Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Synopsis

The CCNA certification (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is an entry level certification that supports all of the career tracks within Cisco's Certification program and indicates a foundation in knowledge of networking. The Cisco CCNA Network Associate certification validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN. This new curriculum includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills. This new curriculum also includes (but is not limited to) the use of these protocols: IP, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Serial Line Interface Protocol Frame Relay, Routing Information Protocol Version 2 (RIPv2),VLANs, Ethernet, access control lists (ACLs).

A CCNA certified individual will be able to:

• Install and configure Cisco Switches and routers in multiprotocol internetworks using LAN and WAN interfaces
• Provide Level 1 troubleshooting service
• Improve network performance and security

Intended Audience

CCNA certification is intended for network administrators and technicians, new to Cisco products and services, responsible for implementing and managing small and medium business networks.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this certification path, providing delegates follow the recommended learning track, but general networking knowledge is an advantage.

Recommended CCNA Training

The recommended training curriculum for gaining CCNA is:

• Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 1 (ICND1)
• Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 2 (ICND2)

If you've already started your CCNA with the old qualifications INTRO and ICND, don't worry, as it is possible to mix and match the old and new courses. Effectively, the old Cisco course INTRO has been replaced by ICND1 and ICND has been replaced by ICND2, so it will be possible to take the ICND1 instead of INTRO, and ICND2 instead of ICND, to complete training for CCNA.

Re-certification

CCNA certifications are valid for three years. To re-certify, pass the current CCNA exam, the ICND or ICND2 Exam, a Cisco Qualified Specialist exam (excluding Sales Specialist exams), or any professional level exam bearing a prefix 642, or pass a CCIE written exam on or after October 1, 2004. Advancing to the next level or recertifying at the professional level automatically renews all related Associate level certifications.

Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)

This new certification is for those who feel that the CCNA is too high a level for them. This is ideally suited to those delegates who are looking to enter a networking or IT field, or those who are working with a small network. This is the first step towards the CCNA certification, although is not a pre-requisite.

The CCENT validates job skills such as the ability to install and verify basic network configurations, which is a requirement for most entry level network support positions.

CCENT is awarded ONLY to those who pass the ICND1 exam from 1st August onwards. It is not awarded to those who pass INTRO, the old style ICND, ICND2 or any combined CCNA exam, nor can it be awarded in arrears for any reason.

Please call our Training Sales team on 0800 651 0338 or email training@gbdirect.co.uk for more information.