Have you heard about Routing and Switching or IP protocols? Does enterprise roles such as network technician, support engineer, systems engineer or networking professional seem fascinating to you? If yes, then it’s time to know what can make you one and then act accordingly. Network Engineering is about troubleshooting basic and advanced networks, applying acquired technical skills and working on finding advanced solutions.

CCNP: When and Why?

CCNP® (Cisco Certified Network Professional) is a well-known, advanced, computer networking certification meant for working professionals to give a boost to their career. One should consider going for a CCNP when you seek to hone your skills and perk up your salary. This exam is best suited for anyone who has a minimum experience of a year in the field of IT and computers, and is ready to handle complex network solutions independently.

The Prerequisites for this exam is that one must have a valid CCNA or any CCIE Certification. You may write it even without a CCNA but it holds no value without basic credentials. CCNA is one of the most sought-after and basic competency in networking certification. It teaches the installation, configuration, and operation of basic networks. CCNP certification focuses on routing and switching of scalable networks including intranets, LAN and WAN and dials access services for medium-to-large networks with multiple protocols. It is an advanced level.

Benefits:

Cisco credentials and certs add weightage to your resume and help earn better than other peers working in similar routing and networking jobs.

The courses are designed as per different levels and interest. There are exams for four levels from basics to specializations.

Cisco industry certifications help to verify a job seeker's skills and expertise in his areas of experience, knowledge and expertise.

Ensures consistent gains in compensation as one can explore and acquire expertise in niche areas such as Network design, Routing and switching, Voice, video and wireless solutions, system architecture.

How to Earn the Certification?

One must pass the following exams to be CCNP certified

Implementing Cisco IP Routing (642-902 Route) ---A two hour online exam which has 52 questions.

Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (642-813 Switch) --- It is also two hour long comprising of 52 questions.

Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (642-832 TShoot) --- This one has 35 to 40 questions which have to be answered in 135 minutes.

Preparation for CCNP involves:

• Holding an active CCNA certification, it ensures eligibility for a CCNP.

• Managing preparation time for at least a month and completely familiarizing with the curriculum before the start.

• Reading study books which cover the course for advanced skills in computer networking, installation and support of medium-sized LAN/WAN networks

• Taking practice exams on the Web. It gives an idea of the type of questions and comes out very useful.

• Solving official CCNA training materials through Cisco's official sites.

Important bits of Advice:

My personal recommendation is to get hands-on experience with Cisco equipment as well. Lab practice and simulations would make you good to go.

Be serious about the preparations. Don't mug up the theory but also try to visualize its applications though theory is quite much about rote learning.

Get rid of the “maybe I’ll fail” approach to the study.  

Schedule your exam now, today, and right now and come out with flying colors.

Career Prospects:

Below are some of the job positions which require a CCNP qualified associate.

Support Engineer

Systems Engineer

IP Engineer

Networking Professional

Network Specialist

Must Remember:

All Cisco Exams are valid for three years. After expiry, one may either pass the current professional-level or any of the specialized exams.

CCNP is nice to have however; it may not get you a high paying job instantly without real world experience. The requirements in different countries are as per demand. Take time to gauge the needs.

In India, IT has been scaling heights and is a growing domain. Most companies are not always looking for just a router person but a multi-talented professional. Hence, an added expertise is always good.

Knowledge is worth something and CCNP definitely opens up career prospects. Depending on one's caliber, talent, skills and experience and level of interest, one may earn a job at any of these levels which are architect, expert, professional, associate and entry.

Useful Links:

http://www.cisco.com

http://www.ccnpguide.com

http://www.techexams.net/forums/ccnp/73357-preparing-ccnp-advice.html

Manjulika Pramod