Overview

The CCNA exam is one of the most important networking certifications one can hope to obtain starting out in a networking career. Cisco’s recognized certifications verify the capability of internetworking experts in the field of switching, routing, and connectivity.  The importance of the CCNA extends beyond its recognition as it provides a solid foundation in the field of networking. Candidates will gain important skills like how to install, configure, and troubleshoot many forms of routed and switched devices. It is a requirement for CCNP, CCSP, and CCDP certifications, and also recommended for the CCIP certification as well.

CCNA Requirements For Certification

Since 2007, Cisco has announced various changes to the CCNA examinations and other certifications like to account for the always changing IT environment.  Cisco now offers two exam choices for the CCNA:

1. CCNA exam (640- 802) – 1 exam
2. ICNDI (640- 822) & ICND2 (640- 816) – 2 smaller exams

In option #1, the CCNA exam (640-802) is the single exam option to obtain the CCNA.  In option #2, the ICNDI (640- 822) and ICND2 (640- 816) exams are two smaller exams where the material is split instead of just on one exam. There are no prerequisites necessary for the applicants to take the CCNA exam, but it is to your own advantage to have some knowledge of various networking concepts.

Topics To Know For The CCNA exam

Passing the CCNA certification exam is not easy. Cisco ensures that the CCNA exam remains prestigious by sustaining the complexity level of this exam with modifications and updates to the exam pattern regularly. With the difficulty level, and the wide exam syllabus, candidates should know what topics they must focus on to pass the CCNA exam.  Here are the core topics that you will want to be familiar with in order to pass your exam:

  • Bridging/Switching
  • OSI Reference Model (functions of all seven layers of OSI)
  • Layered Communication
  • Routing Protocols
  • WAN Protocols (frame relay, PPP (point to point protocol), ISDN and DDR, x.25 etc)
  • Network Protocols (TCP/IP, subnetting, IPX etc)
  • Routed protocols
  • Wireless LAN
  • Network Security (access list, IP and IPX access lists, wild card masking, implicit deny, port denial etc)
  • LAN Technologies
  • VLAN (virtual LAN)
  • Network Management
  • Cisco Basics, Network basics, and IOS
  • IP addressing

Obtaining a solid CCNA study guide can help assure that you easily pass your CCNA exam.

Registration For The CCNA Exam

You can register for the CCNA exam from the Pearson VUE website.   Please check out our FAQ section on full details with regards to how to register for the CCNA exam.

6 Responses to “CCNA Requirements”

  1. Haziq 10. Aug, 2011 at 4:39 am #

    i pass my matric examination can i join CCNA?

    Reply
    • Steve 12. Aug, 2011 at 6:01 pm #

      Of course – let me know where you need assistance! :)

      Reply
  2. joy 21. Aug, 2011 at 12:14 am #

    Sir,
    i am computer science graduate and have a very low skill in programming and seems not very interesting, So in CISCO Certification is there programming required or there is just networking with routers, cables and little much hardware,
    pls reply in briefly

    Reply
    • Steve 26. Aug, 2011 at 8:44 am #

      Hi Joy – The Cisco CCNA Certification is heavily focused on the setup and configuration of routers and switches. Those hardware devices run the Cisco IOS (basically its operating system), which you use to configure the routers and switches as needed. It’s a command line style interface. It is different though from programming in the since that you are configuring and applying settings to these devices versus developing some sort of application on them, which fits more with coding. Hope this help! Let me know if you need anything else. :) Cheers.

      Reply
  3. Abdul latif 14. Sep, 2011 at 4:21 pm #

    i pass my INTER(Xii) examination can i join CCNA?

    Reply
    • Steve 02. Oct, 2011 at 1:13 pm #

      Our services can definitely help prepare you for the CCNA exam.

      Reply