Which abilities CCNA Routing and Switching certification validates?

Certification: Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching - Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching

The Cisco certifications are provided as a means to certify that the person is efficient in using the products of Cisco Systems. These certifications validate that the person has the knowledge as well as skills to use the Cisco products and bring out results. This certification is perfect for entry level network engineers. The CCNA Routing and Switching certification has two types of exam path: single exam path and two exam path. No matter which exam path the examinees choose they will have to prepare for similar exam topics. Both types of exam also validate similar kind of skills. So, there is not much difference between these two. Let’s have a look at the abilities that the CCNA Routing and Switching certification validates.

Understands the fundamentals of networking:

Any person that wants to work in the networking field at least needs to the fundamentals of networking. This is one such skill that the CCNA Routing and Switching certification validates. If the person has been able to get the CCNA Routing and Switching certification then it is safe to say that he/she at least knows the basic fundamentals of networking. It would be correct to think that the person knows about network protocols, data networking, network models, OSI model and encapsulation, IP addressing, TCP and UDP, and binary. This certification also validates that the certificate holder knows how to use ICND1 and ICND2 Cisco products.

Configure Router and Switches:

Since the name of the certification is itself CCNA Routing and Switching Certification, this means that the certificate holder is capable of performing and understanding routing and switching. When working with Cisco routers and switches, it is a must for the person to be able to performing routing and switching functions. This certification validates the configuration skills related to routing and switching.

WAN Technologies:

At recent times, most of the companies have been focusing on WAN technologies. So they want someone who knows about WAN technologies, can configure and troubleshoot them. There are a number of technologies and protocols that can be used in WAN environment. This certification validates the abilities and skills of the person to understand and use those technologies and protocols. The certificate holder has knowledge about WAN devices and various types of WAN technologies like point to point links, packet switching, circuit switching, dialup services as well as virtual circuits. So, the certificate holder’s abilities regarding VPN, cellular wireless, Ethernet, cable technology, frame relay, dial-up and other WAN technologies are validated.

Network Control and Security:

The network is always prone to malicious attacks or unwanted access. That is why network control and security is very important. The CCNA Routing and Switching certification also validates the skills related to this topic. With this certification, the employers can assume that the person knows about network security protocols and how to use them. Besides that it also validates that the person has skills and knowledge related to Access Control Lists, DHCL (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), Switch Security, Network Device Security, IPv6 and so on.

Advanced Ethernet and File Management:

The network specialists, engineers etc must know how to manage files in the network. They should know about the file configuration and TFTP servers. This certification validates that the person knows about Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and its workings. Besides that passing the certification exam also requires knowledge and skills related to switching loops, configuration of PortFast and root bridge, STP topology changes, working of Layer3 switches and so on. So, this means that the person has to have knowledge, skills and ability related to these topics as well. If they have passed the certification exam that asks them questions related to these topics, then it is safe to say that they have the ability and knowledge to work in networking field related to these topics.

Routing and VLANs:

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification validates that the person has ability and skills to perform routing and subnetting. This certification validates that the person has skills regarding subnetting masking, inter VLAN routing, dynamic routing, virtual LANs and so on.

IP routing:

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification validates a person’s IP routing ability and knowledge as well. IP routing ability is very important if people want to work in the networking field. They must be familiar with IPv4 addressing, IPv6 addressing, EIGRP and OSPF. The certification validates that the person has knowledge of IP routing techniques and methods.

ICND1 and ICND2:

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification also verifies that the person is able to work with Cisco products: ICND1 and ICND2. This shows that they know how to configure the Cisco products and how to function them. The person who has been able to get this certification knows what these products are used for, how it is used and what benefit it brings to the organization. Thus this certification also validates the person’s skills and ability regarding these two Cisco products.

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam is normally taken to prove that the person has knowledge, ability and skills related to installation, configuration, monitoring and troubleshooting of small as well as medium sized network infrastructure. All the above mentioned skills are thoroughly validated by this certification because without these abilities, skills and knowledge the person would have never been able to get the certification. To be able to get this certification, they must sit through the recommended training, study all the exam topics and work hard to learn those topics. So, if they have managed to get the certification then it would be because they have understood the concept, working and methods of network infrastructure. This is why CCNA Routing and Switching certification is important and valuable for anyone who wants to work in the networking field.

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