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Network Certification Roadmaps

This article maps the main networking certification paths (Cisco, Juniper, Arista, CompTIA Network+ and the AWS networking specialty), explains what each one signals to an employer, and gives a method for choosing and sequencing them. Vendors rename, retire and restructure exams often, so treat names and exam codes as a starting point and confirm them on the vendor's certification page before you buy a voucher.

What certifications are for

A certification does three jobs:

  • It gives you a structured syllabus, which beats wandering through documentation.
  • It gets your CV past filters that look for a keyword.
  • It proves a minimum level of knowledge to someone who cannot test you directly.

It does not replace experience. Hiring managers read a CCNP plus three years of work differently than a CCNP with none. Pair every certification with something you built or operated.

Cisco

Cisco has the largest installed base and the most job-ad keywords, so it is the default starting point for most engineers.

CCNA

The associate level. It covers switching, IP routing (OSPF, static), IP services (NAT, DHCP, NTP), basic security, wireless concepts and an introduction to automation and programmability. It is one exam. Take it if you are new to networking or from a help desk or systems background.

CCNP

The professional level, and the most commonly requested in job ads for mid-level roles. Each CCNP track needs two exams: one core exam and one concentration exam you choose. The tracks are Enterprise, Data Center, Security, Service Provider and Collaboration. For most engineers, the Enterprise track is the practical choice: the core exam is ENCOR (350-401) covering architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security and automation, and the concentration exam might be ENARSI (routing and services), ENSDWI (SD-WAN) or an automation exam.

The CCNP course on this site covers the Enterprise track, with a study plan and a lab setup guide.

CCIE

The expert level: a written qualifying exam (the same as the CCNP core) and an eight-hour hands-on lab. Tracks include Enterprise Infrastructure, Enterprise Wireless, Data Center, Security, Service Provider and Automation. Candidates typically spend a year or more preparing. The CCIE is valuable for senior design and escalation roles and for consultancies and partners, but costs a great deal of time. Only start it if you have a specific reason and will use the skills daily.

Automation track (formerly DevNet)

Cisco's automation and programmability certifications were originally branded DevNet (Associate, Professional, Expert) and have been realigned into the main CCNA, CCNP and CCIE naming under Automation. Check Cisco's current certification pages for the present names and exam codes. The content is APIs, Python, data formats, Git, CI/CD, Ansible and Terraform-style infrastructure as code, and Cisco platform APIs. It suits engineers who want to move into automation roles and complements, rather than replaces, routing and switching depth.

Renewal

Cisco certifications are valid for three years. You renew by passing a qualifying exam at the same or higher level or by earning Continuing Education credits. Plan for renewal when you pick the credential.

Juniper

Juniper certifications follow a Junos-based ladder: Associate (JNCIA), Specialist (JNCIS), Professional (JNCIP) and Expert (JNCIE), with tracks such as Junos, Enterprise Routing and Switching, Service Provider, Data Center and Security. Juniper is part of HPE, and the programme and track names have changed in recent years, so check the current structure.

Juniper skills matter in service provider, large enterprise backbone and data centre environments that run Junos. The Junos configuration model (hierarchical, commit-based with rollback) is a strong skill to have, and it transfers to automation work.

Take Juniper certifications if the employers you target run Junos. Otherwise, one entry-level Junos cert is a cheap way to show you can work on a second vendor.

Arista

Arista runs a certification programme called the Arista Certified Engineer (ACE), with levels from associate up to expert and tracks that cover Arista EOS, data centre design and cloud networking. Confirm the current levels and track names on Arista's site.

Arista is widespread in data centre, cloud provider, financial and high-frequency trading environments. EOS has a Linux-like architecture, with a strong CLI similar to Cisco IOS, eAPI, and good support for automation. Arista certification is worth pursuing if you work or want to work in leaf-spine data centres with EVPN-VXLAN.

CompTIA Network+

A vendor-neutral entry-level certification covering networking concepts, infrastructure, operations, security and troubleshooting. It is often listed in job requirements for government and contractor roles and for IT support positions.

Consider it if you are at the very start of your career, if you need something to meet a job requirement, or if your employer values CompTIA. It is not required before CCNA. If you plan to take CCNA anyway, you can skip Network+ unless a specific role asks for it.

AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty

This specialty exam tests hybrid connectivity (Direct Connect, VPN, Transit Gateway), VPC design, DNS, routing, network security and monitoring on AWS. It assumes strong prior networking knowledge and hands-on AWS experience. AWS has retired some specialty exams in the past, so confirm the exam is still offered, and which version is current, on the AWS certification site.

Also consider the Microsoft Azure networking certification (AZ-700 at the time of writing) and Google's Professional Cloud Network Engineer if your employer uses those clouds. Pick the cloud your target employers use. Most senior network roles now expect fluency in at least one.

How to choose

graph TD
    A["Where are you now?"] --> B{"Little or no<br/>networking experience"}
    A --> C{"1 to 3 years<br/>of network work"}
    A --> D{"4+ years,<br/>want to specialize"}
    B --> E["CCNA, or Network+ then CCNA"]
    C --> F["CCNP core + concentration<br/>or second vendor associate"]
    D --> G["CCIE, cloud specialty,<br/>or automation track"]

Use these filters:

  1. What do job ads in your market ask for? Search ten ads for the role you want in two years. Count the certifications and vendors.
  2. What does your current employer run? A certification on your employer's platform has the best return, since you apply it immediately and they may pay.
  3. What direction do you want? Design and operations point to CCNP, CCIE or a vendor expert level. Cloud points to AWS, Azure or Google networking. Automation points to the automation track plus a general-purpose skill set.
  4. How much time do you have? A certification takes weeks to months of study alongside work. Do not start two at once.
  5. Who pays? Ask whether training and exam fees are covered, and whether there are partner requirements your employer must meet, which can create demand for specific certifications.

Sample sequences

Enterprise operations engineer

  1. CCNA
  2. CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR, then ENARSI)
  3. Cloud networking certification (AWS or Azure)
  4. Automation track or CCIE, depending on direction

Data centre engineer

  1. CCNA
  2. CCNP Data Center, or Arista ACE
  3. Cloud networking certification
  4. CCIE Data Center, or deepen automation

Service provider engineer

  1. CCNA
  2. Juniper JNCIA/JNCIS or CCNP Service Provider
  3. JNCIP or CCIE Service Provider

Cloud-leaning engineer

  1. CCNA or Network+ if new
  2. AWS Cloud Practitioner or Solutions Architect Associate, as a base
  3. Advanced Networking Specialty, or the Azure and Google equivalent
  4. Terraform Associate or similar infrastructure-as-code credential

Study approach

  • Buy the exam objectives (they are free) and track your progress against each bullet.
  • Build labs. Use virtual platforms for routing and switching, and use free tiers or short sessions for cloud. The CCNP lab setup page is a practical starting point.
  • Use more than one learning source: vendor documentation, a video course, a book and practice questions. Prefer practice questions that explain answers.
  • Schedule the exam before you feel ready. A date forces focus.
  • Take notes on commands and behaviours you got wrong, and review them the week before.

Warning

Avoid exam dumps. They violate the exam agreements, can get you banned, and teach you nothing you can use in an interview. Employers can tell within five minutes.

Common mistakes

  • Collecting entry-level certifications instead of going deeper on one.
  • Starting the CCIE without enough lab time budgeted and no one to cover the workload.
  • Choosing a certification for a vendor you will never touch.
  • Not renewing and discovering a lapsed credential during a job search.
  • Treating the certificate as the finish line, when the value comes from what you can now do.

References