Like MS, 'Cisco' leads the way amongst the globe's most significant technology corporations. From its humble beginnings some 26 years ago, Cisco these days pays a figure of five Billion US Dollars on R & D, and leads the globe in networking-hardware. The world wide web, it is said, is effective because of Cisco engineering. The Cisco brand is thought to be accountable for over seventy percent of all networking-hardware. Unsurprisingly therefore, anybody planning to develop a career path related to networking-hardware should refer to 'Cisco'. Cisco also owns various trading-arms which automatically penetrate the 'Security', VOIP (Voice Over IP) Communications & Wireless Data (Wi-Fi) areas - as they gain more commercial relevance.

Essentially, the back-bone of 'Cisco' technological systems are their routers, switches & 'controllers'. These are the tools that facilitate the information that flows all around a networking system. Just as an 'Operating System' is necessary on a computer so that it can communicate across a 'network ', the actual network hardware also has it's own language & protocols that need to be set up, maintained & configured. For a network to operate efficiently there must be on-going trouble-shooting, with regular reprogramming & reconfiguring. Cisco is in the centre of just about all modern workplace communications (corporate and government) as we watch the world-wide move towards total voice & information systems-integration.

One area which is often overlooked when preparing for Cisco exams is simply how to simulate the Cisco environment. When you are working on the Microsoft MCSA or MCSE for instance, a few old Computers are able to be 'networked' together to permit inexpensive practice at home using real devices. This simply isn't feasible in a Cisco environment, since you'd need enterprise-class routers & switches, to say nothing of a big cluster of PCs & various other very expensive technologies. The only practical solution is to use simulated networks which are authorised by Cisco. Allowing you to practice on-screen, these software-systems provide you with the ability to construct and test virtual networks. You work with specific routers and data switches, and may even interrogate data as it travels through the network system. These really are superb bits of software, and no home-study or self learning 'CCNA' package should be without one. We have included 'RouterSim's' CCNA Network Visualiser in each of our CCNA career tracks - this is a very highly respected simulator & unquestionably among the highest quality products we tested.

It is hardly a revelation then that Cisco offers many qualification tracks, dealing with all of it's various technologies & patents. To help simplify things, candidates are often encouraged to start their Cisco training courses at the same place, prior to developing more senior and specialist skillsets. & so the 'CCNA' - or Cisco Certified Network Associate will prepare suitable individuals for commercial work with small to medium router and data-switched networks, giving them an understanding of how to install, configure, operate and how to trouble-shoot.

To gain a really well rounded network career-path, you could potentially think of adding the Microsoft 'MCSE' or 'MCSA' to your 'A+', 'Network+' and 'CCNA' program. As there are so many alternatives to choose from, a career track of this nature should always be talked through with an experienced professional. This way you can be sure that nothing unsuited to your needs has been included, & nothing is missed out.

Following on from the 'CCNA', certification paths are quite diverse & could include a specialization in Wireless or Security areas, or you might consider moving to the 'CCNP' ('Cisco Certified Networking Professional'.) The step up from the CCNA to CCNP is pretty significant, so it is recommended to concentrate on finishing the 'CCNA' initially. It is advisable to have a couple of years of industry experience along with your CCNA ahead of moving on to CCNP certification. Really the only exception could be if you have several years of networking practical experience built up and have covered much of the same detail as the 'CCNA' qualification. To be honest, if you are starting up in I.T., no employer will expect you to have got to such a high level of accreditation, & may quite rightly query your real understanding, if you haven't actually been employed in a CCNA role first.

The 'CCNA' exam (640/802) is split in to its two component parts: Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part one and Part two, or 'ICND1' (640/822) and 'ICND2' (640/816). A different name for Part-1 is Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician or 'CCENT' if abbreviated. Although all of this can appear to be a mouthful (as can be the case with I.T. acronyms,) the easiest way to do this certification is as a combined 'CCNA' (640-802) exam. Cisco trainees will find it very beneficial to start off their training course with the 'CompTIA' qualifications 'A+' and Network+ . That will provide them with excellent vendor-neutral preparation before getting into the 'Cisco' domain itself. You should give yourself around 400-500 hrs of study time for a combined course such as this. 'Technical' I.T. training programs should always offer reliable qualified support. Make sure you select one with 24 hour, instant reply service. Check also for some of the most up-to-date multi-media study materials, and the right exam practice software.

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