Cisco Inc is known to keep up with the modern day technology and make new introductions too its certifications if and whenever required. On July 10, 2019, Cisco announced its new certifications update on its website. This new update has segregated the technology tracks into newly announced certifications and introduced new distinct paths for networking aspirates to earn these Cisco certifications.
One of the major updates is the introduction of The DevNet Certification Program. This programs brings the software practices and skills with networking to the table embracing both network professional and software developer under one roof.
Recommended read- New CCIE Tracks and Versions | CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure | CCIE Security V6.0 and more
Following are latest updates announced by Cisco:
- CCT Examination has been updated
CCENT Design, Routing and Switching and Security are removed and CCT Routing & Switching (640 – 692 RSTECH) and CCT Data Center (010 – 151 DCTECH) are introduced.
- Consolidation of all CCNA Certifications:
Cisco has merged all the previous CCNA Certifications (Cloud, Collaboration, Routing & Switching, Cyber Ops, Data Center, Industrial, Security, Wireless and Service Provider) into one, that is, 200 – 301 CCNA (Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions).
- Introduction of CCNP Enterprise
Cisco has introduced a new certification called CCNP Enterprise. This certification is a combination of previous CCNP Routing & Switching, Wireless and Cloud Certifications.
- Principally, 300 – 401 ENCOR examination is the first step to CCNP Enterprise Certification, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure and CCIE Enterprise Wireless Certification.Examination 300 – 401 ENCOR
- Examination 300 – 401 ENCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies) is a core examination required to earn CCNP Enterprise Certification followed by its concentration exam.
- Also, 300 – 401 ENCOR is a written examination to earn CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure or CCIE Enterprise Wireless Certification followed by their respective Lab Examinations.
- Introduction of Concentration Exam
Concentration exams are optional examinations. Cisco Aspirants needs to do one of the two exams to earn professional-level certification (CCNP). After the respective core examination for each CCNP Certification, Concentration exams take a deeper dive into a relevant and related technology to the core, allowing the candidate to choose a topic that is either of interest or related to his or her chosen technology area of focus.
There are concentration exams for five technology tracks in CCNP: Enterprise, Security, Service Provider, Collaboration and Data Center and multiple concentration exams for DevNet Professional Certifications.
- No Prerequisites for CCNP Certifications
You can start wherever you want. There are no prerequisites for CCNP Certifications anymore. One needs to clear core examination and concentration examination for the respective certification.
But, it is recommended to have five to seven years of experience in the corresponding technology before attempting the exam.
- New CCIE Versions are announced
- One needs to give only one written examination (ENCOR 300 – 401 Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies) followed by newly introduced lab examination CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0 for CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Certification and CCIE Enterprise Wireless v1.0 CCIE Wireless Certifications.
- Following versions are announced of the CCIE Certification.
- New CCIE Lab Examination Format
The previous CCIE Lab Examination tested you on troubleshooting, diagnostics and configurations of the network. It had been an 8 hours long examination divided into three modules.
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- Module 1: Troubleshooting (2 hours +- 30 minutes)
- Module 2: Diagnostic (60 minutes)
- Module 3: Configuration (5 hours +- 30 minutes)
With the latest announcement, CCIE Lab Examination format has been changed. It tests you on designing, deployment, operation and optimization of the network. It is an 8 hours long examination with 2 modules.
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- Module 1: Designing (3 hours)
- Module 2: Deployment, Operation and Optimization (5 hours)
- Validity
All the Cisco Certification (including CCIE Certifications) are valid for 3 years from its passing date. Cisco has also introduced an option of continuing education for renewing your certifications at all levels.
- Introduction to DevNet Certifications
Cisco Inc is now recognizing software skills with its DevNet Certifications!
With the latest announcement, Cisco introduces a DevNet Certification Program that empowers the organization to recognize software developers, DevOps engineers, automation specialists, and other software professionals. This program authenticates emerging technical skills of IT aspirants, the potential of applications, automation, and infrastructure for the network, Internet of Things (IoT), DevOps, and Webex.
The DevNet Certification Program trains and tests you on software development and design.
Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites for this certification but a sound knowledge of Python programming and development with three to five years of experience in software development is recommended.
Validity: All DevNet Certifications are valid for three years.
| Certification | Core exam | Recommended Training | Concentration exams (choose one) | Recommended Training |
| DevNet Associate | 200 – 901 DEVASC | Developing Applications and Automating Workflows using Cisco Core Platforms | ||
| DevNet Professional | 300 – 901 DEVCOR | Developing Applications Using Cisco Core Platforms and APIs | 300 – 435 ENAUTO | Automating and Programming Cisco Enterprise Solutions |
| 300 – 835 CLAUTO | Automating and Programming Cisco Collaboration Solutions | |||
| 300 – 635 DCAUTO | Automating and Programming Cisco Data Center Solutions | |||
| 300 – 535 SPAUTO | Automating and Programming Cisco Service Provider Solutions | |||
| 300 – 735 SAUTO | Automating and Programming Cisco Security Solutions | |||
| 300 – 910 DEVOPS | Implementing DevOps Solutions and Practices using Cisco Platforms | |||
| 300 – 915 DEVIOT | Developing Solutions using Cisco IoT and Edge Platforms | |||
| 300 – 920 DEVWBX | Developing Applications for Cisco Webex and Webex Devices | |||
| DevNet Specialist | Tracks | |||
| 300 – 435 ENAUTO | Enterprise Automation and Programmability | DevNet, Enterprise | ||
| 300 – 635 DCAUTO | Data Center Automation and Programmability | DevNet, Data Center | ||
| 300 – 735 SAUTO | Security Automation and Programmability | DevNet, Security | ||
| 300 – 535 SPAUTO | Service Provider Automation and Programmability | DevNet, Service Provider | ||
| 300 – 835 CLAUTO | Collaboration Automation and Programmability | DevNet, Collaboration | ||
| 300 – 901 DEVCOR | Core | DevNet | ||
| 300 – 910 DEVOPS | DevOps | DevNet | ||
| 300 – 915 DEVIOT | IoT | DevNet | ||
| 300 – 920 DEVWBX | Webex | DevNet |
These changes will go live on February 24, 2020. However, exam topics and other information are now live. So brace yourself and get prepared to learn the cutting edge networking technology!
