Massive in the particular field of technology, 'Cisco' is now the leader of its industry-sector. Initially founded in 1984, at the start of the Silicon Valley IT revolution, 'Cisco' has become the world-wide leader in networking hardware, spending around 5 Billion dollars each year on R & D. The internet, its said, is effective because of Cisco technology. Cisco provide more than 2/3rds of the network-hardware employed on earth today. For students interested in working in IT or Telecommunications hardware-networking, Cisco knowledge is vital. Under the Cisco 'umbrella' there are also divisions in Wi-Fi & Communications-Data, VOIP and Security.

There are actually two constituent parts to the 640/802 'CCNA' accreditation: Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 and Part 2, or 'ICND1' (640-822) and 'ICND2' (640/816). An alternate name for Part 1 is Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician or 'CCENT' for short. Although all this can look like a mouth full (as often seems the truth with IT acronyms,) the easiest way to do this certification is as the grouped together 'CCNA' (640/802) exam. An excellent career training track for Cisco entrants would be a blended package beginning with 'CompTIA A+' , followed by 'Comptia' 'Network+' and then the more specialised Cisco 'CCNA'. You'll want to allow roughly 400 - 500 hours of study time for a blended program like this. In common with all of the technical career training courses, be sure to find one that provides 24 hour real time connection to instructor assistance, to 'problem-solve' any learning challenges that come up. Add in all-inclusive multi-media tutorial training, and a powerful exam-preparation system and you will be prepared for success.

Following your 'CCNA', accreditation routes are quite diverse & could possibly incorporate a specialisation in Wireless or Security areas, or you might take a look at progressing to the 'CCNP' (Cisco Certified Networking Professional.) The CCNP really is a rather large step up from the 'CCNA', & on the whole, contemplating it before you have entirely completed your 'CCNA' isn't advisable. Gain the 'CCNA' & get a job with Cisco networks for a year or two ahead of progressing onto any CCNP training program. If however you've actually been in the industry for a while, and have already achieved a qualification that compares to the CCNA (e.g. whilst in the military) you might possibly move directly onto 'CCNP'. In essence, if you're just starting in it, no recruiter will be expecting you to have achieved that level of qualification, & might rightly query your true comprehension, if you haven't even worked in a CCNA role first.

For a truly broad-based combined training course you could include the MCSA or 'MCSE' from Microsoft to your 'CompTIA' A+/N+ and Cisco CCNA package. Whatever your thoughts, a discussion of your career-path and learning-style, with an experienced industry specialist or advisor, must be at the head of your sheet of priorities, in order to be sure that you will get off to a great start and prevent any frustrating errors.

Essentially, the backbone of 'Cisco' technological systems are their routers, data-switches & controllers. Data can flow through any network as a result of these 'Cisco' devices. Just as an Operating-System is needed on a PC so that it can communicate across a 'network ', the network-hardware itself has it's own 'language' and standards that must be set up, configured & maintained. Trouble shooting, on-going reprogramming and reconfiguration is essential to take care of the consistent running of an expanding network. In every area of modern-day communications, Cisco is playing a fundamental part. This is in no small part due to the change towards total system integration of voice and information both in private and government office buildings.

One thing that is often over-looked with preparing for Cisco exams is simply how to reproduce the Cisco environment. Microsoft students preparing for an MSCE for example can network a number of old PC's at home to practice on. This isn't the case with 'Cisco' - to create any kind of useful environment you would have to have complicated routers & switches, plus a lot of PCs and more really costly technologies. Cisco-approved visualisers & network simulation-programs are the only acceptable option. These provide an on-screen software system, that will let you essentially construct large scale 'virtual' networks and test them, down to specific router/data-switch models, together with being able to 'interrogate' the packets of data whilst they navigate the network. These really are superb bits of software, & no home-study or self-learning CCNA program should be considered without one. We have now included 'RouterSim's' 'CCNA' Network-Visualiser in each of our CCNA career tracks - this is a very highly respected 'simulator' and certainly among the highest quality products we examined.

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