Cisco is one of the most dominant players in the networking and communications sector of the IT industry. The most commonly discussed Cisco certifications are CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE, however there are many other certifications available.

The most common Cisco certifications are:

CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate. The CCNA certification indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certified professionals can install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for small networks (100 nodes or fewer), including but not limited to use of these protocols: IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP, Ethernet, Access Lists.

CCNP – Cisco Certified Network Professional. The CCNP certification indicates advanced or journeyman knowledge of networks. With a CCNP, a network professional can install, configure, and troubleshoot local and wide area networks for enterprise organizations with networks from 100 to more than 500 nodes. The content emphasizes topics such as security, converged networks, quality of service (QoS), virtual private networks (VPN) and broadband technologies.

CCIE – Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert. The CCIE is the most respected certification within the networking industry. To obtain the qualification a candidate must first pass a written preliminary exam and then an 8 hour lab exam.

The CCIE identifies experts with the skills and experience to handle the most challenging assignments in their field. CCIE exams are constantly updated and revised to evolve with the industry, focusing on current technologies and real-world applications. The CCIE is known as the doctorate of networking and for good reason.

There are several other interesting certifications that you can read more about on the Cisco website.

Can anyone be certified?
The only requirement for Cisco certification is passing the required exam(s). However, some exams are rarely passed by people with no commercial experience in Cisco products, particularly the CCIE exams.

Will a Cisco certification guarantee me a job?
This depends on the level of certification; Cisco certifications are well regarded by some employers, and less well regarded by others, the exception being the CCIE which is universally held in esteem. For the lower level certifications, it is commonly found that experience is equally if not more important than certification when seeking employment in the IT industry. However, with so many jobs requiring some level of certification, even for entry level positions, why not get certified and put yourself in the running!

If you are relying on certification to get you a job you should try to compliment your studies with some type of IT or customer service related experience. Don't discount jobs because they are not directly IT related – getting a job in IT can be as much about your IT skills as your transferable skills from other jobs (teamwork, customer relations, time management).

How do I get certified?
The process is basically:
1) Choose the exam
2) Collect appropriate training materials
3) Study/attend course
4) Book and sit exam

The exam registration process is explained here.

How much do exams cost?
Exam prices vary from time to time, and between different exams, so check the exam provider (eg Prometric) website for the latest information.

Do I have to sit a course/read lots of books to pass?
The only requirement for certification is that you pass the exam(s). Your personal learning habits will determine which is the best approach for you.

Courses
Pros: instructor led, access to equipment, opportunity to ask questions of teacher/other students.

Cons: high cost compare to self Study

Self Study
Pros: low cost, set your own pace
Cons: may take some people longer to grasp more difficult concepts