Cisco Career Certifications

Cisco Career Certifications are IT Professional certifications for Cisco Systems products. The tests are administered by Pearson VUE. The five levels of certification are: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect along with targeted certifications for Specialist and Technician. These are available in seven different subject areas: Routing & Switching, Design, Network Security, Service Provider, Storage Networking, Voice, and Wireless.

Training

The traditional educational institution that teaches Cisco skills is called the "Cisco Networking Academy". Cisco Networking Academy students can request exam vouchers that allow them to take a required exam over an extended period of time. Cisco courses are also offered at collegiate institutions, and training is available from Cisco Learning Partners, such as the Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE and the Cisco Learning Network.

Certification

The table below shows the different paths and levels for Cisco certifications. To actually take Cisco cert exams, you must find a test center who works with Pearson-Vue. Cisco says there are no prerequisites for CCIE exams, but they are written exams and they recommend lots of experience. There is also a hands-on lab test. Both the written and lab tests are USD. Please note that "Senior Associate" is not an official Cisco level, but the Network Security, Voice, and Wireless paths all use CCNA as a prerequisite. Cisco lists them at the same 'associate' level as a CCNA.

	Certification Paths
Level	Routing & Switching	Storage Networking	Service Provider	Design	Network Security	Voice	Wireless
Professional	CCNP 642-902 ROUTE & 642-813 SWITCH, & 642-832 TSHOOT		CCIP 642-902 ROUTE or 642-892 Composite, 642-642 QOS, 642-661 BGP, & 642-611 MPLS or 642-691 BGP+MPLS	CCDP 642-902 ROUTE & 642-813 SWITCH or 642-892 Composite & 642-873 ARCH	CCNP Security 642-618 FIREWALL v2.0, 642-627 IPS v7.0, 642-637 SECURE v1.0, 642-648 VPN v2.0, & CCNA Security	CCVP 642-642 QoS, 642-436 CVOICE, 642-426 TUC, (Communications Manager path: (642-446 CIPT1 & 642-456 CIPT2) or (CallManager path: (642-444 CIPT 4.1 & 642-453 GWGK)), & (any CCIE Certification or a valid CCNA Voice)	CCNP Wireless 642-732 CUWSS, 642-742 IUWVN, 642-747 IUWMS, 642-737 IAUWS, & (any CCIE Certification or a valid CCNA Wireless)
Senior Associate	-			CCDA 640-863 DESGN & CCNA and BCMSN level knowledge to pass the cert exam.	CCNA Security 640-554 IINS & a valid CCNA	CCNA Voice 640-461 ICOMM v8.0 & a valid CCNA or any CCIE Certification	CCNA Wireless 640-721 IUWNE & a valid CCNA
Associate	CCNA 640-802 CCNA or (640-822 ICND1 & 640-816 ICND2)|			-
Entry-Level	CCENT 640-822 ICND1

Entry-level certification

The lowest level of certification is Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT), which covers basic networking knowledge. It is appropriate for an entry-level network support position. CCENT certified staff can install, manage and troubleshoot a small enterprise network, including basic network security. CCENT is the first step towards a CCNA certification. The CCENT certification is earned upon passing the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) Exam (640-822).

Associate certifications

Associate Certifications is the 2nd level of certifications. Associate Certifications divide certifications by subject matter.

Cisco Certified Network Associate

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification covers skills necessary to administer devices on small or medium-sized networks. This certification requires the ICND1 640-822 and ICND2 640-816 exams. Examinees may take the exams separately or the composite 640-802 CCNA exam. It is generally a prerequisite to more advanced certifications, such as the CCNA specialty exams and Cisco Professional level certifications, e.g. CCNP, CCNP-Wireless, CCNP-Security, etc.

These exams are conducted by Pearson VUE test centers.

Specialty Paths

CCNA-certified individuals specialize by technology. All specialized tracks require passing and maintain a CCNA certification.

Data Center

CCNA Data Center validates knowledge of data center design, equipment installation, and maintenance.

Security

CCNA Security validates knowledge of security infrastructure, threats, and vulnerabilities to networks and threat mitigation. Required skills include installation, troubleshooting and monitoring of network devices to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and devices. This certification is earned by passing the IINS 640-553 (Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security, or IINS) exam. The last day to enroll in the IINS 640-553 exam was September 30th, 2012, and has since been replaced by the IINS 640-554 exam (IINS v2.0), which is now the required exam to earn the certification and for continuing the security certification path to the CCNP.

Voice

The CCNA Voice certification validates skills for voice technologies, such as voice technologies administrator, voice engineer, and voice manager. The certification involves implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications. It validates skills in VoIP technologies, such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voice mail solutions. Candidates get exposure to the Cisco Unified Communications architecture and design covering mobility, presence, and TelePresence applications. 640-461 ICOMM V8.0 (Introducing Cisco Voice and Unified Communications Administration) is the required exam.

Wireless

The CCNA Wireless certification covers wireless LANs, including networking associates/administrators, wireless support specialists, and WLAN project managers. The certification validates skills in the configuration, implementation, and support of wireless LANs. 640-721 IUWNE (Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials) is the required exam.

Service provider

CCNA Service Provider focuses validates the ability to configure and implement baseline Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation networks. The required Exams are 640-875 Building Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Networks, Part 1(SPNGN1) and 640-878 Building Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Networks, Part 2 (SPNGN2). Standard CCNA certification is not a prerequisite. The class, "Building Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Networks" is delivered in two parts.

Part 1 is a 5-day instructor-led course that provides the basic knowledge and skills necessary to support a service provider network. The course provides knowledge of the major network components and helps learners to understand how service provider networks function. The course introduces IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture. The course also includes remote labs that help gain practical skills for deploying basic Cisco IOS / IOS XE and Cisco IOS XR software features. Part 2 is a 5-day instructor-led course that provides knowledge of network construction and IP NGN architecture. The course includes additional remote labs.

Service provider operations

CCNA service provider operations provides skills in a prescriptive troubleshooting environment within a carrier class, IP NGN core network infrastructure. The required exams are 640-822 ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) and 640-760 SSPO (Supporting Cisco Service Provider IP NGN Operations (SSPO).

Cisco-Certified Design Associate

Cisco-Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certified engineers can design switched or routed networks of LANs, WANs and broadband services. CCNA is not required to take the CCDA exam (640-864 DESGN), but Cisco recommends being familiar with CCNA-level material, as well as BCMSN or SWITCH-level knowledge of Cisco-based LANs.

Professional certifications

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification validates knowledge and skills required to install, configure, and troubleshoot converged local- and wide-area networks with 100 to 500 or more end-devices. A valid CCNA certification is required to obtain a CCNP certification.

Network Professional

The CCNP validates the ability to plan, implement, verify, and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks and work collaboratively with specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless, and video solutions. In addition to CCNA exams, professionals must pass three separate professional-level exams. The certification track changed in July 2010, with various migration paths available for those that had begun, but not completed, the CCNP certification process.

Required exams:

• 642-902 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE)
• 642-813 SWITCH: Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH)
• 642-832 TSHOOT: Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT)

Design Professional

With a CCDP certification, a network professional can discuss, design, and create advanced addressing and routing, security, network management, data center, and IP multicast enterprise architectures that include virtual private networking and wireless domains. An active CCDA certification is a prerequisite for this certification.

Required exams:

• 642-902 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE)
• 642-813 SWITCH: Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH)
• 642-874 ARCH: Designing Cisco Network Service Architecture

Note that 642-902 ROUTE and 642-813 SWITCH are also required for CCNP. After passing CCNP and CCDA, CCDP requires only 642-874 ARCH.

Internetwork Professional

The CCIP certification was retired beginning October 29, 2012. It was replaced by the CCNP Service Provider certification.

Internetwork Professional Service Provider

The CCNP Service Provider certification replaced the retiring CCIP certification.

Required exams:

• 642-883 SPROUTE: Deploying Cisco Service Provider Network Routing
• 642-885 SPADVROUTE: Deploying Cisco Service Provider Advanced Routing
• 642-887 SPCORE: Implementing Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Core Network Services
• 642-889 SPEDGE: Implementing Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Edge Network Services

Data Center

CCNP Data Center validates knowledge of data center design, equipment installation, and maintenance.

Four exams are required:

• Implementing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing (DCUCI) v5.0

and

• Implementing Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric (DCUFI) v5.0

or

• Designing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing (DCUCD) v5.0

and

• Designing Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric (DCUFD) v5.0

or

• Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Unified Computing (DCUCT) v5.0

and

• Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric (DCUFT) v5.0

Security

Formerly Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP).

The CCNP Security certification program is aligned to the job role of the Cisco Network Security Engineer, responsible for security in routers, switches, networking devices, and appliances, as well as choosing, deploying, supporting, and troubleshooting firewalls, VPNS, and IDS/IPS solutions for their networking environments. The CCNP Security certification requires CCNA Security or any CCIE Certification.

CCNP Security exams and recommended training

• 642-637 SECURE v1.0 Secure v1.0 Securing Networks with Cisco Routers and Switches (SECURE v1.0)
• 642-618 FIREWALL v2.0 Deploying Cisco ASA Firewall Solutions (FIREWALL v2.0)
• 642-648 VPN v2.0 Deploying Cisco ASA VPN Solutions (VPN v2.0)
• 642-627 IPS v7.0 Implementing Cisco Intrusion Prevention System v7.0 - (IPS v7.0)

Voice

Formerly Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP).

The Cisco Certified Network Professional for Voice (CCNP Voice) certification validates the skills required to determine the right technology and solutions for creating secure networks. With it, a network professional can demonstrate the skills required to implement and manage network infrastructures to provide unified communications services. The curriculum emphasizes Cisco Router IOS and Catalyst Switch UC features. CCNA Voice certification is a prerequisite.

Required exams:

• 642-437 CVOICE v8.0: Implementing Cisco Voice Communications and QoS Implementing Cisco Unified Communications
• 642-447 CIPT1 v8.0: Implementing Cisco Unified Communications Part 1
• 642-457 CIPT2 v8.0: Implementing Cisco Unified Communications Part 2
• 642-427 TVOICE v8.0: Troubleshooting Cisco Unified Communications
• 642-467 CAPPS v8.0: Integrating Cisco Unified Communications Applications

Wireless

CCNP Wireless covers all aspects of wireless networking principles and theory. This certification requires four tests, covering Wireless Site Survey, Wireless Voice Networks, Wireless Mobility Services, and Wireless Security. The prerequisite is a valid CCNA Wireless certification.

Required exams:

• 642-732 CUWSS: Conducting Cisco Unified Wireless Site Survey (CUWSS)
• 642-742 IUWVN: Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Voice Networks (IUWVN)
• 642-747 IUWMS: Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Mobility Services (IUWMS)
• 642-737 IAUWS: Implementing Advanced Cisco Unified Wireless Security (IAUWS)

Expert-level certifications

Cisco Certified Design Expert

CCDE runs in parallel with the more established CCIE program, in some areas providing a higher skill-set than CCIE. Specifically, CCDE identifies network professionals who have expert network design skills. Network design translates business requirements into end-to-end network designs and a solutions approach to network expansion and integration. CCDE focuses on network architecture and does not cover implementation and operations. CCDE supplies a vendor-neutral curriculum, testing business requirements analysis, design, planning, and validation practices. The course came about because employers needed a way to identify experienced network designers and architects who could address all aspects of existing and new networking technologies and trends. While engineers (including many CCIEs) had been fulfilling this role, certification had not advanced beyond the CCDP certification. CCDE numbering adopts a different format than CCIE and appears to be split into a year and number within that year. The same CCIE tools are used to verify qualified status. CCDE certified individuals can use CCIE qualification exams to re-certify and vice versa. CCDE provides advanced network infrastructure design principles and fundamentals for large networks. A CCDE can demonstrate an ability to develop solutions which address planning, design, integration, optimization, operations, security, and ongoing support focused at the infrastructure level. (etc)

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert is Cisco's highest certification, comprising six tracks. As of October 6, 2010, there were 25,810 people with active CCIE certifications. From 2002 to 2005, it was voted as such in CertCities magazine. It was voted the most technically advanced IT certification by CertMag, and is generally reported as the highest salaried certification in IT salary surveys.

CCIE began in 1993, originally with a two day lab, later changing to a one day format. Fewer than 3% of Cisco-certified individuals attain CCIE certification and, on average, spend thousands of dollars and 18 months studying before passing. Many candidates build training labs at home using old equipment, then sell it to other candidates after passing. Alternatively, candidates may rent "rack time" online. The CCIE consists of a written exam and a "lab" exam (in each track). The written exam is a prerequisite of the lab exam and has a cost of $350 per attempt. The written exam consists of 100 questions that must be completed within 2 hours. Upon passing the written exam, the candidate has eighteen months to take the lab exam. The candidate has three years after passing the written exam to successfully complete the lab. The lab is an eight hour, hands-on exam designed to demonstrate that the candidate knows Internetworking theory and demonstrates advanced hands-on mastery. Candidates that do not pass the CCIE lab in that interval must re-pass the written exam before again attempting the CCIE lab exam. The minimum waiting time between attempts is one month.

As of 2012, the CCIE Lab costs $1500 per attempt and is offered at ten Cisco locations worldwide. Some CCIE tracks are not offered at all ten. According to a Cisco survey, the average cost to prepare for CCIE certification was $9050 as of April 2006, spent mostly on practice equipment and study material. There are no formal prerequisites for the CCIE written exam, but Cisco recommends at least 3–5 years networking experience. CCIE was the first Cisco Certified qualification and no other certifications were previously available. The associate and professional certifications recognized the fact that CCIE is overkill for many networking personnel. Cisco has chosen not to make lower level certifications prerequisites for the CCIE certification.

It is possible to hold multiple CCIE certifications. As of September 9, 2008, 1,729 individuals held multiple CCIE certifications. Of those, 274 hold three or more CCIE certifications. This qualification was cited as "essentially a PhD in the internet" by Adam McCombs in Season 1 Episode 10 of Shark Tank.

CCIE Numbering and Recertification

Upon successful completion of the lab exam, a new CCIE is awarded a CCIE number. The first CCIE number allocated (in 1993) was 1,024 and increased thereafter. As of August 2011, the highest CCIE number allocated was just over 30,000. The first number was allocated to the first CCIE lab location, rather than to an individual, and was featured as a plaque at the entrance to the lab. Number 1025 was awarded to Stuart Biggs, who created the first written exam and first lab exam. The first person to pass both CCIE written and lab exams was Terry Slattery, who was consulting at Cisco when the lab was devised. Slattery was the first CCIE who was not an employee of Cisco. Each CCIE retains their number regardless of how many certifications he or she receives. Every two years a CCIE has to take a written test to retain the certification. If this is not done, the certification is suspended. After one further year without passing, the certification is revoked. The certification can then only be regained by starting from scratch. Recertification can occur up to 2 years before the expiration date. After certification/recertification, a CCIE must wait 6 months before re-certifying.

CCIE exam paths

Routing & Switching

Routing and Switching is by far the most popular track, with 35,272 worldwide certified individuals as of May 18, 2012. The certification covers a variety of networking concepts and protocols.

Security

The Security track covers advanced topics in subjects such as ASA, IDS, IOS security, and many others.

Service Provider

The Service Provider track covers advanced topics in Optical networks, DSL, WAN switching, Voice over IP, Content networking, Broadband Cable, and Metro Ethernet.

Voice

The Voice track covers advanced topics in subjects such as Quality of Service, MGCP, Call Manager (Cisco's VoIP PBX), Cisco Unity Connection (Cisco's Voice Messaging platform), Unity Express, Unified Contact Center Express, Cisco Unified Presence Server, Cisco's HWIC-4ESW, and the 3750-24PS. Only 802 CCIE Voice certified engineers were current as of September 9, 2008. Most candidates pass after three or four lab attempts, but some have required more than six. The lab exam is reputed to be as much a test of time management and planning as of technical expertise. What sets the Voice lab exam apart from other CCIE lab exams is the widely dissimilar platforms that are used. Configurations have to be done on the Windows 2003 Server environment, a CallManager web-based GUI, and the IOS command line. As such, it involves a lot of back-and-forth fine tuning between the numerous platforms.

Storage Networking

CCIE Storage Networking validates expert-level knowledge of intelligent storage solutions using multiple transport options over long distances.

Wireless

Candidates who pass the CCIE Wireless certification exams demonstrate broad theoretical knowledge of wireless networking and a solid understanding of wireless local area networking (WLAN) technologies from Cisco.

Service Provider Operations

CCIE Service Provider Operations candidates must show expert skills in troubleshooting and maintain complex service provider IP NGN core (PE-PE and PE-CE) network infrastructures in both IOS and IOS XR operating environments.

Data Center

Cisco has announced the September availability of a CCIE Data Center certification, which certifies the expert-level skills required to plan, prepare, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot complex data center networks. The CCIE Data Center written exam will be available Sept. 3, 2012; the lab exam is expected to be available in October.

Retired CCIE tracks

Some previously awarded CCIE specializations have been retired by Cisco. These are:

• WAN Switching CCIE (Essentially a specialisation focusing on the IGX/BPX switch products, which had been acquired as part of the StrataCom acquisition)
• ISP Dial CCIE
• SNA/IP Integration CCIE (aka CCIE Blue)
• Design CCIE (NOTE: The CCIE Design and CCDE are completely different design tests in format and subjects examined)

People who hold these now-retired certifications can remain CCIEs, provided they continue to take recertification exams. They now hold the title "CCIE", rather than CCIE Security, or some other specialization.

Architect

The Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) certification assesses the experience and competency of network designers who can support the increasingly complex networks of global organizations and effectively translate business strategies into technical strategies.

Certification Process

• The Cisco Certified Architect certification is administered as a board exam.
• Candidates propose and defend an architecture solution to a set of business requirements. Candidates are asked to modify their proposals "on the fly," based on additional requirements presented by the board.
• Prerequisites include a CCDE certification, approximately 10 years of industry experience, and acceptance into the program via an application process.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Cisco Certified Architect:

• Lead creation and evolution of enterprise architecture
• Analyze technology and industry market trends
• Establish governing principles for Enterprise networks
• Selection of technology and products
• Identification of organization resource needs
• Lead the development of communication and education plan for enterprise network architecture

Technician

Cisco Certified Technicians have the skills to diagnose, restore, repair, and replace critical Cisco networking and system devices at customer sites. Technicians work closely with the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to quickly and efficiently resolve support incidents.

As of April 2012, there were three domains available for CCT certification:

• CCT Routing and Switching
• CCT Data Center
• CCT Telepresence

Specialist

In addition to the broad certifications above, Cisco also provides dozens of Specialist certifications. These exams are often focused on specific technology and generally targeted at members of the Cisco Partner Program, including those selling, designing, or supporting Cisco products and services. By combining various exams, a Cisco partner can gain specialty status and thus qualify for additional partner benefits.

Retired certifications

Over time, as technologies change and products are made obsolete, some certifications are retired. Retired certifications are no longer valid.

Certifications that fall into this category are listed below. {{columns-list|3|

• Access Routing & LAN Switching Sales Specialist
• Access Routing & LAN Switching Specialist
• ATP Optical Metro Transport AM/EM - Japanese
• Business Ready Teleworker Solution Fundamentals
• Cable Communications for Account Managers
• Cable Communications Sales Spec
• Cable Communications Sales Specialist
• Cable Communications Specialist
• Call Manager Express Specialist
• CCDP SNA/IP Integration
• CCDP WAN Sw
• CCIP Cable
• CCIP Content Networking
• CCIP DSL Networks
• CCIP Metro
• CCIP MPLS
• CCIP Packet Telephony
• CCIP Security
• CCNA WAN Sw
• CCNP LAN ATM
• CCNP Network Management
• CCNP SNA/IP Integration
• CCNP VOICE Access
• CCNP WAN Sw Certification
• Certification Test-Understanding PBX Systems and Technology - VOD
• Content Networking Sales Specialist
• Content Networking Specialist
• Content Networking Specialization Exam for SE's and FE's
• Converged Business Solution Integration
• Customer Contact Support - Retired
• DSL Specialization for Account Managers
• DSL Specialization for SE's and FE's
• EMEA SME v1.0
• Enterprise
• Enterprise - Japanese Language Version
• Enterprise for Account Managers
• Enterprise Skills Assessment
• Firewall Specialist - Net Academy
• IDS Specialist
• Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) Professional
• Internet Solutions Specialist
• IP Communications Support Specialist
• IP Telephony
• IP Telephony Express Spec
• IP Telephony Express Specialist
• IP Telephony Operations Specialist
• IP Telephony-Enterprise Voice Over Data Design
• IP Telephony-Installation, Support and Maintenance
• IPT Telephony Troubleshooting
• Multiservice Switching Specialist
• MxU Specialist
• Network Management for Account Managers
• Network Management Sales Specialist
• Network Management Specialist
• Network Management Specialization
• Network Mgt.
• Open Programmable Switching Engineer
• Optical Specialist
• Partner and Solutions Essentials for Account Managers 5.2
• Partner and Solutions Essentials for Enterprise Account Manager 6.0 - Latin American
• PBX Fundamentals
• Products Solutions Essentials 7.
• Products Solutions Essentials 8.0
• Public Access Design Specialist
• Public Access Support Specialist
• QoS
• Remote Dial Access: Voice and Data Specialization for AM's
• Sales Expert v1
• Sales Expert v2
• SCM Operation and Maintenance
• Security Solutions
• Security Specialist 1
• Selling AVVID Architecture
• Small-to-Medium Business
• SNA/IP Design Specialist
• SNA/IP for Systems Engineers
• SNA/IP Solutions
• SNA/IP Support Specialist
• Storage Networking Support Specialist
• Switched WAN Solutions for the Enterprise
• Unity
• Unity Engineer Specialization
• Unity Engineer Specialization v1.1
• Voice Over Frame Relay
• Voice Solutions for Account Managers
• Voice Solutions for System Engineers
• VPN/Security Sales Specialist
• Wireless LAN Design Specialist
• Wireless LAN for Account Managers
• Wireless LAN for SEs
• Wireless LAN for SEs and FEs
• Wireless LAN Sales Spec
• Wireless LAN Sales Specialist
• Wireless LAN Support Specialist

External links

• Cisco Learning Network.
• Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE.
• Cisco Networking Academy