The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is one of Cisco’s most sought-after entry-level IT certifications. The CCNA exam tests the knowledge and skills that a network professional would need to possess to install, configure, and troubleshoot medium-sized networks.
The CCNA is a Cisco certification for network specialists. This certification helps you to get a comprehensive grasp of a variety of subjects, such as:
- LAN/WAN
- Switches and routers
- VLANs and trunking
- WLAN
- NAT and ACLs
- Network utilities (ping, tracert, arp)
- TCP/IP model
- IP addressing and subnetting
- Automation and programmability
- Routing protocols such as OSPF
The CCNA series of eight certifications can help people thrive and prosper in today’s highly digitized world. MyComputerCareer is a leading provider of CCNA certification training and will help you every step of the way, including on finding a new job in the field. For more information, feel free to contact us.
What’s The CCNA Exam All About?
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is among the most sought-after IT Certification from Cisco. The Cisco CCNA exam has two main modules that test network fundamentals and skills related to LAN switching, IP routing technologies, WAN protocols & configuration regularities needed in a large organization using Cisco equipment.
Cisco CCNA certified professionals can configure Cisco routers & switches to operate in small, medium, and large enterprise companies.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is designed for IT experts seeking to advance their careers as network technicians or engineers with skills that apply broadly across many types of equipment used by networks worldwide.
The Cisco 200-301 exam is a 120-minute test available in English or Japanese. It can be broken down as follows:
- IP connectivity (25%): It will test your knowledge and skills to configure, verify, and troubleshoot basic routing using multiple routing protocols, including static IP/VPN/DMZ routing. It will cover topics such as: BGP; vRouter; dynamic routing protocols (RIPv1 and RIPv2); OSPF V3; configuring and verifying EIGRP; and configuring and verifying multi-area OSPF.
- Network access (20%): This exam will also test students on their ability to set up and troubleshoot VLANs, Interswitch connectivity, Layer 2 discovery protocols, and EtherChannel; Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol operations; Cisco wireless architectures, AP modes, physical WLAN components, AP and WLC management access connections, and wireless LAN access.
- Network fundamentals (20%): Routers, switches, and access points; network topology designs; physical interfaces and cabling types; IP4/IPv6 configuration; IP parameters; wireless fundamentals, virtualization principles.
- Security fundamentals (15%): These include identity management and access control, data center security policies, physical access control, password rules, access control lists, Layer 2 security features, wireless transmission protocols.
- IP services (10%): Configuring and validating NAT and NTP; describing DHCP, DNS, SNMP, and Syslog functionality; per-hop behavior; using SSH; TFTP/FTP description.
- Automation and programmability (10%): To compare conventional networks with controller-based networks, automation concepts, and JSON data interpretation.
How Much Does The CCNA Certification Cost?
Cisco does not directly offer Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. Instead, they partner with Cisco Learning Partners, such as MyComputerCareer, to provide training and testing for CCNA certification exams.
This means that the cost of taking and passing a CCNA exam depends on which Cisco Learning Partner provides support services for your learning experience. An individual can expect prices upwards of $300 to USD 500 for Cisco CCNA certifications.
If you believe a CCNA certification is helpful for your employer, offer to discuss it with your superior. If you think the exam or training expenses would be work-related and deductible, ask if your firm will reimburse them.
How Much Can I Earn With the CCNA Certificate?
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a Cisco certification that validates the knowledge and skills of network administration. Individuals possessing this certification can earn an average of $80,000 per year in salary.
Cisco-certified professionals are highly sought after by employers and other IT companies since they have proven to be knowledgeable about Cisco routers and switches. Cisco networking equipment is also used by a majority of all Fortune 500 companies. Salaries collected from Indeed.com for professionals with the CCNA certificate, as of September 2021, indicate the following:
Position Salary (average US):
- IT support specialist – Over $53,000
- Network specialist – Over $64,000
- Network administrator – Over $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 very popular IT certification. The CCNA certificate allows for many opportunities in the IT world, including working as an entry-level network administrator or engineer with more than 500 companies that hire Cisco certified professionals.
To obtain the CCNA certification, you must pass the Cisco 200-301 exam. There are no prerequisites for the examination, but according to Cisco, most candidates have previously completed the following tasks:
- At least a year of experience with and implementation of Cisco products and solutions.
- Basic knowledge of IP addressing.
- Understanding of network fundamentals.
You may become CCNA certified by taking and passing only one test, the 200-301 CCNA. The number of questions you will encounter on the exam is not fixed, but it will generally be around 110 to 120. The minimum passing score is around 800-850 out of a maximum score of 1000. Cisco also recommends having about 250 hours of hands-on experience before attempting the CCNA certification exam.
Several internet courses will help you prepare for the CCNA exam. In-person classes at your local community college may also accomplish the same.
There are a variety of strategies to study for the test.
- Self-study with textbooks and online courses – There are several high-quality resources online as well as tools such as GNS3 and Packet Tracer that allow you to learn without having to buy expensive equipment.
- Attending a CCNA course – Cisco courses may be found in various educational institutions and companies such as MyComputerCareer. These programs generally take a few months and include plenty of hands-on activities.
Takeaway
The 200-301 CCNA certification is required to obtain the CCNA. One exam, the 200-301 CCNA, must be passed to receive the CCNA certificate. According to June 2021 data, taking the test costs $300, plus taxes. There are no prerequisites for taking the exam. Cisco recommends that people spend about 250 hours working with Cisco products and solutions before attempting the 200-301 exam.
Anyone may take the test, but Cisco states most of their CCNA candidates have previously completed the following tasks: At least one year experience implementing Cisco products and solutions Basic knowledge of IP addressing understanding of network fundamentals.
MyComputerCareer offers certification programs that include CCNA exams as well. Reach out to us if you’re interested in getting CCNA-certified and advancing your I.T. career. We would be happy to answer any questions that you might have.