General Certifications: Three Levels of Certification
- Associate: The first step in Cisco networking begins at the Associate level, which also includes CCENT, an interim step to Associates for those with little job experience. Think of the Associate level as the apprentice or foundation level of networking certification.
- Professional. This is the advanced or journeyman level of certification.
- Expert. This is CCIE, the highest level of achievement for network professionals, certifying an individual as an expert or master.
General Certifications: Six Different Paths
- Routing and Switching: This path is for professionals who install and support Cisco technology-based networks in which LAN and WAN routers and switches reside.
- Design: This path is aimed at professionals who design Cisco technology-based networks in which LAN and WAN routers and switches reside.
- Network Security: This path is directed toward network professionals who design and implement Cisco Secure networks.
- Service Provider: This path is aimed at professionals working with infrastructure or access solutions in a Cisco end-to-end environment primarily within the telecommunications arena.
- Storage Networking: This path is for professionals who implement storage solutions over extended network infrastructure using multiple transport options.
- Voice: This path is directed toward network professionals who install and maintain Voice solutions over IP networks.
Certification Paths: Routing & Switching
Associate: CCNA
Professional: CCNP
Expert: CCIE Routing & Switching
Certification Paths: Design
Associate: CCNA & CCDA
Professional: CCDP
Expert: CCDE
Certification Paths: Network Security
Associate: CCNA Security
Professional: CCSP
Expert: CCIE Security
Certification Paths: Service Provider
Associate: CCNA
Professional: CCIP
Expert: CCIE Service Provider
Certification Paths: Storage Networking
Associate: CCNA
Professional: CCNP
Expert: CCIE Storage Networking
Certification Paths: Voice
Associate: CCNA Voice
Professional: CCVP
Expert: CCIE Voice
Certification Paths: Wireless
Associate: CCNA Wireless
Professional: Coming Soon
Expert: CCIE Wireless
