What is CCNA?

CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. It is a career certification offered by Cisco that acts as an entry point into computer networking.

Unlike many entry level certifications, the CCNA is challenging. It'd broad range of topics give an excellent overview of routing and switching that would rival the technical knowledge of several seasoned network engineers. Although the CCNA can be taken as a single exam, the topics are broken down into two sections; ICND1 and ICND2.

The topics covered in CND1 go over the basics of computer networking such as the OSI model, TCP/IP layers, IPv4 subnetting and the core attributes of ethernet as well as many more subjects. ICND2 gets more involved in the subject areas of routing protocols such as OSPF, RIP and EIGRP, WAN protocols like frame relay and serial connections, an overview of wireless technologies and the basics of network security.

If you are serious about getting into computer networking or are looking to advance your career, the CCNA is a must-have certification. It is widely recognized as the defacto certification the networking world and is considered a starting point for anyone looking to be a network engineer.

When asking what is CCNA, it is important to ask yourself what you are looking to get out of a career in the computer networking field since the CCNA is a vital component in your career advancement and not just because you will have the certification, but because the topics covered are in depth enough to give you a better understanding of how computer networking works.