CCNA course, full form, Cisco Certified Network Associate is an associate-level certification of 1.5 years duration by Cisco that is designed for network engineers and IT professionals. CCNA course covers a wide range of topics such as network fundamentals and access, IP connectivity and services, security fundamentals, programmability, and automation.
The minimum age at which you can apply for a CCNA course is 13 years with parental consent (13-18 years). There are no said prerequisites to apply for a CCNA course, but it is said that individuals with 55% marks in high school, and with one year of work experience in the IT sector are best suited for the CCNA course.
At the end of the CCNA course, students are expected to pass the 200-301 CCNA exam that makes the CCNA certification valid for the next 3 years. The average CCNA Certification Cost is INR 22,000 - INR 25,000.
Training Institutes such as Network Shaala, Network Expert, Waves Institution, CCNP Voice, and RN Technologies are also known for their CCNA courses.
After completing a CCNA course, students can be placed at top companies like HCL, Wipro, TCS, Infosys, and Cisco with a salary package of around INR 4-7 lakhs per annum.
1.2 Why Choose CCNA Certification?
3.2 CCNA Examination
4.1 Top Cisco Courses on Udemy
4.2 Top Cisco Courses on PluralSight
4.3 Top Cisco Courses on Coursera
7.1 Higher Education After CCNA
8.1 Salary
All About CCNA Course
- CCNA, full form, Cisco Certified Network Associate is an associate-level certification of 1.5 years duration from Cisco Systems, designed specifically for network engineers.
- CCNA course amplifies skills required in network fundamentals and access, IP connectivity and services, security fundamentals, programmability, and automation.
- CCNA course validates the knowledge and skills an entry-level network engineer would learn during his initial years.
- The minimum age at which you can apply for a CCNA course is 13 years and must have cleared 10+2 with 50% marks.
- The average CCNA Certification Cost is INR 22,000 - INR 25,000.
- CCNA certification is valid for three years, later you can request certification.
- CCNA Course is available either online on websites like Udemy, Coursera, and PluralSight or CCNA Training Institutes such as IIHT, I-Media Solutions, NetworkBulls, NIIT, etc.
- After completing the CCNA course, you can be placed at top companies like HCL, Wipro, TCS, Infosys, and Cisco with a salary package of around INR 4-7 lakhs per annum.
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What is CCNA Course?
CCNA Course possesses the ability to design, install, and operate trouble-routed and switched systems. The CCNA course helps to advance a career as a network engineer or administrator.
Why Choose CCNA Course?
- CCNA course benefits employers and employees in the IT industry. Many aspirants have witnessed career or salary hikes after acquiring the CCNA certification.
- It has been observed that CCNA course graduates are entitled to get higher-paying jobs when compared to other non-certified competitors.
- Networks engineers or IT professionals with a CCNA certification have a high chance of getting a promotion if they are currently working in an IT firm.
- The knowledge gathered through CCNA course can be implemented in aspects such as CCNA Security and CCNA wireless.
- 93% of employers all over the world believe that CCNA-certified employees are more knowledgeable and add more value to their business.
- All of the Cisco companies and partners are known to prefer and employ people with CCNA certification.
- Even a top-class network engineer with 90% marks in graduation is expected to prove his IT skills via CCNA certification.
Cisco Certification Levels
Cisco offers 5 levels of CCNA certification: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert, and Architect. The details of these CCNA levels are mentioned below:
| CCNA Level | Description | CCNA Certifications |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | CCENT and CCT certifications serve as initial stages for individuals starting a career as networking professionals. | CCENT and CCT |
| Associate | It can begin with CCNA for network installation, operations, and troubleshooting or CCDA for network design. | CCDA, CCNA Cloud, CCNA Collaboration, CCNA Data Center, CCNA Industrial, CCNA Routing and Switching, CCNA Security, CCNA Service Provider, and CCNA Wireless |
| Professional | It is an advanced level of certification. Each certification covers a different topic to meet the needs of varying job roles. | CCDP, CCNP Cloud, CCNP Collaboration, CCNP Data Center, CCNP Routing and Switching, CCNP Security, CCNP Service Provider, and CCNP Wireless |
| Expert | CCIE certification is accepted all over the world as the most prestigious networking certification. | CCDE, CCIE Collaboration, CCIE Data Center, CCIE Routing and Switching, CCIE Security, CCIE Service Provider, and CCIE Wireless |
| Architect | It is the highest level of accreditation and it recognizes the architectural expertise of network designers. | CCAr |
CCNA Certification Cost
The average CCNA fee in India is INR 25,000- INR 30,000 which differ depending on the college you are applying for. CCNA fees in some renowned colleges in India is mentioned below:
| Institute Name | CCNA Fees |
|---|---|
| I-Media Solutions | INR 30,000 |
| Networkers Guru | INR 15,000 |
| Network Geeks | INR 7000 |
| NetworkBulls | INR 15,000 |
| Net Experts in India | INR 8,000 |
CCNA Admission Process
- CCNA course admission differs from college to college. Pearson Vue is the global training partner for CISCO for the CCNA course.
- Students willing to apply for CCNA courses must be a minimum of 13 years of age.
- While applying for CCNA certification they must have passed the class 10+2 examination with minimum qualifying marks.
- There are no national-level exams for CCNA courses. Some colleges/universities may conduct their own entrance exam to offer admission to CCNA courses.
- The admission procedure to apply for a CCNA course is simple: visit the official website of the college/university, fill out the application form and submit the original documents.
CCNA Eligibility Criteria
- Students must have cleared their 10+2 examination with a minimum aggregate of 55%.
- For students under 18 years of age interested in applying for CCNA courses, they should have parental consent.
- Although it is not a necessity, candidates with one year of working experience in the IT sector are best suited for the CCNA course.
- There are no national-level entrance exams conducted for CCNA courses.
- Students from any stream, and majoring in any subject combination are eligible to apply for the CCNA course.
- Before taking the CCNA exam, it is recommended for the students be well-versed in the basics of IP addressing, and network fundamentals.
CCNA Examination
- The CCNA course requires only one CCNA exam i.e 200-301 CCNA.
- The duration of the exam is 120 minutes and is available in English and Japanese languages.
- CCNA exam covers a broad range of topics such as Network fundamentals, Network access, IP connectivity, IP services, Security fundamentals, Automation, and programmability.
- CCNA exam fees are INR 22,342 and can be scheduled either at one of their test centers or online in a tight security environment.
- At the end of the CCNA exam, candidates will earn an A Level 200 training badge and 30 CE credits, which can be used later to recertify the CCNA certification (after 3 years).
- CCNA exam can also be attempted twice in order to recertify CCNA certification after 3 years.
- Apart from Cisco, some training institutes that offer CCNA courses might consider entrance exam scores that they conduct for other courses such as TS ICET, AP ICET, PGCET, TANCET or MAH MCA CET.
CCNA Course Online
There are plenty of CCNA courses online available on Udemy, PluralSight, Coursera, and Futurelearn. The details of the variety of CCNA courses available, their duration, and fees are listed in the sections below:
CCNA Courses on Udemy
| Course Name | Duration | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco CCNA 200-301: The Complete Guide to Getting Certified | 38 hours | 490 |
| The Complete Networking Fundamentals Course: Your CCNA start | 80 hours | 490 |
| CCNA 200-125: Video Boot Camp With Chris Bryant | 62.5 hours | 490 |
| Cisco CCNA 200-301 Exam: Complete Course with practical labs | 79 hours | 490 |
| New CCNAx 200-125 Routing and Switching | 31.5 hours | 1,280 |
| Cisco CCNA 200-301: Full Course For Networking Basics | 18.5 hours | 490 |
CCNA Courses on PluralSight
CCNA courses available on Pluralsight are available for a free trial for a limited time period with some features. However, students can buy a standard plan for Pluralsight at a cost of INR 1024 per month to have unlimited access to all of its CCNA courses.
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Networking for Cisco CCNA | 1 Hour 55 Minutes |
| Configuring a Cisco Router | 2 Hours 44 Minutes |
| Ethernet Operation and Switch Configuration | 3 Hours 3 Minutes |
| Implementing Application Layer Protocols for Cisco Networks | 2 Hours 45 Minutes |
| Basic Security Concepts for Cisco Networks | 1 Hour 34 Minutes |
| Network Services for Cisco CCNA | 1 Hour 4 Minutes |
| Cisco Topologies and Troubleshooting for CCNA Studies | 1 Hour 53 Minutes |
| Building Hardware Labs for CCNA Study | 4 Hours 11 Minutes |
CCNA Courses on Coursera
CCNA courses available on Coursera are available for a free trial for a limited time period with some features. However, students can either join Coursera or subscribe to Coursera for unlimited access to all of its CCNA courses.
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Networks and Cisco Devices | 3 Hours |
| Build a Small Simulated Network With Cisco Packet Tracker | 1 Hour |
| Securing Cisco Switches with Port Security | 2 Hours |
| Routing Protocols Fundamentals using Cisco Packet Tracer | 1 Hour |
| How to configure VLANs using cisco packet tracer | 1 Hour |
| How to Secure your Network Device using Cisco Packet Tracer | 1 Hour |
| Configure VLANs on Cisco Switches | 2 Hours |
| Aruba CX Switching for Cisco Professionals | 7 Hours |
CCNA Syllabus
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification program lasts 1.5 years.
- The CCNA course syllabus and subjects are designed to provide candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary for establishing, maintaining, and troubleshooting any network-related issues that may arise.
- This CCNA course includes all of the core subjective topics that cover all of the major areas of networking and other modern technologies.
Students in this course will learn a wide range of networking tips and tricks. Students in this course will learn about the following topics:
- Fundamentals of Networking
- Technologies for LAN Switching
- Technologies for Routing
- Technologies for Wide Area Networks
- Services for Infrastructure
- Infrastructure Protection
- Infrastructure Administration
Top Colleges for CCNA Course
| Institute Name | Location | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Network Shaala | New Delhi | 10000 |
| Network Expert | Chennai | 10000 |
| Waves Institution | Mumbai | 2500 |
| CCNP Voice | Delhi | 10000 |
| RN Technologies | Bangalore | 10000 |
Scope of CCNA Course
Cisco certifications offer numerous job opportunities and have a wide range of applications in India. Every industry necessitates the services of network engineers to maintain its networking infrastructure. CCNA jobs are available in both the public and private sectors, with competitive pay packages.
- The scope of CCNA includes a wide range of software developers and network administrators.
- With the advancement of technology, the number of CCNA jobs for freshers has increased in recent years.
- The CCNA certification course for graduates provides a good salary package based on the knowledge and experience students have at the time of graduation.
- Future job opportunities for CCNAs include Technical Support Engineers, System Engineers (Freshers), Information Technology (IT) Managers, Senior Network Engineers, Network Security Specialists, and a variety of other networking sectors.
- Students will develop industry-supported skills and credentials as networking professionals, which will be useful for future employment opportunities.
- With networking automation, the CCNA's future scope will expand dramatically, and programming will account for roughly 70% of the focus in any IT organization.
The CCNA scope is in high demand in India, and this certification will earn you a good career opportunity. Some of the best CCNA jobs for fresh graduates include:
- Maintenance Engineer
- Network Engineer
- Field Network Engineer
- Information Technology Manager
- Technical Support Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Network Field Engineer
- Networking Trainer
- System Engineer
- Network Security Specialist
Higher Education After CCNA
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam is a fairly difficult intermediate certification exam that is well respected and recognized in the field of networking.
Many students want to gain hands-on experience and advance their career goals after completing the Cisco CCNA certification.
After completing this certification course, candidates may wish to pursue another certification course of their choice.
Students can also pursue higher education with the networking sector as their primary focus.
- Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)
- Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
- Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
CCNA Job Profiles
| Certification | Job Profile | Job Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Certified Network Associate Data Center (CCNA Data Center) | Data Center Network Administrator | Knowledge of installing, configuring, and maintaining data centers is required. |
| Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) | Entry-Level Network Engineer | Manage a small, enterprise branch network. |
| Help Desk | ||
| Network Administrator | ||
| Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) | Network Design Engineer | Ability to design network infrastructures and services. |
| Network Design Technician Support Technician | ||
| Cisco Certified Network Associate Service Provider (CCNA SP) | Service Provider Network Engineer | Knowledge of core networking technologies and trends in the Service Provider industry, as well as the ability to configure and implement baseline Service Provider Next-Generation networks. |
| Service Provider Network and Support Technician | ||
| Service Provider System Engineer, | ||
| Field Engineer | ||
| Service Provider Network Designer, | ||
| Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security | Network Security Specialist | Capability to build a security infrastructure, identify network threats and vulnerabilities, and mitigate security threats. |
| Security Administrator | ||
| Network Security Support Engineer | ||
| Cisco Certified Network Associate Video (CCNA Video) | AV Installer | Knowledge of how to deploy video endpoints, configure new users, and manage networked video solutions. |
| Video Media Operator | ||
| Video Administrator | ||
| Video Technician | ||
| Cisco Certified Network Associate Voice (CCNA Voice) | Voice Technologies Administrator | Understanding of VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voicemail solutions is required. |
| Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless (CCNA Wireless) | Network Administrator | Capable of configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting basic Cisco WLAN tasks in SMB and Enterprise networks. |
| Network Engineer | ||
| System Engineer | ||
| Network Manager | ||
| Network Designer | ||
| Program Manager | ||
| Project Manager | ||
| Sales and Marketing |
CCNA Salary
According to PayScale, the average salary for a CCNA-certified professional in India is around INR 4-7 LPA.
- Graduates of the CCNA program earn a salary based on the knowledge and experiences they gain as graduates.
- Capability to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot basic Cisco WLAN tasks in SMB and Enterprise networks.
- When compared to other graduates with experience, the average salary for CCNA freshers is low.
- With their hands-on experience and networking skills, students can apply for jobs in both the public and private sectors.
- Many top networking companies hire graduates of the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification course.
| Job Profile | Average Salary (INR per Annum) |
|---|---|
| Network Engineer | 3,50,000 |
| Network Administrator | 3,90,000 |
| Senior Network Engineer | 7,15,000 |
| Software Engineer | 5,80,900 |
| Information Technology (IT)Manager | 100,00,000 |
| Technical Support Engineer | 3,80,000 |
| Software Engineer | 5,90,000 |
| System Engineer (Computer Networking IT) | 3,00,000 |
CCNA Courses FAQs
Ques. What does CCNA stand for?
Ans. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a Cisco Systems information technology (IT) certification. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is an associate-level Cisco Career certification.
Ques. What are CCNA course fees?
Ans. The average course fee begins from INR 22,000 - 25,000.
Ques. What is CCNA used for?
Ans. The CCNA certification validates your network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability.
Ques. Is CCNA difficult to pass?
Ans. Originally Answered: Is the CCNA exam difficult? If you have chosen the CCNA course, it takes approximately one month of self-study; otherwise, it takes approximately two and a half months to prepare for the CCNA. It is not a difficult test, but there are many new concepts and things to learn for those who are new to networking.
Ques. Can CCNA get me a job?
Ans. Many employers will hire someone with only the Cisco CCNA certification for a lower-level or entry-level IT or cyber security job, but your chances of being hired increase significantly if you can combine your CCNA with another skill, such as technical experience, another certification, or a soft skill like customer service.
Ques. Who is eligible for the CCNA exam?
Ans. However, it is best suited for candidates with at least one year of prior networking experience. With parental permission, anyone between the ages of 13 and 17 can take this course. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to apply for this course without parental permission.
Comments
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CCNA course fee varies from one institute to another. The average course fee for CCNA course in India ranges from INR 25000 to INR 30000.
CCNA courses are offered in five levels. They are mentioned below.
What are the advantages of having a CCNA certificate?
CCNA Certificate holders have the advantage of becoming Network Engineers or administrators with exciting salary package along with getting salary hikes, promotions, etc.
The minimum eligibility to pursue CCNA courses is to have passed Class XII examination from a recognized board with at least 55% marks. Students under the age of 18 should have a parental consent to pursue this course.
The demand for CCNA certified personals is very high in the current employment market. In India, the recruiters of CCNA students are HCL, Wipro, TCS, Infosys, Cisco, etc.