CCNAs can manage simple routed LANs or WANs, small ISPs, or small switched LAN or LANE environments. CCDAs can design simple routed and switched networks that may include LAN, WAN, and dial access components. They can also install, configure, and maintain such simple networks. Both CCNA and CCDA certifications require that you pass only one test for your desired track:

For a complete listing of all Cisco exams, plus related information, visit www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/testing/exam_list.htm.

Cisco recently introduced recertification requirements for its various certifications. For both CCNA and CCDA, a person must renew the certification every three years by retaking the current entry-level exam for CCNA or CCDA. Alternatively, by obtaining a higher-level certification in the interim, an individual automatically renews his or her CCNA and/or CCDA certification.

Currently, the CCNP applies only to the Network Installation and Support track. Here, you must follow a two- or four-exam sequence option. Note that the Foundations exam, explained in Step 2 of Test Option 1, is actually the same as the three tests in Step 2 of Test Option 2; the Foundations exam has just been separated into its three counterparts in Test Option 2. At $375 for the required exams beyond the CCNA certification, Test Option 1 is a better deal than Test Option 2, which costs $500.

Test Option 1:

Note

The Foundations exam costs $250; however, the alternative is to take replacement exams to the tune of $375 (see the information on Test Option 2). The Foundations exam exists to save you time and money.

Test Option 2:

To learn more about these exams, consult Cisco's Current Exams and Exam Outlines page, at www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/testing/exam_list.htm.

CCNP certifications last for three years. To stay certified, an individual must take a special exam, CCNP Recertification (640-851). For all the details, see the CCNP Certification page, at www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/lan/programs/ccnp.html.

The CCDP represents a logical step up from the CCNA and CCDA in the Cisco certification ladder, moving over from the CCNA and up from the CCDA; perhaps that's why both of these credentials are normally prerequisites to obtaining CCDP certification. Note that the Foundations exam explained in step 3 of Test Option 1 is actually the same as the three tests in step 3 of Test Option 2; the Foundations exam has just been separated into its three counterparts in Test Option 2. At $375 for the required exams beyond the CCDA and CCNA certifications, Test Option 1 is a better deal than Test Option 2, which costs $500. Also note that the CCNP and CCDP certifications sometimes overlap in that both require the Foundations exam or its three separate tests.

Test Option 1:

Test Option 2:

For more information on these exams, consult Cisco's Current Exams and Exam Outlines page, at www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/testing/exam_list.htm.

CCDP certifications last for three years. To stay certified, an individual in the Routing and Switching track must take a special exam, CCDP Recertification (640-529; or its current counterpart). See the CCDP requirements page, at www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/lan2/programs/ccdp.html, for more details.

The CCSP is Cisco's newest certification, having just made its debut in late November 2002. The CCSP is a middle-tier credential that represents a logical step up from the CCNA certification. To obtain this certification, an applicant must first obtain the CCNA credential and must then pass five more exams.

These are the five core CCSP exams:

To learn more about these exams, consult Cisco's Current Exams and Exam Outlines page at www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/testing/exam_list.htm.

CCSP certification last for three years. To stay certified, an individual must pass the current versions of the CCSP exams. For all the details, see the CCSP Certification page at www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/le2/le37/le54/learning_certification_type_home.html.

The CCIP certification aims at the networking infrastructure marketplace, typically at telecommunications or Internet infrastructure companies or at ISPs. Thus, this credential covers important general technologies, including IP routing and IP multicast, but it also includes various electives from areas including access technologies such as cable modems and DSL, metropolitan area networks, packet telephony (a.k.a. IP telephony), and security topics.

Obtaining CCIP certification requires passing two core exams plus fulfilling requirements in one elective from a slate of seven options. In addition, Cisco strongly recommends that candidates obtain CCNA certification, although it is not a prerequisite.

These are the two core CCIP exams:

Because the elective exams for CCIP overlap with those for the various Cisco Qualified Specialist credential, we cover those later in this chapter, in the section “Cisco Qualified Specialist Program.” In general, CCIP candidates must meet one of the seven elective area requirements, which include the following topics: cable communications, content networking, DSL networks, METRO, MPLS, packet telephony networks, and security. The number of exams involved varies from a minimum of one to a maximum of four. For example, the requirement for the security elective area involves four exams. The exams cost $125 each, and test-takers get from 60 to 180 minutes to complete each one, depending on specifics.

For more information on the CCIP program and its varied requirements, visit www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/c_and_s/ccip/index.html.

Although Cisco requires that a CCIE candidate pass only two tests to obtain CCIE certification, no matter what track is involved, both of those exams are formidable. The sections that follow discuss each of these important pieces to the CCIE puzzle.

Cisco's Specialist program, officially titled “Cisco Qualified Specialist designations,” covers a number of topical areas that sometimes vary from one Cisco certification to the next or that may apply as modifiers to more than one Cisco certification. They include the following areas:

An individual can obtain a Specialist designation in one or more of these topical areas, no matter which of these credentials he or she pursues. Specialist designations are good for two years. For further details about Cisco Qualified Specialist designations, visit www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/select_cert.html.

You can take Cisco written exams through Prometric or VUE. To register for a written Cisco certification exam, you can either visit Prometric's Web site, at www.2test.com, or call the company, at 800-204-3926 (in North America); outside North America, you can contact Prometric's headquarters directly by email, at [email protected]. To sign up for an exam from VUE, you can visit www.vue.com or call 800-829-6387 (in North America) and then select option 2 and then option 4; outside North America, you can check the VUE Web site for more information. You can also check Cisco's Register for Exams page at www.cisco.com/warp/public/10/wwtraining/certprog/testing/register.htm for more information.

To sign up for a test, you must possess a valid credit card or contact Prometric or VUE for mailing instructions to send the company a check or money order. You can register for a test only after payment is verified or your check has cleared.

To schedule an exam, you need to call at least one day in advance. When you want to schedule a test, you need to have the following information ready:

After you sign up for a test, you are informed as to when and where the test is scheduled. You should try to arrive at least 15 minutes early. To be admitted into the testing room, you must supply two forms of identification, one of which must be a photo ID.

To cancel or reschedule an exam, you must call at least one day before the scheduled test time, or you might be charged, even if you don't show up to take the test.

All Cisco written exams are closed book. In fact, you can't take anything with you into the testing area. You are furnished with a blank sheet of paper and a pen. Most testing centers do not allow you to write notes before the exam begins. You do get some time to compose yourself, and even to take an orientation test before you begin the real thing. If you're a first-timer, we suggest that you take the orientation exam; it'll help you get more comfortable when you take the real Cisco test.

As soon as you complete your exam, the software tells you whether you've passed or failed. It also provides a report about your performance in various areas. Even if you fail the exam, we suggest that you ask for—and keep—the detailed test results that the test administrator can print for you. You can use these results to help prepare to retake a test, if necessary. If you're pursuing CCIE certification, you also need to send Cisco the results to verify that you've passed the written exam so that you can sign up for the laboratory exam. Alas, if you do need to retake an exam, you have to schedule another test and pay the fee again.

Tracking certification progress for Cisco exams also involves following one of two paths: To check on any written exam, you can call Prometric or VUE to obtain a transcript of your test record (a fee of $10 is charged for each such request), and to check on your test record for the lab exam, you have to call the test center where you took that exam to obtain the results.

Finally, remember that all Cisco certifications have expiration dates; keep track of yours so you'll know when to sign up for an exam to recertify if necessary.

You must schedule and take the laboratory evaluation at Cisco's facilities. Your full payment must be received at least 28 days before the laboratory evaluation date; otherwise, you are dropped. Typically, this means you must sign up at least two months in advance, if not sooner. Cisco must receive cancellations at least 28 days prior to the test; otherwise, the payment is forfeited. Finally, if you fail a laboratory evaluation, you must wait at least 30 days before making another attempt, due in part to the relatively small number of exam slots versus demand for those slots. You must also pay the lab evaluation fee again.

To sign up for a CCIE laboratory evaluation, you must call one of the CCIE departments at Cisco at the testing center where you want to take the test. At corporate headquarters in San Jose, California, that number is 800-829-6387; you can also fax Cisco at 408-527-8588 or send an email to [email protected]. For testing locations and contact information, consult www.cisco.com/warp/public/625/ccie/exam_preparation/lab.html#3.

Before you can schedule any laboratory evaluation, the CCIE administrator at Cisco must receive proof that you've passed the CCIE Qualification exam. The usual approach is to fax the printout of your exam results to the CCIE laboratory evaluation location of your choice or to call 408-527-8588 for the ISP Dial test. Be sure to include your name, address, phone, and fax number so that your requests can be answered.

At a minimum, you should use the following study materials to prepare for Cisco certification:

In addition, you might find any or all of the following materials useful in your search for Cisco expertise:

This set of materials represents a formidable collection of sources and resources for Cisco exam topics and related information.