So, if you really want to be a successful CCIE or Architect, you must become a successful CCNA and CCNP first. If you become master in CCNA and CCNP certifications, it is a sure fire way to become a successful CCIE, and hence a successful high-level professional.

Indeed, the reasons that the pyramids of Egypt are so strong and the reason they have lasted for thousands of years, is that their foundation (base) is so strong. The same analogy can be drawn for Cisco career certifications. If you built a strong foundation (CCNA, CCNP), then the skills that you will acquire from these levels will follow you and support your whole future career. Therefore, becoming a CCIE depends on how strong your knowledge base is. Indeed, your CCNA studies are the most important studies of your career as a network engineer. If you don’t master basic concepts, such as subnetting, IP addressing, basic routing and switching functionality, binary math, routing protocols functionality and so on, how do you think you will become a successful CCIE? So, keep this in mind: When you’re studying for your CCNA, you’re not just studying for a certification exam – you’re building the foundation for the rest of your Cisco certifications and the rest of your career.

So, take your CCNA studies seriously, learn as much material and theory as you can absorb, and you will not be disappointed. My 15 years in the field of networking have taught me that .

I have noticed that the exam was more difficult from the past and that Cisco has taken measures for more accurate evaluation of the knowledge possessed by the exam takers. There were some “real world” scenarios in the exam which showed an ASDM Graphical User Interface which you could click on it and navigate inside the ASDM just like a real one. There were several questions related with each ASDM scenario, so you had to go inside the ASDM and see all the configuration screens and settings in order to answer that group of questions. You had to be very careful with that type of questions because there were tricks. You had to verify if some traffic flows were being inspected by an embedded AIP-SSM or CSC-SSM modules or if they were being limited by service policies. You also had to check the policy rules, NAT rules, security levels etc in order to accurately answer each question. Anyhow, it was time consuming but if you were focused and careful it was ok.

Anyway, I’m glad that my next Cisco exam recertification is after 3 years!!!

The current Cisco certification exams are designed in such a way as to weed out those candidates who just memorized hundreds of possible exam questions in their attempt to pass the exam. If those candidates used only practice tests for preparation, they will just be disappointed on exam day. The certification exams will not only test if you possess the requited knowledge, but also if you have the ability to apply that knowledge in real world cases. Thats why the current Cisco exams are full of practical scenario questions. By taking one practice exam after the other will certainly not develop this skill.

Practice simulators are also fine up to a certain extent, but also do not depend very heavily on them. The most common network simulators I’ve seen do not let you make any mistakes on the router or switch configuration, so you do not actually learn from your mistakes. Remember that making mistakes on a Cisco configuration, observing them and then fixing them is what really helps to actually learn what you are doing.

When preparing for a Cisco Certification (especially for an entry level certification such as CCENT and CCNA) you are not just studying for an exam. Rather, you are building and fortifying your base and foundation for the upper layer certifications and for your career as well. Try to make your study efforts as effective as possible by building a solid foundation. You will achieve this by learning all possible networking theory and fundamental concepts, rather than memorizing hundreds of exam questions. Especially when studying for CCNA, the knowledge that you will acquire will be the most important from all and will be the corner stone for future certifications such as the CCNP and CCIE.

The best preparation for Cisco certifications is to stick to a well-rounded study plan which includes books, lab networking equipment (real or virtual) and practice exams. A recommended training package for Cisco certification exams is this computer based training here. If you combine it with a relative book from CiscoPress then you will have a complete well-rounded study package for passing your Cisco exam.

Software industries are desperately in need of information technology professionals certified in the aspect of networking. You are almost guaranteed a job provided you possess an excellent working knowledge of protocols such as IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, and VLAN’s as well as installing, configuring, operating, maintaining, and trouble shooting LAN, WAN and other networks. One way to be sure you have such proper networking experience and knowledge is through obtaining your Cisco Certified Network Associate certification.

This CCNA certification is an entry level certification for all certified IT professionals who specialize in computer networking. This certification is just the first step towards even higher levels of training, such as Cisco Certified Network Professional or Cisco Certified Internet work Expert certification.

A CCNA certification is often the best option for field technicians, IT helps desk engineers, and other professionals of information technology based on overseeing the computer networking process. It is considered to be the basic qualification for installing, operating, configuring and troubleshooting a mid-sized switched and routed network. A professional with CCNA training is trusted to work with a networking environment which would include a group of switched networks. They can manage a host of computer routed networks connected through switches with the greatest of ease.

There is an ever increasing demand for networking specialists as businesses reliance on computers grow and with that the value of a CCNA certification is also finding itself to be a hot commodity among the information technology industry’s job market. It is a benchmark for discovering who are the best and the most efficient technicians are who aren’t in network management. Think of it as a way to filter out the cream of the crop from the rest.

The certification examination is structured around a set of questions with drag and drop options, multiple choice single answers, multiple choice multiple answers, simulations and fill in the blank type of questions. While at first glance, that may sound to be quite easy, to be truly successful and pass this test professional training is required. The examination is built so that your technical and special knowledge of computer networking environments and solutions are pushed to the limits. Basically, not everyone can pass this test.

In today’s ultra-competitive job market, you need every advantage you can to market yourself. You need something to make yourself more attractive to a business compared to another IT professional. A CCNA certification, accepted and recognized all over the world, is the perfect tool to do just that. The CCNA examination is used as a tool for sorting out the best networking professionals who would be responsible for the management and maintenance of the networking environments.

I recommend this CCNA Training to help you pass this useful exam guaranteed.

Article Source: Buzzle.com

Article:

If you work in the information technology field, or if you are trying to break in to start your career, getting a certification is a crucial step. Companies often require at least one IT certification to qualify for a position. There are many choices for which certification to pursue, though. Here are four great reasons why you should consider a Cisco certification for career advancement:

1. Cisco is a trusted name in the industry. Cisco is one of the world’s leading providers of IT and networking solutions. That gives them a lot of credibility in the technology world. As a result, employers place a lot of trust in Cisco to certify knowledgeable workers. After all, who better to test your skill with technology than the people who created that technology? Adding a Cisco certification to your resume lets you benefit from their very reliable name.
2. There are a wide variety of Cisco certifications to choose from. Cisco may specialize in computer networking, but there are dozens of specializations to choose from in their catalog of certifications. Whatever your particular IT interest is, there is probably a Cisco certification that is right for you. Interested in network design? Try a CCNA, CCDA, or CCDP. Is network security your thing? Then look into getting a CCSP. You can even specialize in voice, wireless, or storage networking. Research the type of specialization that interests you, and then plan out the certification path that suits your goals.
3. Cisco certifications follow a distinct career path. Cisco makes it very easy to turn your certification pursuits into a career track. There are seven main paths for Cisco certification: Routing and Switching, Design, Network Security, Service Provider, Storage Networking, Voice, and Wireless. Each path contains a separate set of certifications that build on one another and prepare you for increasing levels of responsibility in your field of specialization. You can use these certification paths as a guide to building your career. Just find a position that requires the entry certification level, and then continue increasing your certification level and seek out new positions or internal promotions that match your current level of certification.
4. Getting a lower-level certification prepares you for certifications higher up the chain. Cisco structures their certification paths in a unique way, where lower level certifications qualify you for more specialized certifications further up in the hierarchy. Most IT pros start out with the basic CCENT certification, which is a prerequisite for most other Cisco certifications. The Associate level CCNA certification usually follows, since it qualifies you for more certifications at the Professional and Expert level. This makes those low-level certifications even more valuable. Not only do they give you a boost in your career, but they also open up certification doors for you should you choose to advance your education and continue to specialize.

If you are convinced, you can find out more about Cisco certifications, paths, and levels at http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/index.html. Once you decide on which path to take, consider enrolling at a qualified certification training school to help you prepare for your exam. With a little guidance and practice, you will be able to pass your Cisco certification exam the first time and start enjoying the benefits to your career right away.

Shawn Livengood works for TechSkills, a career training school with over 25 campuses nationwide. TechSkills offers career training programs for IT certifications, healthcare services, accounting, and project management.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawn_Livengood

When a company decides to back something, they are putting their good name at risk. This is the same when it comes to certifications. The company is basically backing you with their reputation. If you walk around with a badge, advertising that you are Cisco Certified, they want to make sure that you know your stuff. Getting a certification ten years ago and never retaking the test, doesn’t show that you are knowledgeable about the latest technology. If you go to a potential employer and you know nothing about the questions that they are asking you, this makes them have a dim view of the certification itself. A bad reputation then makes the certification useless. Certifications are mostly about impressing the employer, in addition to getting the tech knowledge. If you are not able to do that, then it is worthless.

Some people will complain about too many new trends in technology and not all of them will last. Of course most of them will not last, but that is not the point. You should have known going in that technology is an ever changing field. This is not an unknown fact. It will not stop, just because you wish it to. The field is all about growth and taking ideas to the next level.

Cisco truly cares about their certification process. So much so, that they have set their certifications up with levels. There are five different levels of certifications, they are Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect. If you are able to keep up with their technology, you will be able to rise up in levels. Becoming re certified every three years is a perfect way to do this. In that three years span of time, you should have been able to gain a lot more knowledge in your chosen section, so that you would be able to rise a level or two. This takes a large amount of discipline and future employers will recognize that.

Achieving a Cisco Certification every three years will help weed out the people who are not willing to keep up with the latest technology. In the world of tech, it is your job to be able to keep up with the latest developments. If you do not, then you will only be qualified for taking care of older technology. This can help you earn a steady paycheck but not in the most exciting way.

When you sit down and decide to get a job in the tech field, you have to really think about what you like the best. Luckily, Cisco offers a wide range of technology that you can specialize in. Their certifications are considered top notch in the industry. Once you have one, there will be a lot of doors opened to you.

Some of the areas that Cisco offers a certification in includes, Data Center, Advanced Routing, Video, Network security, Voice, Wireless and a whole lot of others. There will be something in the group, that you will like more than the others. You have to look at yourself and figure out what you like the best. You will also have to weigh that decision with what employers are looking for in your area. If you are in a major tech hub, then you can most likely study any of these areas and find a job in it. But if you are in a smaller town, then you should really look at the local newspaper and see what the employers in the area are looking for. There is no need to waste time studying for a certification that employers are not hiring for in your area. That is, unless you are willing to move.

There are a lot of Cisco Certifications that are available for you to achieve. It all comes down to two major factors. What are you interested in? Also, what are the employers looking for in your area? If you are able to answer these two questions, then you will be on the road to getting the proper certification that fits best to your own situation.

The CCNA Training Packages described below will help you for both ccna exam options (either the combined CCNA 640-802 exam or the two-exam option with 640-822 plus 640-816).

Check out the training companies by yourself:

TrainSignal

CBT Nuggets

Your study efforts for earning any Cisco Certification should include three elements:

1. Learning the theory behind the specific certification technology.
2. Getting practical hands on training for Cisco devices configuration.
3. Solving many practice questions related to the specific certification.

If you include the three elements above in your study efforts then you will have no problems in passing any Cisco exam. Parts 1 and 3 (i.e learning the theory and solving practice questions) can be carried out using books and other training resources. Part 2 can be obtained with practical experience at your workplace, with buying Cisco equipment for practicing (expensive option) or with software simulators. If you want to get all three study elements in a complete package then you will either need to enroll in a class-based instructor-led training (very expensive) or buy an inexpensive Cisco Online Training package (there are excellent Cisco Online Training packages for around $60-$70). These cisco online training packages are interactive courses which will teach you the theory for the specific certification, simulations will show you how to do things, question and answer sessions help you remember what you learned etc. Plus you study on your own pace, starting and stopping the online course anytime you want. I think for a measly $60-$70 for a complete cisco training course it’s an excellent price.

Many people ask me what is the best way to prepare for their CCNA Certification Exam. My answer is that everything depends on the individual. However, there are some training methods and resources that might be better and more helpful than others. Whatever training you choose to follow, the most important factor for passing the CCNA 640 802 exam is determination and consistency with your studies. Other than that, you need also some study guidance for the best resources available. You can find that below.

Many people are already working in the Network field either as Administrators or maybe assistants to the network administrator. If these professionals decide to obtain a CCNA certification, they already have a huge advantage for passing the exam. Their advantage is “Hands-On Experience” with actual Cisco equipment (routers, switches) and with actual network protocols that they use in their networks. Since the CCNA 640 802 exam will test candidates for knowledge of practical skills (commands, configurations, network scenarios etc), the professionals that are already working with Cisco equipment will know those topics pretty well. For those people I would suggest to just read the official Cisco Press CCNA preparation book and then solve many practice questions (total preparation duration for 1 month approximately). This study method would be enough in my opinion for passing the exam.

Now, the majority of candidates preparing for the CCNA have no experience in networking at all. For these individuals I definitely suggest to buy a professional training package. If you fall in this category, then don’t look for free training resources as they will not help you at all. If you have a LOT of money ($3-4K) and time, then go ahead and register with a classroom/instructor based training. This kind of training is usually a 5-day intensive course that will give you the best preparation for passing the exam. Usually, after the training course you will need 2-3 more weeks to study again all the material you received in the class in order to be fully ready.

The second option (and the best in my opinion) is to buy a professional CCNA Computer Based Training (CCNA CBT) package. This kind of training is usually in the form of Videos, with a real instructor teaching the material and showing you on the Video important aspects about the exam and practical examples. These Video DVDs are also bundled with extra PDF instructor nodes, exam practice questions, or even MP3 Audio and iPod Video for studying “On-the-Go”. The leader in CCNA Preparation is the Giant in IT Training, Trainsignal.com. Their Cisco CCNA Training package is the best value for money. It is a COMPLETE training package (Videos, PDF Instructor Nodes, iPod and MP3 Audio training, Exam Practice Questions etc), so you will not need anything else to prepare. I have actually used Trainsignal when I was preparing for my CCNP certification and have passed all of my exams easily, just by studying with the Trainsignal Video Training. Give it a try if you are serious about passing your CCNA 640-802 exam.