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Cisco Certification Guide: Overview and
Career Paths
Ed Tittel and Mary Kyle
Updated Apr 04, 2019
Cisco Systems Inc. specializes in networking and communications products and
services. The company is probably best known for its business routing and
switching products, which direct data, voice, and video traffic across networks
around the world. However, Cisco also offers storage networking, applications for
unified communications, telepresence and collaboration (WebEx), and an array of
services from simple product support to complete solutions for data centers and
cloud management,
To ensure that IT professionals have the skills and knowledge necessary to support
Cisco products and solve customers’ technology problems on many fronts, the
Cisco Career Certification program is all-embracing. That is, it begins at the entry
level, then advances to associate, professional, and expert levels, and (in some
certification areas) caps things off at the architect level
Each level offers one or more credentials. Obtaining a credential usually involves
passing one or more certification exams. Most Cisco exams are delivered by
Pearson VUE, For higher-level credentials, candidates must also prove they meet
necessary prerequisites. The higher the level of certification, the more credentials
and prerequisites one needs to meet those requirements.
Cisco certification program overview
Certifications within Cisco's portfolio include the following credentials:
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* Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
* Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
* Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
* Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
* Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
* Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
* Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
* Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
* Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)
There are many certifications and paths one can take in Cisco's career program.
That said, its two main paths cover network operation and network design. A
typical Cisco networking certification ladder begins with the entry-level CCENT
credential, moves up to the CCNA, onto the CCNP and culminates with the CCIE.
The design-oriented might instead consider starting with the CCENT, moving up to
the CCDA, then the professional-level CCDP, followed by the CCDE, and finish the
program with the CCAr.
The Cisco Career Certification program also includes a number of specializations,
These certifications acknowledge a professional's skills in a specific Cisco
technology, such as data center application services, voicemail and messaging or
rich media, Cisco specializations are organized into two primary categories: one
targeting technical specialists and another targeting digital transformation
specialists, Between these two categories, there are currently 15 specializations
among which IT pros can choose.
The Technical Specialist category includes specializations across six
subcategories:
+ Collaboration
* Data Center (FlexPod)
+ Network Programmability
* Operating System Software
* Service Provider
* Internet of things (loT)
Digital Transformation Specialists includes credentials geared to Business
Architecture and Customer Success.
Achieving a specialist credential generally requires passing one or two exams.
Some credentials also impose prerequisites
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Entry-, associate- and professional-level credentials are valid for three years, CCIE
and specialist certifications are valid for two years and the CCAr is valid for five
years, To keep certifications current, Cisco professionals need to recertify by
passing a recertification exam or advancing to a higher level in Cisco's
certification hierarchy.
Cisco's entry-level certifications
Cisco has two entry-level credentials: the Cisco Certified Entry Networking
Technician (CCENT) and the Cisco Certified Technician (CCT), No prerequisites are
needed to obtain either the CCENT or CCT credential, and candidates must pass a
single exam to earn each credential.
CCENT certified professionals install, maintain and troubleshoot small networks or
a branch of an enterprise network, and implement basic network security. The
CCENT credential is a prerequisite for some associate-level CCNA solution track
credentials and the CCDA.
CCTs work onsite at customer locations, diagnosing issues and repairing or
replacing network-related equipment. A CCT can choose one of several specialty
tracks, which currently includes Data Center and Routing and Switching.
Certification Exams Number of Time to Complete
Questions
CCENT 100-105 45-55 90 minutes
Ionp1
CCT Data Center 010-151 65-75 90 minutes
DCTECH
CCT Routing & Switching | 640-692 60-70 90 minutes
RSTECH
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Cisco's associate-Level Certifications
Cisco's associate-level certifications include the Cisco Certified Network Associate
(CCNA) and the Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA). One must pass one or
two certification exams to achieve a CCNA or CCDA credential, depending on the
track you choose.
The CCNA recognizes basic skills in installing, supporting, and troubleshooting
wired and/or wireless networks. One can choose from several tracks,
including Cloud, Collaboration, Cyber Ops, Data Center, Industrial, Routing and
Switching, Security, Service Provider and Wireless. The CCNA is a prerequisite for
the professional-level CCNP certification. Prerequisites for the CCNA vary
depending on the solution track chosen as do the number of required exams. All
solution tracks require either one or two exams.
Cisco created the CCDA to identify individuals who can design basic wired and
wireless networks, and incorporate security and voice solutions. The CCDA is a
prerequisite for the CCDP certification. To obtain the CCDA, candidates must
possess either a valid CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching (or any CCIE
certification), and pass a single additional exam.
Certification Exams Number of Time to
Questions Complete
CCDA 200-310 55-65 75 minutes
DESGN
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CCNA Cloud 210-451 55-65 90 minutes
CLDFND
210-455 55-65 90 minutes
CLDADM
CCNA Collaboration 210-060 55-65 75 minutes
cicD
210-065 55-65 75 minutes
CIVND
CCNA Cyber Ops 210-250 55-60 90 minutes
SECFND
210-255 60-70 90 minutes
SECOPS
CCNA Data Center 200-150 55-65 90 minutes
DCICN
200-155 65-75 120 minutes
DeicT
CCNA Industrial 200-601 65-75 90 minutes
IMINS2
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CCNA Routing and 200-125 60-70 90 minutes
Switching** CCNA
100-105 45-55 90 minutes
ICND1
200-105 55-65 90 minutes
ICND2
CCNA Security 210-260 60-70 90 minutes
INS
CCNA Service Provider 640-875 65-75 90 minutes
SPNGN1
640-878 65-75 90 minutes
SPNGN2
CCNA Wireless 200-355 60-70 90 minutes
WIFUND
**Candidates for the CCNA Routing and Switching may take exam 200-125 OR
exam 100-105 plus 200-105.
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Cisco's professional-level certifications
Cisco's professional-level credentials include two main programs: the Cisco
Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and the Cisco Certified Design Professional
(CCDP). To obtain the CCDP, one must pass three certification exams and possess
both the CCDA and CCNA Routing and Switching credentials or any Cisco CCIE or
CODE certification.
All. CCNP solution tracks, except Routing and Switching, require candidates to pass
four exams. Only three exams are required for the CCNP: Routing and Switching
credential. Prerequisites for all CCNP solution tracks include either the lower-level
CCNA credential or any CCIE credential. The CCNP: Service Provider credential also
accepts the Cisco Certified Internet Professional (CIP) credential as a
prerequisite (which retired in 2012).
The CCNP credential recognizes professionals who plan, deploy, and troubleshoot
local networks and wide area networks. The CCNP tracks are the same as those for
the CCNA, except for Industrial and Cyber Ops, which are not offered in the CCNP
track. The CCNP is recommended to climb up to the next step on the cert ladder -
the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert.
The CCDP identifies proficiency in designing and deploying scalable networks and
multilayer-switched networks. From the CCDP, you can move on to the Cisco
Certified Design Expert.
Certification Exams Number of Time to
Questions Complete
ccpP 300-101ROUTE | 45-65 120 minutes
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300-115 SWITCH | 30-40 120 minutes
300-320 ARCH 60-70 75 minutes
CCNP Cloud 300-460 CLDINF | 55-65 90 minutes
300-465 55-65 90 minutes
CLDDES
300-470 55-65 90 minutes
CLDAUT
300-475 CLDACI | 55-65 90 minutes
CCNP Collaboration 300-070 CIPTV1 | 65-75 75 minutes
300-075 CIPTV2 | 50-60 75 minutes
300-080 55-65 75 minutes
CTCOLLAB
300-085 CAPPS | 55-65 75 minutes
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isco Certfcation Guide: Overview and Career Paths - businessnewsdallycom
CCNP Data Center** 300-175 DCUCI 55-65 90 minutes
300-165 DCII 55-65 90 minutes
300-170 DCVAI 55-65 90 minutes
300-160 DCID 55-65 90 minutes
300-180 DCIT 70-80 90 minutes
CCNP Routing and 300-101 ROUTE 45-65 120 minutes
Switching
300-115 SWITCH 30-40 120 minutes
300-135, 15-25 120 minutes
TSHOOT
CCNP Security 300-208 SISAS 55-65, 90 minutes
300-206 SENSS 65-75 90 minutes
300-209 SIMOS. 65-75 90 minutes
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300-210 sITCS 65-75 90 minutes
CCNP Service 642-883 65-75 90 minutes
Provider SPROUTE
642-885 65-75 90 minutes
SPADVROUTE
642-887 65-75 90 minutes
SPCORE
642-889 65-75 90 minutes
SPEDGE
CCNP Wireless 300-360 55-65 90 minutes
WIDESIGN
300-365 55-65 90 minutes
WIDEPLOY
300-370 55-65 90 minutes
WITSHOOT
300-375 55-65 90 minutes
WISECURE
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**CCNP Data Center may take either the 300-160 or 300-180 exam.
Cisco's expert-level certifications
Cisco's expert-level credentials embrace two primary certifications: the coveted
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) and the Cisco Certified Design Expert
(CCDE). Neither certification imposes prerequisites, but one must pass a written
exam and a rigorous practical exam to earn either of these credentials.
Beginning in July 2016, Cisco updated its expert-level exams to include an evolving
technologies domain. This new domain targets cloud, network programmability
and the loT, and it accounts for 10 percent of the total exam score. Cisco may
change the topics included in this domain to reflect emerging technologies as they
reach strong enough commercial interest, potential and presence to make them
examworthy. The company describes this mechanism as a way to help future-proof
its certifications so that employers may assume that those who hold current
credentials are also up to speed on important new networking technologies.
For many network-track professionals, achieving the CCIE is the highlight of their
careers. A CCIE has expert technical skills and knowledge of Cisco network
products and solutions in one of the CCIE technical tracks, which currently include
Collaboration, Data Center, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, and
Wireless.
The CCDE identifies experts who design infrastructure solutions for large enterprise
environments, which include technological, operational, business and budget
aspects of a project.
Cisco's architect-level certifications
For persons seeking positions such as network architect or data center architect, a
smart move is to acquire the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) certification. The
CCAr is like the Ph.D. of the Cisco Career Certification program - it's the highest
level of certification that Cisco offers. This credential validates the skills of a senior
network infrastructure architect, someone who can plan and design IT
infrastructures based on business strategies. Many people consider the CCAr the
most difficult tech certification to achieve.
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