It has been a while now that one of the most demanded certifications by Cisco got a 360-degree revolutionary update, which changed the whole process and criteria of being titled as a CCNA certified professional.
The update in CCNA certification made many huge changes, some considered it that this made the certification easier than the previous version, whereas some believed the updation is made to increase the standards of the certification hence made it harder to get.
Following are some of the information about the New CCNA certification that may help you decide whether you should go for the certification or not.
What is CCNA certification?
CCNA certification refers to certification in Cisco Certified Network Associate. This is a certification offered by a big brand in the world of Networks and Security is Cisco.
Cisco offers several certifications starting from basic certification as an entry-level or fundamental certification, for instance, CCT (Cisco Certified Technician) & CCNA to expert-level certification like CCIE or CCAr (ending soon). These certifications validate the skills of candidates at different levels and make it easier for them to become eligible for managing the Cisco products.
While talking about the CCNA certification, especially the new CCNA certification, it tests the candidate for the following skills:-
- Network fundamentals
- Security fundamentals
- IP connectivity
- Network access
- IP services
- Automation
- Programmability
The above skillset makes the CCNA certification highly demanding in the field of network and security.
While talking about the examination to acquire the CCNA certified title, as mentioned earlier, the certification faced a huge change a while ago. Before the change, CCNA certification was domain and field specified that means, the CCNA certified professional was a specialist in a specific field like Routers & switches or Security or Collaboration and etc. Therefore, the candidate had to appear in different examinations if he or she wants to become an all-rounder.
However, it is not the same after the change in certification. Now there is only ONE examination that the candidate needs to qualify to become CCNA certified. This examination includes most of the areas that are required to be known by a network associate for better product and tools handling skills. The examination has merged all the previous domains of CCNA into one, according to Cisco, they made this change to increase the standards of CCNA certification and make it up to the mark as there is demand in the market.
How CCNA Certification can help in your career building?
Cisco has raised the standards and quality of CCNA certification ahead of the time in the IT industry and this made the certification even more demanding than before.
Since the certification validates some of such skills that are highly demanded in the world of network and security it helps the qualified candidate for getting a job more easily than without having the certification.
The CCNA certification is majorly beneficial for two types of candidates, one who is completely new to the IT industry and looking to start their career in the field, and the second who are at their early stage of career and working in the field of Network and security.
For freshers, the certification works as the certificate of authentication and proof of skills which helps them get the attention and trust of employers faster. It makes the resume of freshers more accountable and considerable as the employers understand that the candidate is already aware of the concepts and they would not require to train the candidate much hence, he or she will be productive faster than others.
On other hand, when talking about the already working professionals, the certification is a great option for those who are in a state of steadiness in their career growth. The certification will update the skills of working professionals making them aware of all the new tools and technology which will help them to grow in their career. It can help the candidate to get a higher position in the organization with better salary packages.
What does the CCNA certification test you on?
Following are some of the points which are covered during CCNA training and are asked in the CCNA examination by Cisco:-
- Identify the components of a computer network and describe their basic characteristics.
- Understand the model of host-to-host communication
- Describe the features and functions of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS®) software
- Describe LANs and the role of switches within LANs
- Describe Ethernet as the network access layer of TCP/IP and describe the operation of switches
- Install a switch and perform the initial configuration
- Describe the TCP/IP Internet layer, IPv4, its addressing scheme, and subnetting
- Describe the TCP/IP Transport layer and Application layer
- Explore functions of routing
- Implement basic configuration on a Cisco router
- Explain host-to-host communications across switches and routers
- Identify and resolve common switched network issues and common problems associated with IPv4 addressing
- Describe IPv6 main features and addresses, and configure and verify basic IPv6 connectivity
- Describe the operation, benefits, and limitations of static routing
- Describe, implement, and verify Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) and trunks
- Describe the application and configuration of inter-VLAN routing
- Explain the basics of dynamic routing protocols and describe components and terms of Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
- Explain how Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) work
- Configure link aggregation using EtherChannel
- Describe the purpose of Layer 3 redundancy protocols
- Describe basic WAN and VPN concepts
- Describe the operation of Access Control Lists (ACLs) and their applications in the network
- Configure Internet access using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) clients and explain and configure Network Address Translation (NAT) on Cisco routers
Although, the list goes on with the syllabus of the course.
Who should go for CCNA certification and its training course?
If talking in a general way, the CCNA certification training course are good for anyone who is interested in the field of network and security and looking to make his/her career the same. Along with the professionals who are already working in the same field, as it will polish their current skill making them master those skills. And also those who are looking for the job role switch can also prefer the CCNA certification for a good start.
However, if talking precisely for the professionals. Following is the list who should prefer getting CCNA certification or CCNA training:-
- Entry-level network engineer
- Network administrator
- Network support technician
- Help desk technician
The CCNA certification training could be beneficial for the above-mentioned personnel.
Does CCNA certification have any prerequisite?
As such, there is no formal prerequisite for gaining the CCNA training or applying for the CCNA certification examination. But, it is recommended to cover the syllabus provided on the official site of Cisco for the CCNA examination.
While starting with the training for CCNA, it is recommended to have Basic computer literacy, Basic PC operating system navigation skills, Basic Internet usage skills and Basic IP address knowledge.
