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Cisco CCNP Data Center certification

Certification: Cisco CCNP Data Center - Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center

Certification Overview

Cisco certification is very popular in the field of modern IT computer network systems. A Cisco certified engineer is highly valued in the workplace. They are considered experts in the respective fields. Cisco offers certification courses in four levels: entry, associate, professional and expert level. Cisco CCNP certification is a professional level certification. This certification is offered in seven fields of specialization, which includes: CCNP Routing and Switching, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Security, CCNP Service Provider, CCNP Service Provider Operations, CCNP Voice and CCNP Wireless certification. CCNP Routing and Switching is considered the core certification.

CCNP Data Center certification demonstrates skills and knowledge for data center installation, design and maintenance. This certification will be useful for technology architects and design engineers as they will be able to perform the task efficiently and effectively. The CCNP Data Center certification allows the candidates to select a specific field of the subject area that matches with his/her current job role. Cisco certification is considered the leader in the field of data center and Cisco is expert in dealing with implementation and managing various networks of data center.

Who need to do this certification?

This certification is ideal for Data Center Architects, Data Center Engineers and Network Engineers. This certification is most appropriate for those professionals who want to progress in the field of data center.

Benefits

Cisco is very renowned for its networking certifications. CCNP Data Center certification is globally accredited and so employers continuously seek individuals who have this certification. These certified professionals have proven record of being very efficient and skilled. They give better investment returns to the companies they work for. Employers now understand the value of certified professionals and so are increasing hiring these professionals rather than the non certified professionals. This certification can lead to increased salary and promotion. It also creates opportunity for higher level certifications.

Associated Exams

The candidates need to pass four exams in order to obtain the CCNP Data Center certification. First the candidates need to sit for the 642-999 DCUCI exam and the 642-999 DCU FI exam. These are in the fields of Implementing Data Center Unified Computing and Unified Fabric, respectfully. Next, the candidates need to pass either of the two sets of exams: 642-998 DCUCD exam and 642-996 DCUFD exam or 642-035 DCUCT exam and 642-980 DCUFT exam. The first two are Designing Data Center Unified Computing and Unified Fabric, respectfully. The second set is on Troubleshooting Data Center Unified Computing and Unified Fabric, respectfully.

Prerequisites

For obtaining CCNP Data Center certification, candidates must pass CCNA Data Center certification. A Cisco CCIE certification in any discipline can also act as a prerequisite to the CCNP Data Center certification.

Examination Overview

Four exams must be passed in order to by Cisco CCNP Data Center certified. The 642-999 DCUCI exam examines the candidate’s knowledge on implementing unified computing of Data Center. The topics that are covered in the exam are: implementing C-Series standalone configuring UCS connectivity of B-Series, managing UCS B-Series, virtualization features of servers, etc.The 642-997 DCUFI exam judges the candidate’s skills and knowledge in implementing architecture of Data Center Unified Fabric. Other issus like security, high availability, management and virtualization is also covered. The 642-998 DCUCD exam examines the candidate’s competency in designing server virtualization concepts, including reliability, performance, scalability and management issues. The 642-996 DCUFD demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge on designing solutions on Data Center Unified Fabric. This includes topics like routing protocols, network topologies, concepts of traffic design, storage architectures, etc. Issues like scalability, security, etc. are also included. The 642-035 demonstrates the candidate’s troubleshooting knowledge on virtual environment, including network and storage connectivity, booting issues, installation, BIOS, etc. The 642-980 exam tests the candidate's skills in troubleshooting domain of Unified Fabric, connectivity issues, storage issues, etc.

Validity of Certification

The Cisco CCNP Data Center certification will remain valid for three years. After that recertification must be done using one of the following ways:

  • Passing any 642 coded professional level exam or 300 coded professional level exam, or
  • Passing any CCIE exam, or
  • Passing CCDE written exam or CCDE lab exam, or
  • Passing CCAr interview and CCAr board review

Expert Review

We chose the CCNP Data Center credential as the best fit for this top five list because it hits the sweet spot in terms of warranting an IT professional's knowledge and understanding of Cisco's storage networking products and platforms in a data center context.

Mary Kyle,

CCNP certified