Thinking about switching from CCSP studying to CCNP

I studied for the CCSP briefly - long enough to pass my CSVPN before the test expired.

The more I think about it, the more nervous I get. I have a great time playing on ASA's and PIX's at work, and I love playing with VPN's, but I'm just not sure if I want to bind myself to the CCSP. I feel like if I do get it, I will end up getting a job for Security (well, that is the idea, right), and then that's all I'll do. As it stands now, I play on all types of hardware and love the diversity.

I'm only one test deep, so it wouldn't be a huge waste, and I did learn a lot from the CSVPN. What do you guys think? I'm now thinking about studying and getting my CCNP.... Where should I start????

Thanks in advance - much appreciated.

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Comments

dynamik

I don't think there's any harm in it. Just be sure to go back and wrap up your CCSP within three years of your CSVPN pass, so that doesn't go to waste

The more I look at NP vs. SP, the more I see people recommending NP first.

mzinz

Thanks for the advise

I was just looking at the CCNP tests... None of them sound too difficult, but none sounded too fun either... UNTIL I found the ISCW! Man does that sound fun!!

IOS Firewall
IPSEC VPNs
MPLS
And much much more!!

I'm all giddy just thinking about this one!

Edit: Would I be gimped at all if I started with this test for the CCNP? ie: Is there stuff from the BSCI or others that I wouldn't yet know?

Crunchyhippo

Ideally find someone with a CCSP already and ask him about his daily duties. See if it sounds interesting to you.

However, I would also say that if you enjoy the diversity, and if the CCNP can give you that, then do what you enjoy. There will always be a demand for a good CCNP, after all.

networker050184

I would recommend staying on the CCSP track if the only exam that sounds fun to you is the ISCW. It contains a lot of security.

If you do plan to go to the CCNP I would recommend you start with the BSCI and BCMSN first if you do not already have an excellent grasp on routing an switching.

mzinz

I just discovered CBT Nuggets. WOW!

I've always hated studying out of books, this looks like a godsend for my ipod.

To the comment above, (thank you by the way), It's not the ONLY thing that sounds exciting, but it will most likely be my favorite part.

I'm going to start studying for my BSCI and see how I feel about everything again. It's been a couple years since I studied routing and switching

joshgibson82

dynamik wrote:

I don't think there's any harm in it. Just be sure to go back and wrap up your CCSP within three years of your CSVPN pass, so that doesn't go to waste

The more I look at NP vs. SP, the more I see people recommending NP first.

I did not know that you only have 3 years after passing an exam to complete the entire cert. If I passed the BSCI on 7/12/07 does that mean I have to pass all four parts by 7/12/2010? Where does Cisco have this posted?

Thanks!

mikej412

joshgibson82 wrote:

Where does Cisco have this posted?

About Certification Exams web page.

Do certification exams expire?

* CCENT, Associate and Professional level 642 exams are valid for three years from the date the exam was passed. Specialist focused certification exams are valid for two years from the date the exam was passed.

* Placing expiration dates on exams ensures that candidates starting a multi-exam certification such as CCENT, CCNP, CCDP, CCVP, CCSP and CCIP, complete the program within a specified time-frame. By passing all of the required exams within the specified time period as noted above, candidates demonstrate that they are tested on current content. In situations where the period exceeds three years, candidates will need to re-take those exams that expire.

astorrs

Couple of related questions Mike...

Once you have the cert how often do you need to pass another 642? Do they need to be in the same stream, or would passing a CCVP exam renew your CCNP? Are the specialist ones treated the same way?

dynamik

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.

CCxP certifications are valid for three years. To recertify, pass any 642 exam that is part of the professional level curriculum after 01/01/06, or pass a current CCIE or CCDE written exam.

Sorry I'm not Mike

astorrs

That's okay dynamik, nobody's perfect.

I've read that before, but doubted it a little... I guess my question was, say I have a specialist cert for PIX and a CCSP or something, would passing the CCIE Voice written renew both of them? They don't exactly overlap.

dynamik

My understanding is that any professional-level exam will renew all of your associate and professional level certifications, and an IE written will renew everything.

astorrs

Okay, thanks.

mikej412

astorrs wrote:

I guess my question was, say I have a specialist cert for PIX and a CCSP or something, would passing the CCIE Voice written renew both of them?

Yes. You'd need any CCIE Written to renew BOTH. If you did a 642 Level exam, like the BGP or MPLS exams from the CCIP track, then only the CCSP would be renewed.

The Specialist Certifications and the CCIE have to be recertified every 2 years, so a lot of people will "let the specialist certifications go" since they do have the "higher rated" professional certification.

astorrs

Thanks dynamik and mikej412 for the clarification.

mikej412 wrote:

The Specialist Certifications and the CCIE have to be recertified every 2 years, so a lot of people will "let the specialist certifications go" since they do have the "higher rated" professional certification.

Except for you, you're making a concerted effort to check all the boxes in the Cisco Certification Tracking System by the end of your career.

dynamik

astorrs wrote:

Except for you, you're making a concerted effort to check all the boxes in the Cisco Certification Tracking System by the end of your career.

Since we're on the subject Mike, I thought some of your specializations were about to expire. Did you pound out another written? You're not going to let that sweet list start to dwindle, are you?

astorrs

Of course he "squeezed" it in, couldn't let us down.

http://www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=34325

dynamik

Man. That's the last time I take a two week vacation out in the middle of nowhere. I missed that, Undomiel's 291, and who knows what else. I guess I should have gone through all those "591 posts since my last visit".

Congrats Mike, and good luck with the CCENT!

astorrs

2834 posts in 15 months. Your allowed a vacation now and then.

FattyAcid

mzinz wrote:

I just discovered CBT Nuggets. WOW!

I've always hated studying out of books, this looks like a godsend for my ipod.

To the comment above, (thank you by the way), It's not the ONLY thing that sounds exciting, but it will most likely be my favorite part.

I'm going to start studying for my BSCI and see how I feel about everything again. It's been a couple years since I studied routing and switching

We have the CBT Nuggets Archive Server at work (http://www.cbtnuggets.com/webapp/product?id=428)

I have watched several of the videos on them and I would say they are OK but not the best. You certainly need to supplement them with other study materials. Simply watching the CBT Nuggest videos, taking notes and studying those notes will not allow you to pass any of the IT certifications. There isn't much if any guidance regarding the what to expect on the exam and there are no practice tests. I found the CISSP and A+ videos lacking in terms of content--they both were missing large chunks of stuff that were on the exams. I have not watched any of the Cisco videos yet.