Like MS, Cisco leads the way amongst the globe's biggest technology corporations. It started out together with many others in the IT Silicon Valley revolution of the 1980's, & is now the worldwide most important networking-hardware producer. On a yearly basis 'Cisco's' research & development outlay alone comes to something like five billion dollars. We quite simply wouldn't have the world wide web we've got today without 'Cisco'. It is predicted that above 70 percent of all world-wide network-hardware is represented by the Cisco brand name. This instantly puts Cisco at the front of the list for trainees looking to build a career in IT & Telecoms hardware networking. 'Cisco' also owns various trading arms which automatically penetrate the Security, Voice Over IP (VOIP) Communications & Wireless Data (or Wi-Fi) areas - as they gain growing commercial relevance.

Moving on from your 'CCNA', you will find an array of specialised qualifications to pick from. You could get into Wi-Fi, or security, or maybe even onto the 'Cisco Certified Networking Professional' ('CCNP'). It's not a good idea to consider doing the CCNP before you've fully completed your 'CCNA'. You need to get 2 yrs of Cisco experience along with the CCNA before progressing onto the 'CCNP' qualification. There are actually some exceptions to this advice, mainly if you have been in IT for some time, & have got equivalent accreditation that covered a lot of the same material (armed forces exams as an example.) In essence, if you're starting up in it, no employer will be expecting you to be at such a high level of certification, & might quite rightly question your real understanding, if you've not even worked in a CCNA role first.

Its hardly surprising then that Cisco has a wide range of certification paths, dealing with all of its various technologies & patents. Individuals are generally recommended to start with the same qualification program, & then move into specialist areas as they develop. The 'Cisco' 'CCNA' (Cisco Certified Network Associate) program consists of 2 examinations, which will equip a suitable starting candidate with the required expertise in the installing, configuring, operating, & trouble-shooting of medium sized enterprise level router & switched networks.

The dilemma of exactly how to reproduce a 'Cisco' 'environment' to prepare for exams is frequently not addressed. When you are working on your Microsoft MCSE or MCSA as an example, a few old PC's are able to be 'networked' together to allow affordable 'dummy-runs' in your own home with real equipment. To re-create a 'Cisco' environment though would be really expensive, because you'd have to put together many more PC's, with commercial technologies and enterprise class routers and data-switches. The only real acceptable option is to use 'simulated' networks that are approved by 'Cisco'. Enabling you to practice on-screen, these software systems give you the option to build & test virtual networks. You work with particular routers and switches, & may even interrogate information as it traverses through the network system. Any self paced home based Cisco training program should include one of these outstanding pieces of software. The hugely respected RouterSim's CCNA Network-Visualiser is undoubtedly among the finest we have tried, & we combine it in all of our CCNA training programs.

You'll find there are 2 component elements to the 640/802 'CCNA' qualification: The CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician) examination - often called the 'ICND1' ('Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1' - 640/822) examination, & the 'ICND2' (640/816) exam. Although all this can look like a mouthful (as often seems the truth with I.T. abbreviations,) the easiest way to do this certification is as a blended CCNA (640-802) examination. This particular path would hugely benefit from being partnered with the 'CompTIA A+' and N+ accreditations, since they provide all of the essential grounding prior to attempting the more advanced Cisco-specific examinations. A merged training-package such as this would take close to 12 months to do if studying part-time. In accordance with all 'technical' career training-programs, be sure to opt for one that offers 24/7 real time access to instructor assistance, to 'problem-solve' any studying difficulties that arise. Add in complete multimedia tutorial materials, & a good exam-preparation program and you'll be set for success.

Many trainees opt to combine the 'A+', 'Network+' and CCNA track with either the Microsoft MCSA or 'MCSE', for a rather more rounded network education. Whatever your thoughts, a conversation about your career-path & learning style, with a knowledgeable IT specialist or consultant, has to be at the top of your list of priorities, in order to be sure you will get off to a really good start and escape any costly mistakes.

Fundamentally, the back-bone of Cisco technological systems are the company's 'routers', data-switches & controllers. They are the equipment which facilitate the information that passes through a networking system. PC's need an 'operating system' to connect up within their network, but also the 'hardware' has its own system which has to be installed & maintained. For a network to operate smoothly there must be on-going trouble-shooting, with frequent reprogramming and re-configuring. With the present switch towards full system integration of voice & information in today's business workplaces (in addition to armed service and other circumstances), 'Cisco' has found itself at the peak of most modern communications.

MCITP SQL Multimedia Career PC Courses >>