Certification Information

Cisco Systems has recently announced a major change to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification in the form of the new CCNA specialization tracks for Security, Voice and Wireless. The traditional CCNA certification will remain however as the basis for the specialized tracks. What this means is that once you’ve achieved your CCNA certification, you can take an addition exam, that Cisco System calls concentration exams to achieve a specialized CCNA certification. The three new CCNA exams are as follows:

• CCNA Security
  • 640-553 Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS)
• CCNA Voice
  • 640-460 Implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications (IIUC)
• CCNA Wireless
  • 640-721 Implementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials (IUWNE)

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The Cisco 640-863 Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (DESGN) exam replaced the old Cisco 640-861 DESGN exam in July this year. The new 640-683 DESGN exam focuses on designing and implementing. routed and switched network infrastructures and services involving LAN, WAN, and broadband connectivity using Cisco networking devices. Being an entry level exam, the 640-863 DESGN exam has a difficulty rating of about 3½/5. The exam itself consists of 60 questions that you have to answer within 1½ hours (90 minutes).

When you successfully pass the 640-863 DESGN exam you will receive your Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certification, which will be valid for three years. After three years you will need to recertify by passing the current CCDA exam, any professional level or Cisco Specialist exam (but not a Sales Specialist exam), or a current CCIE written exam.

What you need to know for the Cisco 640-863 exam

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The Cisco 640-861 Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (DESGN) exam replaced the old Cisco 640-441 Designing Cisco Networks (DCN) exam a few years ago. The 640-681 DESGN exam focuses on designing switched and routed network infrastructures involving LAN, WAN, and dial access services for businesses and organizations using Cisco networking devices. The 640-861 DESGN exam is moderately difficult with a difficulty rating of about 3½/5. The exam itself consists of between 55 and 65 questions that you have to answer in 1¼ hours (75 minutes). To pass the 640-861 DESGN exam you must obtain a score of 825/1000.

When you successfully pass the 640-861 DESGN exam you will achieve the Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certification, which will hold for three years. After three years you will need to recertify by passing the current CCDA exam, any professional level or Cisco Specialist exam (but not a Sales Specialist exam), or a current CCIE written exam.

What you need to know for the Cisco 640-861 exam

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