What is the CCNA-A Networking Certification for Entry Level.
What's the CCNA Certification?
Cisco's entry-level certification in information technology (IT), the CCNA, stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. The CCNA validates your understanding of basic networking concepts often required in IT roles.
- A quick overview of the critical facts:
- You must pass the 200-301 CCNA exam to earn the CCNA certification.
- The CCNA exam is $300 plus tax.
- No prerequisites are required to pass the exam. However, it is recommended that you have some computer networking experience and training.
- CCNA is a highly sought-after IT certification. There are over 9,000 job postings that list the accreditation as of May 2022.
What is the cost of the CCNA exam for
The CCNA exam is $300 plus tax. Cisco Learning Credits can also be used to purchase the exam. These are prepaid credits that a company may purchase to allow their employees to customize how they spend the credit on the Cisco platform.
Do you want to reduce costs?
A CCNA certification could be a benefit to your employer. You can ask your manager if they will cover the exam or training costs.
What salary can I expect to earn with my CCNA certification?
CCNA certifications are helpful for both entry-level and more senior networking positions. You can apply for these job titles for CCNA certifications and what they earn on average in America.
CCNA vs. CompTIA Network+
The CompTIA Network+ certification is similar to the CCNA. It is a certification that tests your network knowledge. This certification is often used by professionals who want to improve their networking skills. There are some key differences.
The CompTIA Network+ certification, unlike CCNA, is vendor-neutral. It's intended to allow you to use any network device or system regardless of its vendor. You will only be tested on Cisco tools and products by the CCNA.
Which one should you choose?
Many people choose to take the CCNA, despite being vendor-specific to Cisco since Cisco products dominate the networking market. Cisco held a 47 percent market share in Ethernet switches and 33 percent in the SP and enterprise router markets. It can be helpful to have a good knowledge of Cisco products, as they are widely used. Learning about Cisco products is beneficial for many learners.
Network+ focuses only on the basics and can be helpful for people who are new to networking or need assistance finding a CCNA that is too complicated or comprehensive. You can get Network+ and then take the CCNA if you have more experience.
What are the other Cisco network certifications?
Cisco Certification Technician (CCT) is an entry-level Cisco certification. The CCT will equip you with skills for onsite support and maintenance. The CCT doesn't cover networking concepts which are probably why it is less popular than the CCNA for entry-level IT jobs.
What is the CCNA exam like?
The 200-301 CCNA exam is 120 minutes long and can be taken in English or Japanese.
The CCNA Exam is broken down as follows:
- Basics of Networking (20%): Components of Network Topology Architectures; Physical Interfaces and Cabling Types; IPv4/IPv6 Configuration; IP Parameters; Wireless, Virtualization, and Switching Fundamentals
- Internet access (20%): Configuring and verifying VLANs and inter-switch connectivity; Layer 2 discovery protocols and EtherChannel operations; Cisco wireless architectures; AP modes; physical WLAN components; AP and WLC management connections and wireless LAN accessibility
- IP connectivity (25%): Route tables; router decision making; configuring and verifying IPv4/IPv6 static routing, single-area OSPFv2 and IPv6 dynamic routing; first hop redundancy protocol
- Internet services (10%): Configuring NAT and NTP, SNMP, and Syslog feature; per-hop behavior; using SSH to describe TFTP/FTP
- Security basics (15%): Security concepts such as threats and mitigation, password policies, access controls lists, Layer 2 security, and wireless security protocols.
- Automation & Programmability (10%): Comparing controller-based networks with traditional networks; automation concepts; Interpreting JSON data
How do I get the CCNA certificate?
You will need to pass the Cisco CCNA 200-301 exam to become CCNA certified. Although there are no prerequisites to the exam, Cisco reports that CCNA candidates typically have the following experience prior to taking it:
- Minimum one year of use and implementation of Cisco products and solutions
- Basic knowledge about IP addressing
- Basic knowledge of network principles
CCNA training
You have many options for online courses that will help you prepare for the CCNA exam. You may also find classes in person at your local community college.
Cisco offers an online course called Implementing and Administering Solution, which is designed to help you pass your CCNA exam. The cost of the system is $800.
CONCLUSION
Companies and organizations highly value Cisco certificates. In the face of growing cyber-security threats, certification is essential. Cisco-accredited certificates have more benefits than other certificates. You'll be a valuable employee.
