subject: Various Certification Options Offered By Cisco Systems [print this page] Headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, Cisco Systems is an American multinational corporation that excels in the area of information technology. A world leader in networking equipment, the company was founded in 1984. Cisco specializes in designing, manufacturing and selling networking equipment.
As the company provides a wide range of IT solutions worldwide, hence there are hence several certification choices for who wish to venture into this domain for a professional career. The organization has 5 broad levels of training courses, namely Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect. The tests that candidates need to clear for Cisco systems are administered by Pearson VUE.
Different Cisco certifications are related to various subject areas, which include Routing & Switching, Design, Network Security, Service Provider, Storage Networking, Voice, and Wireless.
Cisco Training
The traditional institutes that offer Cisco training are called the Cisco Networking Academy. Students can also request for exam vouchers that enables them to take the necessary exams for an extended period of time. One can enroll for Cisco training course at collegiate institutions, as well as learn with Cisco authorized training partners.
Various Certifications
Entry-level Certification
This one is the most basic course that prepares candidates as Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technicians (CCENT). Appropriate for entry-level jobs, CCENT course contents focus on basic networking knowledge. With this certification, a person shall be able to effectively install, manage and troubleshoot a small enterprise network, including basic network security. CCENT is also the prerequisite for pursuing a CCNA certification.
Students need to pass the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 exam in order to gain CCENT certificate.
Associate Certifications
This is the 2nd level of certification in the Cisco domain. Associate certifications have been further classified into various subject matter paths. These options include CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), CCNA Specialty Paths, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CCNA Wireless, CCNA Service Provider, CCNA SP Operations and CCDA (Cisco-Certified Design Associate).
Professional Certifications
This is the 3rd level of certification in the Cisco Systems category. The various courses include Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP), Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP) and Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional - Service Provider (CCNP Service Provider). In the same level, we also have Cisco Certified Network Professional-Security (CCNP Security), Cisco Certified Network Professional Voice (CCNP Voice) and Cisco Certified Wireless Professional (CCNP Wireless).
Expert-level Certifications
Expert level is the second last step to becoming proficient in Cisco Systems. It includes Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE), Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), CCIE Numbering and Recertification, and various CCIE exam paths.
Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)
This is the last standard that needs to obtained for expertise in Cisco Systems. This category includes Cisco Certified Architect Certification Process, Cisco Certified Architect Responsibilities, Cisco Technician Certification and Cisco Technician Certification.
