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

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