Network Architect
ccnpninja
Senior MemberEuropePosts: 1,008Member ■■■□□□□□□□
Hi guys,
I have CCNP and CCNA-V, and I'm more and more interested in network architecture/design. Could anybody guide me as to which path is preferred, to become a network architect:
1.continue the hard work and pursue CCIE R&S? or
2. gain knowledge in various Cisco technologies: CCNA-S, CCNA-W, CCNA-Datacenter... then go for the Design track?
Wass
I have CCNP and CCNA-V, and I'm more and more interested in network architecture/design. Could anybody guide me as to which path is preferred, to become a network architect:
1.continue the hard work and pursue CCIE R&S? or
2. gain knowledge in various Cisco technologies: CCNA-S, CCNA-W, CCNA-Datacenter... then go for the Design track?
Wass
من طلب عزائم الأمور ، هان عليه بذل النفس فيها - محمد إبن ابي عامر
www.keyboardbanger.com
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Comments
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- they typically want a broad base of knowledge across security, VoIP, R&S, wireless
- Visio Guru
- Network Documentation
- Communications/Presentation
- People Management
- Financials
Experience:
- they typically want design experience
- they typically want implementation experience
Credentials:
- they typically want professional level certs for technology/design, expert level is a plus
- they typically want bachelor's degree, master's is preferred
Example job postings:
Sr. Network Architect at TriZetto Corporation in Greater Denver Area - Job | LinkedIn
Enterprise Network Architect at Peabody Energy in Greater St. Louis Area - Job | LinkedIn
So, I recommend a more holistic approach, as gaining the certs is nice, but having the verifiable experience with the technologies is even better.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lewislampkin (Please connect: Just say you're from TechExams.Net!)
You should get a job first, preferably in consulting. Fix some bad networks. Fix bad networks with the existing equipment instead of simply trying to sell them brand new cisco gear. Fix 4 digit dialing problems across sites. Set up iSCSI properly (with jumbo frames and least cost multi-pathing) on ESX and Windows.
Certs are good mmmmkayyy but you need to get in the weeds for at least 5 years before you will even approach architect level.
The above in particular! Instant000's job ad is a good model: "Mimum of 10 years experience in networks including 5 + designing, developing, configuring, and implementing enterprise networks with diverse solutions from multiple vendors. Cisco CCDP or CCNP or partial CCIE. Expert level knowledge of protocols - BGP, OSPF, etc. and WAN network circuits and technologies."
I actually work as a network admin in a financial institution, and 95% of the hardware I work with is Cisco.
@it_consultant: I worked as a support consultant in the past two years. I worked on Nortel and Cisco networks. I moved to the current job because I wanted exposure to Cisco voip stuff.
@networker050184: I do not target SP networking, since I've not worked with that technology. By network architecture, I aim more of enterprise network/voip stuff.
www.keyboardbanger.com
If you aren't serious about learning storage and converged networking, don't bother with the CCNA-datacenter. If you are serious about storage networking, then get your BCFA as well. Much of the FC and converged networking runs over Brocade and rebranded Brocade hardware.
If you are serious about VOIP then you have to learn Avaya and Shoretel, they represent huge chunks of the VOIP marketplace.
As other people pointed out, I don't think you can certify yourself into an architect.
Follow the Cisco Design track and get a job in a data center and really play 100 questions with the Design Engineers.
They discontinued that?
www.keyboardbanger.com
Really? I've heard the opposite and was about to do this track.... Now I'm worried =/
As others have said, having hands on and verifiable experience will always be more important than certification.