CCNA Certification: Your Ultimate Guide
Whether you are aspiring to be a network support engineer, network administrator, or simply looking to build a career in the field of networking, getting a CCNA certification will be an excellent decision.
It is evident that technology is evolving at a great pace and it must be second nature to keep up with the technological changes to stay relevant. The same goes for network engineers or those pursuing a career in networking. Enhancing one’s abilities and consistently updating the technical knowledge with the Cisco (CCNA) certification courses plays a significant role in shaping one’s networking career.
NetCom Learning is an ideal place to begin your certification process. Our faculties are verified domain and subject matter experts in their industry. We offer unlimited access to virtual labs for practical experience and customized classes to serve specific learning requirements. We also offer round-the-clock assistance to all our students. Our focus is on providing immense support, guidance, and assistance to all our CCNA certification aspirants.
Training Delivery Methods offered by NetCom Learning:
· Instructor-Led Training — Led by verified domain experts and experienced certified instructors.
· vILT from the Internet — Offers CCNA online training at all accessible locations.
· Corporate Group Training — This format offers training on specific knowledge and skills. These are customized training led by certified instructors.
· e-Learning — Enables high-quality learning at your own convenience, and at a pace that is right for you.
CCNA Certification and Benefits
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is an associate-level certification course offered by Cisco. Cisco is a leading brand in IT and networking. They are into designing and manufacturing networking devices, as well as developing network-related standards and protocols. Cisco is one of the leading suppliers of in-house IT network equipment.
Cisco offers a wide range of certification courses that substantiates your ability to work effectively on Cisco’s in-house networking devices. Being Cisco certified is a great credential for professionals and employers alike. These certification courses enhance your networking knowledge and abilities. Towards the completion of the certification course, you will have a better understanding of the IT and networking field and the certification will help you implement course learnings in your profession.
The Cisco certification course has gained demand and popularity because of its proven benefits and expertise in identifying, configuring and resolving network-related issues. Aside from the exponential interest from individuals, organizations across the world today are also making Cisco certification courses a mandate for their employees. Technical executives and managers at various firms believe CCNA certification plays a major role in their professional success. Also, leading industries use certification as a criterion for hiring candidates. As a result, it is evident that certification like CCNA can make a big difference in a person’s skill set and professional growth.
There are essentially five levels of certification:
· Entry-level — CCENT, CCT
· Associate-level — CCNA, CCDA
· Professional-level — CCNP, CCDP
· Expert-level-CCIE, CCDE
· Architect — CCAr
CCNA falls under the Associate-level and does not require prerequisites. Fresh graduates, as well as experienced candidates, can enroll in these courses.
With that said, if you’re looking to get the most up-to-date authorized Cisco training, then be sure to check out NetCom Learning’s Cisco Training. We offer a wide range of authorized Cisco certification training that is delivered by certified world-class instructors. As a Cisco Authorized Training Partner, we also accept Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) and help you renew your hard-earned Cisco certifications with the Cisco Recertification Policy.
The Cisco Certification Paths:
· Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching — This program helps entry-level engineers to enhance their knowledge and ability to install, configure and troubleshoot. This certification enhances your ability to work efficiently on routed and switched networks.
Exams to be taken — 200–120 CCNA or (100–101 ICND1, 200–101 ICND2)
Prerequisites required- None
· CCNA Security- This CCNA Cisco program confirms that you have the knowledge and skill set of an associate-level. This program is intended to offer network security knowledge for professionals interested in building a career in the network security field.
Exams to be taken — IINS 210–260 (Implementing Cisco Network Security)
Prerequisites required — Valid CCENT or CCNA Routing and Switching or any CCIE Certification.
· Cisco Certified Design Associate Certification (CCDA) — This is an associate-level or foundation-level certification mainly for the network designers, technicians, and support engineers to improve and enhance network design fundamentals.
Exams to be taken — Cisco 200–310 Design (Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions)
Prerequisites required — Valid CCENT or CCNA Routing and Switching or any CCIE Certification.
· CCNA Cloud- This certification course will enable you to function and support Cisco cloud solutions at an elementary level. Most of the companies are moving to Cloud for flexibility, rapid innovation, and infrastructure management. However, many companies are still delaying the move because of a lack of trained professionals. So, this is a great opportunity for those who are interested in Cloud Technology.
Exams to be taken — Cisco 210–451 CLDFND (Cloud Fundamental), 210–455 CLDADM (Cloud Administration)
Prerequisites required — None
· CCNA Collaboration- CCNA Collaboration is an alternative to CCNA Voice and CCNA Video certification. These certifications were officially retired by Cisco in 2015.
Exams to be taken — Cisco 210–060 CICD, 210–065 CIVND
Prerequisites required — None
· CCNA Data Center — This is one of the most demanding certifications. We all know that every organization deals with enormous amounts of data. This data has to be managed and stored well either on Cloud or other platforms. This certification enables the data center engineer to manage data responsibly and efficiently.
Exams to be taken- Cisco 640–911 DCICN, 640–916 DCICT
Prerequisites required — None
· CCNA Industrial — This is one of the latest CCNA certification programs introduced by Cisco. This certification program is mainly for engineers in the manufacturing, process control, and oil and gas industries. This certification validates the ability to successfully manage and operate the process while supporting the most significant practices required for a connected network.
Exams to be taken- 200–601 IMINS2
Prerequisites required — Valid CCENT or CCNA Routing and Switching or CCIE Certification or (200–401) Managing Industrial Networks with Cisco Networking Technologies (IMINS)
· CCNA SP — Cisco Certified Network Associate Service Provider- This CCNA certification course is exclusively for service provider engineers, designers, and technicians in the networking field. This certification offers the ability to work and implement on baseline Cisco service provider next-generation networks.
Exams to be taken- Cisco 640–875 SPNGN1, 640–878 SPNGN2
Prerequisites required — None
· CCNA Wireless — This certification is unlike the rest. This is not vendor-specific and hence the learnings can be applied anywhere. The CCNA Wireless certification validates the ability to work on Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs).
Exams to be taken- Cisco 200–355 WIFUND
Prerequisites required — Valid Cisco CCENT or CCNA Routing and Switching or CCIE Certification.
The associate-level CCNA certification courses are ideal for both beginners and fresh graduates. These courses are apt for beginners, who are keen on upgrading their networking skills. Being CCNA certified opens a wide window of opportunities in various fields of the IT industry. CCNA sharpens your basic networking skills, which include installing, fixing, and troubleshooting, etc. This not only validates your skill, ability, and knowledge to tackle network-related concerns but also unlocks opportunities for better job prospects, higher income, and recognition.
Benefits
Improves Knowledge Base
The greatest benefit of CCNA certification is that it helps you build a strong knowledge base. The CCNA course doesn’t restrict any candidate from enrolling based off experience. Those who have completed their +2 or equivalent can pursue this program. It doesn’t matter even if you have minimal or no network administration experience, you can still be a part of this certification program and gain knowledge and improve your skill set in the field of networking. The most interesting and beneficial part of this course is that you will be introduced to both theoretical and practical sessions. You also have an option to choose CCNA online course or classroom course at your convenience. Most importantly, the takeaways of this course are designed to be helpful to you throughout your career.
Career Growth
CCNA certification has a huge impact on the job market. Those candidates who are CCNA certified are obvious to get a preference over the non-certified. Passing CCNA validates you as a professional with verified knowledge of networking and network administration. Organizations are also keen on hiring CCNA certified candidates as they come with an impressive skill set. CCNA course opens a wide career path for people belonging to the IT and networking field.
Better Remuneration
At the end of the day, everybody is working hard to have a better life and income. It is obvious that when your knowledge and skillsets improve, you will have better job prospects. Better job prospects come with better remuneration. When you add a CCNA certified tag to your resume it will undoubtedly catch recruiters’ attention. Recruiters find it very convenient to hire these candidates as they already have the credentials from the world’s leading IT and networking company. Passing the CCNA certification course requires a lot of hard work and dedication. So, the remuneration should also be worth it.
Cisco Certified Network Associate V1. 0 (CCNA 200–301)
CCNA V1.0 (CCNA 200–301) exam tests a candidate’s expertise and skillsets associated with:
· Network fundamentals
· Network access
· IP connectivity
· IP services
· Security fundamentals
· Automation and programmability
The exam consists of 120 questions (120 minutes) and is available in English and Japanese.
Successful completion of this certification can land you in various roles such as:
· Entry-level network engineer
· Network administrator
· Network support technician
· Help desk technician
The CCNA certification course is ideal for two groups. The first one is the fresh graduates, who are planning to establish a career in the field of IT and networking and the second are those with one or two years of experience but haven’t taken up certification courses yet.
Registration and Fee Details
Interested candidates can register for their exams on Pearson VUE.
The candidates are required to pay $300 USD towards the examination fee. This CCNA certification cost may look overwhelming but it is worth it.
Cisco CCNA Certification Training and Exam
The new CCNA certification training program prepare you for today’s associate-level job roles in IT technologies and covers a some of the most of in-demand topics including Network Fundamentals, Network Access, IP Connectivity, IP Services, Security Fundamentals, Automation, and Programmability.
This exam expects you to attempt 120 questions in 120 minutes, which means that you have one minute to attempt each question. It is important that you manage your time accordingly. The question will be based on six sections mentioned earlier.
The detailed study materials and exam-related information are available on Cisco’s official website. You can find a lot of reliable sources and pieces of information that will be helpful in your exam preparation.
The Cisco CCNA Certification training includes different types of questions such as multiple-choice questions with both single and multiple answer types. The test also consists of a set of drag and drop questions, fill in the blanks, and simulation-based questions.
The validity of CCNA Certification is up to 3 years. Once the validity expires, the candidate can either do recertification or pursue a higher level of certification.
Few important details from Cisco’s official website:
Training Material: Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0
Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 offers you a wide range of basic technical knowledge in various fields of IT operations. Cisco’s training program is a combination of self-study, labs, and lecture sessions. The course includes learnings on network devices as well as component configuration, management, and identification of basic security threats.
The CCNA training program durations are as follows:
· The instructor-led training program is a combination of 5 days of classroom training and self-study of 3 days.
· The Virtual instructor-led training is a virtual session equivalent to 5 days of classroom training and self-study of 3 days.
· E-learning is equivalent to 8 days of classroom instruction without self-study.
Candidates can opt for any one of these training sessions. The instructor-led training program will be beneficial for fresh graduates, considering their zero levels of experience. CCNA course online training will be apt for candidates who have 2–3 years of experience but do not possess any certifications.
These CCNA classes help you:
· Enhance your basic knowledge and skills in the field of networking (installation, configuration, and operation).
· Attain fundamental skills and knowledge required for working in the field of networking, security, and automation.
· Taking up this course will be helpful for your recertification, as you can earn 30 CE credits for this.
The basic requirements for the CCNA course are:
· Basic computer knowledge
· Basic PC operating system navigation skills
· Internet usage skills
· Basic IP address knowledge
CCNA Online Testing
· CCNA Online testing requirements are as follows
· Quiet location with no disturbance at all
· Desktop or laptop with a webcam
· Reliable and strong Internet connection
· OnVUE software
· Government-issued identification proof
It is mandatory to perform and pass the system check before you take the online test.
There are not many changes to the online registration process, except that you may choose to take the test from home or office.
Mode of payment — Valid exam vouchers, valid promotional codes, and credit cards.
The online testing software employs the latest anti-cheating software and techniques to ensure integrity.
Recommended Books for CCNA Certification are:
· CCNA Preparation Library (640–801) — authorized by Cisco
· Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide (640–802) — by Todd Lammle
· Cisco CCNA Exam Flash Card Practice Library (640–607) — by Eric Rivard and Jim Doherty
For detailed information on CCNA Certification and training, visit Cisco’s official website.
