Comments on: CCNP Changes (Finally) Announced

By: Seraphus

Seraphus — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:29:03 +0000

Never said non-lab were useless. I do have them. I said the NP wasn’t a strong cert.

There are always exceptions.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:20:10 +0000

I am glad for the change, learning the Switching and Routing test’s theory with the troubleshooting test to bring it out of theory and into reality should be awsome, and with 90% labs according to the atrical it looks like they are trying to make sure their NPs have some idea what is going on.

By: Colby

Colby — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:14:53 +0000

I agree that lab >>>> written. But that doesn’t mean all non-lab certs are useless. I don’t know if the NP prepares you as much as Cisco claims, but I do know it prepared me for quite a few things that I do daily now. It also left out some things that would have been beneficial, but such is life.

Cisco has different levels, like any company. So they have CCNAs, CCxPs, and CCIEs, all different tiers. I know a CCNP who currently works for Cisco. Your point doesn’t really work.

By: Seraphus

Seraphus — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:29:08 +0000

lol

No worries. I look at this as a healthy discussion.

Note, I did acknowledge the level of difficulty of the BSCI.

I did my last CCNA in 2007. NP was long before that. You can take that for what it’s worth.

It is my belief, the NP simply doesn’t prepare you to perform the job functions Cisco says an NP should be able to do. I suppose no certification will at this time, but a hands on exam brings you much closer than a written.

I look at it like this (rhetorically): Will the NP get you an interview at Cisco? Nope. They ask you if you have a CCIE? Why? Because of the level of difficulty due to the hands on.

By: Colby

Colby — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:46:00 +0000

You had me until “difficulty level … at or below the CCNA”, lol.

How long ago did you do the CCNA and CCNP? I remember studying for BCMSN shortly after completing the CCNA, it was humbling. The depth and difficulty of the CCNP exams (all of them, but especially BSCI and BCMSN) makes the CCNA look like child’s play, in my opinion.

Also, I think the CCNP adds a lot of value to your standing as a job candidate, it surely helped me out. I wouldn’t have my current job without the CCNP nor would I get nearly as many calls and emails about potential jobs. The CCNP opened up a lot of doors for me.

I’m not trying to argue or anything, I’m just interested in why you feel this way.

By: seraphus

seraphus — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:13:15 +0000

Offering my own opinions here, but I don’t believe it is a strong cert because it is theory based and lacks practical application. Also, it is possible to pass all the exams without ever touching a router (and I don’t mean using dumps). With the exception of the BSCI, the difficulty level of the exams are at or below the CCNA. It may prepare you for the CCIE Written, but not the lab. Finally, I personally noticed little to no added value over the CCNA. For these reasons, the CCNP does not garner the respect it should. Certainly, others will have different experiences. Of course, I could be the only person who achieved the CCNP that feels this way. O_o

Please note, I can appreciate the dedication it took for someone to complete the certification. Though to me, a certification should not only certify your knowledge of a given subject, it should strengthen your potential as a job candidate.

By: Colby

Colby — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:40:08 +0000

@Seraphus: Why don’t you think it’s a strong cert? I agree that adding a practical lab would make it stronger, but I wouldn’t say that it isn’t strong now.

@That1guy: I don’t agree with dropping Multicast. I’ve used it to some degree at two out of four of my last positions. Having to learn it for BSCI was very beneficial to me.

By: Seraphus

Seraphus — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:34:51 +0000

Well, no offense to any current CCNPs (as I am a exCCNP myself), but I don’t view the CCNP as a strong certification. I think Cisco should have ROUTE and SWITCH (or a composite) and a hands on lab as qualifiers for the CCNP. This would provide for a stronger balance between theory and practicality versus 3 (or 4) theory exams.

Funny note: It looks like it will cost you more money to earn a new CCNP than the old one though it has less exams.

By: That1guy15

That1guy15 — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:42:23 +0000

I agree with dropping multicast and ISIS but I cant see why they would drop MPLS and QoS. Both technologies are becoming more and more popular and needed and anybody out there will look at your signature and see “CCNP” and give you a very strange look for not knowing how to work with QoS. They would then kick you out of their office when you next tell them you do not know VPN basics

I personally geared towards the CCNP because it was broad. Now it is just as focused as the rest of the CCxPs

That1guy15