How to Become a CCIP

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP) equips networking professionals with the ability to offer infrastructure IP networking solutions to service providers. Present a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certificate as a qualification to train to become a CCIP. Add this valuable certification to your CV or resume and get the kinds of networking positions you want. Easily solicit acknowledgment and appreciation as a networking professional with CCIP training and certification.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Complete CCNA training and testing successfully (plus the CCENT qualification if needed) and train to understand service provider networking technologies and become a CCIP candidate.

2. Peruse the Cisco website to find professional certifications like the CCIP. Go to "Participating in the Program" and find out which training facilities or schools near you are Cisco approved. If you've recently moved or wish to find a different training facility, pick from the list provided.

3. Check with local community colleges to find out if any offer higher level Cisco networking courses. Have better chances of finding other types of training facilities and online courses that off higher level Cisco networking certification training. Figure out and contrast courses and costs.

4. Plan for the CCIP course load—know that it requires a lot of time and preparation, and material covered is just as taxing as CCNA material. Get in gear for more intensive training, costs and testing.

5. Gain knowledge of IP QoSas well as IP routing, BGP plus MPLS. Become a CCIP and discover and grasp technologies in the service provider field. Learn from and complete the following curriculum: Composite "Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI);" "Implementing Cisco Quality of Service (QoS);" "Configuring BGP on Cisco Routers (BGP);" plus "Implementing Cisco MPLS (MPLS)."

6. Make sure programs are taught by certified instructors and cover the Cisco-approved CCIP curriculum. Find out about course details before paying for a Cisco certification program and doublecheck to see if the school or training facility is Cisco approved.

7. Become a CCIP once you've successfully mastered the curriculum and completed the certification tests. Pass required exams: 642-901 BSCI or 642-892 Composite/642-642 QOS/642-661 BGP/642-611 MPLS or 642-691 BGP+MPLS.

Tips & Warnings

• Know that the CCENT is now offered and recommended to prep networking beginners for CCNA coursework (a valid CCNA certification is the prerequisite for the CCIP).
• Look for the official "Cisco Systems" icon for approved Cisco training facilities and schools.
• Note that online courses and independent study lacks important hands-on experience and training.

Resources

• Peruse the Cisco website to learn more about training, certification and approved schools.
• Learn more about obtaining the CCDA from eAcademy.
• Find useful practice questions and study guides for Cisco certificate testing at certyourself.