The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification offers several specialized tracks that cater to different areas of networking expertise. Each track is designed to validate a specific set of skills required in various domains, allowing professionals to focus on areas that align with their career goals. Here are the main types of CCNP certifications:
1. CCNP Enterprise
- Focus: Enterprise Networking, including routing, switching, and advanced network solutions.
- Who It’s For: Network engineers, administrators, and support engineers who work in large enterprise environments.
- Core Exam: ENCOR 350-401 (Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies).
- Concentration Exams:
- ENARSI 300-410 (Advanced Routing and Services)
- ENWLSD 300-425 (Wireless Design)
- ENSLD 300-420 (Enterprise Design)
- ENWLSI 300-430 (Wireless Implementation)
- ENAUTO 300-435 (Automation and Programmability)
- Key Skills: Network design, implementation, and troubleshooting, advanced routing protocols, automation, and security.
2. CCNP Security
- Focus: Network Security, including firewalls, VPNs, endpoint protection, and threat defense.
- Who It’s For: Security engineers, analysts, and administrators responsible for securing network environments.
- Core Exam: SCOR 350-701 (Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies).
- Concentration Exams:
- SVPN 300-730 (Secure VPN Solutions)
- SISE 300-715 (Cisco Identity Services Engine)
- SAUTO 300-735 (Security Automation)
- SESA 300-720 (Securing Email)
- SNCF 300-710 (Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower)
- Key Skills: Securing network devices, setting up firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and VPNs, as well as identity and access management.
3. CCNP Data Center
- Focus: Data Center technologies, including infrastructure, automation, and storage networking.
- Who It’s For: Data center engineers, architects, and administrators responsible for maintaining and optimizing data center environments.
- Core Exam: DCCOR 350-601 (Implementing Cisco Data Center Core Technologies).
- Concentration Exams:
- DCACI 300-620 (Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure)
- DCSAN 300-625 (Storage Area Networking)
- DCIT 300-615 (Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Infrastructure)
- DCID 300-610 (Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure)
- DCAUTO 300-635 (Data Center Automation and Programmability)
- Key Skills: Data center infrastructure, storage networking, automation, virtualization, and troubleshooting.
4. CCNP Collaboration
- Focus: Collaboration technologies, including voice, video, and unified communications.
- Who It’s For: Network engineers, collaboration engineers, and telecommunications professionals who manage unified communications environments.
- Core Exam: CLCOR 350-801 (Implementing Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies).
- Concentration Exams:
- CLICA 300-810 (Cisco Collaboration Applications)
- CLACCM 300-815 (Advanced Call Control and Mobility Services)
- CLAUTO 300-835 (Cisco Collaboration Automation)
- CLCEI 300-820 (Implementing Cisco Collaboration Cloud and Edge Solutions)
- CLDADM 300-835 (Collaboration Device Administration)
- Key Skills: VoIP, video conferencing, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), collaboration security, and automation.
5. CCNP Service Provider
- Focus: Service Provider technologies, including carrier-grade infrastructure and networking services.
- Who It’s For: Service provider network engineers and technicians who manage large-scale service provider infrastructures.
- Core Exam: SPCOR 350-501 (Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies).
- Concentration Exams:
- SPCOR 350-501 (Service Provider Core Technologies)
- SPVI 300-510 (Service Provider VPN Services)
- SPNGN 300-515 (Next-Generation Service Provider)
- SPAUTO 300-535 (Service Provider Automation)
- Key Skills: Service provider architecture, VPN services, routing, automation, and network management.
6. CCNP DevNet (Cisco Certified DevNet Professional)
- Focus: Network automation, DevOps, and software development.
- Who It’s For: Network automation engineers, developers, and software engineers who work with network programmability and automation.
- Core Exam: DEVASC 200-901 (Developing Applications and Automating Workflows).
- Concentration Exams:
- DEVIOT 300-920 (IoT)
- DEVOPS 300-910 (DevOps)
- DEVWBX 300-915 (Webex Solutions)
- DEVSP 300-535 (Service Provider Automation)
- Key Skills: Software development, network automation, APIs, cloud, and IoT.
Choosing the Right Track
When selecting the right CCNP track, consider your current job role, experience, and long-term career goals. Each track offers a unique blend of skills, and the flexibility to choose concentration exams allows you to specialize in specific areas within your field. For example, if you’re working in a security-focused role, CCNP Security would be the most relevant certification. If you’re aiming to work in enterprise networking or are already in that field, CCNP Enterprise is the best fit.
Conclusion
The CCNP certification offers a variety of tracks that cater to different networking domains, allowing you to specialize in areas such as enterprise networks, security, data centers, and automation. Earning any of these certifications can significantly advance your career and validate your expertise in the specific technologies you are passionate about.
