Cisco changes CCNP

Cisco last week announced new requirements for its Cisco Certified Network Professional certification program. Specifically, the vendor is changing four courses and exams. The updated content puts more emphasis on convergence, security, quality of service, VPNs and broadband technologies.

Under the new CCNP program, the four courses and four exams are:

* Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI): BSCI 642-801 exam.

* Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN): BCMSN 642-811 exam.

* Building Cisco Remote Access Networks (BCRAN): BCRAN 642-821 exam.

* Cisco Internetwork Troubleshooting (CIT): CIT 642-831 exam.

The existing CCNP exams that are being updated or replaced are Building Scalable Cisco Networks (BSCI) 640-901, Switching 640-604, Remote Access 640-605, and Support 640-606. Candidates have until August 7 to register for existing exams, while current CCNP courses will retire on July 7.

As part of the CCNP curriculum and exam revisions, Cisco is also boosting the hands-on component of CCNP courses and exams. Both will now include more remote lab exercises and simulations. The simulations are intended to qualify a candidate’s ability to perform multiple tasks, such as building, configuring and troubleshooting converged networks.

Training is available from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and the Partner E-Learning Connection. For more information about training, go to visit www.cisco.com/go/training