What is CCNA? | An Entry-Level Networking Certification
What is CCNA?
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is a certification from Cisco, the world's famous company for manufacturing and selling network equipment. It is an Associate or a beginner level certification. It is globally recognized and highly respected in the industry. This certification helps you to become familiar with a wide range of topics, such as:
- Network Fundamentals -- routers, switches, cabling, TCP and UDP, IPv4 and IPv6
- IP Connectivity -- IP routing, OSPFv2
- IP Services -- NTP, DHCP, QoS, SNMP
- Security Fundamentals -- VPNs, wireless security, port security
- Network Access -- VLANs and trunking, EtherChannel
- Automation and Programmability -- Rest APIs, Puppet, Chef, JSON, SDN
How to become CCNA certified?
You can become CCNA certified by taking and passing a single exam --the CCNA 200-301. The exact number of questions you will get on the exam can vary but will be around 120 questions. The minimum passing score can also vary but will be around 800-850 out of the maximum score of 1000.
Where to take the exam?
To take CCNA exam you have to schedule a test appointment through Pearson VUE, an electronic testing company. Pearson VUE has many authorized testing centers throughout the world and you can locate a test center in your vicinity. Since the COVID pandemic it has also been possible to take the exam at home using your own laptop. If you want to take the home option then you need to meet the testing requirements which include being monitored through you webcam.
The exam is available in English and japanese and last for 120 minutes. After finishing the test you will immediately get the results. Cisco provides just the basic information about your score, so you can't be sure which questions you got right or wrong!