Roadmap to Success: CCNA Routing & Switching

Roadmap to Success: CCNA Routing & Switching

Roadmap for Success is a series that helps learners understand the certification paths, career opportunities. The CCNA Routing and Switching certification is a great starting point in your IT career. SPOTO students love the CCNA R&S, which is highly sought-after by the IT industry. This certification validates your abilities to set up, manage, troubleshoot, and maintain medium-sized switched and routed networks. The CCNA R&S certification is typically used to qualify you for various roles such as network technician, network engineer or systems administrator.

Cisco Certified Network Associate – Routing and switching (CCNAR&S

The Cisco Certified Network Associate – Routing and switching (CCNAR&S certification was created for entry-level network professionals. SPOTO training covers both the CCNA R&S exam and the other.

Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-105
Cisco CCNA ICND2 200-105

This results in the Cisco Certified Entry Level Network Technician (CCENT). certification. The ICND1 exam assesses your ability to install, manage, and troubleshoot a small branch network. It covers topics such as IPv6 routing technologies, LAN switching technologies and IPv6 operation.

It tests your ability to install, operate and troubleshoot small- to medium-sized enterprise branch networks. Topics include LAN switching technologies and IP routing technologies. Troubleshooting and WAN technologies.

Downloadable Studies Plans

SPOTO provides two study plans that correspond to Jeremy Cioara’s Cisco CCNA ICND1 100–105 and Cisco CCNA ICND2 205–105 courses. These Cisco CCNA Routing & Switching study plans are downloadable and provide supplemental learning resources and a strategy to help learners reach their training goals. Get the Cisco CCNA/CCNA 100-105 or Cisco Cisco CCNA 200-105 study guides.

Another CCNA R&S path While most learners prefer to take Parts 1 & 2 in order, there are two options: either the CCNA Composite Exam or the CCNAX 200 -125. SPOTO doesn't offer any coursework that specifically addresses the CCNAX. However, the exam content is the same as the ICND1 or ICND2 courses. Although the CCNAX is no more difficult than the ICND1 and ICND2 exams in terms of difficulty, many choose to obtain the certification in two parts due to the amount of information that must be learned to succeed.

This certification requires that learners have at least 1-3 years' experience with Cisco products. The CCNA R&S certification is an entry-level certificate. This means that anyone new to the industry can begin here if they are interested and ready to learn. Start by looking at the SPOTO playlist to the CCNA.

These courses can be used to enhance learners' understanding and learning in order to earn certification.

Exam Details 

The CCNA Routing and Switching certification consists of two separate exams. Below are the details for each exam.

CCENT/ICND1 Exam time: 1.5 hours (90 mins) Questions: 45-55 questions Per exam. Passing score: Cisco doesn't publish passing scores for its exams. Types of questions: Multiple choice/single-answer; Drag-and-drop; Fill-in the-blank, Simulation; Testlet and Simlet Exam registration cost: Pearson VUEExam $150 (USD). (Free resource)

Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (100-105)

CCNA/ICND2 Exam time: 75 minutes. Questions: 50-60 per exam. Passing score: Cisco doesn't publish passing scores for its exams. Types of questions: Multiple choice/single answers; Drag-and-drop; Fill-in the-blank, Simulation; Testlet and Simlet. Register for Pearson VUEExam: Cost: $150 (USD). (Free resource)

Recertification 

Cisco associate-level certifications, which include CCNA R&S are valid for three year from the date of certification. Re-certification is possible by passing the Cisco 642-XXX and 300-XXX exams, any CCIE practical or written exam, the CCAr interview, and the CCAr board exam.

Next Step 

The CCNA R&S building block allows learners to obtain a range of more advanced certifications from Cisco. Most learners will take the next step after obtaining the CCNA R&S.

A prerequisite for any CCNP-level certification is the CCNA.

After you have completed your Routing and Switching certifications, there are usually only one exam to earn additional CCNA-level certifications. The most sought-after CCNA certifications among SPOTO students who have earned the CCNA R&S are, in order of popularity:

CCNA Safety (only one exam: 210–260 IINS).
CCNA (consisting of one exam: 200-355 WIFUND).
CCNA (comprised of two exams: 640-911 and 640-916 DCICT ).
CIVND2 Collaboration (made of two exams: 210-060 CIVCD, and 210-065 CICD [broken into two SPOTO courses 210-065 and 2210-065 ]).

Career Considerations 

SPOTO offers a useful salary guide to assist learners in determining the appropriate pay scales for CCNA job opportunities. An employee with a CCNA certification can earn between $40,643 to $124,889. This depends on their professional experience. Common roles for those who hold the CCNA Routing & Switching certification are network engineer, network administrator and IT manager.

Cisco Certifications Cisco certifications can be layered. Each layer builds upon previous layers' knowledge and skills. The structure is a pyramid. There are five levels: Entry, Associate Professional Expert Expert and Architect. Associate-level certifications are in Cloud, Collaboration, Data Center, Industrial, Routing and Switching, Security, and Service Provider.
After a learner earns an Associate-level certificate, they can apply for Cisco Certified Network Professional-level certificates. Cisco offers a range of professional-level certifications, including Design Professional (CCDP), Cloud, Collaboration, Data Center, Routing and Switching, Security, Service Provider, and Wireless.

Concluding Thoughts 

Getting a CCNA certification is a great way to start a career in IT networking. This certification allows learners to choose areas of expertise that will prepare them for high-paying and satisfying roles in IT networking. The beginning of your CCNA journey is just the beginning. Start your journey to becoming a CCNA by training today!