Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)

Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)

The CCIP certification is a professional certification covering the end-to-end protocols used in large scale networks.

To attain this certification tests must be passed in the areas of routing, BGP, MPLS, Quality of service and the routing exam from the CCNP track (642-901 BSCI) modified to 642-902 ROUTE.

Required Exams:

642-901 BSCI: Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) or 642-902 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing
642-642 QOS: Quality of Service
642-611 MPLS: Implementing Cisco MPLS
642-661 BGP: Configuring BGP on Cisco Routers
There are two composite exams that can be done in place some of the above.

642-691 BGP+MPLS: BGP + MPLS Exam (composite in place of 642-611 + 642-661)
642-892 BSCI+BCMSN: Routing + Switching Exam (composite in place of 642-901) or 642-902 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing
Last day to test for exams 642-901 and 642-892 was July 31, 2010. Also, the 642-642 QOS exam was previously required for CCNP and CCDP certification. Though it is no longer required in those domains, it is still part of CCIP certification and, thus, still available.

The CCIP certification will retire beginning October 29, 2012 [25]. It will be replaced by the CCNP Service Provider certification. The 642-661 BGP and 642-611 MPLS exams will be available until July 27, 2012.

CCNP and CCDP

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

The CCNP validates the ability to plan, implement, verify and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks and work collaboratively with specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless and video solutions. In addition to CCNA exams, professionals must pass three separate professional-level exams.

642-902 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE)[18]
642-813 SWITCH: Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH)[19]
642-832 TSHOOT: Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT)[20]
The certification track changed in July 2010, with various migration paths available for those that had begun, but not completed, the CCNP certification process. For a more detailed view of all the different CCNP certification paths up until July 31, 2010 - including release dates for the ROUTE, SWITCH and TSHOOT exam - see the CCNP website[21]

Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)

The CCDP certification is an advanced network design certification validating knowledge of Cisco devices and the way to interconnect them. With a CCDP certification, a network professional can discuss, design, and create advanced addressing and routing, security, network management, data center, and IP multicast complex multi-layered enterprise architectures that include virtual private networking and wireless domains. An active CCDA certification is required to earn this certification. As of Aug. 1, 2010, changes in the CCNP program have necessitated changes in the CCDP program. Notably, the routing-focused and switching-focused exams (642-901 BSCI & 642-812 BCMSN) have been discontinued (as has the 642-892 Composite). These have been replaced with updated versions.

Required Exams:

642-902 ROUTE: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE)[22]
642-813 SWITCH: Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH)[23]
642-874 ARCH: Designing Cisco Network Service Architecture[24]
Note that there are two exams in common between the CCNP and CCDP (642-902 ROUTE & 642-813 SWITCH); thus one certified for CCNP and CCDA can attain CCDP certification by passing a single test (642-873 ARCH).

CCNA SP Operations

CCNA SP Operations

Provider and skills in a prescriptive troubleshooting environment within a carrier class IP NGN core network infrastructure.

This certification is earned by passing the 640-822 ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) and 640-760 SSPO (Supporting Cisco Service Provider IP NGN Operations (SSPO) and possess any valid CCNA certification.[14]

[edit]CCDA (Cisco-Certified Design Associate)
CCDA-certified people can design switched or routed networks of LANs, WANs, and broadband services.

A CCNA certification is not required to take the CCDA exam (640-864 DESGN), but Cisco recommends being familiar with CCNA-level material, as well as BCMSN or SWITCH-level knowledge of Cisco-based LANs

CCNA Service Provider

CCNA Service Provider

Cisco Certified Network Associate - Service Provider (CCNA SP) focuses on the latest in Service Provider industry core networking technologies and trends, and validates the ability to configure and implement baseline Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation networks.

Required Exams: 640-875 Building Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Networks, Part 1(SPNGN1) & 640-878 Building Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Networks, Part 2 (SPNGN2). It is distinct in that it does not require the standard CCNA certification as a prerequisite.

The Building Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Networks, Part 1 course is associated with the CCNA Service Provider certification. The course is a 5-day Instructor Lead Training course that provides network engineers and technicians with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to support a service provider network. The course provides knowledge of the major components of a network and helps learners to understand how service provider networks function. The course introduces IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture that helps service providers to build modern, scalable and reliable networks. The course also includes classroom activities with remote labs that are useful to gain practical skills for deploying basic Cisco IOS / IOS XE and Cisco IOS XR software features to operate and support service provider networks.

The Building Cisco Service Provider Next-Generation Networks, Part 2 course is associated with the CCNA Service Provider certification. The course is a 5-day Instructor Lead Training course that provides network engineers and technicians the knowledge and skills necessary to implement and support a service provider network. The course provides knowledge of the major components of a service provider network construction and the Cisco service provider IP NGN architecture. The course also includes classroom activities with remote labs that are useful to gain practical skills for deploying Cisco IOS / IOS XE and Cisco IOS XR software features to operate and support service provider networks. [13]

CCNA Wireless

CCNA Wireless

The CCNA Wireless certification validates the knowledge of professionals supporting wireless LANs including Networking Associates/Administrators, Wireless Support Specialists and WLAN project managers. The CCNA Wireless certification involves implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials.

The CCNA Wireless Certification validates candidate's skills in the configuration, implementation and support of wireless LANs, specifically those networks using Cisco equipment. Students completing the recommended Cisco training are provided with information and practice activities to prepare them for configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting basic tasks of a Cisco WLAN in SMB and Enterprise networks. Employers will be able to validate their staff have the skills needed for basic wireless networking on a Cisco WLAN in SMB and enterprise networks after completing certification.

The CCNA Wireless certification is earned by passing the 640-721 IUWNE (Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials) exam.

CCNA Voice

CCNA Voice

The Cisco CCNA Voice certification validates a skill set for specialized job roles in voice technologies such as voice technologies administrator, voice engineer, and voice manager. The CCNA Voice certification involves implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications. It validates skills in VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voice mail solutions. Candidates also get exposure to the Cisco Unified Communications architecture and design covering mobility, presence, and TelePresence applications.[11][12]

The CCNA Voice certification is earned by passing the 640-461 ICOMM V8.0 (Introducing Cisco Voice and Unified Communications Administration)

CCNA Security

CCNA Security
CCNA Security validates knowledge of security infrastructure, threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and threat mitigation. Skills include installation, troubleshooting and monitoring of network devices to maintain integrity, confidentiality and availability of data and devices. This certification is earned by passing the IINS 640-553 (Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security, or IINS) exam.[9][10] The CCNA Security Certification IINS 640-553 will be able to be taken up to September 30, 2012. After this date you will have to pass the IINS 640-554. One of the two exams is required for continuing with the security certification path to the CCNP which has 4 exams to pass, firewall, vpn, ips and secure. Most professional level exams from cisco require 2-3 or more exams to possess that level of certification.