CCIE Routing And Switching Certificate

Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification

(Please note that this is an Expert Level certification as per the levels defined by Cisco for its certifications. It is the next level after the Professional Level of Certifications and the last level before the highest level which is the Cisco Certified Architect These are Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, Specialist and Architect.)

What is this Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification all about?

Cisco Certifications are divided into several levels. From the Associate Level to Professional Level to Expert Level and finally the Architect Level. Thus, the Expert Level Certifications are a further advancement over the Professional Level Certifications.
Cisco CCIE stands for “Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert”. Apart from the Cisco Certified Architect Certification, this certification is the highest level in terms of technical networking knowledge. Cisco CCIE Certifications are tested in a different manner than other Cisco Certifications and include practical labs as part of the certification.

The Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching Certification can be thought of as the next level after the Cisco CCNP Certification which covers Advanced Network Skills and comes after the Cisco CCNA Certification (an Associate Level Certification). It is basically for Expert Level Network Engineers.

The following skills are covered by the Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching Certification:

• plan, operate and troubleshoot complex, converged network infrastructure

What are the Pre-requisites of Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification?

According to Cisco, “No formal pre-requisites are required for the Cisco CCIE Certifications”.

However, we do also recommend that any person who sits for the exam in this certification come fully prepared for the exam. Allot yourself at the very least a few months to prepare for the exam. Additionally, we would recommend any individual who would like to get certified with this Certification to possess the Cisco CCNA Certification (which is an Associate Level certification that deals with Basic Network concepts and skills such as Routing and Switching) as well as the Cisco CCNP Certification (which is a Professional Level Certification which deals with Advanced Network Skills).

Who is the Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification for?

The Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification is for those Networking Professionals who would like to be ‘experts’ in Routing and Switching and carry out tasks as mentioned in the skills section in the first paragraph.

This is particularly for all Networking Professionals with a career orientation towards Routing and Switching.

Why should I get certified? What benefits are there?

In case you are a Networking Professional who has the Cisco CCNA Certification and/or the Cisco CCNP Certification then this Certification is essential for you to further your career. Networking Professionals require further specialization and advancement of their skills. This Certification will allow you to show that you are amongst the best that there is in your particular field. You will in essence be a ‘Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert’.

All in all, this certification is important for all the Networking Professionals who would like to be experts in Routing and Switching and have a career orientation in that direction.

The benefits will be that you will now have a broader selection of career paths that will be higher paying than your existing job. Additionally, you will have that edge that is required during job selections – since employers look for what makes you as a networking professional unique.

Cisco Certification Exams in General

What Are the Exams Like?

• The duration of most theoretical exams is one to two hours. Lab (practical) exams typically last eight hours.
• Questions include multiple-choice single answer, multiple-choice multiple answer questions, drag and drop, fill in the blank and simulations.
• Exams other than CCIE lab exams are delivered online

What Do They Cost?

• Computer-based certification exam prices range from $80 to $325 US dollars or equivalent worldwide. The ICND1 and ICND2 exams are $125 USD, the CCNA exam is $250 USD and the professional level CCNP and CCDP Composite exam is $300 USD, and CCIE written exams are $350 USD. Payment is made directly to the authorized test delivery partner Pearson Vue.
• CCIE lab exams are $1,400 USD. Payment is made online via credit card or wire transfer

How do I take the exams?

Exams are regularly administered worldwide by Pearson VUE http://www.vue.com/cisco which is Cisco’s examination delivery partner (just as Prometric is Microsoft’s partner). Pearson VUE routinely organizes exams on various dates

How do I prepare for the exams?

1. Training through Institutions – The authorized source for Cisco IT training delivered exclusively by Certified Cisco Instructors. For a list of Cisco Learning Partners, use the Learning Partner Locator.

2. Training through Books – A variety of Cisco Press titles may be available for this exam. These titles can be purchased through the Cisco Marketplace Bookstore, or directly from Cisco Press.

3. Resources, Assistance and guidance through the online Cisco Learning Network

4. Exam Cram Books – Exam Cram has a wide array of preparation tools for the popular CCNA, CCNP, and CCSP certifications, including simulation-based practice questions along with other late-stage study vehicles to get you ready for test time.

5. Safari Bookshelf – The premier electronic reference library for programming and IT professionals with more than 1,200 titles.

6. Cisco Networking Academy – http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html

7. Cisco Certification Study Groups – https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/groups

What certifications and exams come under Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification?

The Cisco CCIE Certification is different from other certification in that it is carried out in a different manner than most Cisco Certifications. It has a theoretical component and a practical component. It involves the following two steps:

Step One: CCIE Routing and Switching Written Exam

A two-hour written qualification exam which covers networking concepts and equipment commands.

• Written Exam Information
• Schedule and Pay for Written Exam

CCIE® Routing & Switching Written350-001 CCIE Exam v4.0

Step Two: CCIE Routing and Switching Lab Exam

An eight-hour lab exam tests your ability to configure actual equipment and troubleshoot the network in a timed test situation.

• Lab Exam Information
• Schedule and Pay for Lab Exam

Lab Exam

Lab Exam Topics

Validity of the Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification

This Certification is valid for upto 3 years after the certification has been awarded. After 3 years any and every networks professional will have to re-sit an exam in the Professional Level category of Cisco Certifications so as to be re-certified. Cisco has created this system to ensure that all network’s professionals stay up to date with latest trends and changes in networking technologies and standards.

Resources for the Exams

1. Several Resources are available at the Cisco Learning Network –https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/ccie_routing_switching
2. Cisco Certification Exams Tutorial –
   http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/learning_certification_exam_tutorial.html

Link to Official Cisco CCIE Routing & Switching Certification

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/ccie/rs/index.html