CCNA or CCNP: Which One Is Better For A Networking Career?

Today, there is a huge buzz around the internet and the security concerns associated with it. When you become a computer networking and security professional, it can help you get a positive influence on many different types of industries. As a computer networking and security professional, you will be assigned the duty to help and protect colleagues' and customers' private information. You will also be responsible to help manage networks such that people can be carefree about their information on the web. If you are interested in information technology and its related field where you can provide security and support for digital networks, you should look for online courses and certifications and consider whether you go for CCNA or CCNP and learn computer networking and security.

You can also learn and build a career in networking by exploring numerous online courses & certifications from top providers.

In this article, you will explore:

• What are the CCNA courses?
• What are CCNP courses all about?
• Learn about CCNA vs CCNP difference
• CCNA or CCNP, which is better?
• How can I do CCNA courses online?
• Is it a good idea to opt for CCNP courses online?
• What are CCNA and CCNP certification training?
• What is the duration of CCNA courses?

Also read: Certificate Course in Subject: The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking by Google via Coursera

Six Reasons why you should consider doing a CCNA and CCNP course?

• You will work in a variety of industries, and on many industrial platforms.
• You will have access to visual learning.
• You can learn technical skills to become part of the evolving IT field.
• You will learn how to solve problems.
• You can make a difference in the industry.
• You will have huge job opportunities in diverse sectors.

Both CCNA and CCNP are certificate level education. You get a CCNA and CCNP certification after completing the CCNA and CCNP course and successfully getting a good score on the test.

Cisco is altering their courses from those which was earlier suitable for or used in all circumstances, types of certification programs to meet the specific needs and requirements, and types of certification given in the critical domains of various technological areas. This has enabled learners to pursue online diploma courses or certifications in specific domains from the pool of various cutting-edge technologies and get certified in them. This will help professionals focus on the specific areas which are relevant to job-oriented courses. Students and professionals will earn certificates or badges for the successful completion of every step of different programs. Among all these programs, the most popular ones are- CCNA courses and CCNP courses.

Cisco Certification Levels

• Entry Level

The entry-level certifications include two credentials:

1. CCENT or Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician

2. CCT or Cisco Certified Technician

Both these certifications serve as the starting point for a successful career in networking.

• Architect Level

The highest level of certificate course is the Architect level certification, i.e., CCA or Cisco Certified Architect. It will help you showcase the formal knowledge of Cisco technologies and infrastructural architecture.

The two most popular certifications are:

1. CCNA course certification

2. CCNP course certification

• Associate Level

The two Associate Level certifications are:

1. CCDA or Cisco Certified Design Associate

2. CCNA or Cisco Certified Network Associate

Both these certificates help you prove the skills necessary for successfully managing state-of-the-art network solutions.

• Professional Level

The two professional-level certifications are:

1. CCDP or Cisco Certified Design Professional

2. CCNP or Cisco Certified Network Professional

These certificates recognize a candidate’s knowledge and help develop skills regarding more advanced networking.

• Expert Level

There are two expert-level certifications:

1. CCIE or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

2. CCDE or Cisco Certified Design Expert

These certifications will help you get expert-level infrastructure network design skills throughout the world.

Also read: Certificate Course in Subject: Software Defined Networking by The University of Chicago, Chicago via Coursera

Everything You Need To Know About CCNA

Cisco Certified Network Associate or CCNA certifications are the most popular career credentials. They help in demonstrating an individual’s ability to install, configure, operate, and handle troubleshoot routed and switched networks. You can get your CCNA certifications in the following eight prominent areas namely - Cloud, Collaboration, Data Center, Industrial, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless.

CCNA courses is a technical network accreditation for IT professionals offered by Cisco. Cisco has five levels of programs where the CCNA courses are at the Second level. The CCNA courses build on CCNA routing and switching. It prepares candidates to plan, employ, and hold the security for networking devices. It covers the components of an organization’s networking, such as IP addressing, routing, LAN switching, and more.

Also read: Certificate Course in Subject: Introduction to Open-Source Networking Technologies by The Linux Foundation via Edx

Duration of CCNA Courses

The duration of CCNA courses can be from almost three months to one year. The fee for the CCNA courses can range from approximately $150 to $350, as per the plan of your choice.

Benefits of CCNA Certification

• Professionals who get the CCNA certificate have more prospects of a steady job in reputed IT firms.
• It validates your professional’s capability of working on independent medium and small-sized organizations that work on less comprehensive networks.
• Handsome salary packages are offered for CCNA certificate holders.
• A professional becomes a well-rounded engineer in networking.

Also read: Certificate Course in Subject: Android Basics: Networking by Google via Udacity

How many CCNA Training institutes are there in India?

There are 196 CCNA training institutes in India. Some of the best CCNA training institutes are:

• NIELIT Delhi - National Institute
• NetTech India
• IIHT- Thiruvanmiyur
• ICT Education, Mumbai
• Ariston Academy

What are the CCNA Courses online?

There are multiple CCNA Courses online to pursue. Some of them are mentioned below;

• Cisco CCNA 200-301 – The Complete Guide to Getting Certified by Udemy
• The Complete Networking Fundamentals Course: Your CCNA Start by Udemy
• CCNA 200-301 Video Boot Camp with Chris Bryant by Udemy
• Cisco CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA 200-301) by Pluralsight
• Cisco Certifications: First Steps by LinkedIn Learning
• Cisco CCNA (200-301) Cert Prep: Network Fundamentals and Access by LinkedIn Learning
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification by Cybrary

Read more: CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA 200-301) Training BY Infosec Train

Jobs After Getting CCNA Certification

There are numerous jobs available for CCNA certification holders in diverse fields. Some of the popular jobs include:

• System Engineer
• Network Support Engineer
• Network Administrator
• Network Engineer
• Network Security Associate
• Technical Support Engineer

Also read: Certificate Course in Subject: Computer Networking by Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta via Udacity

All You Need to Know About CCNP

Cisco Certified Network Professional or CCNP is a person who holds a professional Cisco certification and works with local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) infrastructure. Getting CCNP certification will help you demonstrate your ability to plan, execute, validate, and troubleshoot these networks.

CCNP courses consist of different domains such as Routing and Switching, Data Center, Security, and so on.

Top Reasons to do CCNP Certification

• Job availability with great salary potential.
• Necessary for your skill recognition.
• If you are someone who loves technology then it is an opportunity to keep you up with this certification.
• You can make your resume worthy.
• You can build self-confidence.
• Excellent job growth.
• You can make yourself eligible for more advanced certifications.
• Advanced training is offered.
• You can get a brief understanding of the computer networking industry.
• You will get an opportunity to work in various nations of the world.

Where can you get the best CCNP certification training?

There are many colleges in Indian offering online degree courses and CCNP courses and allow you to get CCNP certification. Some of the colleges are:

• Indian Institute of Hardware Technology - IIHT Bangalore
• SAFAS Internetworking Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
• Parkus Technologies
• Inter Networkz
• IANT - Institute of Advance Network Technology

CCNP Course Duration

The duration of CCNP courses varies depending on your course type. For full-time courses, it can take 12 weeks while it is approximately 34 weeks for part-time courses.

What are the CCNP Courses online?

Multiple CCNP courses are available out there you choose the one that best suits you. Some of the CCNP courses include:

• Basic Networking for CCNP Routing and Switching 300-101 ROUTE by Pluralsight
• CCNP Enterprise: Core Networking by Cisco Networking Academy
• CCNP ROUTE 300-101 Video Boot Camp With Chris Bryant by Udemy
• CCNA to CCNP Transition: Working with Passwords and Telnet by Udemy
• Cisco CCNP CCIE Enterprise ENCOR 350-401 Practice Exams by Udemy
• CCNP Training by MindMajix
• CCNP Certification Training by CED Solutions

Jobs After Getting CCNP Certification

• Network & Security Engineer
• Network Engineer
• Network Analyst
• VoIP Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Network Specialist
• Network Design Engineer

CCNA vs CCNP Difference

Also read: 22+ Free Computer Networking Courses on Coursera

Conclusion

If you try to analyze the scope that CCNA and CCNP certification offers, you will understand that both serve as a great career move for anybody inclined towards information technology. Also, note that CCNP certification is often considered a better choice as it is professional-level certification. CCNP will be a smart choice for increasing your career growth manifolds. But to get there, you need to have CCNA certification. If you are CCNA certified then you can earn a CCNP certification to explore more opportunities, higher salary, and a better position. As there are various CCNA and CCNP courses online, you can choose the best one by making an online course comparison and build a carer in networking.

Explore Popular Platforms Certification Courses