| The popularity of networking vendor certifications | | | | attaining any additional certifications. CCNA is popular |
| has continued for 10 years now with millions of | | | | and covers basic networking topics such as routing, |
| network engineers attaining the Microsoft Certified | | | | switching, protocols, osi model, wireless, |
| Professional Designation (MCP) and hundreds of | | | | troubleshooting and security. The CCNP is much more |
| thousands obtaining the Microsoft Certified Systems | | | | difficult than the CCNA and focused on similar topics |
| Engineer (MCSE). In addition hundreds of thousands | | | | with increased depth. The CCIE certification is the |
| have earned Cisco Certified Network Associate | | | | most difficult Cisco offers with a written and lab |
| (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) | | | | exam. Having a certain number of network engineers |
| and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) | | | | on staff with the CCIE certification is a prerequisite |
| designations. Developers often select the Oracle or | | | | for companies wanting Cisco Gold Partner status. |
| Microsoft programming certifications. There are alot | | | | Microsoft developer certifications including the MCSD |
| of benefits whether you select the Microsoft or | | | | .NET developer course while the MCAD covers |
| Cisco network vendor certifications. The benefits | | | | programming and software engineering topics. The |
| include salary increase, job promotion, learning new | | | | Certified Information Systems Security Professional |
| skills and improved marketability. The Cisco CCNA | | | | (CISSP) is a Cisco security certification that has |
| wireless network certification as an example, is a | | | | become increasingly popular with the increased |
| great way to learn new wireless networking skills if | | | | complexity of security design and companies wanting |
| you have no on the job experience. | | | | improved security on the internet. |
| The most popular networking certifications today | | | | The process most often involves the use of study |
| include MCTS, MCITP, MCSE, CCENT, CCNA, CCNP, | | | | books, courses, practice exams and forums. Vendors |
| CISSP, MCAD and MCSD. The Microsoft Certified | | | | publish study guides that describe what topics will be |
| Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified | | | | tested and the exam format. Practice exams with a |
| IT Professional (MCITP) are the basic Microsoft | | | | question and answer format using similar questions |
| networking certifications that have replaced the older | | | | found on the exams have been proven to work |
| MCP designation. The MCSE is comprised of additional | | | | however best suited to those with experience. |
| more difficult exams focused on advanced network | | | | Candidates must register with Prometric (Microsoft) |
| administration, troubleshooting and design topics. The | | | | or Pearson VUE (Cisco) as the approved vendor |
| Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) | | | | testing sites. |
| is their entry level certification and required before | | | | |