Besides Cisco CCNA training, Cisco CCNP training is one of the most popular training programs in the industry. The mere mention of switching or routing in the IT industry brings the company Cisco to mind and is why Cisco training and certifications are so valuable to include Cisco CCNP training. The intermediate training such as Cisco CCNP training is even a highly sought qualification that employers are looking for from their applicants.

The first level in Cisco certifications is CCNA, but Cisco CCNP training is the next level or intermediate level. Unlike CCNA training Cisco CCNP training and certification validates a network professional’s ability to install, configure and troubleshoot local and wide area networks with 100 to 500 or possibly even more nodes. IT professionals who achieve the CCNP certification through Cisco CCNP training have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to run routers and switches that form a network core. Those receiving Cisco CCNP training and certification should be able to manage applications that integrate voice, wireless, and security in the LAN and WAN as well.

As stated previously, the Cisco CCNP training and certification can be viewed as the intermediate level of networking training and certification. The other three intermediate training and certifications tracks are CCDP, CCSP, CCIP and CCVP.

Employers can be assured when they hire an employee who has been through Cisco CCNP training and received certification, that they are hiring someone who has the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size networks of 100-500 nodes and sometimes more than 500. This Cisco CCNP training expands the trainee’s knowledge base from their CCNA training. Cisco CCNP training will provide more knowledge than CCNA trained employees in alleviation of security threats, introduction to wireless terminology and networking. CISCO CCNP also emphasizes more in depth knowledge on the implementation and verification of connections to remote locations on a wide area network (WAN). Cisco CCNP training will include; Building scalable Cisco Internetworks, Building Cisco multilayer switched networks, Implementing secure converged wide area networks and Optimizing converged Cisco networks.

As always, Cisco CCNP training is in touch with the ever changing IT industry and current and future trends. New advancements in technology pushes Cisco CCNP training to remain up to date and ensures that employees are ready to meet the challenges required for an intermediate level networking position. With Cisco CCNP training employers are assured that employees have the skill set necessary to manage their networks at an intermediate level.

To ensure CCNP certified employees remain current Cisco requires recertification every three years. All Cisco CCNP trained and certified people must pass any one of the 642 series of professional exams or pass a current CCIE written exam. There is the prerequisite of having a CCNA certification before being allowed to become involved in Cisco CCNP training and certification. The required Cisco CCNP training is below, taken from the Cisco CCNA website:

CCNP Exams & Recommended Training
Required Exam(s)	Recommended Training
642-901 BSCI	Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI)
642-812 BCMSN	Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN)