Cisco Expands Certification Program With Expert-Level Network Design Credential
BackBy —
<strong>Barcelona, Spain — Jan. 22</strong><br />Responding to strong customer demand to collaborate on network architecture strategy, and not just implementation, Cisco introduced the new Cisco CCDE certification for design experts. On par with the award-winning CCIE certification, CCDE applies a solutions-based educational approach and recognizes the growing number of networking experts who have in-depth infrastructure design knowledge that enables them to assess network business requirements and translate those requirements into effective network designs.<br /><br />”Networks are strategic and the role of a network designer is becoming much more important,” said Yankee Group analyst Zeus Kerravala. “People who take on design roles impact the strategic direction of their organizations. This new expert-level certification recognizes the importance of individuals to not only operate and diagnose networks, but design them.”<br /><br />The CCDE certification provides further career advancements for networking experts in the information technology industry. Approximately 30 percent of today’s CCIE community is responsible for network design each day; however, these design experts are no longer involved in hands-on configuration, but rather in strategic design and architecture. The CCDE certification was created to provide IT professionals who specialize in network design with a prestigious credential that recognizes senior-level expertise and provides incentives for the experienced practitioner to continue his or her professional development.<br /><br />“The need for an expert-level design certification is in great demand,” said Terry Slattery, CCIE 1026, renowned author and networking expert. “The CCDE certification differentiates network designers from implementation-focused professionals. It respects designers’ depth of knowledge while providing them with a clear path through their professional development. This new certification recognizes that implementing best practices at the design level is far more efficient than tackling network problems after implementation.<br /><br />“Certifications provide a stamp of approval that validates the quality of our organization’s employees,” said Phil Norton, chairman, CEO and president of ePlus. “The CCDE isn’t about operations; it’s about recognizing the value of network designers and honoring their core skills that provide a real value to our business and our customers.”<br /><br />The CCDE certification includes sophisticated, multivendor network design principles, theory and analysis, as well as strategic architecture concepts that go beyond the network. Modeled after Cisco’s existing expert-level certification program, the CCIE program, the CCDE credential includes a two-part exam: a qualification exam and a practical exam. The qualifying exam, (ADVDESIGN) 352-001, is a two-hour, multiple-choice test that assesses fundamental knowledge of networking theories, principles, protocols and technology. The second exam, the practical exam, is an eight-hour, practical scenario-based exam and will be available later this year. The qualification exam is now available at Pearson VUE testing facilities worldwide.<br />Viewed 5819 times.
