CCNA Voice Certification

Overview:

A major opportunity has opened up for those of you who already hold the CCNA certification. Cisco has announced three separate additions to the CCNA program one of which is Cisco Certified Network Associate Voice. The Cisco® CCNA Voice certification confirms that you have the required skill set for specialized job roles in voice technologies such as voice technologies administrator, voice engineer, and voice manager. It validates skills in VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP TV, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voicemail solutions. It's important to understand that these are not replacing the current 640-802 CCNA exam; they're additional certifications that you can only acquire after earning your NA. You can also earn these if you take the two-exam path - the path you take doesn't matter; what matters is that you are CCNA certified.

Skills:

Following skills are taught in a CCNA voice tests:
   The Cisco Unified Communications Architecture
   PSTN services and capabilities
   VoIP signaling protocols
   Voice plans, dial plans, gateways, and other voice network components
   The Cisco Configuration Assistant

Exam and Eligibility:

Implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications (IIUC) 640-460 test is needed to be passed. To support the CCNA Voice certification, the course IIUC - Implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communications will begin being offered in August. IIUC is recommended prior to taking the 640-460 IIUC exam and is built combining new, unique content with core content from ICND2 - Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices 2, IPTX - Cisco IP Telephony Express, UC Architecture and Design, and Cisco Smart Business Communications Systems.

Validity:

The CCNA Voice is valid for three years. To remain being a CCNA voice professional one has to pass any current CCNA concentration exam (wireless, security, voice) or pass a current 642 professional exam. One can also remain a Cisco certifies professional by passing the current CCIE written exam or the current CCDE written exam.

Guaranteed Success:

So why are these certifications so important? A study performed for Cisco by Forrester Consulting showed that 40% of companies surveyed have a voice specialist, and in the next five years, that percentage will rise to 69%.There are equal opportunities coming in the Security and Wireless fields; you can read about the study results in those area on my CCNA Security and CCNA Wireless pages.