Want to start your path in IT? Well, firstly you should be familiar with networking. Networking is basically, a tool that enables devices connected to a single network to communicate with each other and also with other networks like the internet. And, if you want to be a pro at networking then earning a CISCO certificate is the right choice to make.
What CISCO Networking Certification Program is?
To earn a certificate for becoming a pro in networking you should have an insight into what CISCO is. CISCO is a leading manufacturer of networking tools, including routers, frame switches, ATM switches, and bridges. CISCO Certified Interwork Expert (CCIE) certifications are the most prestigious ones in the industry. As a CCIE, you are considered an expert in deep technical networking knowledge and are highly valued. Less than 1% of networking professionals worldwide can get a CCIE certification, so as a CCIE you become part of a very exclusive and sought-after group.
It has five levels of certification.
- CISCO’s Entry-level certifications
CISCO has two entry-level certifications, CISCO Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and CISCO Certified Technician (CCT). No prerequisites are demanded as eligibility criteria for CCENT or CCT. Candidates are needed to pass a single exam for earning these certificates.
Experts with CCENT certifications are capable of installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting small networks or enterprise networks. They implement basic network security as well. CCTs are required to work onsite at customer locations, diagnose issues, and repair or replace network-related equipment.
- CISCO’s Associate-Level Certifications
CISCO’s Associate-Level includes the CISCO Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and the CISCO Certified Design Associate (CCDA). One or two exams are must be passed for getting CCNA or CCDA certificate. The CCENT certificate is essential for some associate-level CCNA solution track credentials and the CCDA.
The CCNA familiarizes elementary installation, supporting, and troubleshooting wired and/or wireless networks skills. One can pick from numerous tracks that count Cloud, Collaboration, and Cyber Ops. Moreover, Data Center, Industrial, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless are also present in the list. CCDA was introduced by CISCO to identify people who can design basic wired and wireless networks containing security and voice solutions.
- CISCO’s Professional-level certifications
The two main credentials of CISCO’s professional-level certification are the CISCO Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and the CISCO Certified Design Professional (CCDP). Four exams are needed to be passed to obtain any of the CCNP solution tracks, with the exception of Routing and Switching. CCNP Routing and Switching require only three exams. Prerequisites for all CCNP solution tracks include either the lower-level CCNA credential or any CCIE credential.
The CCNP certification identifies professionals who plot, arrange and troubleshoot local networks as well as wide area networks. Prerequisites for any CCDP are the CCDA and CCNA Routing and Switching certification or any CISCO CCIE or CCDE credentials. The CCDP finds expertise in designing and deploying accessible networks along with multilayer-switched networks.
- CISCO’s Expert-level certifications
CISCO’s Expert-level comprises of two primary certifications that are CISCO Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) and the CISCO Certified Design Expert (CCDE). It’s necessary for the candidates to pass a written exam as well as a practical exam to achieve any of these credentials. Both of them don’t require any prerequisites.
For many network-track experts, achieving the CCIE is like icing on the cake for their career. They have excellent understanding of CISCO network products and solutions of the CCIE technical tracks which takes account of Collaboration, Data Center, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless. The CCDE spotlights the experts who are experts at designing infrastructure solutions for great enterprise settings, which counts the technological, operational, business, and budgeting characteristics of a project.
- CISCO’s Architect-level certifications
For an individual looking for positions such as network architect or data center architect, the best move is to achieve the CISCO Certified Architect (CCAr) certification. The CCAr is just like the Ph.D. of the CISCO Career. CCAr is believed to be the most difficult tech certification to achieve.
To earn the CCDE certification, you have to design a network solution to implement an assigned strategy, then, you need to appear before a panel appointed by CISCO to explain and defend that solution.
Be a pro in networking
Want to be a pro in networking? Searching for a platform to get there? Well, CISCO is probably what you are looking for. CISCO’s certification is considered to be the best amongst all the networking certifications. To be a pro in networking, you need to earn at least CISCO’s professional-level certification. After achieving this certification, you possess sufficient technical skills to design and implement Local Area and Wide Area Networks.
CISCO’s expert-level credentials will give you technical excellence to design solutions for the technological, operational, business, and budgeting characteristics of a project. CISCO Certified Architect certification is the most that can be achieved in networking. After earning CISCO’s architect-level certification, you will be regarded as one of the top-notch networking pros on the planet.
