Cisco Certifications Overview

General Certifications and Focused CertificationsCiscobefore attempting certification. To obtain your CCIE,
offers three levels of general certification representingyou must first pass a written qualification exam and
increasing levels of expertise: Associate, Professional,then a corresponding hands-on lab exam.CCIE
and Expert (CCIE). Different tracks across theseSecurityCCIE certification in Security indicates expert
levels align with varying career needs. A variety oflevel knowledge of IP and IP routing as well as specific
focused Cisco Qualified Specialist certifications aresecurity protocols and components.Becoming a CCIE
available as well to show knowledge in specificrequires passing a set of exams
technologies, solutions or job roles.CCNAThe CCNAThere are no formal prerequisites for CCIE
certification (Cisco Certified Network Associate)certification. Other professional certifications and/or
indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge ofspecific training courses are not required. Instead,
networking. CCNA certified professionals can install,candidates are expected to have an in-depth
configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial accessunderstanding of the subtleties, intricacies and
services for small networks (100 nodes or fewer),challenges of end-to-end networking. You are strongly
including but not limited to use of these protocols: IP,encouraged to have 3-5 years of job experience
IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP,before attempting certification. To obtain your CCIE,
Ethernet,you must first pass a written qualification exam and
Access Lists.CCNPThe CCNP certification (Ciscothen a corresponding hands-on lab exam.CCIE VoIP
Certified Network Professional) indicates advanced or(350-030)CCIE certification in Voice indicates expert
journeyman knowledge of networks. With a CCNP, alevel knowledge of VoIP solutions in the enterprise.
network professional can install, configure, andCandidates should be able to install, configure and
troubleshoot local and wide area networks formaintain Voice solutions over IP networks. The CCIE
enterprise organizations with networks from 100 toVoice track, however, does not certify an
more than 500 nodes. The content emphasizes topicsunderstanding of the infrastructure over which VoIP
such as security, converged networks, quality ofsolutions are implemented. This contrasts with the
service (QoS), virtual private networks (VPN) andCCIE Service Provider-IP Telephony track which
broadband technologies.CCSPThe CCSP certificationcertifies an individual as a core IP expert with a high
(Cisco Certified Security Professional) indicatesdegree of VoIP literacy.CCIE StorageCCIE certification
advanced knowledge of securing Cisco networks.in Storage Networking indicates expert level
With a CCSP, a network professional can secure andknowledge of intelligent storage solutions over
manage network infrastructures to protect productivityextended network infrastructure using multiple
and reduce costs. The content emphasizes topicstransport options such as Fibre Channel, iSCSI, FCIP
such as perimeter security, virtual private networks,and FICON. Storage Networking extensions allow
intrusion protection as well as how to combine thesecompanies to improve disaster recovery, optimize
technologies in a single, integrated network securityperformance and take advantage of network
solution.CCIPThe CCIP (Cisco Certified Internetworkservices such as volume management, data replication,
Professional) provides individuals working in serviceand enhanced integration with blade servers and
provider organizations with competencies instorage appliances.General Certifications: Three Levels
infrastructure IP networking solutions. CCIPof CertificationAssociate. The first step in Cisco
professionals have detailed understanding ofnetworking begins at the Associate level. Think of this
networking technologies in the service provider arenaas the apprentice or foundation level of networking
including IP routing, IP QoS, BGP, and MPLS.CCIEcertification.Professional. This is the advanced or
R&SCCIE certification in Routing and Switchingjourneyman level of certification.Expert. This is CCIE,
indicates expert level knowledge of networking acrossthe highest level of achievement for network
various LAN and WAN interfaces, and a variety ofprofessionals, certifying an individual as an expert or
routers and switches. Experts in R&S solve complexmaster.General Certifications: Four Different
connectivity problems and apply technology solutionsPathsNetwork Installation and Support. This path is for
to increase bandwidth, improve response times,professionals who install and support Cisco
maximize performance, improve security, and supporttechnology-based networks in which LAN and WAN
global applications. Candidates should be able to install,routers and switches reside.Network Engineering and
configure, and maintain LAN, WAN, and dial accessDesign. This path is for professionals who design Cisco
services.Becoming a CCIE requires passing a set oftechnology-based networks in which LAN and WAN
examsThere are no formal prerequisites for CCIErouters and switches reside.Service Provider. This path
certification. Other professional certifications and/oris aimed at professionals working with infrastructure or
specific training courses are not required. Instead,access solutions in a Cisco end-to-end environment
candidates are expected to have an in-depthprimarily within the telecommunications arena.Network
understanding of the subtleties, intricacies andSecurity. This path is directed toward network
challenges of end-to-end networking. You are stronglyprofessionals who design and implement Cisco Secure
encouraged to have 3-5 years of job experiencenetworks.