Why developing skill is so important for CCNP?

Certification: Cisco CCNP Enterprise - CCNP Enterprise

Cisco has been providing certifications in terms of their Cisco products. These certifications prove that the certificate holder is capable enough to use these Cisco products and has all the required knowledge to operate them. CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) is a certification provided by Cisco that focuses on the candidates’ knowledge and skills to plan, verify, implement and troubleshoot enterprise networks (both LAN as well as WAN). This certification is handy for anyone who wishes to advance their career and knowledge in more complex network solutions. It proves that the certificate holder has the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a network technician, network engineer, system engineer and support engineer. It showcases that the skills of the certificate holder is in par with the current network technologies and network functions.

Importance of developing skills

Without the installation, planning, implementing and troubleshooting skills related to the Cisco products, no one will be able to complete the CCNP certification. Without these skills the candidate won’t even know from where to start, what to do with the product, how to operate them and how to resolve any issues that are related to the Cisco products. Without these skills, the candidates won’t be able to get the certification. So, basically the candidates will have to develop skills related to IP routing, IP switched networks, maintaining of IP networks and troubleshooting the IP networks. If the candidates are able to develop these skills then there is a high chance that the person would get the certification.

Many candidates make the mistake of learning only the theory part of the exam topics. They never think about developing skills related to these exam topics. This is where they are wrong. Along with the theory part of the exam topics they should also concentrate on developing skills related to the exam topics. With these skills, the candidates will be able to apply the knowledge during the exam.

Routing skills development

The CCNA certification exam tests the skills, knowledge and ability to perform routing in the Cisco routers. The candidates need to know how to plan, configure, implement and verify the WAN and LAN enterprise solutions by making use of various routing protocols. The candidates must face questions related to implementation of OSPF, EIGRP, IPv4 based solution, IPv6 based solution, basic teleworker and Layer3 path control solution based on the given requirements and network design. Besides that the candidates must also gain skills related to network principles, VPN technologies, Layer 2 technologies, Layer 3 technologies, infrastructure services and infrastructure security. By developing all these routing related skills, the candidates will be able to face any kind of questions related to routing in the CCNP certification exam.

Switching skills development

Another set of skills that the candidates must have is the switching skills. These skills are important to plan, configure, implement, verify and troubleshoot switching solutions. Without being able to perform these operations in practical manner, the candidates won’t be able to solve the questions asked in the examination properly. If they wish to face the questions related to implementation of security extension of layer 2 solution, switch based layer 3 services, VLAN based solution and high availability based on the given requirements and network design without the right switching skills. Besides that the CCNP also requires development of skills related to these topics:

Infrastructure services
Infrastructure security
Layer 2 technologies

While developing the switching skills the candidates must focus on developing their skills in terms of the Cisco’s Campus Enterprise Architecture. If the candidate wants to cover all the questions related to Cisco IP Switched Networks, then they must focus on developing switching skills.

Troubleshooting Cisco IP Networks skills development

In this portion, the candidates will have to face questions related to planning and performing of regular maintenance of the routed and switched networks. The candidates need to have all the necessary skills to complete the questions asked in this portion. By just reading the theory part of the troubleshooting and maintenance of network is never enough. The theory knowledge only provides the candidate with information of what must be done to troubleshoot and maintain the IP networks. They will have no idea about how to perform the troubleshooting and maintenance of the IP networks, if they do not practice it in practical environment. This is the reason why the troubleshooting and maintenance of Cisco IP networks is important to get the CCNP certification.

It is very important to understand the importance of developing skills for the CCNP certification. The candidates must be able to develop skills related to the management of network infrastructure for larger enterprises. The candidates must develop skills related to planning, installation, configuration, management and troubleshooting of computer networks. After developing these skills the candidates will be able to face questions related to routing, switching, maintaining and troubleshooting of Cisco IP networks. The candidates must make sure to gain practical knowledge and skills along with theoretical knowledge.

Thus it has become of utmost importance to develop skills related to:

Designing of larger networks
Routing inter-VLAN
Configuration of MST (Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol)
Troubleshooting of LAN
Troubleshooting of EIGRP

These skills can be developed by building Cisco lab by using the right model of Cisco routers and switches. If the candidate does not have the capability to develop Cisco lab then they could use the online simulation for the practice. Besides that by using the necessary training videos, online classrooms, practice tests and books can help in the development of the skills for the CCNP certification. This is why the developing skills in terms of routing, switching and maintain and troubleshooting of IP networks is very important to achieve the CCNP certification.

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