Cisco Certified Network Associate ( CCNA) certification is one of the most highly sought-after entry-level IT certifications. The CCNA exam measures the skills and knowledge required to troubleshoot, install, and configure medium-sized networks.
Cisco’s certification for network professionals is the CCNA. This certification will allow you to gain a broad understanding of several topics, including:
- LAN/WAN
- Routers and switches
- VLANs and trunking
- WLAN
- ACLs and NAT
- Network utilities (ping tracert arp, tracert)
- Model TCP/IP
- Subnetting and IP addressing
- Automatization and Programmability
- Routing protocols like OSPF
The CCNA series of eight certifications can be used to help people prosper and thrive in today’s digitally-driven world.
What is The CCNA Exam All about?
Cisco’s Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is one of the most highly sought-after IT Certifications. Two main modules of the Cisco CCNA exam test network skills and knowledge related to LAN switching, routing technologies, and configuration routines in large organizations using Cisco equipment.
Cisco CCNA certified professionals can configure Cisco routers & switch in small, medium, and large enterprises.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is for IT professionals who want to improve their careers as network engineers or technicians. It covers a broad range of equipment used in networks around the world.
The Cisco 200301 exam takes 120 minutes and is available in English or Japanese. You can break it down as follows:
- IP connectivity (25%): This test will assess your ability to set up, verify, and troubleshoot basic routing using multiple protocols, including static IP/VPN/DMZ routing. This course will include topics like BGP, vRouter, dynamic routing protocols (RIPv1 & RIPv2), OSPF V3, configuring and verifying EIGRP, and configuring and validating multi-area OSPF.
- Network Access (20%): This exam tests students’ ability to troubleshoot VLANs and Interswitch connectivity.
- Network basics (20%): Access points, routers, switches, and access points; network topology design; physical interfaces & cabling types; IP4/IPv6 configuration, IP parameters, wireless fundamentals, virtualization principle.
- Security basics (15%): Access control and identity management data center security policies. They also include password rules, access control lists, and Layer 2 security features.
- IP services (10%) Configuring NAT and validating NTP; describing DHCP and DNS functionality; per-hop behavior; using SSH and TFTP/FTP description.
- Automation & Programmability (10%): To compare traditional networks with controller-based ones, automation concepts, and JSON data interpretation.
What Does The CCNA Certificate Cost?
Cisco does not offer Cisco Certified Network Associate certification.
The cost of passing a CCNA exam and the support services provided by Cisco Learning Partners will affect your learning experience. For Cisco CCNA certifications, prices can range from $300 to USD 500.
Offer to talk with your boss if you think a CCNA certification would benefit your employer. Ask your company if they will reimburse you for exam and training costs that are work-related.
What Can I Earn with the CCNA Certificate
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), a Cisco certification, validates network administration knowledge and skills. This certification is worth an average salary of $80,000 per person.
Employers and other IT companies are attracted to Cisco-certified professionals because they have demonstrated their knowledge about Cisco routers. A majority of Fortune 500 companies also use Cisco networking equipment. According to Indeed.com, the following are professionals’ salaries who have the CCNA certificate.
Average Salary for a Position in the United States
- IT Support Specialist – More than $53,000
- Network Specialist – More than $64,000
- Network administrator – More than $69,000
- Network engineer – Over $85,000
- Senior network engineer – Over $116,000
How to Get the CCNA Certificate
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco’s certification program, is a popular IT certification. You have many options in the IT industry with the CCNA certification, including entry-level networking administrator or engineer positions at more than 500 companies that employ Cisco-certified professionals.
You must pass the Cisco 200-302 exam to be certified as a CCNA. Although there are no prerequisites, Cisco says most candidates have completed the following tasks.
- Minimum of one year of experience in implementing and maintaining Cisco products or solutions.
- Basic knowledge about IP addressing.
- Understanding the fundamentals of network operations.
One test may be all that is required to become CCNA certified. This test is the 200-301 CCNA. Although the number of questions on the exam cannot be predicted, it is expected to range from 110 to 120. A minimum passing score of 800-850 is required to pass the exam. The maximum score is 1000. Cisco recommends having 250 hours of practical experience before taking the CCNA certification exam.
Several online courses can help you prepare to take the CCNA exam. You may also find the same results in classes held at your local community college.
There are many ways to prepare for the test.
- Self-study using textbooks and online courses There are many high-quality resources online and tools like GNS3 or Packet Tracer, which allow you to learn quickly and without spending a lot of money.
- You can take a CCNA class – Cisco courses are available at many educational institutions and businesses.
Takeaway
To obtain the CCNA certificate, you must pass the 200-301 CCNA exam. To receive the CCNA certification, one exam must be passed, the 200-301 CCNA. According to June 2021 data, the cost of taking the exam is $300 plus taxes. The exam does not require any prerequisites. Cisco recommends that candidates spend approximately 250 hours using Cisco products and solutions before taking the 200-301 exam.
Although anyone can take the exam, Cisco says that most CCNA candidates have at least one year of experience in implementing Cisco products or solutions. Basic knowledge of IP addressing and understanding of basic network principles.