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XeonYN

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Overview of Cisco's new certifications

In the new CCNA, everything is merged!
At Cisco Live 2019, the announcement of a new CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) was met with a mixed reception by all present. Excitement, but also a little apprehension...

This new certification will be designed to validate a base of knowledge and know-how concerning the network, of course, but also security, automation and programmability, notions that were mainly addressed in the other Associate level certifications.

It is therefore easy to understand from this announcement that the new CCNA will replace the existing certifications:

CCNA Cloud
CCNA Collaboration
CCNA Data Center
CCDA
CCNA Industrial
CCNA Routing and Switching
CCNA Security
CCNA Service Provider
CCNA Wireless

We also note the pure and simple suppression of the CCDA which was oriented for Design and Architecture and of the CCENT which corresponded to a level below the CCNA.

Here is what the new Cisco certification guide should look like:
Cisco cert

In conclusion, all existing CCNAs (including CCDA) will be removed in favor of a single CCNA certification and a DevNet Associate.

Many changes also for the CCNP

Until now, specialization was possible from the CCNA. For example, one could go through CCNA Security, then CCNP Security, and finally CCIE Security.

From February 2020, the CCNA 200-301 exam will cover all the basic elements of the network, and specialization will only be possible at the CCNP level.

Another change, and not the least, there are no prerequisites to become CCNP!

From a structural point of view, the construction has changed a little. Let's take the example of a person wishing to become CCNP Security. To do so, he or she will have to pass two exams: a Core Exam and a Security Concentration Exam of his or her choice. In fact, this translates into obtaining the 300-701 SCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies) exam and one of the six Concentration Exams:
CCNP Concentration Exams

Passing the Core Exam or one of the Concentration Exams also earns you the title of Cisco Certified Specialist.

Here is the list of the detailed pages of the different CCNPs available as of February 24th:

CCNP Enterprise
CCNP Security
CCNP Service Provider
CCNP Collaboration
CCNP Data Center
Cisco Certified DevNet Professional

What about CCIE's redesign of the Cisco exams?

Yes, all certifications have been affected by the redesign!

The CCIE will now have 6 specialties, and will no longer have a dedicated "CCIE written exam". Instead, you will have to take the CCNP Core Exam, and then pass the 8 hour lab test.

For example, to obtain the CCIE Security, you will have to pass the CCNP Security Core Exam (SCOR 300-701) and then the 8 hour lab test: the CCIE Security v6.0.

Attention, little subtlety, for the CCIE Enterprise, there are two possible options: CCIE Enterprise Wireless and CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure. Concerning these two exams, it is necessary to pass the CCNP Enterprise Core Exam (ENCOR 350-401) but each one has its own lab: the CCIE Enterprise Wireless v1.0 and the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0.

For more details :

CCIE Enterprise Wireless
CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
CCIE Security
CCIE Service Provider
CCIE Collaboration
CCIE Data Center

The DevNet - The new Cisco certification path

Cisco has launched a new certification path called DevNet to combine Python development and infrastructure.

There would be four levels of DevNet certifications:

Cisco Certified DevNet Associate (Same level as CCNA)
Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist
Cisco Certified DevNet Professional (Same level as CCNP)
Cisco Certified DevNet Expert (Same level as CCIE) under development

The DevNet Associate is designed to validate the skills of developers, DevOPS, automation specialists, and other IT professionals.

To obtain this certification, you must pass the 200-901 DEVASC exam, which covers a fairly broad field, 80% of which is obviously development (Python): JSON, YAML, use of GIT, interactions with REST APIs and the Cisco SDK via Python, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Cisco NSO, Meraki kiosk control, Cisco DNA Center, SD-WAN, ACI, NSO, use of RESTCONF, NETCONF, and YANG, etc... But also 20% on basic network knowledge.

As for the other certifications, to obtain the DevNet Professional, you must pass the Core Exam: 300-901 DEVCOR - Developing Applications and Automating Workflows using Cisco Core Platforms (DEVASC) and a Concentration Exam from the existing list:
ccnp

Top comments (6)

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xeonyn profile image
XeonYN • Edited

CCNP is the most important intermediate certificate in Cisco certification system. You must pass the CCNA certification exams before you can continue to apply for the CCNP certification exams. Senior network engineers with the CCNP certificate are proved to have the ability to install, configure and troubleshoot converged LAN and WAN with 100 to more than 500 nodes.

Senior network engineers who have passed the CCNP certification have rich knowledge and skills. They are able to manage the routers and switches that constitute the core of the network, as well as the edge applications that integrate voice, wireless and security into the network. At the very beginning, there was only one type of the CCNP certification, routing and switching. With the continuous development of technology and product line, the following sub directions of security, voice, wireless and service provider have been extended.

What are the advantages of obtaining the CCNP certificate?

Employment direction: network management and implementation, optimization of network performance, security design.

Position: network engineer, system integration engineer, network maintenance engineer.

Capability: set backbone routing protocol, use multi-layer switching technology to establish campus network environment, install and configure Cisco equipment, and carry out fault diagnosis and troubleshooting.

Salary: an average annual salary of no less than 15,385 to 38,462 US dollars.

What Are the Choices Available for Those Who Want to Learn CCNP and Passing the CCNP Certification Exams?
It is mainly divided into seven categories: routing and switching, security, wireless, service provider, collaboration, data center, and cloud. Among the seven categories the most important and basic one is routing and switching.

CCNP Routing and Switching Certification
Master the following skills: have rich knowledge and skills, and be able to manage routers and switches that constitute the core of the network, as well as edge applications that integrate voice, wireless and security into the network.

CCNP Security Certification
Master the following skills: take the responsibility for the security of routers, switches and network devices, and be able to select, deploy, support and troubleshoot solutions of firewall, VPN and IDS / IPS in the network.

CCNP Collaboration Certification
Master the following skills: develop and improve the collaborative design, deployment, configuration and troubleshooting of Cisco unified communication application as well as Cisco collaboration and unified communication of equipment and network.

CCNP Wireless Certification
Master the following skills: use Cisco equipment to configure, implement and support WLAN, and take responsibility for the design, implementation, security and operation of wireless network and mobile infrastructure.

CCNP Service Provider Certification
Master the following skills: carry out large scale maintenance, debugging and support for the program in the operator network, build scalable infrastructure of service provider, and provide management services.

CCNP Data Center Certification
Master the following skills: design data center, install and maintain equipment, and have the ability to design, deploy and maintain the core area of data center network.

CCNP Cloud Certification
Master the following skills: develop, promote and validate skills in managing cloud network, and have the ability to perform entry-level cloud network operations and support Cisco's cloud computing solutions.

Although CCNP has many directions for you to choose, all these directions require you to have a learning foundation. So you will be required to pass CCNA new exam before applying for the CCNP certification. Before taking the CCNP certification exams, you should know the following contents:

WAN connection; network security implementation; network type; network medium; routing and switching principle; reference model of TCP / IP and OSI and other basic knowledge of the old version of CCNA network, as well as basic knowledge of WLAN.

These CCNP certification directions are now highly valued and can be very good employment direction. So many students want to obtain the CCNP certificate. Whether you learn CCNP by yourself or want to sign up for a training course to learn it, you can't manage that without reading. So what books do you need to read in learning CCNP?

Reading is very important, and another important point is the experimental operation. So spend more time in learning in your daily life. Are you ready for applying for the CCNP certification? Which direction do you prefer?

For more information, you can visit Spoto website

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ericthiel profile image
Eric Thiel

One small clarification on this statement:

"You must pass the CCNA certification exams before you can continue to apply for the CCNP certification exams."

This is not the case anymore. While having the skills tested by the CCNA is assumed for CCNP candidates, and CCNA sets a great foundation for CCNP preparation, it is not a prerequisite anymore. The same is true for the DevNet track.

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pallavi38408805 profile image
Pallavi

This is a very nice one and gives in-depth information. I am really happy with the quality and presentation of the article. I’d really like to appreciate the efforts you get with writing this post. Thanks for sharing.
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xeonyn profile image
XeonYN

Are people without any basic foundation suitable for learning the CCNA? A lot of people may ask a question. What is the CCNA exam?

In fact, the people without any basic foundation is suitable for learning CCNA certification. As long as you are interested in the network equipment operation and management, the basic knowledge and skills of the computer using is acceptable. Especially,the people with the foundation of the network operating system are preferred.

What is the Cisco CCNA? CCNA is the Cisco Certified Network Associate, which is the primary certification in the Cisco Certification. Earning a Cisco CCNA certification signifies the ability to install, configure, operate the medium routing and switching networks, as well as the ability of the troubleshoot. They also can establish connections with remote sites over the Wide Area Network and eliminate the basic security threats. What’s more, they can also understand the requirements of the wireless network access.

CCNA has six major directions: routing and switching, network security, carrier, wireless, collaboration, and data center.

The CCNA exam cost is the USD 325. You are only required to pass one exam, and your certification is valid for three years.

Main Learning Content of CCNA
Network communication principle: Main frame communication process, understanding of common network connection cable, TCP/IP communication model, IP introduction, understanding of network equipment (hardware and functions), practical small and medium-sized enterprise network IP planning

The construction of small sized switching enterprise network: understanding switches, VLAN broadcast isolation, Trunk cross-switch communication, network robustness and practicability, solving two-layer loop problems, setting up small switched enterprise network practically

The construction of medium-sized switching enterprise network: routing introduction, static routing, understanding of dynamic routing, dynamic routing protocol learning (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF), medium-sized enterprise network model, practical construction of medium-sized switching enterprise network

Internet access: Access Control List, Network Address Translation, access to the Internet, VPN to achieve communication between the two networks, deployment and construction of the medium network.

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benjaminlucas12 profile image
BenjaminLucas12

Thank you so much for the information. It is very helpful for us.
If you want to pass the cisco exam and become CCNA Cisco professional certified you need to focus on important points.

  1. Download sample questions from the official cisco website.
  2. Enroll in training programs
  3. Attend study sessions
  4. Engage with online communities
  5. Use Practice test Software to know the actual exam environment.
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kiarasmith profile image
Kiara Smith • Edited

Thank you for the information about Cisco Exams.