What is CCNA Certification and when did Cisco start it?
CCNA certification stands for Cisco certified network associate. Cisco Systems Incorporation is an American multinational company offering certifications for its products, i.e. Routers, Switches, Firewall, etc. There are three levels of certification in the Cisco exam, of which CCNA is the first stage. In this course, students learn about the basics of Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and access points. Its certification is recognized throughout the world. CCNA was first introduced in 1998, having exam code 640-407. The exam consisted of 60 to 70 questions. The total cost of the exam was 100$ and the total time for the exam was 75 minutes. Then after every few years, the exam code was changed, and also its topics a little.
Cisco CCNA certification is mostly widely used in the world in the field of computer networking. With CCNA, students can learn the basics of computer networking knowledge and hands-on Cisco products. If a student wants to make a career in computer networking, then CCNA is the first choice to start from it. There were many CCNA certification tracks before the CCNA 200-301 exam, like R & W, wireless, data center, security, collaboration, cyber ops, industrial, service provider, etc. But after CCNA 200-301, all the CCNA merged into one CCNA, which is CCNA 200-301.
There are no priories requirements for CCNA certifications because it is the foundation track.
The main topics for the CCNA certification exam are:
Network fundamentals
Network access
IP connectivity
IP services
fundamentals of security
Basics of Python programmability
Basics of Automation
CCNA certification exam at different times
| s.no | Year | Exam code | Version | Exam cost |
| 1 | 1998 | 640-407 | Version 1 | 100$ |
| 2 | 2000 | 640-507 | Version 2 | 100$ |
| 3 | 2002 | 640-607 | Version 3 | 125$ |
| 4 | 2003 | 640-801 | Version 4 | 125$ |
| 5 | 2007 | 640-802 | Version 5 | 250$ |
| 6 | 2013 | 200-125 | Version 6 | 295$ |
| 7 | 2020 | 200-301 | Version 7 | 300% |
