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Introduction

xxi

So, you're thinking, "Great, what do I do after passing the CCNA exam?"

Well, if you want to become a CCIE in Routing and Switching (the most pop-
ular certification), understand that there's more than one path to that much-
coveted CCIE certification. The first way is to continue studying and become
a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), which means four more
tests, in addition to the CCNA certification.

The CCNP program will prepare you to understand and comprehensively

tackle the internetworking issues of today and beyond--and it is not limited
to the Cisco world. You will undergo an immense metamorphosis, vastly
increasing your knowledge and skills through the process of obtaining these
certifications.

Todd Lammle offers a hands-on Cisco seminar (

www.lammle.com

) that pro-

vides two Cisco courses in one week of training. The Cisco CCNA/CCNP/CCDP

seminars include CCNA/CCDA, Routing/Support, and Remote Access/Switching.

Each course is six days long, and every student receives two routers and

a switch to configure. Todd Lammle now offers a new three-day CCNA to

help the busy professional.

Although you don't need to be a CCNP or even a CCNA to take the CCIE

lab, it's extremely helpful if you already have these certifications.

What Skills Do You Need to Become a CCNP?

Cisco demands a certain level of proficiency for its CCNP certification. In
addition to mastering the skills required for the CCNA, you should have the
following skills for the CCNP:

Installing, configuring, operating, and troubleshooting complex
routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched LAN networks, along with
dial-access services

Understanding complex networks, such as IP, IGRP, IPX, Async
Routing, AppleTalk, extended access lists, IP RIP, route redistribu-
tion, IPX RIP, route summarization, OSPF, VLSM, BGP, serial, IGRP,
Frame Relay, ISDN, ISL, X.25, DDR, PSTN, PPP, VLANs, Ethernet,
ATM LAN Emulation (LANE), access lists, 802.10, FDDI, and trans-
parent and translational bridging

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