It doesn't take long for savvy IT professionals interested in pursuing a career working with Cisco routed and switched networks to discover that a must-have credential is the Cisco Certified Network Associate, or CCNA. Offered by Cisco, this certification serves up professionals with the technical skills necessary to ensure that routers and network systems are maintained and operated at the highest level of quality and efficiency.
Employers can rely upon the reputation of CCNA credential holders to understand, both conceptually and practically, what it takes to keep Cisco routed and switched networks operating at peak performance. CCNA credential holders are leaders in performing essential tasks such as installation, configuration, operation, troubleshooting and problem analysis, connection verification to remote sites, security risk mitigation and performance enhancement, just to name a few. Credential holders also are familiar with technologies such as access control lists (ACLs), VLANS, various routing protocols and more.
IT professionals seeking to specialize in a particular area of medium-sized routed and switched networks will find the CCNA Routing and Switching certification particularly suited to their needs. In addition, there are seven other CCNA concentrations available (four of which require the plain vanilla CCNA as a prerequisite; Data Center is regarded as an independent study track):
- CCNA Data Center -- Credential holders are ready to work in data centers, to support, maintain and manage data center networks and services.
- CCNA Security -- Technical skills include ability to develop security infrastructures, identify and mitigate security risks, maintain integrity and availability of the network and network devices.
- CCNA Service Provider -- CCNA SP holders are able to act as Tier 1 support engineers in a troubleshooting role within carrier-class NGN core network infrastructures, including incident handling, plus fault, configuration, change and performance management procedures, in an environment where network management systems (NMS) and ticketing tools are in everyday use.
- CCNA Service Provider Operations -- CCNA SP OPS credential holders are able to provide Tier 1 infrastructure support for IP NGN networks, including managing NMS protocols, handling incidents, troubleshooting, performance enhancement, managing WAN connections, RIPv2, IOS devices, as well as routine installation, configuration, and network operation tasks.
- CCNA Video -- Credential holders are ready to support video-over-IP networked video environments, including setting up new users, deploying video endpoints and operating networked video solutions.
- CCNA Voice -- Credential holders possess technical skills in Cisco Unified Communication Systems, including VoIP, IP PBX and IP telephony.
- CCNA Wireless -- Credential holders are able to support and manage WLAN systems.
Regardless of the area of interest, the CCNA certifications have a credential for everyone. IT professionals find these specialized CCNA certifications useful in demonstrating to prospective employers that they possess the skills necessary to get the job done in a quick, competent, and highly skilled manner.
Required Courses: None; however, some CCNA specializations have prerequisites, as listed below.
| CCNA Specializations | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
| CCNA Routing and Switching | None |
| CCNA Data Center | None |
| CCNA Security | Must possess any valid CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching, or any CCIE certification. |
| CCNA SP: | None |
| CCNA SP OPS: | Must possess any valid CCENT, CCNA, or any CCIE certification. |
| CCNA Voice: | Must possess any valid CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching, or any CCIE certification. |
| CCNA Video: | None |
| CCNA Wireless: | Must possess any valid CCENT, CCNA Routing and Switching, or any CCIE certification. |
Required Exams: Each CCNA specialization has a different exam requirement, as listed below.
| CCNA Specializations | Required Exams |
|---|---|
| CCNA Routing and Switching | Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices: Accelerated (CCNA): 200-120 or Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1): 100-101 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2): 200-101 |
| CCNA Data Center | Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN): 640-911 Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies (DCICT): 640-916 |
| CCNA Security | Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS): 640-554 |
| CCNA SP | Building Cisco Server Provider Next-Generation Networks, Pt 1 (SPNGN1): 640-875 Building Cisco Server Provider Next-Generation Networks, Pt 2 (SPNGN2): 640-878 |
| CCNA SP OPS | Supporting Cisco Service Provider IP NGN Operations (SPO): 640-760 S |
| CCNA Voice | Introducing Cisco Voice and Unified Communications Administration (ICOMM V8.0): 640-461 |
| CCNA Video | Implementing Cisco Video Network Devices (VIVND): 200-001 Introducing Cisco Voice and Unified Communication Administration (ICOMM): 640-461 |
| CCNA Wireless | Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials (IUWNE): 640-722 |
Exam Costs: All CCNA exams listed above are $250 except for CCNA exam 200-120, which is $295, and the ICND1 and ICND2 exams, which are $150 each. Pearson VUE is the authorized Cisco test delivery partner. US and Canada only: 1-877-404-EXAM. Contact online:www.vue.com/cisco.
CCNA Books:
- CCNA Routing and Switching Study Guide: Exams 100-101, 200-101, and 200-120, by Todd Lammie (October 7, 2013) Sybex. ISBN-13: 978-1118749616, ISBN-10: 1118749618
- CCNA Routing and Switching 200-120 Official Certification Guide, by Wendell Odom (June 2, 2013) Cisco Press. ISBN-13: 978-1587143878, ISBN-10: 1587143879
CCNA Practice Exams: The Cisco Certification Practice Exam product line was retired in May, 2014, and is no longer available for purchase. Candidates may purchase a Cisco Certification Practice Exam by MeasureUp: CCNA Routing and Switching (200-120) (30-day key) for $120. The Cisco Learning Network Store offers fee-based learning labs.
Self-Paced Training: The Cisco Learning Network Store offers free self-assessments.
