Cisco – CCNP

To get full knowledge of Cisco CCNP or Cisco Certified Network Professionals certification, it is vital that you get Cisco Certified Design Professionals (CCDP) certification and Cisco Certified Internetwork Professionals (CCIP) certification. Cisco CCDP certification deals with the advanced network design of Cisco devices. Cisco CCIP certification deals with end-to-end protocols for big networks. In order to earn a Cisco CCIP certification, you need to have a working knowledge of MPLS and BGP.

Cisco CCNP certification is the “medium” Cisco certification that is suited for individuals interested in making career in the field of networking. To earn Cisco CCNP certification, you need to have good knowledge of QoS, VPNs and broadband. You will only be able to earn Cisco CCNP certification when you have completed Cisco CCIP and Cisco CCDP certification. The course structure of Cisco CCNP certification program includes details on Secure IOS, IDS, PIX firewall and VPNs.

The exams you need to pass in order to earn Cisco CCNP certification include Campus Switch Networks Wireless LAN, Routing Protocols at Campus Edge, Implementing Secure Converged WANs and Optimized Converged Cisco Networks. Cisco CCNP certification, unlike Cisco CCNA certification, deals with the more sophisticated network configurations. The syllabus of Cisco CCNP certification program is made for individuals interested in becoming network administrators and Level 2 support engineers.

Career Opportunities with a Cisco – CCNP Certification

By successfully earning a Cisco CCNP certification, you can work as a network administrator, software engineer or network analyst. With Cisco CCNP certification, you can get admission into Bachelor and Master degree program in information technology and computer science.

Average Salary for a Cisco – CCNP Certified Professional

The average salary of individuals with a Cisco CCNP certification is in the range of around $40,000 to $90,000. In order to increase your salary, it is advisable that you earn a Bachelor or Masters in Information Technology or Computer Science.

Pros of Earning an Online Cisco – CCNP Certification

• To earn an online Cisco CCNP certification, you do not need to go to the university. You can easily do so from the comfort of your home.
• Once you earn a Cisco CCNP certification, you become an expert in Cisco technology you are going to get plenty of job offers from companies that deal with Cisco.
• When you take admission in an online Cisco CCNP certification program, you do not need to worry about the quality of syllabus as it is updated on a regular basis.

Cons of Earning an Online Cisco – CCNP Certification

• An online Cisco CCNP certification program is not suited for individuals interested in getting practical training.
• The qualification and experience level of faculty members in online Cisco CCNP certification program is always a big factor. If the faculty members are not qualified, your education is going to suffer.

Leading Schools for an Online Cisco – CCNP Certification

Kaplan University: The course structure at Kaplan University goes beyond core switching and routing to applications deployed in the network. Apart from giving you knowledge on converged networks, quite a bit of emphasis is also put on broadband technologies and virtual private networks.

The CCNP certification program offered by Kaplan University gives a working knowledge of the latest Cisco Integrated Services Routers that give wire-speed delivery of information, video and voice services. When you earn CCNP certification from Kaplan University, it gives employers confidence that you will be able to install and configure LAN and WAN without any hassle.