How to become a CCNA or CCDA with it-training.com

Cisco Career Certifications is an industry recognized, multilevel program that trains and certifies network professionals to design, implement, operate and support a Cisco network. Cisco provides three levels of certification for IT professionals with several different tracks to meet individual needs. The first level of certification includes CCNA and CCDA.

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) indicates to employers, foundation knowledge of networking for the small office/home office (SOHO) market and the Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) indicates to employers foundation knowledge of network design for the small office/home office (SOHO) market.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

The CCNA is designed for professionals, covering the installation, configuration, and operation of simple-routed LAN, routed WAN and switched LAN networks. To become certified candidates must be proficient in these areas and also show understanding of a variety of protocols including IP, IGRP, IPX, Serial AppleTalk, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP, Ethernet and Access Lists.

According to Cisco, a CCNA will have the expertise to perform the following tasks:

• Install and configure Cisco switches and routers in multipropcol internetworks using LAN and WAN interfaces.
• Provide level 1 troubleshooting service.
• Improve networks performance and security.

The it-training CCNA courseware provides excellent preparation for Cisco certification helping you to gain the knowledge and skills you need:

Once you have passed your exam, your industry-accredited certification is valid for 3 years after which you need to retake your CCNA exam to maintain the accreditation. However, if you choose to advance to the next level of certification your CCNA certification will automatically be renewed.

The CCNA is an entry-level certification from which many professionals opt to continue their certification studies towards a specialty in the CCDA, CCNP, or CCIE.

Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)

The Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) is aimed at professionals who wish to learn how to design simple routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched LAN networks. The CCDA industry accredited qualification indicates expertise in designing routed and switched networks involving LAN, WAN and dial up access services for fewer than 100 nodes.

According to Cisco, a CCDA will have the expertise to perform the following tasks:

• Determine the customer's requirements for network performance, security, capacity, and scalability
• Design a network structure that meets these requirements
• Articulate the benefits of the design to the customers satisfaction
• Develop and test a prototype network that validates the design and demonstrate that proof to the customer's satisfaction

The it-training CCDA courseware provides excellent preparation for Cisco certification helping you to gain the knowledge and skills you need. However, it is recommended that students should have basic knowledge and the skills to install, configure and operate small networks before undertaking the CCDA course. Therefore the CCNA course is recommended as a prerequisite.

Once you have passed your exam, your industry-accredited certification is valid for 3 years after which you need to retake your CCDA exam to maintain the accreditation. However, if you choose to advance to the next level of Cisco certification your CCDA qualification will automatically be renewed.

For full details of these certification paths or further qualifications please visit www.cisco.com/go/certifications.