After the 'CCNA', qualification tracks are diverse & might include a specialisation in Wireless or Security fields, alternatively you could take a look at progressing on to the 'CCNP' (Cisco Certified Networking Professional.) It isn't a good idea to contemplate doing the CCNP unless you have totally finished your CCNA. It is advisable to have two years of industry experience together with the 'CCNA' prior to progressing on to 'CCNP' certification. However if you've actually been in IT for quite a while, & maybe obtained a accreditation that is equivalent to a 'CCNA' (e.g. during military service) you may be able to go directly onto 'CCNP'. The bottom line is that if you are just starting in I.T., no company will be expecting you to have achieved that level of qualification, & may rightly query your true comprehension, if you've not even been employed in a CCNA role first.

Essentially, the backbone of 'Cisco' technologies are their routers, switches and 'controllers'. If we didn't have these types of devices, information would be unable to flow all around networks. PCs require an operating-system to communicate within their 'network ', but also the hardware has its very own 'system' which needs to be set-up & maintained. Trouble shooting, continual re-programming and reconfiguration is essential to maintain the effortless running of an expanding 'network '. With the present switch towards full system integration of voice and data in modern business offices (in addition to military and other circumstances), Cisco is at the height of all modern day communications.

The 'CCNA' exam (640-802) is split in to it's two component parts: The CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician) exam - often called the ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 - 640-822) examination, & the ICND2 (640-816) exam. Although all of this can appear to be a mouthful (as often seems the case with IT acronyms,) the simplest way to do this accreditation is as the combined 'CCNA' (640-802) examination. An excellent career training-track for Cisco entrants would be a blended program beginning with CompTIA A+ , followed by CompTIA N+ and then the rather more specialised Cisco 'CCNA'. Anticipate putting in close to 400 to 500 hrs of study time (around a year part time) to get through a course of this type. Technical IT training courses should offer reliable professional support. Ensure you opt for one with round-the clock, instant reply service. Look also for some of the latest multi-media study materials, & the right exam preparation software.

It only makes sense to consider retraining paths that'll move onto industry acknowledged certifications. There are way too many small colleges pushing unknown 'in-house' certificates which aren't worth the paper they're printed on when it comes to finding a job. If your certification doesn't come from a major player like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe, then you'll probably find it could have been a waste of time and effort - because no-one will recognise it.

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