How to Become a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP - Routing and Switching)

Become a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP - Routing and Switching)

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By Patti Winters
eHow Community Member

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(4 Ratings)

Cisco network certifications are some of the most sought after IT (Information Technology) certifications. There are four levels of Cisco certifications (Entry, Associate, Professional, and Expert) to enhance your professional credentials. Specialist certifications are also offered to verify focused knowledge in many topics.

According to Cisco, "CCNP certification validates a network professional's ability to install, configure and troubleshoot converged local and wide area networks with 100 to 500 or more nodes. Network Professionals who achieve the CCNP have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to manage the routers and switches that form the network core, as well as edge applications that integrate voice, wireless, and security into the network."

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

PREREQUISITES - A valid CCNA is the prerequisites for the CCNP certification exam.
Step 2

TRAINING - Cisco recommends four courses for assistance in passing this certification exam; Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI), Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN), Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks (ICSW), and Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks (ONT). These courses are available through many learning partners in physical classroom and virtual classroom classes.
Step 3

ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND REVIEW - Additional training and practice questions are available at the Additional Resources Links #1 through #6 [below].
Step 4

CERTIFICATION EXAMS - Once you are ready to take your exams you can register through the Additional Resources Link #7 [below]. You will need to take 642-901 BSCI - Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (90 minute exam) AND 642-812 BCMSN - Building Converged Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (90 minute exam) AND 642-825 ISCW - Implementing Secure Converged Wide Area Networks (90 minute exam) AND 642-845 ONT - Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks (90 minute exam). NOTE: 642-892 Composite (BSCI and BCMSN) Composite Exam (120 minute exam) can be taken instead of the separate BSCI and BCMSN exams.
Step 5

RECERTIFICATION - CCNP certifications are valid for three years. To recertify, pass any 642-XXX exam that is part of the professional level curriculum after 01/01/06, or pass a current CCIE or CCDE written exam.