New CCNA program

Trainings

Previous INTRO and ICND courses have been replaced with ICND1 and ICND2 trainings (Interconnecting Network Devices), but the educational material has been arranged in 10 days (5+5) with a clear division into a basic part (ICND1) and an advanced one (ICND2). The second part requires some network knowledge already.

Part 1 includes introduction to network technologies and the rudiments of using the Cisco Internetworking Operating System (IOS). Part 2 broadens this knowledge for example to the basics of dynamic routing, VPN technology, introduction to IPv6, as well as more advanced diagnostics. About the half of the ICND2 training time is dedicated to laboratory exercises. The widened ICND program also concerns the issues of network security as well as wireless networks problems. Information about switched networks, particularly relating to ISDN, has been removed.

ICND1 program concerns:

• Description of the purpose and functions of various network devices, selection of  the components required to meet a given network specification, use of the OSI and TCP/IP models and their associated protocols to explain how data flows in a network,
• Using the host-to-host packet delivery process, issues related to increasing traffic on an Ethernet LAN and identification of switched LAN technology solutions to Ethernet networking issues,
• Reasons for extending the reach of a LAN and the methods that can be used with a focus on RF wireless access,
• Reasons for connecting networks with routers and how routed networks transmit data through networks using TCP / IP,
• Function of Wide Area Networks (WANs), the major devices of WANs and configuration of PPP encapsulation, static and dynamic routing, PAT and RIP routing,
• Use of the command-line interface to discover neighbors on the network and managing the routers startup and configuration.

ICND2 program concerns:

• Review how to configure and troubleshoot a small network,
• Expansion of the switched network from a small LAN to a medium-sized LAN with multiple switches, supporting VLANs, trunking, and spanning tree,
• Description of the routing concepts as they apply to a medium-sized network and  implementation of the routing on the network,
• Configuration, verification, and troubleshooting of OSPF,
• Configuration, verification, and troubleshooting of EIGRP,
• Application of ACLs based on network requirements,  configuration, verification, and troubleshooting of ACLs on a medium-sized network,
• Use of NAT or PAT on a medium-sized network, configuration of NAT or PAT on routers,
• Identification and implementation of the appropriate WAN technology based on network requirements.
  

Both courses include laboratory exercises with Cisco routers and switches.

Exams

Since new curricula appeared, certification exams were also updated. Just like previously, Cisco offer tests checking acquaintance with the course material. The summary certification exam (CCNA) concerning both basic trainings is still available. The following table presents a schedule of transition from the previous exams into the new ones.

The exams are still valid for 3 years. From the 1st of August the Cisco exams are available to pass only at Pearson VUE http://www.pearsonvue.com/.

Certifications and paths

CCNA certification stays valid. Having passed the first exam, you can choose until the 6 th of November whether you prefer to pass the second exam either in the previous or in the new version (as in the table above). After that term only new exams will be available.

Moreover Cisco company launches a new certification - Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT). In order to get CCENT, it is necessary to pass the ICND1 exam before. This new certification is valid 3 years just as the others. To get recertified passing any exam on the "Associate" level or higher is required.

The following table summarizes new means of CCNA certification:

You are cordially invited to our training centers in Krakow and Warsaw. We wish you a fruitful learning and a lot of success in passing exams as well as working.