CCNA

Cisco Certified Network Associate Certification Course; popularly known as CCNA certification is Cisco's most well-known certification, and one of the most looked for career credentials in the technology industry. Getting to be a CCNA certified professional is a distinctive initial move towards a remunerating career as a network administrator or engineer.

There are a variety of Cisco training programs and specialised degree programmes including coursework in Cisco organizing. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification programmes possess the ability to install, design, operate and trouble routed and switched systems. CCNA certified experts can make connections with remote sites by means of a wide area network (WAN), moderate essential system security threats, and comprehend basic systems administration concepts and terminology.

Thus, going by the above information it is apparent that selecting a CCNA certification course is bound to open up a plethora of opportunities for aspirants in the technology industry. However, it is worth knowing some important aspects of this course. The course is as important in the technology industry as learning alphabets and sentence framing in the English Language. CCNA is a virtual gateway to networking as it explains the fundamental concepts very clearly.  

CCNA certification program comprises 8 Skillset groups which are sorted out into 21 Skill gatherings. Every expertise group is made of different levels that raise in difficulty and gets improvised as you gain knowledge in that particular group.

In addition to these, CCNA requires some key skills namely, communication skills, troubleshooting skills, organizational skills, customer service skills, analytical skills, familiarity with Microsoft office suite and the ability to use industry specific tools.

Each of the 8 CCNA Skillsets are given in the below table:

Technology	Proven Professional Competence	Applicable Cisco Certification
Data Center	Foundational knowledge of installing, configuring, and maintaining data centers.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Data Center (CCNA Data Center)
Design	Ability to design network infrastructures and services.	Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
Routing and Switching	Ability to install, monitor and troubleshoot network infrastructure products.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching (CCNA Routing and Switching)
Security	Knowledge on developing a security infrastructure, recognizing threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and mitigating security threats.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security)
Services Provider	Knowledge of Service Provider industry core networking technologies and trends, and the ability to configure and implement baseline Service Provider Next-Generation networks.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Service Provider (CCNA SP)
Video	Knowledge to deploy video end-points, set-up new users, and operate networked video solutions.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Video (CCNA Video)
Voice/Collaboration	Knowledge of VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voicemail solutions.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Voice (CCNA Voice)
Wireless	The ability to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot basic tasks of a Cisco WLAN in SMB and Enterprise networks.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless (CCNA Wireless)

Aspirants who possess a bachelor’s degree in Information Science, Computer Science or Engineering can pursue CCNA certification programmes.

Despite the fact that CISCO CCNA doesn't have any pre-necessities, the CISCO Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) certification is a decent beginning stage to get ready for the further developed CCNA accreditation. CCENT is acquired by passing the initial segment of the interconnecting CISCO Networking Devices exam. The ICND1 course and exam is additionally required for CCNA accreditations. 

The CCNA Routing and switching educational module is a gateway to entry level systems administration. The educational programs comprises four 70 hour courses as enlisted below:  

• Introduction to Networks
• Routing and Switching Essential
• Scaling Networks
• Connecting Networks

The initial 2 courses set you up for the CISCO CCENT accreditation exam. Each of the 4 courses are prescribed before taking the CISCO CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam.

Aspirants who wish to join the networking industry need to have in-depth knowledge of various networking techniques and strategies.

CCNA Certified professionals have a plethora of opportunities before them. After completing their course, aspirants can work at the following job roles.

Job Roles	Proven Professional Competence	Applicable Cisco Certification
Data Centre
Data Center Network Administrator	Years of experience: 1-3 Foundational knowledge of installing, configuring, and maintaining data centers.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Data Center (CCNA Data Center)
Design
Network Design Engineer Network Design Technician Support Technician	Years of experience: 1-3 Ability to design network infrastructures and services.	Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
Routing & Switching
Entry-Level Network Engineer Help Desk Network Administrator	Years of experience: 0-2 Manage a small, enterprise branch network.	Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
Security
Service Provider Network Engineer Service Provider Network and Support Technician Service Provider System Engineer, Field Engineer Service Provider Network Designer, Planner, Implementer, Optimizer, and Support Personnel	Years of experience: 1-3 Knowledge of Service Provider industry core networking technologies and trends, and the ability to configure and implement baseline Service Provider Next-Generation networks.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Service Provider (CCNA SP)
Service Provider
Network Security Specialist Security Administrator Network Security Support Engineer	Years of experience: 1-3 Ability to develop a security infrastructure, recognize threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and mitigate security threats.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security)
Video
AV Installer Video Technician Video Administrator Video Media Operator	Years of experience: 1-3 Knowledge to deploy video end-points, set-up new users, and operate networked video solutions.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Video (CCNA Video)
Voice Collaboration
Voice Technologies Administrator	Years of experience: 1-3 Knowledge of VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voicemail solutions.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Voice (CCNA Voice)
Wireless
Network Engineer Network Administrator Network Manager System Engineer Network Designer Project Manager Program Manager Sales and Marketing	Years of experience: 1-3 Ability to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot basic tasks of a Cisco WLAN in SMB and Enterprise networks.	Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless (CCNA Wireless)

Important FAQs regarding CCNA

Q. What are the basics of CCNA?

A. CCNA professional deals with the operation and installations related to LAN, WAN & other network services. Apart from these, a CCNA professional also has some other key skills such as communication skills, troubleshooting skills, organizational skills, customer service skills, analytical skills. CCNA professional is also familiar with Microsoft Office suite and the ability to use industry specific tools.

Q. Is CCNA a good career option?

A. Yes, CCNA certification will help the candidate grab a good job opportunity. The CCNA course certification will validate the candidate’s networking skills and will help him/her in getting into the right profile or option. It’s an initial level Cisco certification and has a great demand in the IT industry.

Q. Can I do self-study at home to pass CCNA?

A. Students can study for the CCNA exam at home. There are many options available online to prepare for CCNA. Candidate can also try official e-learning by Cisco. This e-learning by Cisco will have the learning material, several tests and labs.

Q. Where Can I Register for the CCNA Exam?

A. Students can click on this link to apply for CCNA certification exam by visiting Pearson VUE Official Website https://home.pearsonvue.com/cisco.

Q. How will CCNA Certification help the candidate in career growth?

A. CCNA certification will give a candidate knowledge about networking and also it will help you active in the latest trends of networking. Candidates will high chance of getting promotion with a good hike. CCNA Certification will provide candidates with stable employment and growth in reputed IT firms. Candidate with non-technical background can also become a CCNA certified by clearing the examination.

Q. What is CCNA certification?

A. Cisco Certified Network Associate is known as CCNA certification which is Cisco’s most well-known certification. CCNA certification programmes deal with the ability to install, design, operate, and trouble route and switched systems. CCNA course elements focus on networking which includes how to plan, create, manage, and troubleshoot a network. CCNA certification is accepted globally and one can expect better career prospects after achieving the CCNA certification.

Q. What is the Passing score for CCNA certification course?

A. The passing s is 810-850/1000.

Q. What is the validity of CCNA certification? When will this expire?

A. CCNA certification is valid for three years.

Q. What are the topics covered in CCNA exam?

A. The CCNA certification covers many aspects of networking. Questions will be asked from networks, routing and switching essential, scaling networks, subnetting and connecting networks. But the most important topic to study is subnetting. Candidate must understand how to subnet. 

Following are the most popular CCNA Colleges in India. Learn more about these CCNA colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular CCNA Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.