Cisco is the world’s leading provider of networking solutions. It is named after San Francisco, home of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. Cisco is the manufacturer, the originator of IT networking. Most network engineer positions require Cisco certification.
If you want to work as a networking professional, Cisco certifications can help you stand out in the company and job market. But with so many Cisco certifications out there, how do you choose the right path? Let’s take a look at what you should know about the overview, benefits, and training of Cisco certifications.
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Cisco Certification Levels
Cisco offers four levels of certification: Entry, Associate, Professional, and Expert. Cisco used to offer an architect level, but it has been retired. In addition to the core level, expert levels are offered in several areas.
Entry-Level Certification
The Entry Level provides certification as a Cisco Certified Technician, giving you the ability to diagnose, restore, repair, and replace Cisco network and system equipment for Cisco customers. No formal prerequisites are required. It is considered the starting point for individuals interested in starting a networking career. This entry-level certification is low in difficulty and not of tremendous value. Few people choose to take the CCT level certification.
CCT Certification
The CCT certification offers three concentrations. Each requires you to pass an exam.
- CCT Collaboration. You should be eligible to support and maintain Cisco’s collaboration products, such as telephony and video conferencing equipment. The exam is 90 minutes long and 100-890 CLTECH consists of 65 to 75 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.
- CCT Data Center. This exam covers the knowledge required to support and maintain Cisco’s unified data center computers and services. The 010-151 DCTECH exam is 90 minutes long and consists of 65 to 75 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.
- CCT Routing and Switching. This focuses on the skills required to support and maintain Cisco routers, switches, and operating systems. The 90-minute exam 100-490 RSTECH consists of 55 to 65 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.
Association Level Certification
The Associate level helps you expand your career in networking with three types of certifications. For any of these three certifications, you must pass an exam to become certified. Master the essential elements needed to launch a rewarding career and expand your job possibilities with the latest technologies
- CCNA. Cisco Certified Network Associate is for those who want to gain a range of skills in networking technology and software development.
The 200-301 exam is 120 minutes long and consists of multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions. Try a free demo to test yourself!
Latest Update-2024 Free CCNA 200-301 Exam Questions and Answers
- DevNet Associate. The Cisco Certified DevNet Associate requires candidates to concentrate on software development There are no prerequisites, but Cisco recommends at least one year of software development experience and familiarity with Python programming.
The 120-minute exam 200-901 DEVASC includes multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions. - CyberOps Associate. The Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate focuses on cybersecurity and has no formal prerequisites. This certification validates your knowledge of cybersecurity operations, skills, and procedures.
The 200-201 exam is 120 minutes long and contains 95 to 105 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.
Professional Level Certification
The Professional level offers certifications in seven areas, so you can choose your area of interest and expertise. In the new certification system, you are no longer have to earn the CCNA first but can earn the CCNP level certification directly.
For each certification, you must pass two exams: a core exam and another focused exam of your choice. The core exam lasts 120 minutes and has multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions. Each concentration exam lasts 90 minutes.
The CCNP Enterprise Certification verifies your ability to use networking technologies in an enterprise.
CCNP Data Center certification concentrates on your skills in utilizing networking technologies within a data center.
The CCNP Security Certification validates your ability to use network security tools and services.
CCNP Service Provider certification is for network engineers and specialists and tests your ability to provide the right type of network services to Cisco customers.
The CCNP Collaboration certification judges your skills in using Cisco collaboration tools, such as telephony and video conferencing equipment.
- Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional
The Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional certification confirms your ability to manage and enhance the cybersecurity of Cisco network services as a security analyst.
The Cisco Certified DevNet Professional certification tests your ability to develop and maintain software applications built on Cisco systems.
According to Cisco, the three most popular professional-level certifications are the CCNP Enterprise, CCNP Security, and Cisco Certified DevNet Professional.
| Categories | Exam Code | 100% Pass Dumps |
|---|---|---|
| CCNP | CCNP EI |  |
| CCNP Security | | |
| CCNP Data Center | | |
| CCNP Collaboration | | |
| CCNP Service Provider | | |
| CCNP DevNet | |
Expert Level Certification
Expert-level certifications test advanced, hands-on knowledge and skills through more challenging exams that will advance your career. You can pursue any of the seven certifications. For each certification, you must pass two exams: a passing written exam and a practical hands-on lab exam.
The core exam lasts 120 minutes, while the practical exams (Module 1 and Module 2) last eight hours. New CCIE Lab exam patterns can be found here: Everything You Need to Know about New CCIE Lab Exam
- CCDE. For expert network design engineers and network team leaders, the Cisco Certified Design Expert certification tests your ability to create network infrastructure for large customer networks.
- CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure. The Cisco Certified Internet Expert Enterprise Infrastructure certification judges your ability to handle more complex network infrastructures in large enterprise companies.
Enterprise infrastructure contains the most basic equipment and technology in the enterprise network, almost 80% of network engineers need to study and take the exam in this direction first.
Check this post for more details about the CCIE EI track: All You Need to Know–Key Points of Cisco Live 3rd Webinar on CCIE EI Exam
- CCIE Enterprise Wireless. CCIE Enterprise Wireless certification tests your experience in working with wireless networking tools and services.
- CCIE Data Center. CCIE Data Center certification confirms your skills in developing complex network services for data centers.
- CCIE Security. CCIE Security certification confirms your ability to design a secure environment for your network.
- CCIE Service Provider. CCIE Service Provider certification tests your ability to design the right type of network services for Cisco customers.
- CCIE Collaboration. the CCIE Collaboration certification covers your experience with Cisco collaboration tools and technologies.
According to Cisco, the three most popular certifications at this level are CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCIE Security, and CCIE Data Center.
[table “” not found /]Specialist Certification
The Specialist certification is for those who want to focus on a specific area, such as collaboration, data center, or network architecture. This level offers seven certifications.
– Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise Specialist.
– Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist.
– Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Implementation and Management Specialist.
– Cisco Business Architecture Analyst.
– Cisco Customer Success Manager.
– Cisco Renewal Manager.
– Cisco Meraki Solutions Specialist.
No prerequisites are needed for the certification. You must pass two exams to earn the Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise Specialist certification; the other certifications require one exam.
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Learning path for Cisco certifications
The learning path for Cisco certifications varies by level, concentration, and existing knowledge and experience. For example, if you are new to the IT career, you can choose CCNA first. If you have a certain experience and want to deepen your networking career, you should chase for CCNP or CCIE for higher levels!
However, you do not need to follow a path from one level to the next. Candidates can enter the certification at any level if they feel they have the recommended prerequisites and abilities.
Why pursue Cisco certifications?
Reason 1: Cisco certification can enhance and validate your network knowledge
One of the main reasons to participate in Cisco certification training is to enhance and increase your knowledge. As most Cisco certifications contain a variety of technologies and protocols, obtaining a Cisco certification can help you learn how to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot routing and switching networks.
Reason 2: Cisco certification opens up new avenues for career development
When it comes to the positions you are qualified to hold and offered to you, Cisco certifications put your career on a fast track-which means your work profile has better visibility. You will be able to perform various network tasks at an advanced level, take on more responsibilities, and have more ownership of your tasks.
Reason 3: Cisco certifications give you a boost in salary
According to the InfoSec Institute, CCNA professionals can earn an average annual salary of $118,830. And, a recent PayScale report shows that certified network engineers specializing in Cisco networking earn up to $128,413 per year. Related reading: What is the salary of CCIE in Dubai?
How to Start Preparing for Certification Exams
To help you study and prepare for your certification exams, Cisco provides links to digital learning courses, training catalogs, classroom training locators, and more.
In addition, you can find training courses from many other third-party training providers, including SPOTO Cisco dumps & SPOTO CCNA, CCIE lab Training courses.
Why choose SPOTO Cisco Training?
Founded in 2003, SPOTO is an excellent leader in IT certification training. We provide 100% real Cisco CCNA, CCNP exam dumps, CCIE Lab study materials, PMP, CISA, CISM, AWS, Palo Alto, and other IT exam dumps. We have helped thousands of candidates around the world to pass their IT exams on the first try!
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