The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification stands as a cornerstone for individuals venturing into the world of information technology (IT) and computer networking. Offered by Cisco, a leading name in networking hardware and software, the CCNA is designed to validate your foundational knowledge of networking concepts. This certification is frequently sought after by employers looking to fill various networking roles within their IT infrastructure.
Let’s delve into the essential aspects of the CCNA certification to understand what it entails and whether it aligns with your career aspirations.
Key Facts About CCNA Certification
- Exam Requirement: To achieve the CCNA certification, you are required to pass a single comprehensive exam: the 200-301 CCNA. This exam consolidates various networking domains into one robust assessment.
- Exam Cost: The investment for taking the CCNA exam is $300 USD, excluding applicable taxes. This fee is a standard cost for professional IT certifications of this caliber.
- Prerequisites: While there are no formal prerequisites to register for the CCNA exam, Cisco recommends that candidates possess a foundational understanding of computer networks and consider undergoing relevant training to enhance their preparation. Practical experience with networking concepts is also highly beneficial.
- Industry Demand: The CCNA certification is widely recognized and highly valued in the IT industry. As of November 2024, job platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed list thousands of job openings in the United States that specifically mention or prefer candidates with CCNA certification, indicating its strong demand in the job market.
For those starting their journey in networking, online educational resources like the Network Automation Engineering Fundamentals Specialization available on Coursera can provide a solid grounding in network fundamentals. This specialization can serve as an excellent stepping stone as you explore essential IT certifications such as the CCNA. Continue reading to gain a deeper understanding of how you can earn your CCNA certification and what it offers.
Understanding the CCNA Exam Cost in Detail
The CCNA exam fee is consistently priced at $300 USD, plus any relevant taxes depending on your location. It’s also worth noting the availability of Cisco Learning Credits as a payment method. These credits are essentially prepaid vouchers that organizations can purchase, allowing their employees to use them for various Cisco learning and certification expenses, including exam fees.
Seeking Cost-Saving Strategies? If pursuing a CCNA certification is likely to benefit your current employer, it’s a proactive step to discuss potential sponsorship with your manager. Many companies are willing to invest in their employees’ professional development by covering the costs of certification exams and related training programs. This can significantly reduce your personal financial burden in obtaining the CCNA certification.
Salary Expectations with a CCNA Certification
Earning a CCNA certification can significantly enhance your earning potential in the IT sector. Below is an overview of job titles that commonly seek candidates with CCNA credentials, along with their average base salaries in the United States. The CCNA is valuable for both entry-level positions and for advancing into more senior networking roles.
| Position | Base Salary |
|---|---|
| IT Support Specialist | $56,664 [1] |
| Network Specialist | $78,692 [2] |
| Network Administrator | $79,429 [3] |
| Network Engineer | $95,998 [4] |
| Senior Network Engineer | $128,201 [5] |
CCNA Certification vs. CompTIA Network+
When considering networking certifications, the CompTIA Network+ is another popular option that validates your networking skills. Like the CCNA, it’s often pursued by professionals looking to build a career in networking. However, there are key distinctions between these two certifications:
- Vendor Neutrality: A primary difference is that CompTIA Network+ is vendor-neutral. This means it provides a broad understanding of networking principles applicable across various vendors and systems. In contrast, the CCNA is vendor-specific, focusing primarily on Cisco products, technologies, and configurations.
- Depth and Scope: Network+ is generally considered more foundational than the CCNA. The CCNA delves deeper into networking topics and covers a wider range of subjects with more complexity compared to Network+.
Making the Right Choice: Despite the vendor-specific nature of CCNA, many professionals choose it due to Cisco’s significant presence in the networking industry. Cisco holds a substantial market share, accounting for 34.8 percent of the Ethernet switch market in the second quarter of 2024 [6]. The widespread use of Cisco products makes CCNA certification highly relevant and valuable. Many individuals find that the skills and knowledge acquired through CCNA training are transferable and beneficial even when working with networking equipment from other vendors.
However, for individuals completely new to networking or those who find the CCNA’s scope overwhelming initially, Network+ can be a beneficial starting point. It provides a solid foundation and can be a stepping stone towards pursuing the CCNA later as you gain more experience and confidence.
Exploring Other Cisco Network Certifications
Beyond the CCNA, Cisco offers a range of certifications catering to different expertise levels and career paths.
The Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) is another entry-level certification from Cisco. The CCT program focuses on developing skills for on-site support and maintenance of Cisco networking devices. However, it does not delve into networking concepts as comprehensively as the CCNA. Consequently, employers often prioritize the CCNA over the CCT, even for entry-level IT roles, due to the broader networking knowledge validated by the CCNA.
Moving up the certification ladder, the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) represents the next level of certification after CCNA. The CCNP offers specializations in various networking domains, allowing you to tailor your expertise to specific career interests within networking.
Further Reading: For a broader perspective on network certifications, explore “6 Network Certifications for Your IT Career” to understand various options available in the IT networking field.
What Does the CCNA Exam Cover?
The 200-301 CCNA exam is a 120-minute assessment available in both English and Japanese. It is structured to evaluate your knowledge across six key domains of networking:
- Network Fundamentals (20%): This section covers essential networking components such as routers, switches, and access points. It also includes network topology architectures, physical interfaces, cabling types, IPv4 and IPv6 configuration, IP parameters, wireless networking basics, virtualization fundamentals, and switching concepts.
- Network Access (20%): This domain focuses on configuring and verifying VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), interswitch connectivity, Layer 2 discovery protocols like CDP and LLDP, and EtherChannel for link aggregation. It also assesses your understanding of Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) operations, Cisco wireless architectures, AP modes, physical WLAN components, wireless LAN controller (WLC) management access connections, and WLAN access configurations.
- IP Connectivity (25%): A significant portion of the exam focuses on IP connectivity, including routing tables, router decision-making processes, configuring and verifying IPv4 and IPv6 static routing, single-area OSPFv2 (Open Shortest Path First version 2), and first-hop redundancy protocols (FHRPs) like VRRP and HSRP.
- IP Services (10%): This section evaluates your ability to configure and verify essential IP services such as Network Address Translation (NAT) and Network Time Protocol (NTP). It also requires knowledge of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), and syslog features. Furthermore, it covers per-hop behavior (PHB) in QoS, using SSH for secure access, and understanding Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)/File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
- Security Fundamentals (15%): Security is a critical aspect, and this domain covers fundamental security concepts like threats and mitigation strategies, physical access control, password policies, Access Control Lists (ACLs), Layer 2 security features (like port security and DHCP snooping), and wireless security protocols (such as WPA2/3).
- Automation and Programmability (10%): The exam also touches upon modern network management approaches, comparing traditional networks with controller-based networks (like SDN). It assesses your understanding of automation concepts, network programmability fundamentals, and the ability to interpret data formats like JavaScript Object Notation (JSON).
Steps to Obtain Your CCNA Certification
To become a CCNA certified professional, you must successfully pass the 200-301 CCNA exam offered by Cisco. While there are no formal prerequisites, Cisco suggests that candidates typically have the following background before attempting the exam:
- Practical Experience: At least one year of hands-on experience in using and implementing Cisco products and networking solutions.
- IP Addressing Knowledge: A solid understanding of IP addressing and subnetting concepts.
- Network Fundamentals: Foundational knowledge of core networking principles and technologies.
CCNA Training Courses and Resources
Numerous online courses and training resources are available to help you prepare for the CCNA exam. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Cisco’s own learning resources offer comprehensive CCNA exam preparation materials. Additionally, local community colleges and technical training centers may offer in-person classes to support your CCNA certification journey.
Prepare for CCNA Certification on Coursera
Earning a CCNA certification is a significant step towards building a successful career in the dynamic field of computer networking. If you are eager to learn more about networks and enhance your IT skills, exploring entry-level certifications and specializations like the Network Automation Engineering Fundamentals Specialization on Coursera is highly recommended. This program provides industry-relevant skills and covers essential network automation topics, including APIs, DevOps practices, and more. Upon completion, you will earn a shareable Professional Certificate, a valuable asset to showcase on your resume and LinkedIn profile, demonstrating your commitment to professional development in IT networking.
