Briefly explain Cisco's stages of certification

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

First-level Cisco certification is for the Cisco Certified Network Associate, or CCNA. For this certification, students usually take a series of four classes that prepare them for the CCNA exam. The CCNA exam requires students to demonstrate first-level knowledge of Cisco routers and switches and their installation and configuration. Second-level Cisco certification is referred to as Cisco Certified Network Professional, or CCNP. Prior to taking the CCNP exam, one must already be a CCNA. CCNP certification indicates advanced knowledge of Cisco-based networks. The CCNP demonstrates that a network professional can install, configure, and troubleshoot LANs and WANs for enterprise organizations with networks having 100 to more than 500 devices. The exam focuses on topics related to security, converged networks, QoS, VPNs, and broadband technologies. To prepare for CCNP certification, four classes are usually required. The third level of Cisco certification is for the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert, or CCIE. To sit for this exam, you must already be a CCNP. Also, the CCIE has a required hands-on lab component where the test taker must, at a Cisco facility, manually configure and troubleshoot Cisco equipment.