Obtaining Your Cisco Certification Networking Associate Degree

The Cisco Certification process will ensure you a competitive edge on the global market. Cisco was at one time the most dominant software producer in the world, but now it is second only to Microsoft. Cisco was at one point the most prolific and fastest growing computer hardware manufacturer in the world. Its recent years have also seen a surge in computer networking technologies and software to handle the existing infrastructure.

Today, Cisco is recognized as the most popular IT firm in terms of product sales. A Cisco certification networking exam is arguably the most challenging exam in all of IT training and education. Cisco holds a written exam, a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam, and a lab exam which is designed to test one’s individual abilities in networking. Any of these three can serve as the basis for obtaining your CCNA or CCNP certifications. There are other Cisco certifications such as Security Manager and Service Guard which are also popular in today’s market.

The written exam covers different types of networking and comes in two formats – the single-choice exam and the multi-choice exam. The one-choice exam is comprised of four topics and these include installation, configuration, diagnosing, and preventing networking problems. A two-choice exam is comprised of eight topics and these include reviewing the information provided in the one-choice exam, troubleshooting, configure and use router devices, secure wireless and switches, using routing protocols, and bandwidth usage among other things. The lab exam is composed of ten topics and these include installing, designing, troubleshooting, monitoring, controlling, and reporting security systems. Cisco also provides several different lab environments including client site test labs and enterprise lab environments. Both exam variants are able to test various Cisco equipment including routers, switches, servers, IP phones, and network adapters.

Cisco certification training allows networks to earn a unique credential which is referred to as the certification networking associate. With this credential, you are able to apply for jobs as a Certified Internet Protocols (CIS) specialist, a Cisco system administrator, or a Cisco certified information systems administrator. You can also work as an assistant to a CIS specialist or a Cisco specialist. With the certification, networks can also work as Quality Assurance specialists. With so many opportunities at their disposal, it is not surprising that many people seek certification.

In order to gain the certification, you need to have at least one year of relevant work experience. Cisco’s professional networking courses allow students to choose from three levels of certification: expert, professional, and specialist track. Cisco’s professional certification is recommended for those already working in the industry or as computer technicians. The specialist track is more suitable for students who aspire to be system designers or implement network functions within an organization.

With a brand new certification, you can start to build a portfolio of skills and experience that will prove you are the ideal candidate for a number of different positions. As you complete your studies, you will take a qualifying exam and be put on a path to earn your associate’s degree. This means that you are now qualified to work as an IT manager, Cisco certified networking specialist, or a computer support specialist. However, in order to be hired as an associate, you must have at least one year of relevant work experience. With this, you can put yourself in a great place for a career in one of many fields available to networkers.

The benefits of Cisco certification are numerous. With this certification, you are now qualified to work as a network manager or a Cisco specialist. If you decide to specialize in networking technology, you can now take the exam for the CCNA or CCNP certification. You will be able to take this exam after completing your associate’s degree. With your certification, you can expect to be employed by major companies who will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively handle your position.

With a new certification path, you can get yourself into a number of new fields of work. Cisco is not the only company involved in offering high quality networking devices. Therefore, you should take the time to research the many options available before making a final decision. With this type of networking training, you can go straight from college to the job you always dreamed of. By keeping yourself prepared, you can increase your chances of finding success in your career.