Cisco is offering three levels in IT certifications, associate, professional and expert and certification are categorized into general and specialist certifications.

There are 7 different tracks in cisco certifications such as routing and switching, design, networking security, service provider, storage networking, voice and wireless.

Here is detail for General Cisco Certifications tracks.

General Certifications Paths:

Routing & Switching Certifications:

CCNA, CCNP and CCIE are three associate, professional and expert level certifications involved in routing and switching. Here is basic introduction of these certifications.

CCNA
Cisco certified network associate will be able to install, design, run and troubleshoot medium sized networks along with implementation and verification of remote websites. This certification included two (640-822 ICND1, 640-816 ICND2) or one (640-802 CCNA) exam depends upon your choice. More detail is available at all about ccna certification

CCNP
Cisco certified network associate professional is professional level certification in routing and switching which evaluates candidate’s knowledge and skill about installing, configuring and troubleshooting converged local and wide area networks. CCNP certification includes 5 exams (642-901 BSCI , 642-812 BCMSN , 642-825 ISCW , 642-845 ONT ) or 4 exams (642-892 Composite, 642-825 ISCW, 642-845 ONT) and it depends upon candidate choice whether he want to go with 5 or four exams. More details you can find at about ccnp certification.
CCIE

CCIE is expert level certification in routing and switching. There are no requirements for ccie certification but you need to pass two hours written qualification exam and hands on routing and switching labs in 2nd step.

Design Certifications

CCNA & CCDA, CCDP and CCDP and certifications included in design certifications. Here is detail about these certifications.

CCNA & CCDA

CCNA details are already explained above. CCDA stands for cisco certified design associate checks the knowledge needed to design a converged area network using cisco routers and switches.

CCDA certified professional should design, routed and switched infrastructure for broadband access for usage of organizations and companies.
Network Security Certifications

CCNA Security, CCSP and CCIE Security are network security certifications offered by cisco.
CCNA Security Certification

CCNA security certification is associate level certification which checks the knowledge and professional skills needed to secure cisco based networks. 640-553 IINS (Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security) is the only exam you need to pass for getting ccna security certification.
Service Provider Certifications

CCNA, CCIP and CCIE Service Provider are included in service provider certifications. Here is basic detail for CCIE Service provider certification and CCIP certification.
CCIE Service Provider

There are no requirements for CCIE service provider certification but you need to pass written qualification exam and hands on lab exam in two steps.
CCIP

CCIP (cisco certified internetwork professional) checks advance knowledge and skills needed to manage service provider infrastructure. Having CCIP certification a network professional will be able to demonstrate IP networking solutions.

Here is ccip exam detail.
642-901 BSCI OR 642-892 Composite, 642-642 QOS, 642-661 BGP and 642-611 MPLS OR you can choose these 642-901 BSCI   OR 642-892 Composite, 642-642 QOS and 642-691 BGP+MPLS.

Remaining Cisco Certification details including storage networking, Voice and Wireless certifications is coming will be explained in next post.

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