Cisco Certification Showdown—CCNA vs CCNP

In recent years, Cisco certifications have turned out to be greatly prominent. Indeed, Cisco certifications are viewed as the absolute most profitable certifications in the IT business today. With regards to Cisco certifications, there are a wide range of alternatives. Keeping in mind the end goal to advance your vocation and search for better open doors in your calling, you require proper certifications.

What is CCNA?

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifications has turned out to be a standout amongst the most rumored section level systems administration affirmations in the business. The CCNA certifications are adapted towards individuals who have 1 to 2 years of involvement in arranging buildings. The most essential advantage of CCNA preparation is that the CCNA certifications are exceptionally reasonable.

CCNA Exam Details

There are no prerequisites for the CCNA certification. You’ll have the choice between the following exams:

Option 1

• 200-120 CCNA Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices: Accelerated (CCNAX)

Option 2

• 100-101 ICND1 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1)
• 200-101 ICND2 Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2)

What is CCNP?

CCNP is the Cisco Certified Network Professional certifications. This certification is accessible for IT experts with no less than one year of involvement in proficient systems administration. A secondary school recognition or proportional is likewise required.

CCNP Exam Details

In order to take the CCNP certification exam, you are required to have a CCNA certification. The CCNP certification consists of 3 exams, namely:

• 300-101 ROUTE Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE)
• 300-115 SWITCH Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH)
• 300-135 TSHOOT Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT)

What’s the Difference Between CCNA and CCNP?

In a nutshell, the difference is that the CCNA certification is the associate-level certification that tests professionals on switching and routing fundamentals. The CCNP is a more advanced certification that requires a deeper level of knowledge and understanding of WANs and LANs, and how they work together.

The CCNP certification is considered the more senior out of these two Cisco certification levels, considering that it delves much more in-depth and broader into the workings of networking and its associated content such as security and wireless options than the CCNA.

CCNA vs. CCNP Career Differences

Since the levels of training between CCNA and CCNP are different, each of these certifications leads to different career paths.

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CCNA Career Path

This certification is best suited for individuals looking to gain an entry-level career such as:

• Network Support Engineer
• Network Technician
• Helpdesk Engineer
• Service Desk Engineer/Technician
• First and Second Line Support

CCNP Career Path

The CCNP certification suits IT professionals who want to go further with their career and can include the following:

• Third Line Support
• Network Engineer
• Network Analyst
• IT Team Leader
• Systems Engineer
• Network Specialist

Cisco Certification Levels

Conclusion

The career trajectory of both Certifications: CCNA certification is useful for professionals like Network Support Engineer, First and Second Line Support professionals, Network Technician, Service Desk Technicians and Service Desk Engineer. On the other hand, a CCNP certification from a reputed institute is helpful for professionals in the same fields, but with more experience. Both certifications hold some or other advantage over other certifications. Whichever you pick, opt for a reliable source to get CCNA and CCNP training as this will grant you unmatched skills.