Cisco is a famous networking hardware company located in San Jose, California. If you work in the IT sphere, then there is hardly a chance that you’ve never dealt with Cisco’s products and services. As Cisco cares about the users and wants to provide all the necessary support for its products, the company created a certification program for IT specialists.
Cisco Certification: Levels
Credential program from Cisco is divided into 5 proficiency levels: entry, associate, professional, expert and architect. Each stage requires a relevant level of knowledge and skills. Apart from that, Cisco certification covers different fields of knowledge such as Routing and Switching, Cyber Ops, Cloud, Security, Wireless and more. However, one of the most demanded Cisco certification paths is Routing and Switching. In this article, we will look at this path more closely and reveal some details the candidates need to know if they want to become Cisco certified professionals.
CCENT Certification
CCENT is an entry-level certification which is intended for the specialists who are just starting their IT career. This credential is intended to verify the candidate’s ability to operate, troubleshoot and install a small branch network in an enterprise environment. The certification also validates the individual’s knowledge of network security basics. CCENT certification is a step towards associate-level CCNA certification. To get your Cisco CCENT, you need to pass one exam – 100-105 ICND1.
If you need more information about CCENT certification exam, visit Cisco website.
CCENT Certification Exam 100-105 ICND1
100-105 exam is called Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1. The test covers the fundamentals of network, LAN switching, routing, as well as infrastructure service and maintenance.
CCNA Routing and Switching Certification
Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching is an associate-level certification. If you want to be a core network engineer, your career can start right from here. This credential covers the skills required to work with Cisco networking devices and implies the passing of 200-125 CCNA or 100-105 ICND1 and 200-105 ICND2 exams. The difference between the two ways is that 200-125 is a composite exam which includes a lot of topics and 100-105 and 200-105 are exams that will allow you to pass all the required topics in 2 stages.
200-125 CCNA Exam
As 200-125 is a comprehensive test which includes quite a lot of subjects, it requires thorough preparation and training. The ideal solution to successfully pass 200-125 exam is to use exam dumps (see more information about dumps below).
If you are looking for a reliable resource to prepare for 200-125 exam, visit Cisco website and check the most current Cisco 200-125 dumps.
CCNP Routing and Switching Certification
CCNP Routing and Switching is a professional-level certification which requires prior CCNA Routing and Switching or any Cisco CCIE certification to be obtained. This credential is intended to verify the candidate’s ability to work with wide and local enterprise networks and advanced video, wireless, voice and security solutions. To get this certification, the candidate should sit for three exams: 300-101 ROUTE, 300-115 SWITCH and 300-135 TSHOOT.
If you are looking for more information about Cisco CCNP Routing and Switching certification, check the official Cisco website and get the latest Cisco CCNP dumps.
Cisco CCNP ROUTE 300-101 exam
This exam is called Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE). It covers network fundamentals, IPv4 and IPv6, operating LAN, supporting VLANs, device configuration, IP connectivity troubleshooting and more.
Read more about Cisco CCNP ROUTE 300-101 exam at Cisco website.
300-115 SWITCH Exam
This test is called Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks. It concentrates on infrastructure security and services, the integration of VLANs and WLANs and switching solutions that use CECA (Cisco Enterprise Campus Architecture).
300-135 TSHOOT Exam
Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks exam focuses on the regular maintenance of routed and switched networks in a complex enterprise environment and using of systematic ITIL-compliant method to troubleshoot networks.
Cisco CCNP Dumps
On this professional level, it may be quite hard to pass all the exams on the first try. So, you need to prepare properly and be ready for the series of tests.
Now, let’s dwell on the expert-level CCIE Routing and Switching certification and reveal the details you need to know to get it.
CCIE Routing and Switching Certification
CCIE Routing and Switching is an expert-level credential in Cisco Routing and Switching pathway. It is targeted at the network engineers who use Cisco complex and converged infrastructure. CCIE Routing and Switching certification recognizes networking professionals with advanced mastery of Cisco networking technologies.
CCIE Routing and Switching certified professionals are able to configure, validate and troubleshoot complex enterprise networks, understand infrastructure components and implement the functional components of various device configurations. Attaining this credential provides one with solid knowledge of both virtual and physical enterprise-level networks. Although the credential has no formal prerequisites, candidates are recommended to have 3-5 years of experience in the field related to Cisco Networking Solutions and possess a deep knowledge of the certification topics.
CCIE Routing and Switching Certification Details
To obtain CCIE Routing and Switching certification, the candidates need to pass two exams: 400-101 CCIE Routing and Switching and CCIE R&S Lab Exam. Here are some details you need to know about these tests.
400-101 CCIE (Written exam)
The seven topics and weighting for this exam are:
• Networking Principles (10%)
• Layer 2 Technologies (13%)
• Layer 3 Technologies (37%)
• VPN Technologies (13%)
• Infrastructure Security (5%)
• Infrastructure Services (12%)
• Evolving Technologies v 1.0/v1.1 (10%)
400-101 exam lasts for 120 minutes and contains about 90-110 questions (multiple choice with single and multiple answers). The exam can be taken through the Pearson VUE website. The cost of the exam is $400. Note that the candidates who fail this exam must wait 5 days to try again.
CCIE Lab Exam
You can attempt this exam only if you successfully passed CCIE Written exam. Topics and weightings for CCIE Routing and Switching Lab Exam include:
• Layer 2 Technologies (20%)
• Layer 3 Technologies (40%)
• VPN Technologies (20)
• Infrastructure Security (5%)
• Infrastructure Services (15%)
CCIE Routing and Switching Lab Exam is conducted in the lab room. Each candidate will be given 8 hours to complete 3 exam modules: Troubleshooting, Configuration and Diagnostic. The Lab Exam costs $1,600 per lab attempt; note that the price does not include lodging and travel expenses. After the test, each candidate will receive a pass or fail result.
To register for CCIE R&S Lab Exam, ensure that you have a valid Cisco account and the identification number used to register for the written exam. Also, don’t forget the date when you passed CCIE R&S Written Exam and your 400-101 CCIE Routing and Switching Written Exam passing score.
CCIE Routing and Switching Certification Prerequisites
CCIE Routing and Switching certification requires no formal prerequisites. Even so, you need to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the certification objectives and have three to five years of the appropriate working experience.
Learning Resources
Use the following study resources to prepare for CCIE Written exam:
▪ CCIE Routing and Switching v5.1 Foundations: Bridging the Gap Between CCNP and CCIE 1st Edition. This book can help candidates focus on all segments of CCIE R&S. The guide contains over 40 detailed labs, structured protocol, illustrations and topic-specific lab exercises to reinforce your skills.
▪ Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching v5.0 Troubleshooting Practice Labs, 2nd Edition. This book contains two troubleshooting lab scenarios that mimic real CCIE Routing and Switching v5.0 lab test. Besides, the “Ask the Proctor” section clarifies all the necessary topics while letting you check the answers that seem challenging. It even lets candidates compare practice configurations after every lab.
▪ CCIE Routing and Switching v5.0 Official Cert Guide, Volume 2, 5th Edition. The only officially approved CCIE Routing and Switching study guide. It offers excellent exam prep material and useful tips that will come in handy in pursuing Cisco Routing and Switching certification path. This resource contains numerous test simulations, hands-on labs from Cisco authorized Learning Partners and the material for the self-study from Cisco Press.
How to Become CCIE Routing and Switching Professional
Obtaining CCIE Routing and Switching certification entails more than reading a couple of books, memorizing facts, or passing an exam. In contrast to other certifications, passing 400-101 CCIE Routing and Switching and CCIE Routing and Switching Lab Exam requires that you understand core Cisco configuration concepts and commands as well as possess a deep understanding of routers, switches and networking protocols. For you to attain this certification, you need a solid plan. Always remember that in pursuing CCIE Routing and Switching credential, you need to investing time, money and effort. Hence, evaluate your current abilities regarding the experience, knowledge, resources, time and money required to complete this certification track.
Initially, preparation for CCIE Routing and Switching Written exam requires the acquisition of resources such as study guides, white papers, documents and RFCs from Cisco and other authorized providers. Note, that not all vendors have the training products that meets CCIE Routing and Switching stringent standards. Ideally, you should consult the abovementioned books and other resources for comprehensive coverage of additional practice areas.
Besides the above three resources, you should review white papers and other material found on the Cisco website to reinforce your preliminary resources. The main resources are RFCs published by the Internet Engineering Task Force. RFCs provide in-depth descriptions of internetworking systems, protocols and systems.
Your Next Step
CCIE Routing and Switching certification is one of the highest credentials that are offered by Cisco. Other potential certifications in this field include Juniper JNCIA-Junos and Juniper JNCIS-ENT.
The importance of exam dumps for Cisco certification
If you are intended to get Cisco certification, you must know that this path requires a lot of effort and determination. However, you can use exam dumps to prepare for your Cisco exams. Dumps are questions from past exams that can help you enhance your test-taking skills and eliminate your weak spots. While using exam dumps, you also learn how to manage your time properly. Exam dumps are very helpful for the candidates determined to pass Cisco exams at the first attempt.
If you are looking for reliable exam dumps for any Cisco certification exams, visit http://www.prepaway.com/ website.
Final Thought
The most challenging part of any Cisco certification is exams. We recommend setting up a home lab and gather preparation materials well before the exam. Doing so will help you practice all the concepts you need to pass the test of any level. Although the investment to Cisco certification may seem prohibitive, the pay you receive as Cisco certified specialist will offset this investment.
