Cisco has updated its Cisco CCNP® certification for network engineers through a comprehensive process involving customers and partners from around the globe. The revision focuses on the competencies that are needed to plan, implement, verify and troubleshoot routed and switched networks and is designed to be more predictive of job readiness. CCNP offers a career development path for Cisco CCNA® certified network engineers and a solid foundation for those who are interested in Cisco CCIE®.
The revised CCNP certification has three required exams: ROUTE #642-902, which covers IP routing; SWITCH #642-813, which covers switched networks; and TSHOOT #642-832, which covers maintenance and troubleshooting of IP networks. All three exams will be increased to 120 minutes in length in order to adequately cover the required knowledge and skills. Please note that the current COMP exam #642-892 will be retired on July 31, 2010 and will not be replaced.
The recommended CCNP curriculum now consists of the following three courses and associated e-learning:
- ROUTE v1.0 – Implementing Cisco IP Routing is a five-day, instructor-led course with 7.5 hours of related e-learning. It is designed for network engineers who have at least one year of professional work experience, and who are ready to advance their skills and work independently on complex network solutions. Students will learn to plan, configure, and verify the implementation of complex enterprise LAN and WAN routing solutions using a range of routing protocols. Course also covers configuration of secure routing solutions to support branch offices and mobile workers.
- SWITCH v1.0 – Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks is a five-day, instructor-led course. It is designed for network engineers who have at least one year of professional work experience, and who are ready to advance their skills and work independently on complex network solutions. Students will learn to plan, configure, and verify the implementation of complex enterprise switching solutions using Cisco Campus Enterprise Architecture. Course also covers secure integration of VLANs, WLANs, voice, and video into campus networks. (There is no e-learning associated with the SWITCH course.)
- TSHOOT v1.0 – Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks is a five-day, instructor-led course with 9.5 hours of related e-learning. It is designed for network engineers who have at least one year of professional work experience, and who are ready to advance their skills and work independently on complex network solutions. Students will learn to plan and perform regular maintenance on complex enterprise routed and switched networks, as well as to use technology-based practices and a systematic ITIL-compliant approach to perform network troubleshooting. Extensive labs provide for hands-on learning and reinforcement of troubleshooting skills.
Compared with the original exam outline, the new CCNP course simplifies its content and more focus on routing and switching. Meanwhile, it adds the network troubleshooting course to emphasize the practical application ability, such as troubleshooting ability, etc. According to the information Pass4sure obtained, the exam will be more difficult. It is unable to schedule a CCNP exam of the old version after April 26th, 2010. The candidates who schedule a CCNP exam of the old version must take the exam before July 31st, 2010. Therefore, Pass4sure recommends all candidates make a reasonable exam arrangement and get on the last train of the old version to obtain a CCNP certification.
