Networking IT jobs such as network specialist, network administrator, and network engineer can be prepared for with the entry-level networking certification called CCNA.
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The networking gear manufacturer Cisco offers an entry-level information technology (IT) certification called the CCNA, or Cisco Certified Network Associate. The purpose of the CCNA is to verify your understanding of core networking principles, which are frequently needed for networking tasks in IT jobs.
Here’s a brief summary of important details:
You need to pass the 200-301 CCNA test in order to become certified as a CCNA.
The CCNA test costs around $300 USD, VAT included.
Exam preparation is not required, although it is advised to have some training and knowledge of computer networks.
As of May 2023, there are over 18,500 job posts on LinkedIn in India that reference the CCNA certification, indicating how popular it is among IT professionals.
How much does the CCNA test cost?
The exam for the CCNA costs about $300 USD (tax included). The test can also be purchased with Cisco Learning Credits. These are pre-paid credits that an organization may purchase to allow staff members to customize their credit usage on the Cisco platform.
CompTIA Network+ vs. CCNA
Like the CCNA, professionals who want to improve their networking abilities frequently get the CompTIA Network+ certification, which is a test of your networking expertise. There are several notable variations:
The CompTIA Network+ certification is vendor neutral, in contrast to CCNA. This indicates that it’s made to get you ready to deal with any system or network device, no matter which manufacturer made it. You can only be tested on Cisco tools and products for the CCNA.
Many people believe that the Network+ certification is more fundamental than the CCNA. It is well recognized that the CCNA covers more ground and delves deeper into network subjects than the Network+.
Which one therefore ought you to select? Despite being vendor-specific to Cisco, a lot of people choose to take the CCNA since Cisco products essentially control the networking business. Cisco held a forty-five percent market share in Ethernet switches and a thirty-seven percent market share in SP and business router combined. Given the widespread usage of Cisco products, it might be beneficial to be well-versed in them. A lot of students also discover that their understanding of Cisco products may be applied to other manufacturers’ networking solutions.
However, for people who are entirely new to networking or find the CCNA too complex or extensive for their purposes, the Network+ might be helpful because it concentrates on the fundamentals. Obtaining the Network+ and then taking the CCNA once you have more experience is entirely feasible.
What is covered in the CCNA exam?
The 120-minute 200-301 CCNA test is available in both Japanese and English.
The breakdown of the CCNA test is as follows:
Network basics (20%): IP parameters; physical interfaces and cabling types; IPv4 and IPv6 configuration; network components such as routers, switches, and access points; network topology architectures; IP parameters; wireless, virtualization, and switching fundamentals
Network access (20%): EtherChannel, Layer 2 discovery protocols, VLAN configuration and verification, and interswitch connectivity; swift actions of the Spanning Tree Protocol; AP modes, physical WLAN components, wireless LAN access, AP and WLC management access connections, and Cisco wireless designs
Routing tables, router decision-making, setting up and confirming IPv4 and IPv6 static routing, single area OSPFv2, and first hop redundancy protocol account for 25% of IP connectivity.
IP services (10%): NAT and NTP configuration and verification; DHCP, DNS, SNMP, and syslog feature descriptions; per-hop behavior; Using SSH and explaining TFTP/FTP
Fundamentals of security (15%): principles of physical access control, password rules, access control lists, Layer 2 security features, threats and mitigation, and wireless security protocols
Programmability and automation (10%): evaluating controller-based networks against conventional networks; understanding JSON data; automation ideas.
How to become certified as a CCNA
You need to take the Cisco 200-301 CCNA test in order to become certified as a CCNA. The CCNA test has no requirements, although according to Cisco, applicants often have the following background before taking it:
a minimum of one year of experience with Cisco products and solutions
fundamental understanding of IP addressing
understanding of the principles of networks.
CCNA education and instruction
You may select from a wide variety of online courses that will help you get ready for the CCNA test. Your neighborhood community college could also offer in-person classes that do the same thing.
Implementing and Administering Solutions is an online course offered by Cisco that is intended to assist you in passing the CCNA test. The tuition is $800 USD.
For a comprehensive introduction to the field of networking, you can enroll in Coursera’s Computer Communications specialization. Alternatively, you can take individual courses to concentrate on learning certain abilities, such as packet switching networks or TCP/IP. Despite not being a direct preparation for the CCNA, the specialization will teach you a lot of the basics of computer networks.
Consider finishing the Introduction to Networks and Cisco Devices guided project on Coursera if you’re in need of a fast refresher on networks or aren’t sure if networking is the right path for you. It will take less than three hours to finish the project.