CCVP vs CCNP

dontworx

I got my ccna a couple of months ago and was going to get my ccnp next. Work wanted me to go another route. Now work wants me to go ccvp to start selling call manager. Is one harder than the other, or are they both the same just different focus?

mikej412

The CCNP (at least the old one) took the CCNA and kicked it up a few notches. There was new stuff, but it was expanding and extending what you had learned in the CCNA.

With the CCVP -- you ain't in Kansas anymore Toto.

I'm not sure if its really harder.... its more strange and different if you don't have a Telephony background.

Like the CCSP, you have to learn some new stuff, more software applications, and different equipment.

What I find funny -- you don't need the CCNP for the CCVP, but you need the CCNP as a prerequisite for the Cisco IP Communications Support Specialist (which requires 3 of the 5 CCVP exams). I'm trying to figure out if the CQS-CIPSS person fixes the problems created by CCVPs without CCNPs.

dontworx

Thanks for the input. I do have a telephony background and data. I would have liked to be ccnp first, but it is what the company want's. I am considering a CCVP bootcamp to excellerate the process. The only problem is with a 160hrs of training straight minus 1 day off a week, at what point will my brain shut down.

mikej412

dontworx wrote:

I do have a telephony background

That may help more than the CCNP to get through the CCVP exams.... and in real life with gateway/PBX issues (until those pesky PBXs get pulled out and sold while they still have some value). Hopefully, since your company values the CCVP more right now, they will make it up to you with a heavier pay check. And somewhere down the road you'll still have both certifications -- you'll just have started with the one that seems "hotter" right now.

<-- a CCNP confronted by a PBX/gateway/PBX issue
<-- a CCVP confronted by a PBX/gateway/PBX issue
<-- an old Telecom guy with their CCNA and CCVP who understands and fixes the PBX/gateway/PBX issue.

mikej412 wrote:

I'm trying to figure out if the CQS-CIPSS person fixes the problems created by CCVPs without CCNPs.

I've thought about this some more.... a CQS-CIPSS probably can find and fix network problems that the CCVP couldn't -- but the CCVP doesn't have to be the ones creating the problems. The problems would have been created by a previous CCNP (and/or CCDP) who planned only for data traffic and/or the CQS-CIPTDS who designed the network (and didn't have the CCNP and CCDP).