Cisco is a brand that is known globally. It’s recognized not only for the best networking products but for the certifications it offers. Candidates with different skill level can opt for such credentials, as they are indented for beginners, professionals and experts. Among the certifications provided, Routing and Switching is the most sought-after. In this article, we will focus on this credential of the professional level.
Overview of Cisco CCNP R&S Certification
CCNP is the certification that deepens your knowledge and skills that you’ve gained on the associate CCNA level. To opt for the professional level, you need to have at least 1 year of experience working with complex network solutions. That’s why it’s called professional certification. Thus, CCNP R&S credential proves that you are able to work with middle-sized networks. To be more specific, it testifies that you possess skills to plan, operate, verify, troubleshoot such networks, and work cooperatively with other specialists on security, wireless and other solutions. CCNP R&S certification is designed for candidates that have set the goal to get a position of network technician, network/systems or support engineer.
Exams Needed to Get Cisco CCNP R&S Certification
In order to get CCNP R&S certification, you need to have a valid CCNA R&S or any CCIE credential. This serves as a prerequisite. The 3 exams are required to get the Cisco CCNP R&S certification, they are 300-101, 300-115 and 300-135. There recommended training is also mentioned.
- 300-101 Route – Implementing Cisco IP Routing
- 300-115 Switch- Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks
- 300-135 Tshoot – Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks
- 300-101 ROUTE – The exam tests how the candidate is proficient with routing. It checks how skillful you are with advanced IP addressing as well as routing, how you can you can work with highly secure Cisco routers.
- 300-115 SHOOT – This exam tests candidate’s knowledge and skills to complete the tasks related to planning, configuring, verifying the use of complex enterprise switching solutions.
- 300-135 THOOT – This exam tests candidate’s skills to work with complex enterprise routed and switched networks as well as your abilities to use the ITIL-complaint approach while completing network troubleshooting tasks.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 300-101 certification exam and find the advantages of being CCNP certified.
CCNP 300-101 Certification Exam
300-101 exam is one of the three required to sit for in order to get CCNP R&S credential. The exam consists of 50-60 questions that you need to complete within two hours. Along with testing your routing knowledge and skills, the exam checks how skillful you are in working with scalable and highly Secure routers, as well as IPv6, LANs and WANs. The topics covered in the exam include networking principles, VPN technologies, and the ones that are used in layer 2 and 3, infrastructure security and services.
To know more about 300-101 exam, visit Cisco official website.
Preparation Tips
The thing you should be aware of is that the exam questions can include several related to any other topic, that’s why your preparation for the exam should be efficient. Thus, before scheduling your 300-101 certification exam, focus on your training.
- To get the most actual preparation, start from Cisco official website and the training section, in particular. Here you’ll find the most suitable format to take. Cisco offers classroom training, e-learning, practice, study groups.
- Find online platforms that offer video courses. Here you’ll get the details on the exam from the top IT experts. Among the most popular ones are PrepAway, ExamCollection, ExamSnap, Exam-Labs.
- Use exam dumps. The most actual and updated exam dumps will help you revise and systematize the learned material. If you use the files not only in pdf format, but in .ete or .vce, then you will be more prepared for the exam, as exam testing engines designed to open such exam dumps, simulate the real exam environment. Being properly prepared for the exam, you will be confident in your knowledge and skills, thus, you can easily complete the questions provided in the exam.
Things to Know About Cisco CCNP R&S Certification
Job availability
After getting CCNP R&S certification from Cisco one can qualify for different jobs like Network Engineer, Support Engineer, Network Technician. CCNP R&S certified professionals have high job availability than non-certified professionals.
High salary
Cisco CCNP R&S certified professionals earn at least ten percent more than the non-certified employees. The chance to get high salary increases and can avail of better job opportunities. According to Payscale.com, the average salary of the certified CCNP network engineer is about $81,304 annually.
Skill recognition
Cisco CCNP R&S certified recognizes that you have attained advanced knowledge and skills in networking. Certified from a reputed organization like Cisco means that one has gained the best training and skills. Our life is surrounded with the technology. If you want to grow in your career, then it is the best to keep in touch with the new technology and that is what exactly Cisco CCNP certification does.
Attractive resume
Resume is the only thing that speaks about your education, skills, work experience, the knowledge that one has achieved in their life. Once your resume is added with the Cisco certifications you will be ready to work in the reputed organizations. The employers believe that such professionals will be an asset to the organization and carry the organization to the top.
Build self-confidence
Cisco CCNP R&S certification builds up the self-confidence to apply for the job which they dream to be a part of it. The knowledge and skills that have attained through certifications build the morale to work with the new technology.
Growth in the job
When it comes to find a job in IT or computer networking then earning Cisco CCNP R&S certification put you on the top of the list for promotion or career advancements. Cisco certified professionals will obtain better job opportunities while switching the company. They will be eligible for the positions that have a high growth in future, as IT is a changing world and the skills they possess will need the update.
Eligible for advanced certifications
Many Cisco certifications act as a stepping stone for getting advanced certifications. Cisco CCNP certification prepares you to be eligible for obtaining advanced certifications from Cisco. Once you attain these certifications it will open a new path in your career to grow and achieve a better education.
Offer advanced training
While preparing for the CCNP exam, training in various areas of networking is provided. The training not only increases the knowledge but also shows how the actual work is done. The experience gained while training process makes you ready for various career opportunities and advancements in the career.
Understanding of computer networking industry
The first thing we intake with the CCNP Route is the understanding of the computer network industry. Spending a lot of time preparing the exam makes you mind with the field that one has to work in it. After being certified one gets expertise in the field and understands the needs and requirements of the industry. It proves that you have the technical skills to find a solution to the issues and save the company from threats and viruses.
Opportunity to work globally
The Cisco certifications are globally recognized and offer better job opportunities to work in the countries like India, Dubai, Algeria, USA, UK and Australia.
Conclusion
According to IT corporations, for a better improvement in an organization, it is necessary to hire the certified employees. Cisco certified professionals confirm that they possess the right skills with the right training and commitment towards every aspect of the job. Earning CCNP R&S certification is not an easy task, still possible, if the candidate is hard working then no one can come in between their success. Thus, sitting for 300-101 certification exam will pave you the way towards this credential. Note, that every company wants to hire the Cisco certified professionals to make their networks run efficiently and in case of any issues be sure that they will be troubleshot. Take into consideration the benefits you’ll get and start your preparation process for the exam. Wish you luck!
