In this post, we’ll look at the top 5 networking credentials you need to obtain in 2020. Let’s discuss them right away.

1. Wireshark Certified Network Analyst – WCNA

Wireshark University was founded in 2007. The institution provides one certificate, but it’s going to be worth all the effort. WCNA validates the skills and knowledge of the network analysts by using Wireshark and network security, network troubleshooting, and TCP/IP network communications. To get this certification, the students must pass one exam. The WCNA-102.x test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that you must complete in 2 hours. You also need to pay a fee of $299.

This credential is valid for three years, and you should get 20 continuing professional education credits every year to maintain it. The credits must focus on functions associated with the WCNA exam domains such as analysis and sniffing. You can participate in the Black Hat conference or SharkFest. You may also need to study for the test with the training program to get the CPEs.

2. SolarWinds Certified Professional – SCP

SolarWinds is a tech company based in Austin. This organization allows the IT professionals and businesses to get access to tools, solutions, and products. They use these resources to enhance performance, monitor, and find solutions to real-world issues. SolarWinds provides solutions in various areas, such as system management, network management, security database management, Cloud, and IT help desk.

Currently, the company provides one certification, known as SCP (SolarWinds Certified Professional). The credential is designed to prove one’s expertise, knowledge, and skills in using the network management product portfolio or SolarWinds system management. The students can opt to test for the certificate on the Server and Application Monitor or the Network Performance Monitor paths. In any case, they need to pass one exam. The certification test includes 75 questions that should be answered within 90 minutes.

The company seeks to ensure that the SCP holders maintain their knowledge base. This is because new technology products are being produced. To achieve this, SolarWinds obliges the certified specialists to uphold the SolarWinds subscription. The professionals with the SCP certification are required to attend training and events organized by this organization. With this subscription, the individuals get access to online training courses, are invited to online and in-person events, get improved support and a chance to study with the SolarWinds experts. You need to pay $200 as a yearly subscription. The SCP credential expires after 3 years in case an applicant doesn’t maintain the subscription and doesn’t take part in the training.

3. CompTIA Network+

It is an entry-level certification. It is designed for the individuals in the IT industry who want to upgrade their resume. It is also meant for the beginners in the networking field. This vendor-neutral certificate serves as a springboard for many professional networking credentials. Given that it is an entry-level certification, there are no requirements for taking the CompTIA N10-007 test. The exam contains 90 questions, and the duration for completing it is 90 minutes. Furthermore, there are numerous resources that will help you prepare for this test. Also, please note that you’ll need to pay $329.

4. Cisco Certified Network Professional – CCNP

CCNP is available in different paths, such as Enterprise, Collaboration, Security, Service Provider, Data Center, and Cisco Certified DevNet Professional. To get any credentials in these categories, the individuals must first obtain CCNA. After earning CCNP for the networking professionals, you can proceed to pursue another specialty in the CCNP tracks. If you are planning to earn CCNP Enterprise, for example, you’re required to pass one core exam (350-401 ENCOR) and one from six available concentration tests.

Remember, Cisco recently updated its certification program by retiring some certificates and introducing new ones. These new changes took effect on February 24, 2020. CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE were affected. For example, the most popular CCNA R&S and CCNP R&S credentials have been retired and replaced with other certifications. The replacements are CCNA Enterprise and CCNP Enterprise, respectfully.

5. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert – CCIE

It is among the top-paying networking certifications. It involves a number of critical networking paths. These tracks include Enterprise Infrastructure, Enterprise Wireless, Data Center, Security, Service Provider, Collaboration, and CCDE. It’s important to point out that getting this credential requires rigorous and serious work. However, the outcome is worth the investment and effort.

The Cisco CCIE certificates have the capability to open many job opportunities and high earning potential. To obtain one, you need to pass some exams. There are no specific requirements for taking the written test. Once you pass it, you can sit for the lab exam. You must pass the written test to qualify for the lab one. If you don’t pass this hands-on exam within 3 years, you will need to take it again.

Conclusion

There are numerous options for the networking experts to pursue apart from these five. For instance, you can take the Open Linux Networking credential, known as CCONP (Cumulus Certified Open Networking Professional). Even though it’s not available in our list, JNCIE-ENT (Juniper Enterprise Routing and Switching – Expert) is another great certification for those specialists who want to learn about Juniper technologies.

As you can see, the networking professionals have many credentials to consider. Please note that an IT certification can create a huge difference in one’s career advancement. 2020 seems to have many surprises for the IT industry. If you want to advance your career in this field, you need to take these top networking certificates. Get ready to pass one or two tests and take advantage of numerous possibilities in your IT career. It’s good to point out that getting the credentials is challenging. Therefore, you need to use the right study materials to prepare for the prerequisite exams.

The fact is that each software comes with its own pros and cons, and understanding all of these factors will help you make an informed decision without relying solely on the opinions of others. In this blog post, we will analyze two simulators (Boson NetSim, Cisco Packet Tracer) and three emulators (EVE-NG, GNS3, and VIRL). It’s important to mention that they are well-known network tools that can help you gain the Cisco lab experience you need for your routing and switching certification exams. But before we delve into the details of these simulators and emulators, it is important to understand the difference between them.

The main difference between Simulators and Emulators

As the name indicates, a simulator simulates a network topology that is composed of at least one network device. This means it can consist of more than one network device. The one that is being simulated is actually not real and does not have the ability to pass live network traffic just like the real one. In other words, a simulated network device is a software that pretends to be a real one as much as it can. Due to the fact that it is not real, it is limited to the features and commands that have already been programmed into the simulation. The major advantage of simulators is that they are highly lightweight and can run on almost any contemporary computer system without being distressed about storage requirements, memory, or processor.

On the other hand, an emulator connects and runs a combination of network devices. It virtualizes real devices, and in the real sense of the word, virtual network devices usually provide more advanced attributes compared to the simulated ones. The characteristics of emulated virtual network devices are closer to real physical ones, which is the major difference between a simulator and an emulator.

The best Simulators and Emulators for Cisco exams

Now that we know the difference between these network tools, let’s explore the details of each software that we mentioned.

• Boson NetSim

Boson NetSim is a product of Boson, an IT training company known for its high-quality coursework and practice tests for the Cisco certification exams. This product is an application designed to simulate Cisco network routers & switches. It is important to mention that Boson NetSim is a paid network simulator. However, it has some significant advantages that offer value for the money you pay for it. Some of these benefits include the quality of labs; customized lab distribution; licensing maps for the exams; lab accessibility; device customization; less clicking (when compared to Packet Tracer), and realistic terminal features.

Although Boson NetSim has some great advantages, it definitely has some disadvantages as well. They include the lack of a simulation mode; absence of topology information and customization; unavailability of cross-platform compatibility; and inability to modify the active topology.

• Packet Tracer

Packet Tracer is designed to simulate network topologies covering Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls. It is essential to mention that this product was first developed to support Cisco NetAcad (Networking Academy). However, it has become a great simulator for those individuals who want to earn the credentials from Cisco such as CCENT and CCNA Routing & Switching. It is also important to mention that Packet Tracer is a free simulator but this doesn’t mean it lacks benefits. Some of the advantages of this tool include device variety; cost; cross-platform compatibility; realistic terminal; connection variety; simulation mode; customized exercise creation. It makes the lab realistic. Some of the shortcomings of Packet Tracer are bugs, customized exercise distribution, the lack of in-built labs.

No doubt, Packet Tracer is the gold standard for the Cisco virtual network simulators. Although it’s free, it still provides a rich sand-box setting that is perfect for experimenting with a wide range of network device types, connections, and platforms. In addition to this, it demonstrates the closest characteristics to real network devices. Its in-built terminal client is also very close to the real device.

• GNS3

GNS3 (Graphical Network Simulator-3) is an open-source client-server interface designed for network virtualization and emulation. It is a Python-based platform that basically uses software known as Dynamips for emulating Cisco hardware and software. GNS3 supports the same platforms that Dynamips supports, including Cisco 1700; 2600; 2691; 3600; 3725; 3745; as well as 7200. This emulator has grown in recent years to support a wider scope of virtual network devices of different vendors. It has quite a number of benefits, which include cost because it is free; multiple connection types; community labs; simple and easy to read documentation; ability to modify the active topology. Its primary shortcoming is that it doesn’t come with prepackaged virtual network devices, which means you need to have the Cisco IOS software image, compatible with the GNS network emulator.

• VIRL

Virtual Internet Routing Lab (VIRL) is the proprietary virtual network emulator of Cisco. It is designed for the individuals and the education institutions. It functions in a client-server model that is close to GNS3. Its server can either be installed as a virtual machine or on a bare metal server. The advantages of VIRL include the availability of software images, advanced automation capabilities, and network topology portability. The disadvantages are as follows: cost because it is not cheap; no serial interfaces; inability to modify the active topology; resource requirements.

• EVE-NG

Emulated Virtual Environment Next Generation (EVE-NG) is a multi-vendor virtual network emulator that operates like VIRL Personal Edition. It was created for the individuals and the small business owners. There are two editions available, which are Community and Professional. It is essential to mention that the Professional Edition comes at a price. The benefits of the EVE-NG network emulator include the availability of free version; ability to modify the active topology; clientless; multi-connection types. The disadvantages are the unavailability of software images and documentation issues.

Conclusion

This was the list of the best network simulators and emulators that you can use for you Cisco exam preparation. The choice depends on your preferences, so it all up to you. Choose wisely and let the tool help you with your preparation process.

The same happens with CCNP Voice and CCNP Video – they become CCNP Collaboration. That’s right! CCNA Voice and CCNA Video certifications will be retired in August this year, and the new CCNA Collaboration is already available, with the first candidates already having taken the exam.  More information about CCNP Collaboration is coming soon (April 2015, according to Cisco). Overall, the new Cisco collaboration certification strategy targets engineers who implement, configure, deploy and troubleshoot collaboration and communication infrastructures.

So far, the Cisco Collaboration exams are:

CCNA Collaboration Exams:
210-060 CICD – Implementing Cisco Collaboration Devices

Cisco 210-060 CICD exam contains 55-56 queries testing candidates’ knowledge of Cisco Unified Communications (UC) solutions. This includes solid understanding of administrator and end-user interfaces, telephony and mobility features, as well as Cisco Unified Communications solutions maintenance.

Cisco Exam 210-060 Topics:

• The Characteristics of a Cisco Unified Communications Solutions – 15%
• Provision End Users and Associated Devices – 24%
• Configure Voice Messaging and Presence – 27%
•  Maintain Cisco Unified Communications System – 10%
• Provide End User Support – 24%

210-065 CIVND – Implementing Cisco Video Network Devices

210-065 CIVND  exam queries cover knowledge and skills to implement various Cisco Video endpoints in converged Cisco video infrastructures. It also tests your ability to implement and troubleshoot Cisco Unified Communication and Collaboration, TelePresence, and Digital Media Player in different Cisco business video solution architectures.

• Video Concepts – 21%
• Endpoint Configuration – 32%
• Troubleshooting and Support – 31%
• Conferencing Concepts – 16%

Both 210-060 and 210-062 exams take 75 minutes each and contain up to 65 queries. Although these exams have been around for a while, apparently they have been enhanced to contain some concepts previously covered by CCNA Voice and CCNA Video certifications.

CCNP Collaboration Exams (Further details will be announced in April 2015):

• 300-070 CIPTV1         Implementing Cisco IP Telephony and Video, Part 1
• 300-075 CIPTV2         Implementing Cisco IP Telephony and Video, Part 2
• 300-080 CTCOLLAB         Troubleshooting Cisco IP Telephony and Video
• 300-085 CAPPS         Implementing Cisco Collaboration Applications

Stay tuned for more updates about Cisco’s new Collaboration strategy and other Cisco news!

What exactly is being changed? It’s worth pointing out that there are a lot of changes, and the topic structure has been significantly revamped. It’s best to refer to Cisco documents for a proper side-by side comparison. Please find PDFs below and visit Cisco Learning for more info!

• CCIE Service Provider Exam Topic Updates from v3.0 to v4.0
• Written Exam Topics v4.0
• Lab Exam Topics v4.0
• Equipment List v4.0

Have you heard that Cisco changes its CCIE and CCDE exam policy? If you are planning to take or re-take CCIE or CCDE exams – written or lab- any time soon, be sure to keep the changes in mind. This especially concerns the cases of retakes (when you initially fail your exam). While we all hope to pass from the first try, the following information is definitely worth keeping in the back of your head.

Written Exam: Retakes

There is no limit to the number of attempts that can be made on the written exam, but it is compulsory to wait at least 5 days between exam attempts. Once you pass a particular written exam, you cannot retake it for 180 days (not that many candidates would choose to do it anyways, but sometimes, in light of recertification or the need to improve the score, some people do that).

Starting August 2, 2014, the following Cisco policy changes come into effect:

• Candidates who fail any CCIE or CCDE written exam must wait for a period of 15 calendar days, beginning the day after the failed attempt, before retaking the same exam.
• Candidates may attempt any CCIE or CCDE written exam up to four times per rolling calendar year. Candidates cannot retake the same written exam more than four times per rolling calendar year regardless of passing or failing the exam.

All candidates must wait 30 days between CCIE lab attempts. Please note that the 30-day period starts from the day after a failed lab exam.

Candidates who do not pass the CCDE practical exam can retake it during the next scheduled exam administration.

Effective August 2, 2014, the following policy changes will be enforced:

• Candidates who fail any CCIE lab exam on the first attempt must wait for a period of 30 calendar days before scheduling a second attempt at the same lab exam.
• Candidates who fail the second attempt at any CCIE lab exam must wait for a period of 90 calendar days before scheduling any further attempts. The same wait time will be applied to subsequent attempts until the fifth attempt.
• Candidates who fail a fifth attempt at any CCIE lab exam must wait for a period of 180 calendar days before scheduling any further attempts.
  NOTE: There is no wait time between a passed qualification written exam and the first lab or practical exam attempt. However, candidates must make an initial attempt at the CCIE lab exam or CCDE practical exam within 18 months of passing the CCIE or CCDE written exam.

Do you have any ideas? Please feel free to share them in comments.

The last day to test for both the CCIE Written exam v4.0 (350-001) and Lab exam v4.0 will be June 3, 2014. The CCIE R&S Written and Lab exam v5.0 will be available from June 4, 2014 onwards. So, if you’ve been preparing for the current version of CCIE exams, you still have 6 months to register and take CCIE exams v4.0.

The new Cisco expert level training materials are planned to be released next month.

New Exam Topics and Changes

The new exam curriculum organizes the topics into 6 large domains, which basically means full restructuring (note that v4.0 currently has 11 sections). V5.0 curriculum will include the following domains:

• Network Principles – foundational topics covered on the Written exam only.
• Layer 2 Technologies – LAN switching and WAN circuit technologies.
• Layer 3 Technologies – interior and exterior routing protocols (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF, ISIS, BGP), addressing, Layer 3 multicast, fundamental routing concepts.
• VPN Technologies – tunneling (MPLS’sL2andL3 VPN, DMVPN, IPv6Tunneling) and encryption (IPsecwithpre9 shared key for both the Written and Lab exam and GET VPN for the Written exam only) sub-domains.
• Infrastructure Security – Device Security and Network Security (both focusing on features supported on ISR routers and Catalyst 3Ks witches). Excludes topics that rely on dynamic crypto (PKI) or on any remote servers
• Infrastructure Services – System Management, Network Services, Quality of Services(QoS) and Network Optimization. Layer2 QoS topics are included in the Written exam only,supporting the Lab exam to focus on platform independent concepts.

You should also keep in mind the weighting factors for each of the six domains. They represent the relative amount of subject knowledge and focus that should be expected in each area for either the Written or the Lab exam. The most important domain is Level 3 Technologies, with 40% weight.

Topics Added to the CCIE Routing and Switching v5.0 Written Exam:

• Describe basic software architecture differences between IOS and IOS XE
• Identify Cisco Express Forwarding Concepts
• Explain General Network Challenges
• Explain IP, TCP and UDP Operations
• Describe Chassis Virtualization and Aggregation Technologies
• Explain PIM Snooping
• Describe WAN Rate-based Ethernet Circuits
• Describe BGP Fast Convergence Features
• ISIS (for IPv4 and IPv6)
• Describe  Basic Layer2 VPN-Wireline
• Describe BasicL2 VPN-LAN Services
• Describe GET VPN
• Describe IPv6 Network Address Translation

Topics Added to the CCIE Routing and Switching v5.0Written and Lab Exams:

• Use IOS Troubleshooting Tools
• Apply Troubleshooting Methodologies
• Interpret Packet Capture
• Implement and Troubleshoot Bidirectional Forwarding Detection
• Implement EIGRP (multi-address) Named Mode
• Implement, Troubleshoot and Optimize EIGRP and OSPF Convergence and Scalability
• Implement and Troubleshoot DM VPN (single hub)
• Implement and Troubleshoot IP sec with pre-shared key
• Implement and Troubleshoot IPv6 First Hop Security

Lab Equipment and IOS Software List

Cisco’s new CCIE Lab exam tests any feature that can be configured on the following equipment and the IOS Software releases indicated below. You may see equivalent platforms and more recent IOS versions installed in the lab, but you will not be tested on the new features of a release unless indicated below.

• Cisco ISR 2900 Series routers running IOS version 15.3T Universal Software release
• Catalyst 3560X Series switches running IOS version 15.0SE Universal (IP Services) Software release

As this is the case with modern Cisco exams, the CCIE Routing and Switching Lab exam environment is fully virtualized and no actual hardware platform is being used.

Do visit Cisco website for more details and best of luck for your CCIE R&S certification.

Initial Scare

In May 2013, Cisco announced the new CCIE Collaboration track, based on the CCIE Voice certification. This appeared to be a natural evolution of CCIE Voice, which was now up to its version 4 and a decade old. The update has been long due, and it was about time to give this path a broader angle. Yet, the Cisco community was slammed with disappointment when it turned out that CCIE Voice certification was being retired, and not renamed. And for those holding CCIE Voice, getting CCIE Collaboration certified would mean going through the entire certification process, with tedious labs, related equipment investments and all this pain many of you can certainly relate to.

Cisco community, especially CCIE Voice holders, turned to blogs, Social Media and petitions to state what they believed was unfair: making them go through the whole recertification process. As the blueprints of the two certifications are 80-85% identical, the evolution didn’t seem that crucial to retire the Voice without leaving any migration paths to the Collaboration.

Cisco Listens

A week after the launch (and the week has been filled with petitions and all kinds of Social Media complaints), Cisco have made a statement saying:

We are listening to the feedback from our valued CCIE community, and will be adjusting the CCIE Collaboration requirements. As a quick preview of the evolution of the CCIE Collaboration certification, a current holder of the CCIE Voice designation will now be able to migrate to a CCIE Collaboration credential by taking the CCIE Collaboration written exam only. We appreciate all of the great feedback and patience of the community while we update our webpages to reflect this change. We will be communicating further details about this modification as soon as possible.

Well, this is a great example of an A-list company backing off and actually listening to their customers (especially given that the customers make sense!)

Migration Paths

So how does this work? There has been some confusion before Cisco announced the actual mechanics of the migration. As part of a CCIE Voice to CCIE Collaboration certification conversion program, Cisco offers 3 migration options requiring a CCIE Voice certification – active or suspended – as of February 13, 2014. The options are:

• Keeping existing CCIE Voice certification AND getting CCIE Collaboration by following the standard CCIE recertification path.
  • Attaining both a CCIE Voice certification and a CCIE Collaboration certification by passing both the CCIE Collaboration Written Exam and the CCIE Collaboration Lab Exam and then receiving a CCIE Collaboration certification in addition to the previously earned CCIE Voice certification. CCIE Voice holders who have passed the CCIE Collaboration written and lab exams will be granted both the CCIE Voice and CCIE Collaboration certifications. CCIE Voice holders with a valid CCIE Voice Written Exam or CCIE Collaboration Written Exam are eligible to register for the CCIE Collaboration Lab Exam (available starting February 14, 2014).
  • Passing the CCIE Collaboration Written Exam and then permanently converting/migrating your CCIE Voice certification to a CCIE Collaboration certification between November 21, 2013 and February 13, 2016.

Conversion Rules

For those of you interested in the last option, which is passing the written exam (400-051) to convert the CCIE Voice into CCIE Collaboration, here’s what you’ll need to do:

After you take and pass the CCIE Collaboration Written Exam 400-051, you should request a permanent CCIE Voice to CCIE Collaboration certification conversion by submitting an online Cisco certification support case at http://ciscocert.force.com/english and include the following information:

• Candidate ID
• Name
• CCIE number
• Description: CCIE Voice to CCIE Collaboration Conversion Program
• Date (mm/dd/yyyy) of the CCIE Collaboration Written Exam pass

It’s worth keeping in mind that CCIE Voice to CCIE Collaboration conversion program is a permanent and final certification conversion. Once you change your certification to CCIE Collaboration, you won’t be able to use the CCIE Voice title any longer and won’t be eligible to regain it in the future (although with CCIE Voice being retired in February, it’s not like there’s enough time left for that anyway). This process will remain in place until February 13, 2016.

The Written Exam

CCIE Collaboration Written Exam 400-051 will be available starting tomorrow, November 21, 2013. The topics covered supposedly include:

• Cisco Collaboration Infrastructure
• Telephony Standards and Protocols
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager
• Cisco IOS UC Applications and Features
• Quality of Service and Security in Cisco Collaboration Solutions
• Cisco Unity Connection
• Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (UCCX)
• Cisco Unified IM Presence

Another natural query is how this conversion will be reflected on your online certification history. According to Cisco, once you have completed the conversion to the CCIE Collaboration program, the verification tool will display only a single title of CCIE Collaboration under “Certification Type.” However, the “Certification Date” will show the date on which you passed the CCIE Voice lab. So, if the date shown is before February 14, 2014, your date will be “converted” to CCIE Collaboration; if the date is on or after February 14, 2014, the individual actually passed the CCIE Collaboration lab exam.

Cisco’s CCIE Voice to CCIE Collaboration Migration FAQ are available here.

As we hear many voices stating that marketing had a lot to do with the introduction of CCIE Collaboration to replace CCIE Voice, the change makes sense on every level, including perception-wise. ‘Voice’ has long become too narrow of a concept to cover all modern collaboration aspects, so the update is definitely welcome. Moreover, Cisco deserved every credit for handling this situation gracefully and coming up with the acceptable migration option. So, good changes are always good. Hope it’s not going to be too much pain for you.

This is no secret that Cisco has significantly revamped its certification program, especially CCENT and CCNA, earlier this year. Originally announced in late March, the changes and new CCNA tracks were fully implemented this fall.

So, these are the Cisco certification levels we’re looking at now:

Entry Certifications

• CCENT
• CCT (CCT Data Center; CCT Routing & Switching; CCT TelePresence)

Associate Certifications

• CCNA Routing and Switching
• CCDA
• CCNA Data Center
• CCNA Security
• CCNA Service Provider
• CCNA Service Provider Operations
• CCNA Video
• CCNA Voice
• CCNA Wireless

Professional Certifications

• CCDP
• CCNP
• CCNP Data Center
• CCNP Security
• CCNP Service Provider
• CCNP Service Provider Operations
• CCNP Voice
• CCNP Wireless

Expert Certifications

• CCDE
• CCIE Collaboration
• CCIE Data Center
• CCIE Routing & Switching
• CCIE Security
• CCIE Service Provider
• CCIE Service Provider Operations
• CCIE Voice (Retiring February 13, 2014)
• CCIE Wireless

Architect Certification –  CCAr

What has changed in 2013?

If you are collecting information about CCENT and CCNA from message boards and brain dumps, be sure you’re looking at the updated 2013 data. This is important as CCENT and CNAA appear to have been changed the most.

What we hear may be sad news to many out there: CCENT (ICND1; exam 100-101, which can also be part of your CCNA R&S) has gotten harder – significantly. Subjects added, especially the labs, go more in depth and cover a lot more aspects (including lots of IPv6 stuff) compared to the old CCNA. CCENT Certification hasn’t been a joke before and it has gotten much further from being one now! This certification is also now a prerequisite for most CCNA certifications (except CCNA R&S, CCNA Data Center and CCNA Service Provider).

The Associate level programs, according to Cisco, have been redesigned to better fit the industry needs and the roles networking professionals need to fill. Yes, it means even more practical hands on stuff. To achieve advanced technology certification in an accelerated manner, you now need to pass only two required exams.

As upper certification levels haven’t been affected by the changes to such a degree (we’ll go over them in separate articles), another change to the Cisco certification structure would be the new recertification timeframes.

Renewal and Recertification Timeframes

If you decide to settle on your already achieved certification and do not intend to go up another level any time soon, keep in mind that Cisco Entry, Associate and Professional level certifications last for 3 years. When this time is up, you will have to renew it. Meanwhile, all CCIE and Specialist certifications last for 2 years. And in you’ve made it all the way up the Cisco scale and are now Cisco Certified Architect (no words are enough to express the respect you deserve for that!), your awe-inspiring certification will need to be renewed after 5 years.

A gentle reminder that if you do not register and pass your Cisco recertification exam before your certification expires, you will have to repeat the entire certification process. Now, you do don’t want to challenge yourself this much, do you?

And for those of you planning to recertify, here’s your Recertification Roadmap:

Specialist Recertification Roadmap

Collaboration  

• Cisco Unified Presence Specialist
• Cisco Unity Design Specialist
• Cisco Unity Support Specialist

Data Center      

• Cisco Data Center Application Services Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Application Services Support Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Support Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist

Operating System Software     

• Cisco IOS XR Specialist

Security              

• Cisco ASA Specialist
• Cisco Firewall Security Specialist
• Cisco IOS Security Specialist
• Cisco IPS Specialist
• Cisco Network Admission Control Specialist
• Cisco VPN Security Specialist

Video  

• Cisco Video Network Specialist
• Cisco Rich Media Communications Specialist
• Cisco TelePresence Solutions Specialist

Retired Certifications

This year, Cisco has retired 6 certifications:

• CCIE Storage Networking
• Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Support Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Design Specialist
• Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Support Specialist
• Cisco TelePresence Installations Specialist

All of these retired certifications have relevant replacement available, so you can easily find a new destination for your Cisco journey.

Which Cisco certification do you have your eyes on now? Feel free to tell us in the comments. And – although the road can get bumpy sometimes, remember to keep your eyes on the prize.