What is CCNA, which we hear a lot?
"How to get CCNA certification? What should we pay attention to in this process and what should we know? " in this article.
Cisco Certified Network Associate, abbreviated as CCNA, is an intermediate certification offered by Cisco for information technologyprofessionals. From security to wireless and data center networking, there are many "ways" of CCNA certification that touch on specific aspects of the computing world. The most popular variant of CCNA certification (and also within Cisco certifications in general) is the Routing and Switching certification pathway, which tests basic concepts of networking against the IOS operating system running on most Cisco equipment.
If an individual has CCNA Routing and Switching certification, it is assumed that they have basic knowledge in the field of networking. Then individuals often try to obtain other certifications, such as "CCNA Security" or "CCNA Data Center". This trend also applies to all certificates such as CCNP and CCIE, in other certificate tracking.
What do I need to obtain CCNA certification?
Some CCNA certifications (including Roting and Switching path) require you to obtain CCENT certification, which is obtained by first passing the ICND1 100-105 exam. After passing the ICND1 exam, you can obtain your CCNA Routing and Switching certification by passing the ICND2 200-105 exam.
Another option is to get the CCNA R&S certification, which only requires an exam. This exam is a combination of ICDN1 and ICDN2 exams with the code CCNA 200-125. Passing this exam will give you CCNA R&S certification.
In short, as described in Cisco's CCNA R&S overview, you can choose one of the following;
Pass 100-105 ICND1 and 200-105 ICND2
Or
Pass 200-125 CCNA.
Which test path should I choose?CCNA
If you want to get the CCNA Routing and Switching certification directly and just take one exam, all you need to do is take the CCNA Composite exam (200-125). However, let me warn you in advance that this is not as easy as it seems. True, this is just a test, but Cisco adds a lot of topics to this exam with each passing time. So this path will be more challenging than the other two-option road.
What does the CCNA Composite exam (200-125) cover? Almost the same issues covered by ICND1 and ICND2 are addressed. The 200-125 tests a candidate's knowledge and skills needed to set up, operate, and troubleshoot a small or medium-sized corporate branch network.
You can take the Composite exam to get your CCNA, but Cisco recommends a two-step process. You may think logically why I would take two exams when you can get the certificate I want with one exam, but 200-125, which is an exam that really involves a lot of subjects, will put a lot of pressure on you, but don't think that the two test methods are easy. It takes work! However, it can be done; you just have to stick to their work.
What subjects do I need to know for the CCNA Exams?
Cisco publishes a list of the topics that need to be known for each exam on its official site. In general, each question and simulation that appears on the exam will be parallel to one or more of these exam topics; however, the exam subjects "… are the general rules for content likely to be included in the exam" and "… other related topics may also appear in a specific presentation of the exam."
Some educational materials will teach you unseen information about exam topics. In general, this is because writers believe that by teaching you this information, you will better understand the topic that appears on the list of exam topics. A classic example of this is the OSPF LSA types. The exam subjects for the ICND2 200-105 exam and the CCNA 200-125 exam are clearly not required in the exam subjects of the OSPF LSA types (among other features); however, some sources of information will still tell you about the types of OSPF LSAs because this information will help you understand how and why the OSPF routing protocol works.
When in doubt as to whether knowledge of a topic is expected by Cisco, look at the exam topics. However, we strongly recommend that you travel on your own and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered by the CCNA exam!
Some exam suggestions
Cisco exams don't have a back button. Read each question slowly and carefully until you fully understand exactly what the question is asking. Also, try to think about the way the technology asked in the question works before answering the question. If you can't definitively choose the right answer within a minute or two, choose the best answer and move forward. Not only will this save you time for more difficult questions (such as simulations), but it will also prevent you from thinking too much about the question and mistakenly choosing your answer incorrectly.
Do not forget the content and level of the exam. Real-world problems have many different solutions and a multitude of correct answers. When you encounter a question that has two answers, consider the scope and depth of the exam topics when both will be technically correct. For example, if the exam asks "which network device is running the BGP protocol?", the correct answer would be "router", even though firewalls and even computers can run BGP.
If it's a note similar to the warning above, know the "Cisco Answer" and don't be afraid. The "Cisco Answer" is the answer that cisco considers to be true. For example, if the exam asks a true/false question about whether CDP is a Cisco-specific protocol that only works on Cisco devices, the "Cisco answer" will be "True." However, due to the fact that other manufacturers support CDP, this answer is not technically correct by industry. No matter what, the correct answer to the exam question will be "Correct". The concept of "Cisco Answer" can only impress you, especially if you have prior IT experience in the world of networking, because your experience with other networking brands can give you a unique perspective on the questions the exam is asking. However, if you're new to networking or IT, you don't have to worry about Cisco Answers; just follow the suggestions above and choose the most accurate answer!
In general; If you have any questions or suggestions about the article, please write in the comments