Cisco CCNP Enterprise Certification

The Cisco CCNP Enterprise certification validates the candidates' skills during two exams and checks if they are able to implement Cisco Enterprise networking solutions.

Candidates for This Validation

The candidates targeted by the CCNP Enterprise designation include network managers or engineers, as well as network specialists who want to consolidate their proficiency in managing enterprise infrastructure. It’s noteworthy that the target audience for this qualification has a minimum of 3 years of practical experience implementing different organizational network solutions. As for the mandatory requirements, the exam-takers should develop advanced skills on the topics evaluated in the actual certification exam. This means that they should become proficient in managing products and features related to the enterprise infrastructure. They should also become skilled in dealing with architecture for dual-stack, network assurance, automation, virtualization, and security.

Steps to Follow to Earn CCNP Enterprise Certificate

Individuals can become CCNP Enterprise certified if they manage to pass two exams. One is a core test and the other one is a concentration one. Thus, the first test that candidates need to pass is known as 350-401 ENCOR. During this exam, the applicants will need to prove that they can operate and implement the features included in the Enterprise Networking Basic Technologies pack. Once they manage to pass over this initial step, the candidates will move forward to passing one of the following concentration tests of their choice:

• 300-410 that validates the candidates’ skills in implementing the high-level Enterprise Services as well as Routing;
• 300-415 which is suitable for those applicants who want to learn how to work with the solutions used for SD-WAN;
• 300-420 validates the exam-takers skills in designing the networks for organizations;
• 300-425 exam is suitable for those specialists who want to prove that they know how to design varied wireless networking services for enterprises;
• 300-430 is dedicated to those individuals who want to learn how to implement the wireless organizational networks by Cisco;
• 300-435 is suitable for those candidates who want to know how to execute the automation features of various solutions necessary for enterprises.

It is important to mention that by taking one of the concentration exams mentioned above, you will not only become eligible for the Cisco CCNP Enterprise validation, but you will also qualify for the Specialist designation in the exam’s specialization area.

Skills Tested

As the CCNP Enterprise designation offers candidates the opportunity to choose the specialization they want to follow, they are required to develop the skills included in the chosen exam syllabus. Below, you can find a short description of the skills you need to develop depending on the area you want to specialize in.

As you now know, the Cisco 350-401 exam is mandatory irrespective of the area you want to specialize in. Thus, it tests your skills in implementing the Fundamental Technologies for Cisco Enterprise Networks. If you want to be successful in such an exam, you should develop a solid understanding of how to handle the IPv6 and IPv4 infrastructure. Also, you should become proficient in topics like network assurance, virtualization, automation, infrastructure, and security concepts.

Test 300-410 consolidates the candidates’ skills in implementing the Routing & Services infrastructure for companies. The exam has a duration of 90 minutes, during which the candidates will need to demonstrate that they know how to troubleshoot and install advanced routing services and technologies. They will also need to demonstrate a good knowledge of managing VPN services, security, and automation, or Layer 3 infrastructure.

During 300-415 exam, the candidates will need to show their ability to put into practice diverse SD-WAN services and solutions. The applicants interested in this evaluation should also understand how the solutions for SD-WAN as well as products work. What is more, the candidates will find inquiries that question their ability to manage concepts like the edge router and the deployment of controllers, as well as the SD-WAN architecture. Besides, the candidates will have to flaunt a solid knowledge of handling security, service quality, policies, and other related operations and management topics.

The Cisco test 300-420 is dedicated to testing the candidates’ skills in designing a Cisco Enterprise Network. The applicants will need to develop excellent abilities in managing addressing and advanced routing solutions. They should also know how to handle WAN concepts, proficient campus networks for organizations, security and network services, or SDA-related features.

A specialist who chooses to take the Cisco 300-425 exam should become an expert in designing the infrastructure necessary for Wireless Networks used in companies. The candidates must manage to develop their ability to manage site surveys. Also, they should become skilled in managing mobility, wired infrastructure topics, as well as WLAN high availability infrastructure.

Those candidates who want to specialize in implementing and managing the Enterprise Wireless Networks of Cisco will be interested in taking 300-430. By taking such an exam, they will validate their knowledge of using Multicast, FlexConnect, monitoring, as well as other related tools. Plus, they must demonstrate that they know how to manage QoS solutions & services for advanced locations and ensure client connectivity security, as well as device hardening.

The final exam option is the Cisco evaluation coded 300-435. The candidates who choose to take it will validate their skills in managing general programming topics and learn how to handle Python controller programming. Also, they will get equipped with implementing and deploying automation tools alongside APIs.

Career Opportunities for Certified Professionals

The individuals who get CCNP Enterprise certified will become valuable employees for any international organization. Therefore, the professionals who manage to become accredited are eligible for positions like security or network engineers, system engineers, enterprise solutions architects, or operation engineers. According to Payscale.com, a professional who gets this Cisco designation can receive an annual salary of almost $97k. To be more specific, the candidates for the CCNP Enterprise certificate should know that a network engineer can obtain an average annual salary of $74k while system engineers receive a yearly income of almost $81k.

Certification Prospects

Once you earn the CCNP Enterprise certificate, you can move forward to gaining other reputable Cisco certifications. For example, you’ll become eligible for the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure or the CCIE Enterprise Wireless designations. Thus, you will be able to consolidate your knowledge for becoming a professional systems engineer with a reputable certification under your belt.