Monday, December 10, 2001		Article

CCIE can configure networks
Sumesh Raizada

NOWADAYS personal computers or PCs, are used in banks, manufacturing shop floors, architecture, transport, sales and distribution and various government departments like Post and Telegraph, Railways, Revenue, etc. As the number of PC users in an office, department, factory or a company increased, need for interconnecting the computers so that the data may be shared among them arose. This became extremely necessary in companies, departments or banks that had offices located in different geographical locations within or outside the countries. Also, in case of large number of Railways and Air reservation counters, computers have to be inter-linked together, so that information and data remain updated continuously.

Networking of computers is also finding its application with ISPs or Internet service providers, as more area and population is being covered by Web. In organisations that have sales offices located at places away from manufacturing works or where Web-based services like ERP, CRM, etc. are getting implemented, the computers are connected together for flow of information like accounting and financial data, despatch or manufacturing status. Cisco, a US-based firm, has been a leader in providing networking hardware as well as software solutions, throughout the world. These days, almost all messages or transactions that are transmitted over the Web are carried through Cisco equipment. Its software solutions are used in communication network for public institutions, telecommunication companies, medium-sized enterprises, etc. The company is also involved in development in the field of advanced routing and switching, voice and video over IP, optical networking, wireless, storage networking, security, broadband, and content networking. The company has also been a pioneer in offering the Internet based services in providing customer support for selling the products, training of sales and service personnel and managing the finances.

Keeping in view the large number of networking hardware and software in various industries and also realizing the vast business potential, Cisco has established its offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, for providing sales and services. Through number of education partners, firm is offering certified courses for networking applications in industries. It is believed that in coming years there shall be demand for over one million network specialist all over the world and hence, huge career potential exists for those who are trained and certified in Cisco applications.

Trained Cisco professionals are absorbed in industry for marketing and maintenance of its hardware as well as software — for designing networking program suitable for respective client organisations, for installing Cisco networking equipment at various locations, etc. The job opportunities exist for certified professionals at its marketing offices as well as with the client companies. Today, Cisco certified network professionals earn wide recognition and respect throughout the industry and are therefore commanding a handsome pay packet compared to other IT professionals.

Cisco provides three levels of certification that are Expert, Professional, and Associate. The certification begins with the Associate, which is apprentice or foundation level of networking, Professional, which is the advanced level of certification and finally Expert, which is the highest level of achievement for network professionals. Certification is mainly in the field of Network Installation and Support. For those who install and manage Cisco-based networks, LAN and WAN routers and switches, etc. this certification is useful. Network Engineering and Design certification is for professionals who design Cisco-based networks and finally certification related to communications and services. Cisco certification based courses in networking includes practical exercises as well as theory sessions. Some of the courses offered by Cisco for Web-based or localised networking application are CCIE, CCNA, CCNP, CCDA, etc. Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) is a course meant for IT consulting firms as well as Internet service Providers. CCIE Routing and Switching module covers Internet Protocol, non-IP desktop protocols such as IPX and bridge related technologies. CCIE SNA/IP Integration covers Cisco Mainframe Channel Connectivity and System Network Architecture, etc. Those certified as CCIE can install, configure, and operate networks in complex environments and with specific protocols or complex WAN environments.

Another important certification offered is CCNA or Cisco Certified Network Associate, which is a foundation course in networking for the small office or home office segment. CCNA certified professionals should be able to install, configure, and operate Local Area network (LAN), Wide area network (WAN), and dialup access services for small networks. CCNP, which refers to Cisco Certified Network Professional, is an advanced course of networking. CCNP certified professional, are required to manage LAN or WAN for companies having large network of over 100 nodes.

For those interested in a career related to Network Engineering and Design, Cisco offers CCDA certification that refers to Cisco Certified Design Associate. It is a foundation course of network design for the small office. CCDA certified professionals are able to design networks for fewer nodes. The Cisco Certified Design Professional or CCDP is meant for those professionals having advanced knowledge of network design. They can design routed and switched networks organizations having more than 500 nodes. A CCDP certified network professional design and implement an ATM network, maintain a WAN switched network and can manage traffic and voice technologies.

Among most popular certification course from Cisco is CCNA, which is valid for three years. The CCNA certifies an individual’s networking skills at the foundation level and indicates apprentice knowledge of networking for the small office, home office (SOHO) market. CCNA certified professionals can install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for small networks, including use of protocols like IP, IGRP, IPX, IP RIP, VLANs, Ethernet. A CCNA can install and configure Cisco switches and routers in multi-protocol internetworks using LAN and WAN interfaces. They also provide after sales services, does improvisation in network performance and security.

CCNA position includes help desk engineer, field technician, systems engineer, systems integrator, etc. Cisco certification validates an individual’s capabilities by ensuring high standards of technical expertise. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certifications are the first level in the Cisco career certification program. Cisco has implemented the Cisco Networking Academy initiative worldwide along with the Cisco Certification Program. The Cisco Networking Academy Program is a timely response to these challenges. It is a highly successful alliance between Cisco Systems, education, business, government, and communities.

Keeping in view the future business potential for Cisco products and demand for qualified personnel, Cisco has opened up network academies at various locations. Some of the Cisco authorised training centers are Datacraft India-Training Partners Pvt. Ltd., Microuniv, Ernet, Karrox, Microtech-tel, iLOKA, etc. Cisco has also launched a Career Connection program, which is an online career network.

The Cisco networking academy program is a complete program based on the principles and practices of designing, building, and maintaining networks capable of supporting organizations throughout the globe. The networking academy program provides hands-on, project-driven training and skills to the students. It incorporates Web-based learning module that includes multimedia curriculum, online testing, performance-based skill assessment. Cisco provides extensive training for professionals with the purpose of helping them achieve success and advancement through career certification.

Cisco has nearly 50 regional networking academies all over the country and an R&D centre at Bangalore, thus offering a huge learning and career potential for the interested candidates.