Cisco added a new entry level certification to its training program. The Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) can be considered a half-way point to the current entry-level program, the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA), which has been moved up the stack. (Watch a short video by CCNA trainer and Cisco Press author Wendell Odom, who discusses the new CCNA exams.)
A five-day training course to prepare students for the exam has been available from Cisco learning partners since July 26, and students will be able to take the exam starting Aug. 1.
The current CCNA program has been refreshed with new exams and new training. Nov. 6 is the last day when candidates can test on the 640-801 CCNA exam, which is being replaced by 640-802 CCNA , available on Aug. 1. The new exam comprises 640-822 ICND1 – the exam associated with CCENT – and 640-816 ICND2. On top of what candidates should know at the CCENT level, CCNA candidates are tested on their knowledge of the basics of running and fixing LAN, WAN, and wireless networks based on newer Cisco gear, including mitigating security threats. Training for ICND2, also five days, became available from learning partners on July 26.
Cisco Press says it will be the first publisher to offer materials for the new CCNA exam. The suite of self-study materials will be available in August with CCNA Flash Cards and Exam Practice Pack, Third Edition; CCENT/CCNA ICND1 Official Exam Certification Guide, Second Edition; CCNA ICND2 Official Exam Certification Guide; CCNA Portable Command Guide, Second Edition; CCNA Quick Reference Sheets (Digital Short Cut); and CCENT Quick Reference Sheets. A new version of the CCNA Official Exam Certification Library will be available in September 2007. More information here.
06/26/07 UPDATE: Cisco’s new entry-level CCENT program has got some networking pros scratching their heads and asking “Why?”.
Why would Cisco cater to the Acronym Abusers by offering up yet another one that people are going to flaunt all over their signatures and resumes. If you want a certification make them pass both CCNA tests and give them the cert, but don’t give them some meaningless “entry level” certification just for passing the ICND portion of the test. Honestly, if I see someone with a CCENT, i’m going to think, jeese this guy is green or too lazy to pass the Intro portion of the CCNA test.
Call me negative, but the industry doesn’t need another acronym, they need people who really want to be network engineers and take the content in the CCNA and higher certifications seriously and not as resume candy or used to gain a better salary.
It sounds pretty unnescessary to me, but I do like that they are going to attempt to revise the CCNA “to include a greater breadth of networking topics and more focus on performance-based skills to differentiate Cisco-certified applicants in the IT job market.”
One reader to a Channel Register story about the new Cisco certs responded:
And you need a 5-day course to be able to do this?? If you can’t pick this up in an afternoon (or less) I really don’t want you anywhere near my network!
And another said:
You pick up far more expertise from doing MS 70-291, and that gets you on the way to an MCSA.
But Cisco don’t get any money that way, hence the new course we’re expected to pay for.
What do you think?
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