are quite tough, so extensive preparation is needed before attempting the exam. Once you pass the exam, you will become a CCNA certified professional.

Required courses: There is no compulsory CCNA course or CCNA training program that the candidates have to take for the CCNA certification. CCNA recommends training programs for each area of specialization. The CCNA syllabus is very vigorous and thus CCNA training can be very useful. However, Cisco offers a number of training programs which the candidates might attend in order to prepare for the exam.

Study materials: Candidates can take the help of various study materials that are available in the market. These include various CCNA books, CCNA notes, CCNA practice test, mock tests which are identical to the actual CCNA test, CCNA dumps, and a number of e-learning resources. Candidates can get access to all these are available in the Cisco Learning Network Resources website. CCNA study guide provides various tips which are very useful in passing the CCNA exam. CCNA study guide also includes CCNA questions and the respective CCNA answers to familiarize candidates with the CCNA exam. CCNA practice exam is an excellent way to find one’s areas of weakness. CCNA PDF information bulletin is also available which provides useful information about the CCNA exam.