The CCNP Certification Exam
The CCNP or Cisco Certified Network Professional is a step up from the entry level CCNA or Cisco Certified Network Associate. In fact, being CCNA certified is a prerequisite for becoming a CCNP. To pass the CCNP certification exam demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills to work with mid sized networks. You will be able to configure and install LANs and WANS with up to 500 or more nodes. You will also be skilled in troubleshooting and managing switches and routers as well as be proficient in voice technologies, wireless and security applications.
The CCNP certification exam consists of four training modules and 4 examinations. The exams must be retaken or upgraded every three years. The certifications expire because ideally you are to be progressing in your career and progressively taking higher level examinations.
To train for the certification exam, you can take the week long classroom courses which are available from Cisco certified partners. You can also rely on online training or Cisco published manuals to help you prepare to pass the exam.
Cisco does not require you to take any courses before you take the exam. Of course it would be to your great benefit to do so unless you have extensive experience in networking already. The classes offered by Cisco and others are a good way to get hands on experience which might help you pass the certification exam. If you are particularly good at self learning, you may do well just by studying a book you can check out for free from the library. You can take your certification exam at the same location where you took the CCNA examination, or if that is not possible, you can find a new location by doing a search on the Cisco site or the test administrator's website. All Cisco exams including the CCNP certification exam are proctored by one of two companies, Pearson or Prometric. You can find more details about the exam at one of their sites. For example, you can find location, date and time, as well as price. You can even go ahead and register for the examination online if you want or you can call to make your exam reservation. Passing the CCNP certification exam is the next step in the advancement of your IT career and shows that your skills have progressed to being able to handle midsized networks. You can prepare for the certification exam with something as involved and lengthy as a four semester university course, or something as simple as a week long study course sponsored by Cisco. If you feel you need more intensive instruction but don’t want to invest a year or longer, then you may want to consider attending a CCNP boot camp where you will undergo intense day long training for a one to two week period.
Mcse Certification
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