CCNA Certification Overview

In preparation of your CCNA exam, we want to make sure we cover the various concepts that we could see on your Cisco CCNA exam. So to assist you, below we will present an CCNA Certification Overview. After reveiwing this article, I am sure you will be on your way to success and your Cisco CCNA certification!

Cisco Systems provides CCNA Certification to professionals wishing to obtain careers in the many IT and MIS related fields which use their products. CCNA Certification qualifies its holder to work in careers such as Network Management and Implementation, Network Optimization and Systems Analysis, Router and Switch/Equipment Sales, and Systems Integration, just to name a few. Employers seeking IT/MIS professionals in today’s market are looking for individuals who are prepared to provide support in a magnitude of varying circumstances pertaining to a diverse range of equipment and network systems. With this in mind, CCNA certification is agreed upon as the most popular entry-level networking certification program, providing a strong foundation in network service and support in a number of network applications. In order to attain this certification, one must first pass the industry’s fiercely challenging 640-822 ICND1 and 640-816 ICND2 exams, or, alternately, the one-part 640-802 CCNA exam.

Depending on the trainee’s level of experience, he or she may opt to begin with the two-part ICND1/ICND2 program, providing a less experienced user with an opportunity to focus on a smaller set of topics at one time. Following changes to the program made by Cisco in June of 2007, completion of ICND1 now additionally provides the client with a new level of certification known as Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT). CCENT certification confirms that the holder has demonstrated an understanding of IP addressing and basic subnetting, as well as the ability to install, operate, and troubleshoot a small branch office network.

Once the trainee has obtained this level of certification, the natural next step is to move on to the more advanced ICND2 exam. The ICND2 will provide CCNA certification upon completion of the exam. This exam builds strongly on the ICND1 material, covering IPv6 addressing, variable-length subnet masking (a more complicated use of subnetting), and indicates an ability to work with larger networks than the basic CCENT certification. The one-part CCNA exam contains material from both the ICND1 and ICND2 exams, and provides a more direct route to certification for users with more experience or more overall confidence in their understanding of the material.

Why is this certification so vital in finding a career in the IT/MIS field? With its vast market share in systems usage around the world, Cisco claims an unbelievably high stake in the networking industry. In preparing for CCNA certification, the trainee is essentially preparing for themselves for the bulk of the IT environment. In other words, learning to properly operate and interconnect Cisco equipment means learning to use the most popular and broadly-used equipment in the world. The learning that is necessary to pass the CCNA certification is invaluable to anyone seeking a position in IT or MIS. As a certified agent, one is equipped with the basic knowledge required to work in the industry; the building blocks of all network systems work and theory.

CCNA certification is key when an employer needs to be certain that an applicant has the experience and knowledge necessary to perform vital network functions as well as a full understanding of networking fundamentals. To pass the exam, trainees have proven their knowledge useful and effective in the many applications of Cisco products in today’s network industry. The objective here is not about remembering terminology or reciting facts about the equipment. The purpose of this program is to exhibit a working knowledge of the equipment; to demonstrate an ability to use Cisco gear in a wide assortment of LAN or WAN applications as effectively used in business all around the globe. Today’s highly competitive, results-oriented business world absolutely demands that job candidates seeking to operate and maintain the systems that make businesses run be equipped to handle all arrangements of network applications, including all the theories behind their function. Bearing this in mind, becoming certified will validate to all concerned that as a network agent you are equipped with all the necessary tools; knowledge, comprehension, and basic troubleshooting capability.

We hope you found this Cisco certification article helpful. We pride ourselves on not only providing top notch Cisco CCNA exam information, but also providing you with the real world Cisco CCNA skills to advance in your networking career.