CCNA and CCNP: Know the Difference

If you want to pursue a certification course but don't know whether to choose CCNA or CCNP, here are the differences between these two courses. Both the certification courses are designed by Cisco and offer great career opportunities. 

About CCNA 

The CCNA exam for a Cisco Certified Network Associate is an entry-level certification course Cisco offers. The course provides basic networking knowledge and prepares students for the CCNP course (Cisco Certified Network Professional). The duration of the CCNA course is approximately 80 hours.

About CCNP Certification 

CCNP is a professional-level certification course Cisco offers. The course provides in-depth networking knowledge and prepares students for the CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) course. The duration of the CCNP course is approximately 160 hours.

Exam Included  

The other main difference between CCNA and CCNP is the exam requirements. To earn your CCNA, you must pass one exam. To earn your CCNP, you must pass three exams. You'll find more complicated CCNP Training sessions following. 

Topics covered in CCNA Exam 200-125:

• Cisco Internetworking Basics

• Introduction to IP Addressing

• IP Routing Protocols

• LAN Switching Technologies

• Accessing the WAN

Topics covered in CCNP Exam 300-101:

• Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE)

• Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH)

OR

• Designing and Implementing the Cisco Network Foundation Protection (NFP)

• Module 1: Network Design Considerations for NFP

• Module 2: NFP Deployment Scenarios

• Module 3: Final Preparation for NFP Deployment

Topics covered in CCNP Exam 300-115:

• Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH)

• Troubleshooting Campus Networks

• Optimizing Converged Cisco Networks

• Cisco Multilayer Switching Solutions

CCNA Vs. CCNP Certification Cost

The cost of CCNA and CCNP varies depending on which country you're in. In the United States, the CCNA course cost is around $300. The cost of the CCNP course is about $1,000.

Conclusion

If you are looking to make career advancement in networking, it is essential to understand the differences between CCNA and CCNP courses and certifications. The CCNA certification is an entry-level credential that validates basic knowledge of network concepts and technologies. The CCNP certification is for professionals who want to demonstrate their advanced routing and switching expertise.