Not every certification in the Microsoft Certification world is technical in nature. There are two certifications in the business track that focus on your ability to use Microsoft Office and Windows technologies to perform office functions.
The first is the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) category, which focuses on your ability to use 2007 Microsoft Office applications. The certification is application specific, with the following titles:
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Are you looking for CCNA Security exam preparation information? You’ve come to the right place because I’ve taken a look at the options. It comes down to two – classroom prep and self-paced software-based instruction. The 640-553 IINS is not an easy exam, 90 minutes with 55-65 questions, and the classroom prep can be done in person and virtually.
How much does the average five day 640-553 classroom preparation course cost? A staggering $3,195. You are required to attend scheduled classes and move at the pace of the class, which is a good option if that’s the most effective way for you to learn. If you prefer flexibility, or your job requires more flexibility, then software based training may be a better option.
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The Juniper Networks Technical Certification Program (JNTCP) is Juniper Networks’ in-house, platform specific certification program for their products. Like Microsoft’s certification framework and Cisco’s certification framework, Juniper’s program is specific to Juniper’s products.
There are four different levels of certifications – Associate level, Specialist level, Professional level, and Expert Level. In each level, there are several certification tracks available focused on a different aspect of networking. For example, in the Associate level there are four track – Enterprise Routing, Junos Security, Enterprise Switching, and Firewall/VPN. At the Specialist level, there are only three – Enterprise Routing, Junos Security, and Firewall/VPN. At the Expert level, there is only Enterprise Routing. Each track is designed to demonstrate competence with a particular technology. The Enterprise Routing track focuses on Juniper Networks Junos-based routers and their use at the enterprise level. The Junos Security track focuses on both Junos Security software and J-series routing platforms.
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In the world of technical certifications, there are those that matter and those that don’t. It’s like college degrees. The MBA from Harvard Business School counts for more than the one from your local community college. The rigors of completing the business track at Wharton are going to trump those at your local university, unless that university happens to be Sloan at MIT.
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A Cisco Express Foundation Sales Specialist is someone who has a strong understanding of the value of IP networks in enterprise businesses and network designs that feature Cisco products, such as routing and switching technologies. As Cisco describes it, this individual can demonstrate the ” and knowledge needed to sell converged IP network solutions. This includes application of Cisco-verified best practices for these tasks and use of the various job aids and tools provided to facilitate successful network sales and ongoing account growth.”
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Certifications are crucial in many, but not all, fields and they can set you apart in our current economic climate. There are many things that are good about certifications and just about as reasons they are bad, but there are three very clear reasons you should get a certification, if it makes sense for you and your future career goals.
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When it comes to job requirements, it’s not uncommon to see a job listing require a Bachelor’s degree or higher. In the IT field, it’s also not uncommon to see certain technical certifications listed as job requirements. That’s because employers know that passing the rigors of some certification tests can be a good measure of a potential employee’s skillset.
If a company uses Cisco networking systems and needs a network administrator, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for them to require that applicants have a CCNA certification. They know that an applicant with a CCNA will have passed rigorous testing and retesting. At a minimum, they will have taken the 90-minute CCNA exam which is a thorough evaluation of their ability to manage medium-sized networks. It’s something they cannot test in an interview because there simply isn’t enough time.
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Most companies have their own certification framework that cover their own products. Cisco certifications are for Cisco products. Microsoft certifications are for Microsoft products. It makes logical sense.
However, how many companies use technologies from just one vendor? Very few. That’s why it’s important to have some vendor-independent IT certifications on your resume, to demonstrate that you have a broad understanding of IT solutions, not just those provided by a single company.
CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, is one of the most well-recognized and prestigious of the vendor-neutral certification authorities. CompTIA certifications are often requirements for technology professionals at certain companies and it’s not uncommon to see it included in the tracks of other certifications.
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While getting a particular IT certification will make your resume stronger, sometimes it’s hard to justify the cost of classroom instruction or the multi-hour proctored exam. It’s understandable that you would want to knowledge but forgo the cost of actual certification, especially if your employer isn’t footing the bill.
Nothing stops you from buying the training books, which are often much cheaper than classes and the exam, and simply learning the skills you’d need from those books.
In fact, sometimes you can find the certification books simply by looking online. If you search for it online, you are certain to find free certification study guides. Oftentimes they will be dated but much of the baseline knowledge is the same and you would benefit by simply reading and understanding the basics.
In the end, the certification is a piece of paper that proves you know what you say you know but the knowledge always comes first. By studying the training guides, you give yourself the skills you can use in your job. Eventually, when it makes financial sense, you can take on classroom training and then the exams.
Cisco defines the CCNA cerification as a validation of your “ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size route and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN.” This includes “basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills.” Within the Cisco certification framework, the CCNA is Associate level certification for all seven paths (though the security, voice and wireless have specific CCNA exams that differ from this general CCNA).
You would be expected to understand the following protocols: IP, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Serial Line Interface Protocol Frame Relay, Routing Information Protocol Version 2 (RIPv2),VLANs, Ethernet, and access control lists (ACLs).
The certification consists of passing either:
For the CCNA, Cisco recommends that the candidate take Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1) v1.0 course and Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND1) v1.0 course. You then have the option of passing the two ICND exams or the CCNA single exam.
CCNA certifications, like all Cisco certifications, are valid for three years. To recertify, pass the ICND2 exam or the current CCNA exam or a CCNA Concentration exam (in wireless, security or voice) or the current CCDA exam or any 642-XXX professional level or Cisco Specialist exam (except the Sales Specialist exam) or pass a current CCIE or CCDE written exam.
