General
Certifications
and Focused
Certifications
The first
step in
general
Cisco Career
Certifications
begins
either with
CCENT as an
interim step
to Associate
level, or
directly
with CCNA
for network
operations
or CCDA for
network
design.
Think of the
Associate
level as the
apprentice
or
foundation
level of
networking
certification.
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.
Focused
Certifications:
Specialist
A variety
of
Specialist
focused
certifications
are
available to
show
knowledge in
specific
technologies,
solutions,
or job role.
New
certifications
are added to
this list
regularly.