HPs recent acquisition of 3Com has created the biggest threat Cisco has ever faced in defending its networking empire. The two technology giants will now go head-to-head in the networking space and in the data center space too. As channel partners and IT pros choose sides, theres a lot to consider in terms of which networking certifications to pursue.
While Cisco offers a greater installed base, HP offers more certification paths. Here's a comparison of the different certification paths from both companies.
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Cisco's networking design certificationsCisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) ($125 exam two exams)Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA)/Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) ($250 exam)Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) ($300 exam)Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) ($350 written exam, $1400 lab exam)
Cisco's core routing and switching certificationsCisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) ($125 exam two exams)Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA) ($250 exam)Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) ($300 exam)Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Routing & Switching (CCIE R&S) ($350 written exam, $1400 lab exam)
HP's campus LANs certificationsAccredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve Campus LANs ($80 exam)Master ASE ProCurve Campus LANs ($80 exam)
Cisco's security certificationsCisco Certified Entry Networking Technician ($125 exam two exams)Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA) Security ($250 exam)Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Security ($350 written exam, $1400 lab exam)
HP's security certificationsAccredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve Security ($80 exam)Master Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve Networking Security Specialist ($80 exam)Master Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve Security ($80 exam)
Cisco's storage networking certificationsCisco Certified Entry Networking Technician ($125 exam two exams)Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA) SAN ($250 exam)Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP)Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert SAN ($350 written exam, $1400 lab exam)
HP and storage networkingHP ProCurve doesn't offer a storage networking certification.
Cisco service provider certificationsTwo paths are available service provider and service provider operations.Service ProviderCisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) ($125 exam two exams)Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA) ($250 exam)Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP)Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Service Provider (CCIE SP) ($350 written exam, $1400 lab exam)Service Provider OperationsCisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) ($125 exam two exams)Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA) ($250 exam)Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) SP Ops ($300 exam)Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert SP Ops ($350 written exam, $1400 lab exam)
HP and service provider certifications.HP doesn't have a service provider certification path. As may be obvious, the two companies' certification paths don't follow the same structure and aren't always easily compared.
Cisco's voice certificationsCisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) ($125 exam two exams)Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA) Voice ($250 exam)Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP) ($300 exam)Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Voice ($350 written exam, $1400 lab exam)
HP's convergence certificationsAccredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve ($80 exam)Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve Mobility ($80 exam)Master Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve Networking Secure Mobility Specialist (SMS) ($80 exam)Master Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve Networking Convergence Specialist ($80 exam)Master Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE) ProCurve Mobility ($80 exam)
Cisco's wireless certificationsCisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) ($125 exam two exams)Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA) Wireless ($250 exam)Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Wireless ($300 exam)Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Wireless ($350 written exam, $1400 lab exam)
The not-so-hidden costsExams are only the final element of the costs associated with becoming certified. Training, whether through elearning or instructor-led seminars, makes up the bulk of the certification costs, which can run several hundred dollars per certification level. Training costs vary because courses are provided not just by the vendors, but by third-party companies specializing in training for certification exams.
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