Seven Differences between CCNA & CCNP Certification
Seven Differences between CCNA & CCNP Certification
Since its inception in 1998 CISCO certification has become the yardstick by which to judge the competence of networking professionals. Over time Cisco introduced the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) course and then the Cisco Certified Network Professional certification. There are differences between the two that you should know before you opt for CCNA & CCNP Certifications.
1. Qualifications
• CCNP: Only IT professionals with a year of working experience in professional networking can join the CCNP course.
• CCNA: You do not need to have any qualifications in IT to join the CCNA course since it is entry-level.
2. Level
• CCNA is entry-level and gives you the basics of networking.
• CCNP is a higher-level course that gives you advanced training in various types of networks.
3. Knowledge and skills
• CCNA is meant for those who wish to enter the field of networking and start at the bottom. You get only an elementary level of knowledge and skills that will help you handle general job responsibilities when you start to work.
• CCNP endows candidates with higher levels of knowledge and skills such as IP routing, switched networks, troubleshooting and maintenance. You learn about multilayer switching, converged networks and scalable internet works. You can install and maintain WAN and LAN.
4. Exam modules
• You have only one module to study and appear for the exam of CCNA certification.
• CCNP exam consists of 3 to 4 modules and it is quite extended as well as tough. You have various options as well when you undertake CCNP certification course. Even as you study your knowledge and skill level in Cisco’s IP and IP routing technologies will be tested to ensure you have the competence to set up, test and troubleshoot.
5. Job position
• Once you obtain the CCNA certificate you can start work as a field technician at a junior level.
• CCNP certificate gives you access to a higher-level job with more salary such as Network specialist, systems engineer, network analyst and so on. You can earn more than twice that a CCNA certified individual earns.
6. Cost
CCNA is a basic, entry-level certification course and accordingly, it costs less, less than $ 300.
CCNP is considerably advanced and has various modules that require time to study and each module can cost $ 250.
7. Career path
• If you stick with only the CCNA certification you are stuck in a groove and are not likely to advance your career unless you go in for more certifications. This is the way the IT industry works. They want certifications.
• CCNP gives you a head start in the networking sector of the IT industry and you have a good position as well as a good salary. Further, you have more options to climb up the ladder as you gain experience and more advanced level certifications. These are the Differences between CCNA & CCNP Certification.
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