CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v/s CCIE Routing and Switching
This blog will show you complete comparison between CCIE routing and switching, and CCIE enterprise infrastructure certification. The Cisco certification CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure will replace the current CCIE routing and switching from the date of 24th February 2020.
As you know, Cisco has announced big changes in their certification courses from 24th February 2020, the curiosity is on high among network engineers to know what changes is going to be implement in current CCIE Routing and Switching certification. As most of the IT people are aware with this fact that CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure is going to replace CCIE R&S certification. In this blog we are going to compare CCIE enterprise infrastructure with CCIE Routing and Switching.
Why changes in Cisco certifications?
Technologies such as automation and AI (artificial intelligence) are changing the way networks are deployed and operated. In result they are creating huge demands of skill sets and knowledge for networking professionals. To capitalize maximum opportunities, IT professionals required to combine technical expertise with network design skills and master programmability, automation and security in complex network infrastructure. So, Cisco has decided to introduce new CCIE certifications, retooled for today’s technologies and enterprise needs.
What is CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Certification?
CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Certification Program is a type of Cisco certification course which validates your skills, knowledge and talent with complex enterprise infrastructure solutions. Set to replace the current CCIE Routing and Switching v5.0 certification, the new CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0 certification program prepares you for today’s expert-level job roles in enterprise infrastructure technologies. Now, it includes automation and programmability to help you scale your enterprise infrastructure. To earn this industry’s most prestigious certifications i.e. CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Certification which can distinguish you as a technical leader, you pass two exams:
- A qualifying exam that covers core enterprise infrastructure technologies
- A hands-on lab exam (CCIE enterprise infrastructure v1.0) that covers enterprise networks through the entire network lifecycle, from designing and deploying to operating and optimizing.
Prerequisites: CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
There are no requirements of any formal basics for CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure. However, you should be an expert in understanding the exam topics before sitting the exam. It is essential for you to have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the following:
- Designing networking technologies
- Deploying networking technologies
- Operating networking technologies
- Optimizing networking technologies
- And finding solutions to resolve issues before taking the exam
Exams and recommended training
Already decided to be live on February 24, 2020, you need to crack the two exams to earn the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Program Certification. These exams are: a qualifying exam and hands-on lab exam.
- Qualifying exam: Qualifying this exam is the first step towards achieving the certification. This exam is all about Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR 350-401). It is focused on candidates’ knowledge of enterprise networking infrastructure. When you qualify this exam, it earns a specialist certification and you will be recognized for your accomplishments along the way.
- Lab exam: This is the second step to get CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification. This is an 8-hour hands-on lab exam that is designed to cover the end-to-end lifecycle of complex enterprise networks, ranging from designing, implementing, deploying to operating and optimizing.
Exams: CCIE Routing and Switching Exams v/s CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
| CCIE Routing and Switching Exams | CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Exams |
|---|---|
| CCIE Routing and Switching written v5.0 exam (400-101 CCIE written exam) | Qualifying exam – Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR 350-401) |
| CCIE Routing and Switching lab exam | Lab exam – CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0 |
Prerequisite: CCIE Routing and Switching v/s CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
| Prerequisite: CCIE Routing and Switching | Prerequisite: CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| No formal certification required | No formal certification required |
| First pass the written exam and then after lab exam (must before lab exam) | Recommended to have 5 – 7 years of working experience in designing, deploying, operating and optimizing complex network infrastructure. |
| Must have 3 – 5 years of industry experience | Must have 5 – 7 years of industry experience |
Exam Topics: CCIE Routing and Switching
| Topics: CCIE R&S Written Exam | Topics: CCIE R&S Lab Exam |
|---|---|
| Network Principles – 10% | Layer 2 Technologies – 20% |
| Layer 2 Technologies – 13% | Layer 3 Technologies – 40% |
| Layer 3 Technologies – 37% | VPN Technologies – 20% |
| VPN Technologies – 13% | Infrastructure Security – 5% |
| Infrastructure Security – 5% | Infrastructure Services – 15% |
| Infrastructure Services – 12% | |
| Evolving Technologies v1.1 – 10% |
Exam Topics: CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
| Topics: ENCOR 350 – 401 | Topics: CCIE R&S Lab Exam |
|---|---|
| Architecture – 15% | Network Infrastructure – 30% |
| Virtualization – 10% | Software Defined Infrastructure – 25% |
| Infrastructure – 30% | Transport Technologies and Solutions – 15% |
| Network Assurance – 10% | Infrastructure Security and Services – 15% |
| Security – 20% | Infrastructure Automation and Programmability – 15% |
| Automation – 15% |
Migrating To the New Program
According to the information available online, the new CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0 certification will replace the current CCIE Routing and Switching v5.0 certification on February 24, 2020. So if you are engaged in the current CCIE Routing and Switching certification, keep engaged with the same. In a new program, you will get credit for the work you have completed in the current program.
If you are able to qualify the current CCIE Routing and Switching Written exam before February 24, you will be eligible to sit the new CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab exam after 24 February 2020. Also, the CCIE Routing and Switching Written v5.0 exam is going to be replaced with ENCOR 350-401 after February 24. Once you pass the ENCOR 350-401, you can be eligible for earning the Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Core certification.
Don’t Miss
Don’t miss to complete the whole CCIE Routing and Switching certification before February 24. If you pass the complete certification course before the deadline, you will inevitably obtain the new CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure v1.0 certification and the Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Core certification. Thus, you can serve as a networking specialist or engineer.