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.

In this blog article, you will explore the variety of certifications that you can pursue to enhance your chance of landing your dream job in the IT realm.

1. Cisco Certified Technician – CCT

The CCT credential validates the candidate’s ability to diagnose, replace, repair, and restore crucial system devices and Cisco networking on the users’ sites. Under this certification, there are two paths: Routing & Switching and Data Center. The CCT Routing & Switching certificate focuses on on-site maintenance and support of Cisco routers, switches, as well as operating environment. It is aimed at on-site technical support personnel and other individuals working with Cisco Data Center Solutions. To take the certification exam, it is recommended that you go through the training course to get prepared for the task. You might consider an online self-paced course that covers Cisco router and switch models, networking fundamentals, Cisco command-line interface, and Cisco IOS software operating modes.

The CCT Data Center certification, on the other hand, covers maintenance and support of the Cisco Unified Computing (CUC) server and systems. It is aimed at the professionals looking to take up the role as a field support engineer in order to work with the Cisco data center system devices and software. To pass the exam, the students should take the training course as recommended by Cisco. This course covers field servicing & equipment, data center networking fundamentals, identifying the Cisco Unified Computing system component models, interfaces and accessories cabling.

2. Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician – CCENT

The Cisco CCENT credential is an entry-level certification designed to validate the skills and knowledge of a candidate in installing, troubleshooting, and operating a small enterprise branch network. This certificate is a great place to begin your career journey if you want to be a network supporter. Those applicants who are pursuing this credential are required to go through the training course (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 – ICND1) in order to pass the exam. You can take an online or in-person version of this training. It is a five-day intensive course that focuses on firewalls, wireless controllers, access points, and basic network security.

3. Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing & Switching – CCNA R&S

The Cisco CCNA Routing & Switching certification is a great option for those individuals who want to take up a job role in networking. It is also an excellent option for those who want to take up an entry-level role in the help desk. The exam validates the candidate’s ability to recognize Cisco router & switch models, cabling, interfaces, and accessories. It is essential that you develop skills and knowledge in Cisco CLI and Cisco IOS software operating modes. Before you attempt the certification test, it is recommended to take the training course, Supporting Cisco Routing & Switching Network Devices. This is a self-paced online course that covers a wide range of topics on the exam objectives.

4. CompTIA Network+

This is also an entry-level credential focusing on networking concepts, tools and security, IT infrastructure, operations, and troubleshooting. The certificate is aimed at junior network administrators, junior system engineers, network field engineers, IS consultants, and network field technicians. The certification exam is designed to validate the student’s skills and knowledge in managing, maintaining, and configuring network devices, designing and implementing functional networks, network security, and network troubleshooting. Those individuals who want to work in the IT network should consider this entry-level credential.

5. CompTIA IT Fundamentals+

This CompTIA credential is designed for the individuals who want to start a career in the field of IT or for those who want to change their career path. The certification exam is aimed at validating your basic knowledge of IT and providing you with a good foundation to build your career on. The test covers a wide range of topics, including networks, IT concepts & terminology, infrastructure, applications & software, database fundamentals, software development, and security. The IT Fundamentals+ certificate is a good place to start if you want to walk down the CompTIA path. It is essential to mention that it is not a prerequisite for the other CompTIA credentials.

6. CompTIA Security+

The knowledge of the IT technology is crucial to any role you want to take up in the industry. Therefore, earning a security credential like CompTIA Security+ as an entry-level professional is a great start. It is perfect for the individuals planning to land a job as security/system/network administrators, junior IT auditors, security engineers, security specialists, and security consultants. The certificate validates that you have the skills required to install, configure, and troubleshoot systems to keep networks, devices, and application secure in line with compliance laws. The certification exam focuses on threats, vulnerabilities, attacks, risk management, technology & tools, architecture & design, cryptography & PKI, and identity & access management.

7. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate – MCSA

The Microsoft MCSA certification path is also a good way to start your IT career. It covers the creation and design of technology solutions across the software suites and services of Microsoft. You don’t need to fulfill any prerequisite to attempt the required exams. However, the certification test is obligatory to some other Microsoft certificates, such as MCSE, MCSD, and MCT.

8. Certified Associate in Project Management – CAPM

The CAPM certification is a globally recognized credential aimed at those individuals who want to take up the position in project management. The certificate is offered by the PMI. Before you attempt the relevant exam, you are required to have completed 23 hours of project management education. You can achieve this program by going through the Project Management Basics training course administered by the PMI. The course covers the basic skills required to function optimally in an IT project management role.

Conclusion

Whether you were thinking about changing your current job and moving to the IT sphere or you have already chosen your path in the industry, you should consider at least one of the above certifications. Any of the mentioned credentials will definitely help you make the right start and boost you far ahead in your career. Don’t hesitate and take your chance of changing the future.

Well, well, well, our article is again devoted to the exam retirement. This time on the bench is the Selling Business Outcomes (810-403) exam. This certification test will be available only until December 29, 2017. Thus, to prepare for the exam and earn the Cisco Business Value Analyst Specialist or Cisco Business Value Specialist certifications, you should have a fundamental preparatory base. After all, for 90 minutes of the exam, you’ll have to show your knowledge and skills related to selling technology services and solutions with a business outcome focus. Candidates can prepare for the 810-403 test by taking the Selling Business Outcomes course or visiting ExamCollection database with Cisco braindumps. To make your exam preparation more effective, we provide you with the detailed exam topics.

End 2017 as a Cisco certified specialist!

The Applying Cisco Specialized Business Value Analysis Skills (BTASBVA) exam (820-424) is rather popular among IT specialists. It tests a candidate’s knowledge and basic skills to successfully execute solutions- and outcome-based selling. And, on December 29, 2017, this exam will be no longer available. All those who would like to become Cisco certified specialist via the 820-424 exam, you still have a chance to fulfill your desire.

The 820-424 exam is a 90-minute test with 65–75 question assessment associated with the Cisco Business Value Specialist certification.

The exam covers the following topics:

• Business Outcomes Selling Concepts
• Business Context and Requirements
• Customer Requirements and Desired Outcomes
• Outcomes and Solution Recommendations
• Business Case
• Implementation Roadmap
• Realizing Business Value

Candidates can prepare for this exam by taking the Applying Cisco Specialized Business Value Analysis Skills course (BTASBVA), version 3 or later. You can also join our IT community for free Cisco exam preparation materials.

Don’t forget to include the 820-424 exam in to-do-list before the end of this year!

Cisco has not pleased us with news for a long time. But today we have news from this IT company and it is good!

On November 15, 2017, Cisco will release a new Mastering the Cisco Business Architecture Discipline (840-450 DTBAD) exam which is associated with a new Cisco Business Architecture Practitioner certification.

The Mastering the Cisco Business Architecture Discipline (840-450) exam is a 90-minute, 65–75 question assessment that verifies a candidate’s knowledge and skills that relate to:

• Being able to design a customer journey map from the current state to the desired state
• Mapping the customer, the technology, and the business journey of an engagement
• Customer maturity and how that relates to a Business Architecture engagement
• Tools and techniques of a Business Architecture engagement

The exam topics will include:

• Business Acumen
• Engagement Artifacts
• Roadmap Creation
• Engaging with the Customer
• Advanced Tools and Techniques

The Mastering the Cisco Business Architecture Discipline (DTBAD) course is the recommended training for this exam. This course will give candidates the knowledge to formulate how investments in technology enable customers to achieve the required target state business opportunities.

From our side, we advise to join our IT certification community at ExamCollection website to track Cisco free exam materials.

The 840-450 exam is associated with the Cisco Business Architecture Practitioner certification. This new cert will build and extend the skills inherent in the Cisco Business Architect.

The Cisco Business Architecture Practitioner certification will help candidates to identify and implement strategies to transform businesses, create, refine, and document business cases, roadmaps, and other plan artifacts that deliver on the desired outcomes.

Those who achieve this level of expertise will be able to fully lead a business engagement, developing a comprehensive roadmap, managing engagement artifacts, and effortlessly participating at all levels within an organization to build rapport and credibility.

Take your strong position in business with new Cisco certification!

Cisco gives us the opportunity to check these points by ourselves.

Probably, no other company upgrades and refreshes its exams so often.

Today the 600-510 exam associated with the Cisco Network Programmability Developer Specialist certification is on the agenda.  This exam was retired on April 17, 2017.

But don’t worry, Cisco will not leave you without a chance to become a certified specialist!

The Cisco Network Programmability Developer Specialist certification is available now only after passing new 300-560 exam.

To get acquainted with a new exam and find the answers to the questions asked at the beginning of the article, examine the following table:

You want to pass the 300-560 exam and become a certified specialist, don’t you? Then you should visit this website (Pearson VUE) and schedule the exam.

Don’t waste your time because one day the 300-560 exam will also retire!

If you have already got the Cisco Business Application Engineer Specialist Certification, you may breathe freely now. New registrations for the 600-509 exam will not be available starting from April 24, 2017. So if you have always wanted to get NPIBA Certification, then you have the last chance to do it.  But don’t forget that you must schedule it before April 24, 2017.

Maybe you have a question: Why does Cisco constantly retire or update its exams? But the answer is as clear as day. It helps Cisco to make its certifications the most relevant and active ones in the market.

So if all questions are answered, it’s high time to call to memory what the 600-509 exam really is.

The Integrating Business Applications with Network Programmability (NPIBA) exam is a 75-minute test with 55 – 65 questions.

This exam tests a candidate’s ability:

• to use the programmability of an open infrastructure to develop and deploy business applications
• build an application with API capabilities to collect information from the network when needed

Candidates are running out of time to get Cisco Business Application Engineer Specialist Certification, but the following topics are their lifebuoy.

• Fundamentals of Networking
• Business Goals
• Network Programmability Concepts
• API Services

The future specialists have also an opportunity to take the course, Integrating Business Applications with Network Programmability (NPIBA), to be more successful in passing the 600-509 exam. This course teaches students the networking skills needed to develop or deploy business applications (such as SAP, Oracle).

Anyway, it’s only up to you to decide whether to get the Cisco Business Application Engineer Specialist Certification or not. We just shared this news with you.

But why should you pass the 300-175 exam?

1. Test your knowledge: 300-175 exam is an hour and a half long test with topics covered by 60–70 queries; it tests a knowledge of implementing data center technologies including:

• unified computing
• unified computing maintenance and operations
• automation
• unified computing security
• unified computing storage

2. Implementing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing v6 (DCUCI): this course helps candidates to prepare for the exam because the content is aligned with the exam topics.

3. CCNP Data Center Certification: you’ll become a certified Cisco specialist after passing this exam.

Visit the Pearson VUE website, schedule the exam and take the chance to gain all the benefits from becoming a certified Cisco specialist!

N.B. July 3, 2017 -> 300-175 exam -> CCNP Data Center certification -> certified Cisco specialist -> success

Designing Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric

This exam has a number 642-996 DCUFD. It is associated with the CCNP DC certification and to the Cisco Unified Fabric Design Specialist certification. The 642-996 exam tests a knowledge of designing Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric solutions.

Designing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing

This exam has a number 642-998 DCUCD. It is associated with the CCNP DC certification and with the Cisco Unified Computing Design Specialist. 642-998 exam tests a knowledge of designing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing.

So if July 3, 2017 is the last day for some old exams, it also will be the first day for new one.

Designing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing

This exam has a number 300-160 DCID. It is associated with the CCNP DC certification. The 300-160 DCID exam is an hour and a half long exam with 60–70 question assessment.

The 300-160 exam tests a candidate’s knowledge of Cisco data center infrastructure design.

To pass this exam successfully, you should to review the following topics:

• Data Center Network Connectivity Design
• Data Center Infrastructure Design
• Data Center Storage Network Design
• Data Center Compute Connectivity Design
• Data Center Compute Resource Parameters Design

The course, Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure v6 (DCID), will help candidates to become certified Cisco specialist without any doubts.

Unfortunately, both 642-996 DCUFD and 642-998 DCUCD exams will be a closed book soon, but it’s high time to open new one.

P.S. Remember that you can always join our IT certification community.