Cisco certifications have increased in popularity over the past few years. The Cisco courses are regarded as among the most valuable qualifications in the IT industry today. A Cisco certification can be obtained in a variety of ways. You will need appropriate certifications to progress in your career and seek out more opportunities in your field.
It is pertinent to note, however, that Cisco offers many certificate programs with varying prerequisites. CCNA and CCNP certifications are regarded as the most valuable. A comparison between the two is necessary so that a career aspirant can decide which one to pursue. Both certificates should be examined carefully to arrive at the best choice.
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
You know that Cisco certifications are valuable. As such, when enrolling in a CCNA program, you should familiarize yourself with its syllabus. In this course, you will learn to operate and configure switches and routers at a medium level. You will also gain experience verifying and then implementing connections through remote sites using wide area networks.
The CCNA program usually covers the following important topics:
1. An overview of WLANs and VLANs
2. Information on network security and administration, including access control lists
3. Learn about routing protocols such as EIGRP, RIP, and OSPF, as well as router technology
4. The IP Addressing Process
5. Designing WANs and LANs
6. A description of OSL models
Furthermore, you can also earn CCNA certifications in Wireless, Voice, and Security. However, these are courses that are offered in conjunction with each other. There are different courses available as well. In addition to the Advanced CCNA exam, Cisco has developed CCIE and CCNP exams for professionals.
The expected salary for CCNAs
An average salary for a female Network Associate ranges from $65,000 to $95,000. Meanwhile, the salaries for males typically range from $58,000 to $90,500. Knowing that women receive more than men is a good thing.
What is the job profile of a CCNA?
There are several job designations you may apply for in terms of job responsibility. This includes network engineers, system engineers, IT managers, and even directors. Your chances of promotion will increase as you gain more knowledge.
CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)
For individuals who are not satisfied with a Certificate in Network Associate and wish to move forward, CCNP certification courses are a fine program for adding more stars to their résumé. The course is designed for network and system engineers, as it also covers routing and switching.
However, you must hold a valid CCNA certification and have at least a couple of years of networking experience. There are some similarities in the job profile. Only one difference may be that here the professionals possess a deep and comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Topics covered by the CCNP program
The CCNA and CCNP certifications are similar in many regards. CCNP courses are primarily designed to develop a few skills, including the following:
-> Troubleshooting and LAN design and development
You learn about and receive training on the design and implementation of troubleshooting and Local Area Networks, including authentication.
-> Creating a more efficient coordination process
Through this course, you become more proficient at coordinating with IT professionals and network engineers. The concerns pertain to wireless, audio, and video solutions, as well as dealing with serious security issues.
Criteria for eligibility to receive the certificate
The prerequisites for CCNP certifications differ from those for CCNA certifications. A CCNA Routing and Switching Certificate are required to apply for this course. Apart from that, the CCIE certification can also assist you in obtaining the certificate. The CCNP certification cost is also relatively low as compared to CCNA.
The expected salary for a CCNP
Since a Networking Professional is quite a senior position, the salary will be significantly more than a Networking Associate. If you complete the CCNP courses and obtain the certificate, the average salary you can expect is $118,000. Even if you are just starting, you will still be able to earn an average salary of around $49,547, and you may even earn as much as $1, 44,000.
How should I choose between the two?
Cisco Certifications offers CCNA and CCNP training, and both have extensive prospects. In any event, after passing the CCNA exam, you are eligible to apply for the CCNP certification. Consequently, the final recommendation would be to complete CCNA first and proceed to the next step. Furthermore, you will broaden your understanding of networking, and this will be beneficial to you as you take the CCNP program.
