Advice CCNP or Firewall Specialist

Ok.

When I completed my CCNA I was not working, after I while I got a job Network Administrator, working with Server 2003 and workstations. A week after I begin to work, they asked me to help them with the Pix firewall, I did not do anything about that firewall, so I bought the book, checked the cisco website and some adviced from this site, I could configured it fine, created simple vpn and control the internet traffic. This exp was excelent, I already had exp with another kind of firewall.

My plan was to go toward to CCNP but now that I am in fron of the PIX I think maybe I would go for firewall specialist, I am thinking and weighting the idea. But the scenario for firewalls will be limited only with this kind of vpn and users, no other aplications beyond this. Also I want to find another job toward to cisco equiment.

What would you do if you are in this situation?

Thanks for your comments.

Raul

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Comments

networker050184

I believe you should get certified in what you are working with now. If you are getting exposure to firewalls and you have already read up on them I don't see why you shouldn't do the friewall exam. If you don't plan on doing all the CCSP exams though you might want to just keep pushing for the CCNP and not get side tracked. It really depends on what you plan on doing in your career. You can't go wrong with the CCNP, but security is also a good field to work your way into. If you want to go the security route try to get as much exposure to security sytems as possible so you have some substance to put on your resume to go along with your certs. Good luck!

netteaser

Do you get to play around with any ASA devices running IOS version 7?

impelse

No, I will only work with Pix 501.

Raul

crawfsh

I have a PIX 520 and a PIX 515e. I know the PIX 520 is now obsolete. Just recently I upgraded the PIX 520 to an ASA. The ASA combines routing, firewall, vpn, and intrusion detection into one device. I wonder if all PIX's will be on the obsolete trail? The ASA seems to be the way Cisco is going. Would the Firewall exam cover the ASA?

ITdude

The Pix is indeed on the endangered species list. My sources tell me that they will be EOL in the not very distant future. They will be supported for a while after that but they are going.

Yes, you should expect ASA coverage on the Firewall Specialist exam.

mikej412

The Firewall Exam is either the new 642-523 SNPA exam or the old 642-522 SNPA exam (Last day to test 10/13/07) -- Securing Networks with PIX and ASA.

One disadvantage to the Cisco Firewall Specialist Certification -- it's only good for 2 years, and then you have to "do it again."

Cisco Specialist certifications are valid for two years. To recertify, take and pass the current version of the required exam(s) or pass a current CCIE written exam.