Learn the Basics of Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and be certified

The rapid changes and innovation in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) particularly in networking technologies triggered organizations to utilize fully potential benefits brought by these technologies. Huge corporations interconnect computer systems from different to maximize data and hardware sharing, and achieve optimum network performance while reducing the cost. However, performing networking tasks on huge networks are not the easiest task to perform. It demands highly skilled highly skilled network professionals to ensure full-proof corporate network invulnerable from both internal and external threats.

Cisco, the world leader in providing state-of-the art networking technologies such as routers and servers offer certification examination for IT professionals to assess their skills, proficiency and competence in networking, particularly in using Cisco products. Basically there are 5 stages in Cisco Career Certification: entry level CCENT, associate level CCNA, professional level CCNP and the expert level CCDE. Whilst both entry level and associate level might signifies that you have the knowledge and the skill in installing and maintaining small sized networks, this does not goes the same for large networks having 500 or more nodes.

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is the professional level of Cisco Career Certification. CCNP assess and validates the knowledge and skills needed in installation, configuration, operating and maintaining large networks with more than 500 end systems connected. Not only that, CCNP also validates the ability of IT professional to plan, verify, apply and troubleshoot both Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN) using networking technologies such as broadband, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), advanced security, voice solution and other advanced networking technologies. Apart from the CCNP, there are three more professional certifications that Cisco offer: CCDP (network design), CCIP (end-to-end protocols) and CCNP-Security (network security).

Unlike CCENT and CCNA that don’t have any pre-requisite, CCNP requires examiners to pass CCNA certification examination or any CCIE certification to be able to take CCNP certification. Furthermore, CCNP is ideal for IT professionals already having at least 1 year experience in network management, and are ready to take their acquired knowledge and experience on complex network solutions into the next level. Those who passed Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification already have the knowledge, skills and competence required in network management related jobs such as network engineers, network technicians, support engineers and systems engineers. These jobs are among the highest paid jobs in the IT field.

What are you waiting for? If you have the knowledge and skills in advanced networking, go and have CCNP certification a try!