Which is better CCENT/CCNA or CCNA?

grahamcole_

Which is the better way for a junior Network tech to get quailified?

Should they go via the CCENT then take the CCNA or go straight and do the CCNA. I'm guessing that the CCENT then CCNA should cover the same basic groundwork as the CCNA but the requirement to pass two exams instead of one means the engineer needs to gain more knowledge.

When I took my CCNA the CCENT hadn't come out so I'm not sure of the worth or whether to recommend people do this before the CCNA.

Ken217a · **Post subject:** CCENT **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:43 pm

I am in the same boat. They have expanded some of the training a little. It makes it a little easier to split the test into two. If you look at most training companies, they all will tell you the same thing.

grahamcole_ · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:31 am

Thanks,

Do you know if there are any differnces between the testing material? Ie is some things covered in CCENT\CCNA that is not in the CCNA or Vice versa

kidvelvet · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:35 pm

The CCENT is covered with the ICND1 test. The CCNA can be done with one test or the ICND1 and ICND2 tests. Essentially, the CCENT was a way to get a cert without having to take both tests.

If you have been doing Cisco networking for about 6 months, then CCENT would be good. If you have been doing Cisco networking for more than a year, then I would go for the CCNA as one test.

Before the 3 years is up, you can take one of the CCNP tests to recertify and start on the CCNP track, or you can take the CCNA or ICND tests to recertify. After that amount of time, however, it makes more sense (if you are still doing networking) to go the CCNP route.

Or go for broke and take the CCIE written to recertify.
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grahamcole_ · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:17 am

So they cover same exam area.

CCENT isn't more fundamentals, like ISO model and principles, whilst the CCNA is more practical, configurations and management.

kidvelvet · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:58 am

Yes. CCENT is a subset of the CCNA.

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le45/learning_certification_level_home.html
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kidvelvet
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Yes, your problem is the most important. Just like everybody else's.