May 27, 2014
Want to have one of the most prestigious networking certifications accepted worldwide with endless job possibilities? Have you considered Cisco’s Certified Internetwork Expert Certification? Earning the CCIE certification recognizes you as an expert in network engineering and a master of Cisco products and solutions.
About CCIE
Cisco introduced the CCIE certification in 1993 when they realized there was a need to assist the industry in recognizing the best internetworking experts worldwide. Currently, CCIE certification holders represent less than 3% of all certified Cisco professionals and less than 1% of networking professionals worldwide. With the rarity of certified holders, you can see why it is considered a prestigious certification!
The program is always changing its testing tools and methodologies to ensure program quality, relevance, and value.
Expert Level Certifications
Cisco offers 8 different specialty certifications:
- Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
For expert-level network design engineers, expert-level network leads of IT infrastructure teams, and expert-level network leads of architecture teams working in job roles that require them to translate business needs, budget, and operational constraints into the design of a converged solution
- CCIE Collaboration
For Collaboration Architects, Unified Communications Architects, or Voice and Video Network Managers who are responsible for the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of complex collaboration solutions
- CCIE Data Center
Certifies the expert-level skills required to plan, prepare, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot complex data center networks
- CCIE Routing & Switching
Certifies the skills required of expert-level network engineers to plan, operate and troubleshoot complex, converged network infrastructure
- CCIE Security
For individuals who have the knowledge and skills to implement, maintain and support extensive Cisco Network Security Solutions using the latest industry best practices and technologies
- CCIE Service Provider
Certification is for expert-level SP network engineers who bring the knowledge and skill to build an extensible Service Provider infrastructure to deliver rich managed services
- CCIE Service Provider Operations
For operations engineers that want to troubleshoot and maintain complex network infrastructures in both IOS and IOS XR operating environments
- CCIE Wireless
For individuals that want to demonstrate broad theoretical knowledge of wireless networking and a solid understanding of wireless local area networking (WLAN) technologies
What You Need to Know
Although there are no formal prerequisite certifications needed for any of these CCIE certifications, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then complete a corresponding hands-on lab exam. Each exam is 2 hours long and covers concepts and equipment commands. The lab is 8 hours long and must be completed within 18 months of passing the written exam.
Benefits of CCIE Certification
You will not only gain extensive knowledge in a certain networking field, but you will be
gaining a healthy six-figure salary as well! The average Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert earns between $110,000 and $175,000 a year! Wayne Lawson, CEO of Ipexerpt a leading CCIE training facility, conducted an undercover study on the level of demand for CCIE positions.
As a part of his study, he created a LinkedIn profile and said “Initially, I was flooded with recruiters seeking out a CCIE.” Lawson discovered that Chicago is ranked number 8 in demand for people with CCIE certification. So good pay and high demand are two great benefits to becoming certified!
For more information or to register for one of the certifications, please click here.
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Posted By: Danielle Toste