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While the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is considered to be the most well-known introductory certification which would be offered by Cisco, it could be a serious challenge for many Cisco networking newcomers. Recently, Cisco had introduced the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) certification. So, let’s discuss CCENT. But before that, if you are planning to take this or any other Cisco Certification Exam, check out the courses which are offered at the SPOTO Club.
What is CCENT?
Introduced in June 2007, the CCENT is considered to be a stepping stone to the CCNA certification. It would be covering all the topics that you would be expecting for an entry-level technician to know, including the OSI model, NAT, routing, DNS basics, and router configuration. CCENT certifications would only require a single exam to clear it: Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (640-822). The Exam would be lasting to a 90-minute test involves 50 to 60 questions, and it would cost $125.
The topics which are to be covered by this exam are quite impressive. This test could even serve as a hiring tool; a help desk technician or junior network administrator could take it to prove his or her basic level of network knowledge.
How does the CCENT compare to the CCNA?
You would obtain your CCNA certification by taking one of two below-mentioned paths:
Test 1: You could just take test 640-802 -- a single test that incorporates both parts of the ICND course material.
Test 2: You can take tests 640-822 and 640-816. By clearing test 640-822, you would earn the CCENT. Then by the latest 640-816, you would have both your CCENT and your CCNA certifications.
Four reasons you should get your CCENT
If you already have a Cisco certification, you could go ahead and skip this section. But if you haven’t acquired any Cisco certifications, the CCENT would be most likely the best possible place for you to start your career.
Here are four reasons why:
1. The CCENT Certification demonstrates the networking knowledge of a candidate tangibly. Getting a Cisco certification would show that you have the basic knowledge about networking like networks make computing possible as well as connecting every person in the world.
2. Earning the CCENT would require the candidate to clear only one test. You could earn the certification by clearing just one test which would be boosting your confidence and get you ready for the longer certification paths like the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification.
3. A certification would be able to help the candidates to prove their knowledge to their boss. We would all like to think that everyone would be respecting us just because we consider ourselves smart, but having a piece of paper on the wall isn’t going to hurt, is it? It would be reminding your boss as well as your coworkers of your expertise every time they come into your office.
4. The CCENT is considered as a stepping stone for the CCNA. Clearing the single CCNA test would be very much difficult – it would be much easier to take two smaller tests that you could more easily prepare for. By clearing the CCENT test, you would be halfway on the road to earning your CCNA.
Summary
While I'm not that crazy about the CCENT Certification, I do believe that the cert is quite a valuable entry-level certification that you would be hearing more about.
So, if you wish to give your career a good boost, gain this certification and if you wish to crack this certification exam in a single attempt, do check out the courses offered at the SPOTO Club.
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