Especially when CCDA exam is much more about understanding the topics from Design perspective, this title serves you to understand the topics in great detail in much simpler and easy to understand language. The greatest thing about this the title CCDA Official Cert Guide is the way each chapter is presented with very detailed out line of “Foundation Topics” in very organized manner. And this title covers the design of Cisco Internetwork Infrastructure from the General Network Design, LAN and WAN Design, Wireless Networks, Routing Protocols Design to Security, Voice and video design.

One more interesting fact I notices is the title CCDA Official Cert Guide covers all the new advancements in Network Technologies, it covers topics such as Cisco Data Center 3.0 Architecture framework, virtualization technologies implied by Cisco Systems on various Cisco devices.

With this title CCDA Official Cert Guide Cisco Systems came out with a new testing Engine for practice exam.  This title comes with a CD which contains the Pearson Cert Practice Engine which allows you to take practice exams as well as the “Do I know This Already?” Quiz. The Pearson Cert Practice Engine is great, it does have some practice questions it would have been if Cisco Press enhanced the test Engine by adding even the practice question which are available only in book at the end of each chapter.

Overall this title is a great asset and for sure a helping guide for those who are planning to pass Cisco CCDA 640-864 exam. I rate this of title 4 out of 5 stars.

Once the printed edition is released I will try to review it. The CCDA 640-864 Official Cert Guide, 4th Edition is helpful to CCDA, CCDP aspirer which is a comprehensive self-study resource for the new DESGN exam, required for CCDA certification. This title coverage includes: ” Network design methodology and models ” Designing enterprise campuses, enterprise data centers, and wireless LANs ” IPv4, IPv6, Interior Routing Protocols, BGP, and route manipulation ” Network security technology and design This edition’s 40% new coverage includes all-new chapters on designing the enterprise data center, and on final exam preparation. New topics include: Webex, auditing tools, borderless networks, Enterprise Campus 3.0, CAPWAP, 802.11n, scalability, Cisco 500 Series Mobility Express, VPN using public networks, enterprise route redistribution, risk calculation, Ironport, and more.

I believe a good Cisco Press title to own.

6. CCNP Security ($97,539)

CCNP Security certification program is aligned specifically to the job role of the Cisco Network Security Engineer responsible for Security in Routers, Switches, Networking devices and appliances, as well as choosing, deploying, supporting and troubleshooting Firewalls, VPNS, and IDS/IPS solutions for their networking environments

7.CCNP: Cisco Certified Network Professional ($97,296)

There are two tracks available at the Associate and Professional levels – Designing and Networking. The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) demonstrates that you have the ability to plan, implement, verify and troubleshoot local and wide-area enterprise networks. A CCNP certified individual is expected to work collaboratively with other Cisco specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless and video solutions.

8.CCNA: Voice ($92,837)

There are two tracks at the Associate and Professional levels – Designing and Networking. The Cisco Certified Network Associate Voice (CCNA Voice) demonstrates that an individual possess the required associate-level knowledge and skills to administer a voice network and validates skills in VoIP technologies such as IP PBX, IP telephony, handset, call control, and voicemail solutions.

9. Cisco ASA Specialist ($86,812)

The ASA Specialist certification identifies individuals who possess in-depth expertise with implementing security technologies using the Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) technologies, especially firewall and VPN functionality. Other topics include ACL, AAA, advanced protocol handling, remote access VPN, secure socket layer VPN, site-to-site VPNs, failover, and security appliance management. Cisco ASA Specialists possess the ability to describe, configure, verify and manage the ASA products and the Adaptive Security Device Manager (ASDM).

10. CCNA Security ($83,101)

Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA® Security) validates associate-level knowledge and skills required to secure Cisco networks. With a CCNA Security certification, a network professional demonstrates the skills required to develop a security infrastructure, recognize threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and mitigate security threats. The CCNA Security curriculum emphasizes core security technologies, the installation, troubleshooting and monitoring of network devices to maintain integrity, confidentiality and availability of data and devices, and competency in the technologies that Cisco uses in its security structure.

1. CCIE R&S: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Routing & Switching ($120,008)

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE®) certifies the expert-level skills required of network engineers to plan, prepare, operate monitor, and troubleshoot complex, converged network infrastructure. Professionals who achieve CCIE have demonstrated their technical skills at the highest level. There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Instead, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then the corresponding hands-on lab exam. You are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics in the exam blueprints and strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification.

2. CCDP: Cisco Certified Design Professional ($107,878)

There are two tracks at the Associate and Professional levels – Designing and Networking. The Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) certification demonstrates that the individual who has passed the required exams possesses advanced knowledge of Cisco network design concepts and principles. The CCDP certified individual can discuss, design, and create advanced networks.

With the CCDP certification, you can plan addressing and routing schemes, security, network management, data center, and IP multicast complex multi-layered enterprise architectures that include virtual private networking and wireless domains. The CCDP curriculum includes building scalable internetworks, building multilayer switched networks, and designing network service architecture1.

3. Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialist ($105,871)

The Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialist certification was developed for those who design IP Telephony multi-service network solutions. Cisco IP Telephony Design Specialists can design a scalable, converged network using QoS, Cisco Call Manager clustering, H.323, MGCP, or SIP signaling protocols, and assess the scope of work required to integrate legacy TDM PBXs and voice mail systems into an existing data network.

4. CCNP Voice  ($98,290)

Cisco Certified Network Professional CCNP Voice validates advance knowledge and skills required to integrate into underlying network architectures. Furthermore, this certification validates a robust set of skills in implementing, operating, configuring, and troubleshooting a converged IP network. With a CCNP Voice certification, a network professional can create a collaboration solution that is transparent, scalable, and manageable. The CCNP Voice focuses on Cisco Unified Communications Manager (formerly Unified CallManager), quality of service (QoS), gateways, gatekeepers, IP phones, voice applications, and utilities on Cisco routers and Cisco Catalyst switches. Additionally, the integration and troubleshooting of Cisco Unified Communications applications are now covered in the CCNP Voice, specifically the Cisco Unity Connection and Cisco Unified Presence applications.

5. CCDA: Cisco Certified Design Associate ($97,995)

The Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) demonstrates that the individual who has passed the required exams has the requisite knowledge, experience and understanding required to design a Cisco converged network. A CCDA certified individual has the skills to design a routed and switched network infrastructure and services involving LAN, WAN, and broadband access for businesses and organizations.

In upcoming post I will disclose rest of the five most popular Cisco Certifications.

According to Cisco learning network the newly revised DESGN 640-864 and ARCH 642-874 exams will be available at Pearson VUE testing centers by January 31, 2011.

The revised exams are aligned to the new v2.1 DESGN and ARCH courses and cover virtualization and data center design. As previously announced by Cisco Systems the  DESGN 640-863 and ARCH 642-873 exams, which are aligned to the previous v2.0 DESGN and ARCH courses, will continue to be available for candidates through April 30, 2011 and May 11, 2011, respectively.

Picture Courtesy:Cisco Systems.

So, what’s holding you back?
Cisco exams are challenging—that’s one of the reasons they’re so highly valued by IT professionals and employers alike. Because Cisco certification is an investment in your future, we’re offering you a way to help secure your investment. To get details on this special offer and sign-up for a risk-free exam, visit www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/recertify today.Click here to view the Cisco recertification policy.  http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/learning_about_recertification.htm 

How to Recertify

Renewal requires certification holders to register for and pass the appropriate Cisco recertification exam(s). In order to recertify, exam requirements must be met prior to the certification expiration date. Individuals with an expired certification(s) must repeat the entire certification exam process in order to regain their certification(s). Visit the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System to check the status of your certification(s).

• CCENT, CCNA, CCDA certifications
• CCNA Voice, CCNA Security, CCNA Wireless
• CCNP, CCDP, CCIP, CCSP, CCVP certifications
• Specialist certifications
• CCIE certification
• Cisco Sales Expert designation

Next Steps

• Start now and prepare with the help of an authorized Cisco Learning Partner or through self-study material from Cisco Press.
• Use the Learning Locator to locate a course near you.
• If you are a Cisco Partner employee, you may use the Partner E-Learning Connection to prepare for your recertification exam(s).
• Register and pass the certification exam(s) with Pearson VUE. Register by phone or by using Pearson VUE’s online registration system at www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/.

Cisco and Pearson VUE have partnered to give networking professionals the opportunity to re-invest in their careers with the Cisco “Come Back” program, but this offer expires soon. You may have let your Cisco certification lapse, but now’s a great time to come back.

Register now to take any Cisco certification exam at the regular price, and—if you need it—you’ll get a retake exam for FREE!*. Both exams must be taken before this offer expires on October 15, 2008, so it’s important that you schedule your exam soon, in order to allow adequate time for you to take advantage of the free retake.

Visit www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/comeback for more details or to schedule your Cisco exam.

Wishing you the best on your career investment,