CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)

This Article includes

• Introduction to CCNP R&S
• Tracks/Types of CCNP
• Scope of CCNP R&S
• CCNP R&S Latest & Old Logo

What is CCNP? Introduction to CCNP R&S Certification

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is the professional level or the intermediate level certification of prestigious CCIE certification. Cisco CCNP R&S certification make candidates eligible for planning, implementing, verifying and trouble-shooting local as well as wide area networks. Hope, now you understand, what is Cisco CCNP Certification?

Cisco introduced Cisco Certified Network Professional i.e. CCNP certification is a professional level certification for IT professionals who have basic knowledge of the primary technologies of the course i.e. who have a good understanding of the CCNA level of networking courses offered by Cisco.

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP R&S), a professional level certification in Routing & Switching Technologies. Post completion of the CCNA R&S certification, one is recommended to go for CCNP R&S certification as it allows individuals to learn about planning, implementing, verifying and troubleshooting local and wide- area enterprise Cisco Networks. The syllabus consists of three different modules namely Route, Switch, and T-shoot. Like in CCNA R&S candidate gets familiar with general networking, Cisco networking and learns the basics of Routing and Switching technologies including basics of IPV6 and WAN technologies; training on CCNP R&S provides in-depth knowledge on Routing & Switching protocols and their use in networks.

Different tracks available in Cisco CCNP Certification

CCNP- Cisco Certified Network Professional can be done in 8 different out of which CCNP R&S has been explained above. Rest seven Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) tracks are:

• CCDP
• CCNP Security
• CCNP Voice
• CCNP Wireless
• CCNP Data Centre
• CCNP Service Provider
• CCNP Service Provider Operations

CCDP

CCDP is a professional level certification in Design track offered by Cisco Systems. This certification focuses on subjects like designing, creation of advanced addressing and routing, data center, and IP multicast multi-layered enterprise’s architecture. Post completion of the certification one develops a skill set including all the topics mentioned earlier.

What is CCNP Security?

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) is also known as newly updated version of CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional). With the newly updated curriculum of CCNP Security aspirants will acquire professional level knowledge of Network Security Technologies using Cisco ASA Firewalls, Routers, Switches and IPS Systems. Post completion of the CCNP Security certification in depth knowledge about the ASA firewalls, VPN’s, IDS/IPS and AAA technologies gets known to the trainee. Cisco has introduced a new version of CCNP Security in 2014 in which old modules of CCNP Security have been replaced by the new ones. New modules that have been added areSISAS (Implementing Cisco Secure Access Solutions), SENSS (Implementing Cisco Edge Network Security Solutions), SIMOS (Implementing Cisco Secure Mobility Solutions) and SITCS (Implementing Cisco Threat Control Solutions). In the latest version of CCNP Security Cisco has introduced basics of few technologies like Iron Port S series for Web Security, Email Security using C series Cisco Ironport, ISE server, Flex VPN etc. which were initially covered during CCIE Security training only. Now basics of these technologies will be covered during CCNP Security training and in-depth knowledge of the same course will be covered during CCIE Security only from now onwards.

 CCNP Voice

CCNP Voice was earlier known as CCVP i.e. Cisco Certified Voice Professional. CCNP Voice is a professional level certification in VoIP Technologies offered by Cisco Systems focusing on topics like Unified Communications Manager (formerly Unified Call Manager), quality of service (QOS), gateways, gatekeepers, IP phones, voice applications, and utilities on Cisco routers and Catalyst switches. The Cisco Unity Connection and Cisco Unified Presence application are also included within the syllabus of the CCNP Voice Training program.

 CCNP Wireless

Cisco Certified Network Professional Wireless- a professional level certification in Wireless technologies. The CCNP Wireless certification lays emphasis on advanced features which are necessary for implementation and operation of Cisco wireless networks in addition to mobility infrastructure.

CCNP Data Centre

Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center. This certification allows aspirants to develop skillset required for designing, implementing and troubleshooting of data center networks. Post course completion, aspirants get in depth idea about designing, installation of the equipments, and maintenance of the data center networks which directly saves a lot of time and money of the aspirant.

 CCNP Service Provider

Professional level certification on Service Provider by Cisco Systems – CCNP Service Provider. The CCNP Service Provider certification allows candidates to enhance and polish their understanding about scalable carrier grade infrastructure having a feature of rapid expansion providing support on newly managed services and customer requirements.

CCNP Service Provider Operations

Cisco Certified Network Professional Service Provider Operations. Cisco introduced CCNP Service Provider Operations allows aspirants to gain deep knowledge and increase their understanding about maintenance of carrier class routing protocol environments, MPLS VPN, TE deployments and QOS mechanisms using Cisco IS and IOS XR.

Scope of CCNP R&S Certification

A major concern which motivates CCNP aspirants is the scope of CCNP R&S Certification has and the job opportunities offered after completion of CCNP R&S Certification. Fortunately, the scope of CCNP is way better than CCNA as CCNP certified IT professionals are very limited in number as compared to the CCNA certified professionals available. However, one thing which should always be kept in mind is the scope and importance of CCNA certification i.e. CCNA serves as a prerequisite to all the other higher level certifications like CCNP, CCIE, etc. So one must first gain proper and complete knowledge of the CCNA track and then utilize his/her skillset learned to understand and advance the skills for CCNP certification. In comparison to the CCNA certification, scope of CCNP R&S Certification is far good and salaries offered to the CCNP certified candidates to company. Rumors like companies only prefer CCNP certified candidates with some experience and don’t hire non experienced candidates are not at all true. In fact many companies look for CCNP fresher candidates as they have in-depth knowledge of Routing and Switching technologies and are already familiar with Cisco enabled networks which reduces companies’ burden of training newly hired CCNA engineers.Many companies want to hire CCNP certified candidates as they are already master in their respective field of study. Not to neglect another important fact i.e. if one has an experience with CCNP certification, he/she will also get a great salaried job. Having experience with a CCNP certification or having no experience at all, CCNP certification will offer amazing job prospects to all the CCNP aspirants out there, especially in IT enabled and growing countries like India, Nigeria, USA, Dubai, Angola, Algeria, Australia and UK.

Cisco CCNP certified candidates are offered quite a handsome salary. If you are a fresher in the field of networking, then you might have to start your career with an average salary package. However, a bright future waits for you with vast experience. CCNP certified professionals are offered up to 2.5 lakh as a starting salary.

Now the question which arises is can true guidance from a great mentor/trainer help one in reaching new heights? Some say that learning from books or getting oneself enrolled in a training center doesn’t help at all, some quote that a mentor and a good institute is all what one needs. Both the statements are nearly wrong i.e. firstly self-study plays a major role in shaping up one’s career. In other words well imparted education will make individuals all-rounders. Secondly a good mentor/trainer can guide you well in terms of how to pass your CCNP online certification exam. He can prepare you accordingly and provide you with the much required individual attention clarifying your concepts and solving your queries related to the course. Thirdly and lastly practical exposure in terms of training on real Cisco devices works wonders. Continuous practice will allow aspirants to polish their skills and learn about depths of the CCNP course. One may even seek some advice from professionals who are already working in the related jobs i.e. are already CCNP certified IT professionals working in MNCs.

Download PDF What is CCNP? | Scope, Salary & Training of CCNP certification by Cisco

Apart from these factors, an element like having a role model to look up to is also important. Put simply someone who has done the CCNP R&S certification can guide aspirants well with the kind of efforts required to successfully complete the training and acquire a good job. But before that one needs to ask certain questions to oneself i.e. is one capable enough with the abilities to the reach at the same level as of their role model, can they work hard in the same way their idols have done with the same amount of dedication, sincerity and planning.

CCNP certification by Cisco offers number of job opportunities to aspirants worldwide. Good salaries, good designations in reputed MNCs are prominently offered to deserving candidates, which directly means that true knowledge is preferred and valued by various Multinational companies. Over a decade, changes in technology have gone up to different levels of advancements i.e. one cannot be well versed with all the technologies being used which clearly signifies the need of training required to polish one’s skills before he/she actually starts working in a company. So if individuals rightly educate themselves with the required skillset and knowledge no one can stop them from achieving heights in their careers.

History of CCNP

The history of CCNP R&S certification is many years old. Refer to the logos of CCNP from oldest to latest respectively.

    Latest CCNP R&S Logo:  

We hope this article solved the following questions:

• What is CCNP R&S certification?
• What is scope and future of CCNP certification by Cisco?
• Training and Exam path to earn CCNP Certification.
• Is CCNA certification mandatory to go for CCNP exam?
• What are different types of CCNP certifications?
• Topics & Syllabus overview of different CCNP certification exams.
• Need of CCNP engineers.
• Overview of Job opportunities and openings in different countries & companies after doing CCNP.
• Why freshers should go for CCNP certification.

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