Course Overview

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Routing and Switching certification validates the ability to plan, implement, verify and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks and work collaboratively with specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless and video solutions. The CCNP Routing and Switching certification is appropriate for those with at least one year of networking experience who are ready to advance their skills and work independently on complex network solutions. Those who achieve CCNP Routing and Switching certification have demonstrated the skills required in enterprise roles such as network engineer, support engineer, systems engineer or network technician. The routing and switching protocol knowledge from this certification will provide a lasting foundation as these skills are equally relevant in the physical networks of today and the virtualized network functions of tomorrow.

Reviews

You must first hold a valid CCNA or any CCIE designation. Then you must pass three exams: Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE), Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH), and Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT). Exams are 2 hours and $200 each.

There are additional CCNP certifications available for specialized tracks such as wireless, data center, and security. For the full list of current CCNP titles, follow the "See all Cisco Certifications" link near the bottom of this page.

Implementing Cisco IP Routing (ROUTE)

Students will learn to plan, configure and verify the implementation of secure enterprise LAN and WAN routing solutions using a range of routing protocols.
» Learn More v1.0
» Learn More v2.0

Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (SWITCH)

Students will learn to plan, configure and verify the implementation of complex enterprise switching solutions using Cisco's Campus Enterprise Architecture.
» Learn More v1.0
» Learn More v2.0

Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT)

Students will learn to (1) plan and perform regular maintenance on complex enterprise routed and switched networks and (2) use technology-based practices and a systematic ITIL-compliant approach to perform network troubleshooting.
» Learn More v1.0
» Learn More v2.0

Q: What is being changed on the CCNP exams? What percentage of the topics are new?

A. The certification expectations that are validated on the CCNP exams have been revised to align with the job-role expectations of network engineers at the professional level. Candidates can view a list of the exam topics by clicking the selected exam at CCNP on the Cisco Learning Network. Cisco does not release information on the percentage or number of questions on specific exam topics; candidates should be prepared to answer questions on all of the topics that are listed.

Q: Now that the revised CCNP has been announced, can I still take the previous CCNP exams? How long will they be valid?

A: The last day for candidates to take the BSCI, BCMSN, COMP, ISCW and ONT exams will be July 31, 2010. Passing scores on retired exams will be accepted until their expiration date—three years from the date the exam was taken.

Q. The CCIP certification requires the BSCI exam. The CCDP certification requires the BSCI and BCMSN exams. Will these exams still be available for CCIP and CCDP candidates?

A. No, the BSCI and BCMSN exams will be retired and replaced with the ROUTE and SWITCH exams, respectively, in all related Cisco certifications. Students who are working toward their CCIP or CCDP certifications should refer to the mix-and-match tables above for further information.

Q. Is there a specific order that the exams need to be taken for the new CCNP?

A. The exams may be taken in any order, but the recommended order for the courses is to take ROUTE and SWITCH before the TSHOOT course, which incorporates the knowledge from ROUTE and SWITCH into the lab scenarios that are used for course work.

Q: What is being changed in the routing exam and course?

A: The CCNP routing course (Implementing Cisco IP Routing) and 642-9032 ROUTE exam now cover these additional topics:

• Configuring EIGRP across HDLC, Frame Relay, MPLS, VPN, and MPLS virtual circuits
• Configuring OSPF over HDLC, Frame Relay, PPT, and over different WAN links
• Implementing alternate routing path control
• Implementing IPv
• Analyzing branch office network designs and planning installation
• Analyzing designs to support mobile workers and planning network modifications.

Q: What is being changed in the switching exam and course?

A: The CCNP switching course (Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks) and 642-813 SWITCH exam now cover these additional topics:

• Implementing Per VLAN Spanning Tree (PVST) and 802.1W Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol
• Implementing network monitoring in a highly available network
• Integrating the latest WLAN devices into the campus infrastructure

Q: What is the CCNP TSHOOT beta exam? Does it count toward CCNP certification?

A: The TSHOOT beta is an early release of the TSHOOT certification exam, which is used to determine the predictive ability of the exam questions. It is the same length and covers the same topics as the final exam. Candidates who pass a beta exam receive full credit, however scores on beta exams are not immediately available. Candidates must wait six to eight weeks, until the beta analysis is complete, to receive their scores. The TSHOOT beta exam will be released sometime around February 16 and be available through March 26, 2010 at a discounted price of $50 USD. As an incentive to schedule, the first 150 beta exams completed will be provided free of charge. Candidates may attempt a beta exam only one time.

Q: Which question formats will the CCNP exams include?

A: Candidates will see a variety of question formats on the new CCNP exams. The question formats will include traditional multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop type questions, and simulation questions.

Q: If I take the new CCNP courses in routing (ROUTE) or switching (SWITCH) before the new exams are released, can I take the current exams?

A: Students who take the new and updated routing course (ROUTE) or the new and updated switching course (SWITCH) will still be allowed to take the existing BSCI (routing) and BCMSN (switching) exams until July 31, 2010. The new ROUTE and SWITCH exams are scheduled to be released in mid-March of 2010, and the TSHOOT exam is scheduled to be released in April of 2010. Because the new courses go into more depth than the existing courses, students should be well prepared to take the existing exams and achieve certification.

Q: What happens if I have already passed some of the current CCNP requirements? Which of the new exams do I need to take?

A: You will have until July 31, 2010 to take any of the current series of CCNP exams to achieve certification. As of August 1, 2010, the BSCI, BCMSN, COMP, ISCW and ONT exams will be retired. Passing scores on exams are valid for three years from the date the exam is taken and will continue to count towards certification. You can consult the CCNP Exam Combination Tool online to see the exams required in your specific situation.

Q: I have passed only the ISCW or ONT exam, not both. Should I try to take the other exam before July 31, 2010? *OR* I have taken the ISCW (or ONT) course, but not the exam. Should I try to take the exam before July 31, 2010?

A: If you can pass both the ISCW and ONT exams by July 31, 2010, before they are retired, you will not have to take the TSHOOT exam to achieve certification. If, on the other hand, you do not think that you have a good chance of passing both exams before July 31, 2010, then you should focus your time on preparing for the TSHOOT exam, as you will not have an opportunity to retake ISCW or ONT after July 31, 2010. Do not waste your time and money trying to pass just one of the exams, because one is not enough to waive the requirement to pass TSHOOT beyond July 31, 2010.

Q: What is the CCNP TSHOOT beta exam? Does it count toward CCNP certification?

A: The TSHOOT beta is an early release of the TSHOOT certification exam, which is used to determine the predictive ability of the exam questions. It is the same length and covers the same topics as the final exam. Candidates who pass a beta exam receive full credit, however scores on beta exams are not immediately available. Candidates must wait six to eight weeks, until the beta analysis is complete, to receive their scores. The TSHOOT beta exam will be released sometime around February 16 and be available through March 26, 2010 at a discounted price of $50 USD. As an incentive to schedule, the first 150 beta exams completed will be provided free of charge. Candidates may attempt a beta exam only one time.