VPN Exam Retiring?

netteaser

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/current_exams/642-511.html

According to Cisco's website the 642-511 exam last day to take exam is 2/8/2008. But it does not show an update to that exam? I wonder if they are retiring that certification? Does anyone know?

mikej412

With the rise of the ASAs and end of life announcement of the VPN 3000s that would make sense. VPNs are still covered in the SNRS & SNPA exams.

The CSVPN exam is just one of 4 options (for one of the 5 exams needed for the CCSP) so you still have a choice of the 3 other exams.

642-513 HIPS
   OR
642-511 CSVPN
Last day to test 2/1/08
   OR
642-591 CANAC
   OR
642-544 MARS

They probably will eventually update the web site after that date to indicate the retirement of the Cisco VPN Specialist certificate.

netteaser

Thanks for the quick reply.

mzinz

Does this mean that there is currently no point in passing the CSVPN exam, or would it still count as one of my 4 necessary exams in order to get my CCSP?

I'm enrolled in a boot camp, one week from today, which goes over the SNPA and CSVPN. The other thing I'm worried about is that I have not yet begun studying for the CSVPN -- If I take the class and don't have time to study and pass the CSVPN, it would be a complete waste it seems.

Thoughts?

Ahriakin

While not advisable at this stage it wouldn't be a complete waste. A lot of companies will still have 3K concentrators for the next few years plus it also covers a lot of general IPSec and the VPN client software etc. that roll over into other exams. Also the advanced VPN functions on the ASA's are very similar to the concentrator layout now so it will help there. Still unless you absolutely need it I would focus on one of the others if you don't have time to just do it for knowledge's sake.

mzinz

The knowledge is important to me, as is the actual certification (pay raise for each cert). If I had the option of canceling the boot-camp and substituting it with different tests, would you advise so? All of them will be beneficial.