After the CCNA...

Just a question to those that have gone on for more Cisco certifications after completing the CCNA: What was your next target certification?

Do most people go on to CCNP, CCVP, CCSP, or various specialist certifications? and for those who hold multiple post-CCNA certs, what order did you get them in?

Thanks in advance!

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Comments

mikej412

I had planned on CCNA -> CCDA -> CCNP -> CCDP -> CCIE R&S

But I've done CCNA -> CCNP -> CCDA -> CCDP -> CCSP -> CCIP -> CCVP -> .... -> .... -> .... -> ....

I had bought the CCSP books to read as a "study break" -- then Cisco announce the change to the CCSP exams.

Then it made sense to study BGP and QoS for the CCIE R&S.... and it was "only" 1 more MPLS exam for the CCIP.

Then, since I had QoS and had studied some voice stuff for the Cisco Design Certs, I decided to try for the CCVP to get it out of the way and "Collect the Entire Set"

Depending on what you want to do and where you are in your career, you might consider mixing up the Cisco Certifications with the Microsoft Certifications.

CCNA -> MCSA -> CCNP -> MCSE -> CCSP -> MCSE:Security, etc.

And possibly toss in a Linux Certification or two (or three) -- start with the Linux+ to get the magic Linux word in your resume, and then go for the LPI and/or RedHat (or the Novell one).

CCNA -> MCSA -> Linux+ -> CCNP -> MCSE -> LPIs -> Security+ -> CCSP -> MCSE:Security -> RedHat -> MCSE:Messaging (or what ever those new MS ones are) -> CCVP -> ..... -> retirement

GT-Rob

I can't remember the exact statistic, but I think I read somewhere that something like 20% of CCNA holders go on to do CCNP, and like 3% of those go on to CCIE.

Depends what your career goals are. If you want to be a cisco engineer get CCNP next. If you want to work with call manager and VOIP, get CCVP. Etc, etc.

My personal plan is to finish CCNP -> CCDA -> CCDP -> CCIP or CCVP -> ?

who knows. Its hard to think long term, as your employer or you may want different.

yukky

mikej412 wrote:

CCNA -> MCSA -> Linux+ -> CCNP -> MCSE -> LPIs -> Security+ -> CCSP -> MCSE:Security -> RedHat -> MCSE:Messaging (or what ever those new MS ones are) -> CCVP -> ..... -> retirement

Phase 1. CCNA
Phase 2. ?
Phase 3. Profit

Got it!

That would be a really well rounded out collection of certs. Thanks for the input mikej412 and GT-Rob. If anyone else can chime in, that would be great

networker050184

I think CCNP is the next logical step after CCNA. After you have a solid foundation provided by the CCNP then you can go into the other areas.

malcybood

I work as a Net Admin, on 3rd line LAN/WAN/VOIP project work/support and personally, I elected for the CCDA after I passed the CCNA, more so to do with the fact my company are rolling out a new WAN of 23 MPLS sites and 360 ADSL sites that are to be migrated from one WAN supplier to another.

We did not actually design the new infrastructure in house, however were involved in the Request For Proposal process which is holding several meetings with potential WAN suppliers to tell the supplier what and how you want your network to operate, what technologies your want to use, defining key business applications and so on, in order for them to propose a design solution.

In order to contribute this you have to be quite clued up on design rules etc, luckily for me I work with a guy who has been in comms supprt, project management and sales for over 20 years so the RFP process combined with studying for the CCDA was a steep learning curve for me but a good one where I've learned a hell of alot.

We're beginning to implement the network this month starting with the core head office edge routers, then gradually the 23 MPLS sites so when we start to get the little glitches that will no doubt happen when rolling sites out, although the supplier are ultimately responsible for router installations and operational issues, hopefully this is where my CCNA knowledge will come in to further help troubleshoot anything that goes wrong. The CCNA knowledge has definitely helped me immensely to work with suppliers in troubleshooting various LAN, WAN and even VOIP issues!

I guess it really depends on what technologies you work with and your job spec as to what you go for next i.e. we work with Nortel VOIP so there's no point in me pursuing the CCVP.....yet! Hopefully my example of our new WAN shows how the CCDA can compliment the CCNA even when not strictly being a Cisco network designer or Cisco Engineer.

For the record, if I was on the other side of the fence from where I currently am and worked for the WAN supplier who designed and will be actually installing the network, I would probably choose the CCNP as the next feasible step as I would have exposure to the required skillsets and technologies.

Good luck withwhatever path you choose!

Malc

c0d3_w0lf

yukky wrote:

Phase 1. CCNA
Phase 2. ?
Phase 3. Profit

Got it!

You win 3 internets, sir.