Hi Guys! My current CCNP R&S should expire next year. As i understand, I’m able to renew my CCNP by passing CCNP ENCORE and CCNP ENARSI.
I’m currently working on CCIE labs based on INE.com workbook. I believe by working this way i’d be well prepared for both CCNP ENCORE and CCNP ENARSI as well as further for CCIE lab exam.
Do you think may above approach is OK? Should I also go through your CCNP ENCORE or CCIE courses?
Any suggestions from you as the experts would be highly appreciated.
According to Cisco, if you have your CCNP R&S, then you are automatically CCNP Enterprise Certified, based on the new certifications. Now in order to re-certify, according to this Cisco reference, you must fulfil one of the following requirements:
Pass one technology core exam
Pass any two professional concentration exams
Pass one CCIE lab exam
So according to this, you can simply recertify by passing the ENCORE exam. Alternatively, you can pass only the ENARSI exam and one other concentration exam of the six that are available and you’re done. Or you can simply go for any CCIE exam, and automatically recertify all your professional level certifications. So it’s a little simpler than what you’d hoped, just as long as your certification doesn’t expire, otherwise you must start from scratch.
So if you’re interested in remaining certified, and going for your CCIE, simply go directly for the CCIE and by passing this, you’ll renew all of your existing certifications.
Now that’s a practical approach. If you feel that you need the study time and the learning process involved with going through the professional level exams again, in order to get to your CCIE, then that’s a different story, and that’s something that you will have to determine for yourself.
Thanks very much for your clear info!
I think I should do ENCORE before I go to CCIE R&S.
Do you think INE’s CCIE R&S Workbook is the right way to be prepared to pass ENCORE? Should I take ENCORE course here as well?
Sounds good, doing ENCORE will get you up to speed so that you can develp the momentum necessary for CCIE.
As Rene often states, the content on NetworkLessons helps trainees understand the topics that will be faced on the label for CCIE. The content here may not be enough, so it is recommended that you use workbooks like those available from INE or Cisco 360.
A workbook, in combination with the explanations on NetworkLessons should give you a solid foundation on which to build and achieve your certification.
There are no formal prerequisites for CCNP Enterprise, but you should have a good understanding of the exam topics before taking the exam.
CCNP candidates often also have three to five years of experience implementing enterprise networking solutions.
So you don’t need to get CCNA certified if you feel that you are at a high enough level. And based on the work experience you have, it looks like you can go directly to CCNP.
Keep in mind that it all has to do with what you feel most comfortable with. Getting your CCNA first will allow you to get a feel for studying again, and will allow you to more gradually enter into the certification experience. If however, you feel ready, go for the CCNP directly.
Hi there, I got my CCNP Routing and Switching at the beginning of 2020. I basically passed all three exams in a span of 1 month, just before Cisco changed the curriculum. Now I want to start training for the CCIE, which is now the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure. Do I need to do the ENCOR exam first?
I have been unable to find a clear cut answer to this question. Cisco officially says that you need to take and pass the ENCOR exam before you take the CCIE lab test. Some Cisco Community managers state that any valid CCNP R&S is converted to a CCNP Enterprise certification. Although this is true, it doesn’t fulfil the requirement of actually taking the ENCOR exam. Some additional links however support the option of going directly for the lab.
I suggest you check out your account at the Cisco Certifications portal which should clearly state your eligibility for the exam.
In any case, consider taking the ENCOR exam anyway, as it may be a good step the process of studying.
Yes, all CCNP level certifications (and CCNA level certifications) are renewed when you pass any other CCNP level certification. To be sure of where you stand, take a look at the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System linked below. There you will get the definitive answer concerning such questions.
I finally passed my CCNP ENARSI exam and now I want to choose between the Datacenter certification program (350-601 DCCOR) or the devops path (300-910 DEVOPS)
Can you tell me if these exams will renew my CCNP R&S ?
Also can you give me any advice about what to choose , ( I work in a datacenter and also I like network orchestration and devops… so actually I like both ! )
Congratulations!! That’s a great achievement, and it’s something that is worth being proud of!! Glad to have been a part of your journey!
The recertification policy for Professional level certifications says that you need to pass one technology core exam OR any two separate CCNP concentration exams. Passing the core exam of either one of these certification courses fulfils the requirement. So if you pass either the 350-601 or the 300-901 exam, you renew your CCNP Enterprise for another 3 years.
As for which to choose, I think it depends mostly on what you want to achieve. I would personally choose the Datacenter simply because it interests me more. But ultimately, I would choose based on which one would advance my career more. The most value that I have found from certifications is that they open doors for your career. So choose the one that will give you more opportunities for advancement in your field.
My apologies, that was a typo. It is indeed 350-601, and I fixed it in my post. There is no 650-301 (at least not yet!!
Yes that is correct. The DCCOR professional level core exam along with the CCIE level data center exam will give you the CCIE Data Center certification.
Concerning the lab exam, and this goes for any CCIE lab exam, you should gain as much information as possible about the experience itself. Review some of the lessons that Rene has prepared concerning the CCIE lab found here:
Now for the specific content covered by the Data Center CCIE lab, you may find some of the topics in Cisco’s blueprint are indeed covered by some lessons on NetworkLessons, but not many. Your best bet would be to take a look at some of the courses that Cisco offers for training in this area. You can start with the resources that Cisco offers found here. But there are resources offered by third parties as well that can be of help.
Ultimately, once you get the theory down, practicing will make all the difference. Cisco offers CCIE practice labs that can help you to hone your skills. You can reserve these online below.
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