A CCNP certification is your gateway to demonstrate advanced knowledge and abilities in computer networking. Certified by a reputed company like Cisco indicates you've received the most effective training possible.
Passing the CCNP exam makes you a seasoned IT specialist. The importance of security technologies and the need for skilled professionals increase as cyber threats have become more widespread.
Overview of the CCNP Exam
Passing the CCNP examination provides a certification proving your skills with enterprise networking solutions. This certification also showcases your enterprise, virtualization, assurance, infrastructure, and automation knowledge.
a. What is the CCNP Exam
The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a certification from Cisco. The company is world-famous for manufacturing and selling networking equipment.
The CCNP is the next step after the CCNA, but you don't need to pass the CCNA to take the CCNP exam.
b. Prerequisites and Eligibility Criteria
There aren’t any formal prerequisites for CCNP security. However, candidates are encouraged to have three to five years of experience implementing security solutions.
It’s best for professionals with a minimum experience of one year in networking.
c. Exam Structure and Format
The CCNP exam has a series of multiple-choice questions and performance-based questions that assess your enterprise-level networking skills. The duration of the examination is 90 minutes.
To obtain the CCNP, candidates must pass core and enterprise concentration exams out of six available CCNP choices. The concentration exams include:
- 1
Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (ENARSI) Exam
This exam assesses your expertise in advanced routing technologies such as EIGRP, OSPF, BGP, and MPLS, focusing on their implementation and troubleshooting.
- 2
Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions (ENSDWI) Exam
This exam evaluates your knowledge of Cisco's SD-WAN solution, covering topics like SD-WAN architecture, controller and edge router deployment, security, multicast, management, and operation.
- 3
Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks (ENSLD) Exam
This exam tests your proficiency in enterprise network design, encompassing advanced addressing, routing solutions, campus networks, WAN, security, network services, and software-defined access (SDA).
- 4
Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks (ENWLSD) Exam
This exam assesses your knowledge of wireless network design, including site surveys, wired and wireless infrastructure, mobility, and high WLAN availability.
- 5
Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks (ENWLSI) Exam
This exam evaluates your skills in wireless network implementation, covering FlexConnect, QoS, multicast, advanced location services, monitoring, and device hardening.
- 6
Automating and Programming Cisco Enterprise Solutions (ENAUTO) Exam
This exam tests your competence in implementing enterprise automation solutions, including programming concepts, Python programming, APIs, controllers, and automation tools.
d. Recent Changes and Updates
Cisco is introducing a new CCNP Enterprise concentration exam: 300-440 ENCC Design and Implementing Cloud Connectivity.
The testing for the new ENCC 300-40 concentration exam will begin on September 20, 2023, and other CNP concentration exams will be out as soon as next month.
Mastering the Core Concepts
Grasping the core concepts in the CCNP examination helps enhance your knowledge of enhanced networking processes. The certification covers concepts in the following areas:
1. In-depth knowledge of Networking Protocols
An in-depth knowledge is a set of established rules that teach you how to format, send, and receive data that a computer network endpoints and communicates. This includes many models, such as the TCP/IP model.
2. Advanced Routing and Switching Techniques
Routing and switching are at the core of the network. In switching, you must consider technologies like VLANS, Q-in-Q, and Ether channels. You should also be aware of switching techniques in computer networks, such as circuit, packet, and message switching.
3. Virtual LANs and Subnetting
VLAN is a virtual logical AN. Its purpose is to communicate with other devices on the same LAN. You should know about subnets, too, which are logical partitions of an IP network.
4. Network Security Fundamentals
The network security fundamentals are a significant concept in the CCNP exam. Some central concepts include integrity, availability, and confidentiality, which you must be aware of.
Deep Dive into CCNP Topics
The CCNP covers essential topics for networking concepts. Let’s take a look at them.
- 1
Implementing OSPF and EIGRP
EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) and OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) are two major Interior Gateway Protocols (IGP) that you need to be aware of when preparing for the examination.
The EIGRP calculates the metric using a combination of parameters, while the OSPF uses a metric to interface bandwidth.
- 2
BGP Configuration and Optimization
The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is covered in the exam and is an important division. It focuses on configuration and optimization techniques and is crucial for managing large-scale networking and ensuring effective data exchange between autonomous systems.
- 3
Quality of Service (QoS) Implementation
The QoS implementation starts with an enterprise identifying the types of traffic that are crucial for them. This is one of the major topics covered in the CCNP and includes concepts like high volumes of bandwidth, latency, and packet loss.
- 4
Network Automation and Programmability
This topic revolves around helping professionals automate and understand tasks that involve managing, configuring, and operating network equipment, connectivity, services, and topologies.
Preparing for the CCNP Exam
Preparing for the CCNP exam isn’t hard, provided you implement the right strategies and work smartly on the topics. Let’s look at some tips that can help you pass the examination.
Best Resources for the CCNP Exam
a. Navigating Cisco's Learning Platform
Cisco | CCNP Preparation Library
This is an excellent self-study preparation book that you can use to study for the CCNP. It covers all the necessary topics you’ll be assessed for on the exam.
b. Official Cisco Materials
Cisco | CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 Official Cert Guide
The official CCNP enterprise book has an organized outline for test preparation. It also features many quizzes on each chapter to help you test your knowledge as you go.
c. Interactive Labs and Activities
CBT Nuggets | CCNP Labs: What is the Best Setup?
This lab blog helps you gain overall in-depth knowledge of the labs. You gain insights on how to attempt labs.
d. Best Online Courses
Udemy | CCNP All-in-1 Video Boot Camp With Chris Bryant
This course is an excellent and comprehensive video that encompasses all the vital topics in examining the major concepts.
e. Helpful Practice Test
Udemy | Cisco CCNP Enterprise ENCOR (350-401) Practice Tests 2023
This contains strategic mock exams designed to test your knowledge according to the CCNP exam.
f. Recommended Books
Amazon | CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 Official Cert Guide
CCNP and CCIE guide is a great book that gives preparation insights, helps you identify weaknesses, and improves your hands-on skills and conceptual knowledge.
Test-Taking Strategies
When taking the CCNP exam, you must understand key strategies to manage time and effectively answer different question types.
Review and Revision
Let’s look at how you should review the entire syllabus you’ve covered to ensure maximum retention.
The Exam Day
a. Pre-Exam Routine
b. Dos and Don'ts for the Exam Day
Do’s:
Don'ts:
Post-Exam Actions
Reviewing the Exam Experience:
After the CCNP exam, take a moment to relax and unwind. Review the test experience, noting challenging areas. Ensure you've submitted any required feedback on the exam's content.
What's Next: Certification Results and Beyond (CCNP):
Await your exam results, typically available shortly after. If you pass, celebrate your achievement. If not, evaluate areas for improvement and consider retaking the exam to work towards earning your CCNP certification. Beyond certification, apply your advanced networking knowledge to excel in your career or pursue further Cisco certifications.
Summary
If you’re looking to boost your career, then the CCNP examination from Cisco helps you head in the right direction to enhance your career in networking.
It helps you lay the foundation for many professional paths, such as network engineer, network specialist, and more.
