Reading

Cisco Career Certifications and Paths

Training target:

Read the following reading materials and use the reading skills mentioned in the passages above. You may also choose some parts of this passage to practice.

Text

Cisco Career Certifications are

your way to validate your know-

ledge and further your professional

opportunities.

The widely respected Cisco Career Certifications bring valuable ， measurable rewards to network professionals ， their managers ， and the organizations that employ them. Cisco offers three levels of general certification—from Associate to Professional to Expert ， representing the highest level of achievement—available in various paths （ or tracks ） and designations. A variety of Cisco Qualified Specialist focused certifications are available as well to show knowledge in specific technologies ， solutions or job roles.

Introduction

General Certifications: Three Levels of Certification

Associate: The first step in Cisco networking begins at the Associate level Think of this as the apprentice or foundation level of networking certification.

Professional: This is the advanced or journeyman level of certification.

Expert: This is the highest level of achievement for network professionals ， certifying an individual as an expert or master.

General Certifications: Four Different Paths Network Installation and Support: This path is f

or professionals who install and support Cisco technology-based networks in which LAN and WAN routers and switches reside.

Network Engineering and Design: This path is for professionals who design Cisco technology-based networks in which LAN and WAN routers and switches reside.

Communications and Services: This path is aimed at professionals working with infrastructure or access solutions in a Cisco end-to-end environment primarily within the telecommunications area. Each of these certifications includes a choice of electives such as DSL or Content Networking related to a specific technology.

Network Security: This path is directed toward network professionals who design and implement Cisco Secure networks.

Career Certifications Type Associate （ Consists of CCDA&CCNA ， here mainly introduce CCNA ） The first step in general Cisco Career Certifications begins with associate-level certifications—CCDA and CCNA ， which show expertise with networking foundations. Think of this level as the apprentice ， or foundation level of networking certifications.

CCNA Certification

The CCNA certification （ Cisco Certified Network Associate ） indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certified professionals can install ， configure ， and operate LAN ， WAN ， and dial access services for small networks（ 100 nodes or fewer ）， including but not limited to the use of these protocols: IP ， IGRP ， Serial ， Frame Relay ， IP RIP ， VLANs ， RIP ， Ethernet ， Access Lists.

CCNA Prerequisites No prerequisites

CCNA Exams & Recommended Training

Required Exam （ s ） Recommended Training

640-607CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate

Basics (CCNAB2.0)

Interconnecting Cisco Network

Devices （ ICND2.0 ）

CCNA Recertification

CCNA certifications are valid for three years. To recertify ， pass the current certification exam or any new exam at the Professional or Cisco Qualified Specialist level bearing the prefix 642.

Professional

Professional level consists of CCDP ， CCIP ， CCSP&CCNP. Mainly introduce CCNP here.

CCNP Certification

The CCNP certification （ Cisco Certified Network Professional ）

indicates advanced or journeyman knowledge of networks. With a CCNP ， a network professional can install ， configure ， and operate LAN ， WAN ， and dial access services for organizations with networks from 100 to more than 500 nodes ， including but not limited to these protocols: IP ， IGRP ， IPX ， Async Routing ， AppleTalk ， Extended Access Lists ， IP RIP ， Route Redistribution ， RIP ， Route Summarization ， OSPF ， VLSM ，BGP ， Serial ， Frame Relay ， ISDN ， ISL ， X.25 ， DDN ，PSTN ， PPP ， VLANs ， Ethernet ， Access Lists ， 802.10 ，FDDI ， Transparent and Translational Bridging.

CCNP Prerequisites

Valid CCNA certification

CCNP Exams & Recommended Training

Required Exam （ s ） Recommended Training 640-901 BSCI Building Scalable Cisco

Internetworks （ BSCI ） 640ˉ604Switching Building Cisco Multilayer Switched

Networks （ BCMSN ）640ˉ605Remote Access Building Cisco Remote Access

Networks （ BCRAN ） 640ˉ606 Support Cisco Internetwork

Troubleshooting Support （ CIT ）

OR Required Exam （ s ） Recommended Training 640-841 Foundations Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks （ BSCI ）

Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks （ BCMSN ）

Building Cisco Remote Access Networks （ BCRAN ）

640ˉ606Support Cisco Internetwork Troubleshooting Support （ CIT ）

CCNP Recertification

Required Exam:640-851 CCNP

Recertification

CCNP certifications are valid for three years.（ Recertifying at the Professional level automatically renews the related CCNA certification ）

Expert （ Expert level consists of four kinds of CCIE certifications ）

CCIE Communications and Services: The CCIE Communications and Services written exams cover IP and IP routing ， Optical ， DSL ， Dial ， Cable ， Wireless ， Wan Switching, Content Networking, and IP Telephony.

CCIE Routing and Switching: The CCIE Routing and Switching written and/or lab exams cover IP, IP routing, non-IP desktop protocols such as IPX, as well as bridge and switch-related technologies.

CCIE Security: The CCIE security exam covers IP and IP routing as well as specific security components.

CCIE Voice: The CCIE Voice exam covers those technologies and applications that comprise a Cisco Enterprise VoIP solution.

Specialist

Cisco Cable Communications Specialist Cisco Content Networking Specialist Cisco Firewall Specialist Cisco IDS Specialist Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialist Cisco IP Telephony Operations Specialist Cisco IP Telephony Support Specialist

Cisco Internet Solutions Specialist Cisco Multiservice Switching Specialist Cisco MXU Specialist Cisco Optical Specialist Cisco SNA/IP Design Specialist Cisco SNA/IP Support Specialist Cisco Security Specialist

Cisco VPN Specialist Cisco Wireless LAN Design Specialist Cisco Wireless LAN Support Specialist

The End