Guidance, which certification path should I follow?
Hi,
I am CCNP (R & S) and I have also done CCIE written (R & S) and overall 5 years of experience in Network Engineering / Administration.
I just started my CCIE lab preparation and in the same time recession hit my current employer, so I am trying for another job but market condition is not so good and I realized that no one is interested in CCNP (R&S).
yes I can understand that CCIE has it's own worth but to achieve this, it require hardworking, time and money. My dream is to attain CCIE but current condition is not favoring me, I am not able to concentrate on lab exam (I just starts the preparation and still a very long way to go). What should I do? I ask my self often and realize that CCNP (R&S) has no charm for market.
I am thinking to choose other certification track like security but as per my experience in market/organizations they usually required The All-Rounder who can take care of all; from routing and switching to security/voice (I am in Dubai UAE, so I share my experience as per market). So again getting CCNP security after putting time and money would really be worthwhile ? Or I have to go for CCIE (R&S) lab without any excuse?
Guys kindly help me to choose the certification track because I am frustrated and I cannot think on this anymore.
Best regards
Farrukh
Hi,
I am on the same journey as you are. I just became a CCNP and I agree the current market is very though. I am hoping to do the CCIE next year but before I do the CCIE I plan to do CCIP and CCNP security. The reason I want to do these certifications before I do the CCIE is simply because it will help me get my CCIE.
When you study CCNP (more so now) you don’t cover topics like MPLS (for the new CCNP) and other thing like IOS firewall and Zone based firewalls. These topics are a must for the CCIE exam and you have to know them. By doing certifications like CCNP Security you are not only getting more certificates but its helping you prep for the CCIE exam.
If you look at the blueprint of the CCIE Lab you can see that the complete section 6 “implement Network Security” would be much easier for you if you study for the CCNP Security. Likewise there is a section on BGP, MPLS (VPN) and QoS witch maps up to the CCIP certification (sections 4, 8 and part of 2).
The way I look at it is the Cisco professional certification are a foundation for the CCIE. It’s always good to know more than what is required for the exam as it will only help. The final decision is up to you but I would recommend doing CCNP Security and looking at it as part of studding for your CCIE.
hi,
you should stay focused on your CCIE and don't wander around. otherwise you'll spent a few more years on getting those other certificates, but you still won't get real life experience needed (and thats what really matters) so you won't become a lot more attractive to the market.
after all, its not just cisco, employer like you to know - microsoft, unix/linux, juniper, f5, checkpoint and bunch of other certificates/experiences are also of great value. does that mean you should try to get/know all of them?
once again, don't hesitate, go for your CCIE and everything else you'll get on the way.
Hi Farruck,
Can you explain me how to connect ASA 5520 with sonic wall?? I want to connect it directly and it is not site to site VPN.
Thanks for your opinion and I am agreed with you. Yes the current CCNP curriculum is not covering MPLS, QoS, IOS security and zone based firewall and if we keep studying then why not we get these certification to our profile.