Like 'Microsoft', Cisco leads the way as one of the world's most significant technology companies. Originally launched in 1984, early on in the Silicon Valley IT explosion, 'Cisco' has become the global leader in networking hardware, investing around five Billion dollars a year on research & development. The world wide web, it's said, performs 'because' of Cisco engineering. 'Cisco' provide more than two-thirds of the network-hardware used on earth right now. For students thinking about working in IT or Telecoms hardware networking, 'Cisco' knowledge is vital. Under the Cisco 'umbrella' there also are sections in Wireless Data & Communications Data, Voice over Internet Protocol & 'Security'.

Lots of students choose to combine the A+, N+ & CCNA path with either the Microsoft 'MCSA' or MCSE, for a more 'rounded' network education. With so many possibilities out there, a career track of this nature ought always to be discussed with an IT experienced professional. That way you will be certain that nothing unsuited to your needs will be incorporated, & nothing at all has been missed.

In essence, the backbone of 'Cisco' technologies are the company's routers, data-switches & controllers. Information can move around a network because of these Cisco devices. PC's require an operating-system to communicate inside their 'network ', but also the actual 'hardware' has its very own system that must be set-up and maintained. Business networks must efficiently & often need to expand, so ongoing maintenance programs mean technicians need to trouble-shoot, re-configure & reprogram on a regular basis. Cisco is at the heart of all present day office communications (business & government) as we see the world-wide move towards total voice and information systems integration.

Following the 'CCNA', qualification paths are quite diverse and could possibly include a specialization in Security or Wireless fields, alternatively you could take a look at progressing onto the CCNP (Cisco Certified Networking Professional.) The step up from the 'CCNA' to the CCNP is rather big, so it's recommended to concentrate on finishing the 'CCNA' initially. You would expect to be working in a 'Cisco' environment for at least a year or two (having got your 'CCNA' qualification) before you started to study for the CCNP. The only real exemption would be if you have several years of network practical experience already and have covered a lot of the very same ground as the CCNA qualification. To be honest, if you are starting off in it, no recruiter will expect you to have achieved that level of accreditation, and could rightly question your real comprehension, if you've not even worked in a CCNA role first.

There are two constituent segments to the 640-802 CCNA accreditation: 'Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices' Part-1 & Part-2, or 'ICND1' (640-822) and ICND2 (640/816). A different name for Part 1 is 'Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician' or 'CCENT' if abbreviated. This can appear very confusing, yet in essence the qualification is better when taken as a blended examination - the CCNA 640/802. An excellent career training track for 'Cisco' entrants would be a blended package beginning with 'CompTIA A+' , then CompTIA N+ and then the more advanced Cisco CCNA. Count on putting in approximately 400 to 500 hrs of study (approx twelve months part time) to complete a course of this type. In common with all of the 'technical' career training programs, be sure you choose one that offers twenty four hour real-time availability to tutor assistance, to problem-solve any training difficulties that arise. Add-in complete multi-media tutorial training, and a highly effective exam preparation system and you'll be prepared for success.

Cisco CCNA Multimedia Home-Study PC Courses >>