As with most professions, computer networking has a top tier certification. This is the equivalence of having a professional degree in any given field. In computer networking, the top of the food chain is a CCIE or Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert.
In addition to be one of the highest paid and most sought after certifications in all of IT, it is also one of the hardest to obtain. You have to really know your stuff to even have a chance at this certification. Cisco has done an excellent job making sure no one could buy a bunch of practice tests and simply memorize the questions and answers. You can buy all the practice tests in the world and have no chance of passing the written or lab portion of the CCIE certification.
There are two parts to the CCIE that need to be mastered to have a shot at the certification. It may seem that once you reach this level, the exams will be easy, but they won't be. There are many people fail these exams badly. In fact, many sit through the first exam, realize they don't have a chance and simply never even try to retake it.
Once you pass the written portion, you become a CCIE Candidate. In other words, you're not a CCIE yet, you are a still a CCNP, which is the certification level below CCIE. The written exam only allows you to sit for the lab portion of the certification. The lab portion requires a hefty payment directly to Cisco and you must attend one of 10 locations in the world to be evaluated by actual Cisco employees. Basically, they will show you a computer network, and have you run configurations and/or fix problems. They will monitor the steps you take and ask you questions along the way. Not only do you have to complete the task, you also have to confirm that you understand exactly what you are doing.
The lab portion is extremely tough or a complete nightmare depending upon whom you ask. Once again, as you probably already realized you are not going to be able to fake your way through the lab portion of the exam. It takes an expert to pass, pure and simple. You must have experience and all of the book knowledge in the world to pass. Even then, some of the most qualified individuals out there will fail this exam. Considering it costs $1,500 per attempt plus travel costs, you really have to make sure you are ready before you take the exam. It would obviously be brutal to spend that kind of money just to fail and have to start over.
The key is to get the certification level that goes along with your experience level. If you are just starting out, go for the CCNA. Once you have a few years of experience, try the CCNP. Only when you are already considered an expert should you attempt the CCIE. It is simply too hard to try to do without the experience to match.
Visit SE Career to learn more about the computer networking industry and additional information about the CCIE Certification.
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