Which CCNP

[Nerm]

With all the Cisco cert changes my plans kind of got reset. I am now looking at whether to do CCNP Enterprise or CCNP Data Center. I plan to eventually hold both but my question is which do you think is better to do first. Does one demand higher market value?

[config t]

CCNP Route/Switch has been my bread and butter ever since I got it 5 years ago.

As far as which one is better, I would say it depends on what you are currently working with and if the knowledge body can enhance your understanding, or perhaps if you are planning to make a move soon. I see jobs out there preferring Data Center over Routing/Switching but they will still take a CCNP Enterprise if you have the knowledge. Then there are lots of jobs out there just asking for, or preferring, the trusty CCNP.

A CCNP will always put you above a CCNA candidate imo, at least in the initial "who should we interview first" phase. After that it comes down to knowledge and interview skills to get the job, then experience, certs, and education background for salary negotiation.

So to answer which one pays more.. I think it depends. If the role is more DC focused then a DC cert should in theory put you in a better position to negotiate a higher rate than a routing/switching focus. That's my two cents anyway.

[Dieselboy]

I havent looked at these since last time I posted about CCNP Collab. But I'd probably go for CCNP Datacentre if I was looking to get upskilled while studying if I had an immediate requirement to do so. For example, it mentions LAN and SAN design in the CCNP Datacentre core, so I'd go for that if I was going to be doing this in my current job (or if I needed this skill for an interview/new job). Likewise with CCNP Enterprise also.

IF NOT the above, then I'd still try and take first that I would be able to make use of right away - this to me would mean that I'd retain more of the knowledge once passing (less brain leakage over time ).

Hope it helps

Also you can choose a specialist exam to your liking.

Some links for easy linking:

CCNP Enterprise core:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/training/training-services/courses/implementing-and-operating-cisco-enterprise-network-core-technologies-encor.html

CCNP DC core:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/training/training-services/courses/implementing-and-operating-cisco-data-center-core-technologies-dccor.html

[deanwebb]

CCIE Written, But Expire

[Nerm]

In my current role I find myself in about a 50/50 split between Enterprise and Data Center work, so for today I would say it doesn't matter. I am more trying to think about "tomorrow" so to speak as I am not going to be getting both in the same year. Enterprise (R/S) does seem to be more popular, but from job postings it seems DC might be in more demand right now.

[deanwebb]

All I know is that in the security world, general experience in security is king. No one particular vendor is valued over another.

[wintermute000]

Enterprise as the bedrock as always, but after that I'd respectfully suggest AWS SA Associate or MS Azure Adminstrator. If staying with Cisco, DevNet (the skills are very translatable).

The DC track is far too vendor-lock specific into vastly different areas: You're not going to remember a thing re: ACI or Hyperflex or UCS if you don't work on it day-in, day-out. Unless of course you work for, or want to work for, an all Cisco DC shop (or become a UCS engineer, and then also you'd need to know VMware to be useful).

For example, if you go to a Cisco VXLAN EVPN + HP environment, basically 1/4 of the course is useful, that's it. Arista or Juniper VXLAN EVPN? Then maybe 1/8th i.e. the VXLAN EVPN theory.

The problem is most shops have different engineers on compute than networking. So you basically 'waste' 50% of study. I've known several CCIE DCs who will freely admit they don't remember a thing re: UCS because they haven't touched it in 2-3 years.

[deanwebb]

I'm with Wintermute. Pick up a cloud certification.

[config t]

I finally finished the CCNP Security SCOR digital course. Started 2/23/2020 and finished 2/21/2021 I just couldn't let the $500 and CEUs go to waste.

My lesson learned is that I have absolutely no interest in being a CCNP Sec. I find some of the topics super interesting and VPNs are my jam but any module about Cisco Sec platforms mostly bored me. I still gotta figure out where the rest of my CEUs are coming from.

[Dieselboy]

Good work!

I had wondered if there would be some cures for insomnia in there 

[config t]

Good work!

I had wondered if there would be some cures for insomnia in there 

I came in under the wire  None of the interesting stuff was anything I couldn't have learned or refreshed outside the course unfortunately. I'd say the only value there is the labs that allow you to turn knobs on Cisco products and that value is only there if that stuff is in the exam (which I will never find out haha)

The design specialization is interesting but the digital course is $1,000 

[deanwebb]

Good job on finishing the course and deciding *not* to take the test, lol!

[Dieselboy]

Old thread but now I'm back at an MSP and had a recent discussion with whats on the horizon, the big players are looking at SDWAN and SD-Access. This is covered in the Enterprisee CCNP track and there is a concentration exam on SDWAN and another which contains SDAccess.

[deanwebb]

Yes, SDWAN I can confirm is an important thing to know.

[Dieselboy]

And SD-Access, I am told is very valuable to the people I work for.