What is CCNA? - CCNA Full form, Certification Details & Salary

CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate, it is an entry-level IT certification issued by Cisco after clearing the CCNA 200-301 exam. CCNA cert validates a person's knowledge of networking fundamentals.

Among many Cisco enterprise certifications, Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA) lays the foundation for understanding its products' functioning and networking basics. It validates essential knowledge for designing, implementing, and managing Cisco networks.

In this article, we will understand what is CCNA. The certification exam syllabus, details, and careers after CCNA.

What is CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)?

CCNA is the best entry-level networking certification offered by Cisco. It is meant to verify the understanding of the basic networking concepts and prepare the candidate for networking job roles such as network engineer, network specialist, and network expert.

To become a Cisco Certified Network Associate, individuals must pass the CCNA certification exam which tests the candidate's knowledge of networking concepts like networking fundamentals, LAN and WAN, network security, IP addressing, routing and switching, and many more.

The detailed syllabus for the CCNA exam is discussed below.

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A CCNA-certified professional has the skills and knowledge to set up, manage, fix, and troubleshoot small to medium-level networks.

After CCNA certification you can go for specialty certification in the domain of security, enterprise, data center, collaboration, and wireless domains. The candidate can choose more advanced Cisco certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE).

You can also explore other IT certifications after CCNA since CCNA lays the fundamental understanding of networking.

If you're interested in exploring other Networking Certifications Training Courses and seek guidance for what best suits your career, contact our learner advisors now!

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CCNA Exam Syllabus

CCNA certification exam tests a candidate's knowledge of a wide variety of concepts. Important topics for the CCNA exam are shown in the CCNA syllabus below:

● Network Fundamentals

● Network Access

● IP Connectivity

● IP Services

● Security Fundamentals

● Automation and Programmability

The CCNA syllabus starts with network fundamentals that will tell you the different types of components used in a network with their roles and function details. And then followed by other course topics with detailed lectures and lab practicals.

Network Fundamentals

This CCNA course topic will include all the fundamental skills and knowledge required to set up small to medium-sized networks.

Such as components of networks and their roles, topology designs of networks, different types of physical devices and cabling types, identification of cable and interface issues, TCP to UDP comparison, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and subnetting configuration, and verification, need of IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, wireless principles, virtualization, and switching concepts.

Network Access

The network access topic will cover VLAN configuration and verification, inter-switch connectivity configuration and verification, layer 2 discovery protocols configuration and verification, ether channel configuration and verification, the need for spanning tree protocol and their operations, Cisco wireless architecture, WLAN components, AP and WLC management access connections.

IP Connectivity

IP connectivity topic will cover components of the routing table, how a router makes a forwarding decision, IPv4 and Ipv6 static routing configuration and verification, OSPFv2 configuration and verification, and first-hop redundancy protocol purpose.

IP Services

The IP services course topic will cover the configuration and verification of NAT, NTP operating, the roles of DHCP and DNS in a network, SNMP functions, use of syslog features, configuration and verification of DHCP client, configuration of network devices for remote access, and function of FTP in the network.

Security Fundamentals

This course topic will cover security concepts, security program elements, device access control configuration, security password policy elements, remote access, site-to-site VPNs, access control list configuration and verification, layer 2 security features configuration, wireless security protocols, and WLAN configuration.

Automation and Programmability

The topic will cover automation impacts on network management, controller-based networking, and JSON-encoded data overview.

CCNA Exam Details

● Exam Name: Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions

● Exam Code: 200-301 CCNA

● Duration: 120 minutes

● Number of Questions: Approximately 100 (between 90-110)

● Passing Score: Variable, typically around 750-850 out of 1000

Is CCNA Worth It?

This is the edge of cloud and virtualization, so this question may arise in your mind. To prove the worthiness of CCNA certification you can check the various parameters as given below:

Still, this is known as the first step of certification towards an IT technology career – The Cisco CCNA is the basic level foundational course that provides routing and switching, subnetting, IP services, IP addressing, network security, OSI model skills, and knowledge.

This CCNA certification is not avoidable before entering an IT networking career. These skills and knowledge are required to be a professional network engineer, cloud engineer, network specialist, or Cybersecurity specialist.

Job opportunities after CCNA: There are tons of job opportunities available in IT technology for CCNA-certified professionals. The certified people may apply for technical support engineer, help desk engineer, system engineer, network administrator, IT manager, senior network engineer, network security engineer, and network security specialist.

When you search for job roles for CCNA-certified people you find that organizations are interested in hiring those people.

Attractive salary: CCNA certification also allows for getting an attractive salary. As a network engineer, you can get up to 6 lacs per year.

Globally accepted certification: CCNA is the globally accepted certification. Its reputation is very high in the IT technology industry. It proves your skills in networking.

Various career paths: CCNA certification not only opens opportunities for networking careers but it opens doors for multiple career paths such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, defense, space, virtualization, etc.

How to Get CCNA Certification?

There are several steps you can take to prepare for the Cisco CCNA certification exam and get CCNA certification in first attempt:

1. Familiarize yourself with the exam content and format: The CCNA exam covers a wide range of topics. You can find more information about the exam content and format on the Cisco CCNA certification page.

2. Use official Cisco training resources: Cisco offers a range of training resources to help you prepare for the CCNA exam. These resources are instructor-led courses, e-learning courses, and self-study materials.

All these Cisco resources are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the exam content and help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to pass the exam.

3. Practice with hands-on exercises: Hands-on experience is an important part of preparing for the CCNA 200-301 exam. You can practice your skills by setting up a virtual lab environment for CCNA and working through exercises and lab tasks. 

There are many online resources also, such as practice exams and simulations, that you can use to test your knowledge and prepare for the exam.

4. Use third-party study materials: In addition to official Cisco resources, there are many third-party study materials, such as books, CCNA training videos, practice exams, and study guides, that can help you prepare for the CCNA exam. These materials can provide additional practice questions and resources to help you understand the exam content.

Overall, the key to preparing for the 200-301 CCNA exam is to be consistent and disciplined in your studies. By setting aside dedicated time to study and practice, and using a variety of resources to help you learn, you can increase your chances of success on the exam.

What should I do after the CCNA Course?

You can undertake many things to advance your networking career after passing a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) course, including:

1. Gain practical experience: The CCNA course offers a strong foundation in networking principles and technologies, but it’s also crucial to gain practical experience to advance your knowledge and skills. To obtain practical experience, look at internships or entry-level networking roles.

2. Think about getting more certifications: You can further your networking profession by earning numerous other industry-recognized certifications, such as the CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) or the CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert). These certificates can make you stand out to potential employers and often involve additional study and testing.

3. Keep up with industry trends: Since networking is a subject that is continuously changing, it is crucial to keep up with the newest innovations. To stay up to date, think about subscribing to industry periodicals, going to conferences or webinars, and enrolling in additional courses.

4. Network and build professional relationships: Connect with others in the industry through networking and professional partnerships to learn about new job openings and stay up to date on the latest developments. To meet and network with other professionals, think about joining professional organizations or networking groups and attending industry events.

5. Seek out career advancement opportunities: Once you have gained some experience and developed your skills, you may be ready to take on more responsibility or seek out leadership roles. Consider looking for opportunities to advance your career within your current organization, or consider exploring job opportunities at other companies.

Hope this blog will help you to know everything about the CCNA certification.