ExamNotes\' overview of Cisco certifications

Today is: Thu May 15, 2008, 8:06 pm

ExamNotes' overview of Cisco certifications

As the Internet grows and Cisco routers are becoming the top choice of ISPs, Cisco certifications are gaining the popularity.

The entry level Cisco certification is CCNA - Cisco certified network associate. ( exam #640-507)

The CCNA exam is a 75 minutes exam and consists of 65 questions. Passing score is 849, which means you need to get at least 54 question right in order to pass.

The next level is CCNP - Cisco certified network professional

At the top of the Cisco certification is a CCIE - Cisco certified internetworking expert.

You can become a CCIE in one or all of four areas: Routing & Switching, WAN Switching, ISP–Dial or SNA/IP Integration.

There are 2 different CCNP certification tracks. Both require to pass CCNA exam, and the difference is in the elective exams. Both CCNP track include the "Support exam" (exam #640-506)

Unlike the MCSE certification, CCIE also requires you to pass a hands-on lab exam. The Routing and Switching CCIE lab test is a two day practical exam. The first day of the lab exam is installation and the second day is troubleshooting.

In the troubleshooting lab exam the candidate is required to recognize, diagnose, and resolve faults that have been inserted into an internetworks by the lab engineer.

Each configuration scenario and problem has pre-assigned point values. The candidate must obtain a minimum mark of 80% to pass.

CCIEs are recognized throughout the internetworking industry as highly qualified professionals whose expertise has been tested and validated both by passing a written examination and a rigorous, two-day hands-on lab examination.

I highly recommend having some hands-on experience with IOS commands before attempting any of the Cisco exams.

If you don't have access to Cisco router, the next best thing is to get Router Simulator software. Below are 2 best-selling Router simulation packages: The first is "Virsual lab e-trainer"

The second is a study kit that includes the "Virtual lab e-trainer" and a study guide by Todd Lammle.

CD-ROM Boxed edition (September 2000)

Click here for more information and order this Router Simulator now.

This kit include the e-trainer router simulator plus the best-selling CCNA study guide by Todd Lammle.

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Disclaimer

The material on this web site is not sponsored by, endorsed by or affiliated with Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco®, Cisco Systems®, CCDA™, CCNA™, CCDP™, CCNP™, CCIE™, CCSI™, the Cisco Systems logo and the CCIE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.

We recommend the following book for this exam:

This box set contains the new edition of Sybex's best-selling and highly acclaimed CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, which provides in-depth coverage of all official exam objectives, and the CCNA Virtual Lab: Sybex e-trainer, which simulates the interface of a router configuration screen on a network consisting of three routers and one switch.

The kit covers the vast majority of what you need to know to pass this exam. After using several other books to prepare for other exams, this is by far the most thourough. The simulator did have some bugs, but it was still a valuable tool to simulate hands on practice. You can pass the exam using this kit alone, but I would recommend some hands on experience, or another book to supplement the material included. (No single book covers it all, but this one was close.)

Order your copy today.

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