CCNA or CCNP Certification - Know the best certificate for you

 

Before starting a new project, the wise thing to do is to "consider the cost." It is also true for folks who are just getting started in a Cisco (or networking-related) job.

"How does the CCNP certification compare to the CCNA certification, especially in terms of difficulty?" is one of the questions people at this stage of their careers ask. In this article, we'll look at how to respond to this question (and its numerous versions) and put things in context for possible applicants so they can plan appropriately.

Certifications from Cisco

The acronyms CCNA and CCNP stand for Cisco Certified Network Associate and Cisco Certified Network Professional. Cisco Systems is the firm behind these certificates, as can be observed by the names. Cisco has a market valuation of over $200 billion and controls over 50% of the worldwide enterprise switching and routing market.

With the figures in mind, it's easy to see why people desire to keep their certificates. Apart from the fact that any company you work for is likely to have a Cisco device, Cisco certifications can help you land a job. Cisco acknowledges this and has dedicated a significant amount of resources and work. This certification program divides into five levels:

• CCENT / Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician

• CCNA Enterprise Associate

• CCNP Security (Certified Computer Networking Professional)

• Service Provider: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

• Cisco Certified Architect is the architect for this project (CCAr)

The fundamental idea behind these certification levels is that they progress from entry to architect, with access being the lowest and architect being the highest. It isn't always the case, though. You can acquire a CCNA without first becoming a CCENT, for example. Similarly, while taking the lower-level tests is recommended, you can become a CCIE without passing the Associate and Professional certification exams.

A closer look at the CCNA and CCNP certifications

Let's talk about what the CCNA and CCNP certifications are and how they differ, especially in terms of difficulty, now that we know how they fit into the Cisco certification structure.

What is the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) credential?

The CCNA certification is the most widely held Cisco credential. Even though this certification primarily focuses on Cisco devices (as opposed to vendor-neutral credentials like CompTIA Network+), it still provides a good understanding of networking technologies. It prepares candidates for Network Administrator, Network Support Engineer, and Associate Security Analyst.

Previously, there was only one CCNA certification (known as CCNA). On the other hand, Cisco has divided the CCNA certification into numerous categories for each IT specialization. 

Pass the necessary exam (s). The majority of CCNA credentials only require you to pass one test. However, some may require you to take up to two.