Cisco Unleashes new CCNP Certifications with advanced capabilities

By Networkbulls

Jul 5, 2019

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Cisco Inc, the Giant of Networking, has taken over the world with its trainings and certifications. Also, the fact that its trainings are continuously evolving over years with the always changing technology is what makes it content and compliant by large and medium enterprises. With trainings on technologies like Cloud, Collaboration, Routing & Switching, Cyber Ops, Data Center, Industrial, Security, Wireless and Service Provider divided into three levels Associate (CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate), Professional (CCNP - Cisco Certified Network Professional) and Expert (CCIE – Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert), Cisco has defined the knowledge of its certifiers and has given them the proclamation they deserve.

Why the need to change training Programs and Certifications?

IT being one of the fastest growing industry, Cisco has to keep up with its pace and swift upgradations. The technologies are evolving and the need for upgraded knowledge and skills at the companies is growing. Cisco Certifications are agile, renowned and admired for its significant training programs and excellent reputation on the cutting edge technology enhancements.

Recently, Cisco Inc announced one of the greatest shift in its certification and training programs. Introducing new certifications programs and revamping the old ones, its holistic training structure of Cisco Examinations has been changed completely.

The New CCNP Certification

CCNP – Cisco Certified Network Professionals are the professionals level Certifications of Cisco. A level up from the networking fundamentals, CCNA – Associate level Certifications takes a deeper dive into the concepts of networking.

The new CCNP Certifications recognizes skills for enterprise networking solutions. CCNP is a two level examination model now. This certification training program trains on networking technologies at a professional level. Focusing on automation and programmability to help you scale your networking infrastructure, it validates the core knowledge of any technology. It is one of the most respectable networking certifications.

How to earn the new CCNP Certification?

There are different CCNP Certifications that validates advanced networking knowledge and skills in different technologies of networking. To earn any CCNP Certification, one needs to clear the two given examinations.

1. Core Exam:

Core Examinations test the knowledge and skills related to the core networking technologies. It tests the foundation of the technology that candidates needed to specialize in. There are respective core examinations for Enterprise, Collaboration, Security, Data Center and Service Provider each.

2. Concentration Exam:

In the latest announcement, Cisco has introduced the concentrations exams. Concentration Examinations are basically optional examinations required to take to earn CCNP Certifications. Cisco Aspirants need to do one of the two exams to earn professional-level certification (CCNP). These are the technology specific examinations that can be chosen as per the area of interests, job profile and more. After the respective core examination for each CCNP Certification, concentration exams take a deeper dive into a relevant and related technology to the core, allowing the candidate to choose a topic that is either of interest or related to his or her chosen technology area of focus.

Also read- Know New CCNA, CCNP Enterprise and CCIE Certifications | Exams, Syllabus, Re-certification and more

Introduction of Cisco Specialist Examinations:

The Introduction of the Cisco Specialist Examinations has been the key changer of Cisco Certification hierarchy. The Cisco Specialist Examinations are the Core Examinations post which the networking aspirant can opt for CCNP or CCIE Certifications.

For example, any candidate can take 300 - 401 ENCOR examination and clear it. Post this examination, he or she can either take 300 - 410 ENARSI examination to earn CCNP Enterprise Certification or take CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0 (Lab) to earn CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Certification. These Streamlined Cisco Certifications validate engineering professionals meticulously.

Here are the next level Cisco professional, specialist and expert level certifications.

Certification	Specialist Exam	Certifications	Concentration exams (choose one)	Training
300 - 401 ENCOR	Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies	CCNP Enterprise	300 - 410 ENARSI	Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services
			300 - 415 ENSDWI	Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions
			300 - 420 ENSLD	Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks
			300 - 425 ENWLSD	Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks
			300 - 430 ENWLSI	Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks
			300 - 435 ENAUTO	Automating and Programming Cisco Enterprise Solutions
		CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure	CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0 (Lab)
		CCIE Enterprise Wireless	CCIE Enterprise Wireless v1.0 (Lab)
300 - 801 CLCOR	Implementing and Operating Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies	CCNP Collaboration	300 - 810 CLICA	Implementing Cisco Collaboration Applications
			300 - 815 CLACCM	Implementing Cisco Advanced Call Control and Mobility Services
			300 - 820 CLCEI	Implementing Cisco Collaboration Cloud and Edge Solutions
			300 - 835 CLAUTO	Automating Cisco Collaboration Solutions
		CCIE Collaboration	CCIE Collaboration v3.0 (Lab)
300 - 601 DCCOR	Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies	CCNP Data Center	300 - 610 DCID	Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure
			300 - 615 DCIT	Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Infrastructure
			300 - 620 DCACI	Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure
			300 - 625 DCSAN	Implementing Cisco Storage Area Networking
			300 - 635 DCAUTO	Automating and Programming Cisco Data Center Solutions
		CCIE Data Center	CCIE Data Center v3.0 (Lab)
300 - 701 SCOR	Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies	CCNP Security	300 - 710 SNCF	Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower
			300 - 715 SISE	Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine
			300 - 720 SESA	Securing Email with Cisco Email Security Appliance
			300 - 725 SWSA	Securing the Web with Cisco Web Security Appliance
			300-730 SVPN	Implementing Secure Solutions with Virtual Private Networks
			300-735 SAUTO	Automating and Programming Cisco Security Solutions
		CCIE Security	CCIE Security v6.0 (Lab)
300 - 501 SPCOR	Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies	CCNP Service Provider	300-510 SPRI	Implementing Cisco Service Provider Advanced Routing Solutions
			300-515 SPVI	Implementing Cisco Service Provider VPN Services
			300-535 SPAUTO	Automating and Programming Cisco Service Provider Solutions
		CCIE Service Provider	CCIE Service Provider v5.0 (Lab)

No Prerequisites for CCNP Certifications

With the aim to bring flexibility and choice to student’s learning process, Cisco has removed the prerequisites for CCNP Certification. Previously one needed to have a CCNA Certification in order to attempt for the respective CCNP Certification.

The new CCNP doesn’t need any prerequisites now. The candidates can attempt this certification anytime. One needs to clear core examination and concentration examination for the respective certification.

Nevertheless, it is highly advised to have five to seven years of experience in the corresponding technology before attempting the exam.

Conclusion

Though the biggest change in the Cisco Certifications are done at CCNP level, this new hierarchy has streamlined the process of skills and knowledge validation further. Any networking aspirant can now opt for the desired certification and put his or her talent and brain to work as needed.

Download PDF Cisco Unleashes new CCNP Certifications with advanced capabilities

These new certifications will go live on February 24, 2020. The students currently studying for CCNP Certifications have plenty of time to attempt its examination and the new networking aspirants can start their training on the updated Cisco Next Level Certifications.