WHAT IS CCNP – CISCO CERTIFIED NETWORK PROFESSIONAL
Cisco, the largest networking equipment manufacturer in the world has its own valuable and globally recognized certification program. It offers the variety of IT certification & training to cater the soaring demands of IT world. This article will throw a limelight on Cisco professional certification and the necessary prerequisites to obtain a professional certification with Cisco. So, let’s pay heed
What is Cisco CCNP Certification?
There are 5 levels of Cisco certification: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert and Architect level.
CCNP stands for Cisco Certified Network Professional. It is the third branch of Cisco certification tree. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) possess the ability to design, implement, configure and troubleshoot any complex enterprise networks. They work in sync with specialists on various advanced technology domains like security, voice, wireless and much more. Those who have acquired CCNP certification have demonstrated their advanced skills in various sophisticated enterprise roles.
Types of CCNP certification:
The Professional level Cisco Certification program demands quite advanced networking knowledge base and skills set. Each certification requires a set of different technology skills to cater the needs of different job roles.
- CCNP Routing & Switching
The CCNP Routing and Switching certification is suitable for those having minimum one year of networking experience and are willing to develop their advanced skills. The knowledge of routing & switching protocol gained from this certification will build a strong base as these skills play a major role while dealing with complex physical networks.
Prerequisites:
Valid CCNA Routing and Switching certification or any CCIE Certification will act as a prerequisite.
Exams to be taken:
300-101 ROUTE 300-115 SWITCH 300-135 TSHOOT
Job Roles:
Network Engineer, Network Technician, Support Engineer.
- CCNP Security
Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) certification program is designed specifically to develop the essential skills needed for Security in Routers, Switches, Networking devices and appliances and also for choosing, deploying, supporting and troubleshooting networking environments.
Prerequisites:
Valid CCNA Security Certification or any CCIE Certification will act as a prerequisite.
Exams to be taken:
300-208 SISAS 300-206 SENSS 300-209 SIMOS 300-207 SITCS
Job Roles:
Network Security Engineer
- CCNP Data Centre
This certification provides a comprehensive expertise to address the key areas of data center network implementation and maintenance. It is a job-role-focused training and certification program that allows you to maximize your investment in your education and increase the value of your data center network. This will help to save time and resources on data center design, installation, and maintenance.
Prerequisites:
Valid CCNA Security Certification or any CCIE Certification will act as a prerequisite.
Exams to be taken:
642-035 DCUCT 642-980 DCUFT
- CCNP Wireless
CCNP Wireless certification caters the need for designing, implementing, and securing Cisco Wireless networks for optimum performance. The certification focuses on wireless networking principles and theory. It also inculcates the required expertise and technical acumen in professionals who can assess and translate network business requirements into technical specifications.
Prerequisites:
Valid CCNA Security Certification or any CCIE Certification will act as a prerequisite.
Exams to be taken:
300-360 WIDESIGN or 642-732 CUWSS
- CCNP Service provider
The Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider (CCNP Service Provider) certification is specially designed to develop required skills to deliver a scalable carrier-grade infrastructure capable of expansion to support new managed services and other customer requirements.
Prerequisites:
Valid CCNA Security Certification or any CCIE Certification will act as a prerequisite.
Exams to be taken:
642-883 SPROUTE 642-885 SPADVROUTE 642-887 SPCORE 642-889 SPEDGE
Job Roles:
Network Specialist, System Engineers
- CCNP Cloud
The CCNP Cloud certification is a practical/hands-on-training based certification program that develops the knowledge and skills necessary to design, automate and manage Cloud and Infrastructure-as-a-Service deployments.
Prerequisites:
Valid CCNA Security Certification or any CCIE Certification will act as a prerequisite.
Exams to be taken:
300-460 CLDINF 300-465 CLDDES 300-470 CLDAUT 300-475 CLDAC
Job Roles:
Cloud Engineers, Cloud Administrators, Cloud Designers, Cloud Architects
- CCNP Collaboration
CCNP Collaboration certification is a job oriented training and certification program that helps you to develop your skills and ability to deliver advanced collaboration skills like designing, deploying, configuring, and troubleshooting Cisco Collaboration and Unified communications applications, devices and networks.
Prerequisites:
Valid CCNA Security Certification or any CCIE Certification will act as a prerequisite.
Exams to be taken:
300-070 CIPTV1 300-075 CIPTV2 300-080 CTCOLLAB
300-085 CAPPS
Job Roles:
Communication Network Engineer
CCNP Recertification
Various types of Cisco professional level certifications are valid for a period of 3 years. To recertify, qualify any one of the following exams before the validity of CCNP certification expires.
- Pass any current 642-XXX Professional-level or any 300-XXX Professional-level exam, or
- Pass any current CCIE Written Exam, or
- Pass the current CCDE Written Exam OR current CCDE Practical Exam, or
- Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review to extend lower certifications
Passing any of the above-listed exams automatically extends your active Associate and Professional level certification(s).
Check the details for recertification policy of other Cisco Exams by clicking here.
What are the benefits of being a CCNP
CCNP professionals enjoy greater pay & perk than CCNA professionals. They are more preferred for senior positions in the enterprise as compared to their non-certified peers. Holding a valid CCNP certification is also a prerequisite for applying for Expert and Architect level certification.
Average salary after CCNP Certification
According to PayScale, salary of professionals with CCNP certification is as follows:
Sample CCNP Certification
How to register for certification exam
Any interested candidate can register for Cisco certification exams by two means. Cisco’s authorized partner Pearson VUE, web account is used to schedule either type of exam-
- A person can appear for Cisco certification exams in a proctored environment at a Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Center.
- Cisco certification exam can also be taken from anywhere provided you have working internet connection.
Online Registration process:
Steps for online registration:
- Access (pearsonvue.com/cisco/schedule/)
- Register to get your username and password.
- If you’ve already registered, then log in with your credentials.
- Choose a convenient test center with the suitable date.
- Use various payment methods (debit/credit card/internet banking) to pay the fee and finalize the exam registration.
Check Out Step by Step Guide about How to Apply for Cisco Certification Exam
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