* Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert specialization
IT staffers with strong storage skills may be interested in Cisco’s latest Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert specialization. The new CCIE Storage Networking certification validates experts in designing, implementing and supporting intelligent storage networks using multiple transport options such as Fibre Channel, iSCSI, Fibre Channel IP and FICON.
Like the other CCIE certifications, the Storage Networking track requires candidates to pass a written exam and a hands-on lab exam. Cisco will offer the Storage Networking beta exam (#351-040) from November 18 through December 16 for a reduced price of $50 at all Cisco-authorized testing facilities. Candidates may only take the exam once during the beta test period, and individual test scores are usually available six to eight weeks after the end of the beta period.
The exam covers Cisco device operation, Fibre Channel, Cisco Advanced Fibre Channel, storage networking extensions, TCP/IP, SCSI, FICON, and storage networking applications, management and design. You can find the overview at https://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/ccie/san/written_exam.html
Cisco has scheduled general release of the Storage Networking exam and corresponding lab exam for the first quarter of 2005. The lab exam will initially be offered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., San Jose and Brussels. The CCIE written exam costs $300 and the lab exam costs $1,250.
There is no prerequisite for certification, but candidates should have three to five years of job experience. They should also have an in-depth understanding of the subtleties, intricacies and challenges of end-to-end storage-area networking.
For more information, go to https://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning/le3/ccie/san/index.html
