Cisco CCNA Wireless Certification
(Please note that this is an Associate Level certification as per the levels defined by Cisco for its certifications. These are Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, Specialist and Architect. Additionally, the Cisco CCNA Certification is also present as three Additional certifications; the CCNA Voice, Security and Wireless Certifications)
What is this Cisco CCNA Wireless Certification all about?
The CCNA Wireless certification is Cisco’s certification that test’s for skills that are required by a networking professional who administers (maintains and troubleshoots) a wireless network – particularly LANs (Wireless Local Area Networks). This certification deals specifically with those wireless networks that are based upon Cisco equipment. Therefore, this certification covers wireless Local Area networks for small businesses and enterprises.
The Cisco CCNA Wireless Curriculum covers the following skills with regards to Wireless LANs:
- Configure, Monitor and Troubleshoot basic tasks of a Cisco WLAN(Wireless Local Area Network) in SMB (Small and Medium Businesses) and Enterprise networks
What are the Pre-requisites of Cisco CCNA Wireless Certification?
According to Cisco, “Valid CCNA or any CCIE Certification can act as a pre-requisite”. Thus this Cisco CCNA Wireless certification does have a pre-requisite as mentioned above.
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.
Who is the Cisco CCNA Wireless Certification for?
The Cisco CCNA Voice Certification is for those networking professionals who would like to add Wireless Networking expertise to their career or to move towards a more Wireless oriented career within networking.
Why should I get certified? What benefits are there?
In case you are a basic Networking Professional who is responsible for maintenance and troubleshooting of basic networks that run on Cisco equipment and are of a Wireless nature then it is essential that you get certified with the Cisco CCNA Wireless certification – since employers may require such a certification or in cases where it is not required, then your skills portfolio will be further enhanced by the presence of a Cisco Certification. Thus, the Cisco CCNA Wireless certification is preferable if you are interested in a more Wireless oriented career.
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?
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The duration of most theoretical exams is one to two hours. Lab (practical) exams typically last eight hours.
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Questions include multiple-choice single answer, multiple-choice multiple answer questions, drag and drop, fill in the blank and simulations.
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Exams other than CCIE lab exams are delivered online
What Do They Cost?
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
- Resources, Assistance and guidance through the online Cisco Learning Network
- 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.
- Safari Bookshelf – The premier electronic reference library for programming and IT professionals with more than 1,200 titles.
- Cisco Networking Academy – http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html
- Cisco Certification Study Groups – https://cisco.hosted.jivesoftware.com/groups
What certifications and exams come under Cisco CCNA Wireless Certification?
There is only one exam required for the Cisco CCNA Wireless Certification. It is as follows:
640-721 IUWNEImplementing Cisco Unified Wireless Networking Essentials
Exam Number: | 640-721 |
Associated Certifications: | CCNA Wireless |
Duration: | 90 minutes (65 questions) |
Available Languages: | English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, French, Spanish |
Click Here to Register: | Pearson VUE |
Exam Policies: | Read current policies and requirements |
Exam Tutorial: | Review type of exam questions |
Register for Course: | IUWNE course and other offerings |
Validity of the Cisco CCNA Wireless 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 this exam 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
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Several Resources are available at the Cisco Learning Network –https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/wireless_ccna;jsessionid=F774D4C868D9F1A4E784B253CF1519E8.node0
- Cisco Certification Exams Tutorial –http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/learning_certification_exam_tutorial.html
Link to Official Cisco CCNA Wireless Website
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le0/le2/learning_certification_type_home.html