- Exam Details
- Trouble Spots
- Preparation Hints
- Recommended Study Resources
- Exam Objectives
- Where to Go from Here
Where to Go from Here
Instead of starting with a choice to pursue the VPN exam, most candidates make a choice to pursue a particular certification level, like CCNP, CCDP, CCNP Security, CCIP, CCNP SP Operations, CCNP Voice, CCNP Wireless or CCIE, which then drives the choice to study for particular exams, as required by the certification track. Start by learning about these certifications, and once you choose the best vertical for you, pick a starting point. Generally speaking, most candidates start with the CCNP track as it is the best technical approach after achieving the CCNA level. This is because you cannot really call yourself a professional-level voice, wireless, security, or service provider engineer if you don’t know how routing and switching really works, as you are running your services over an routing and switching infrastructure.
At the same time, if you’re really focused only on security-related technologies, you can stick to the CCNA level of knowledge for basic routing and switching. To achieve the CCNP Security level you first need to meet the prerequisites, be CCNA Security certified as well as CCNA certified. CCNA Security provides you with a basic of general security aspects and Cisco security technologies. Afterwards, you need to pass the four exams previously described.