Cisco’s CCNP ENCOR certificate is a very popular one. Those who pass the CCNP ENCOR exam can get good salaries and prove that they are professionals in networking — especially the network operation and troubleshooting. Rather than a network design-based exam, it is mainly an exam to test configuration and troubleshooting skills.
So, who studies for this exam, and what type of IT Engineers are targeted? Even before that, we will first look at a specific question. What is CCNP ENCOR exam?
Cisco’s CCNP ENCOR Exam
CCNP ENCOR exam — exam code 350-401 — is a 2-hour, computer-based exam. It tests a candidate’s knowledge and experience in implementing core enterprise network technologies including dual-stack (IPv4 and IPv6) architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and network automation.
CCNP ENCOR exam is the core exam for the CCNP Enterprise certification. In addition, it acts as the written exam for the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification. The written exam is a requirement to be able to schedule the CCE Enterprise Infrastruetre Lab exam. Moreover, for someone to receive the CCIE number, both the written exam and the lab exam require passing grades.
Virtuzaliton, IPv4 and IPv6, Network Infrastructure technologies such as routing protocols, assurance protocols, ping, traceroute, Netflow, SNMP, and evolving technologies such as Network Automation are very well real-life oriented. Thus, the candidates who study for the CCNP ENCOR exam gain knowledge for the actual networks, as well. However, as usual, good preparation and the right resources are important for this exam.
Who Should Study for the Exam?
If you pass Cisco CCNA or at least have CCNA-level knowledge, then you can start studying CCNP ENCOR exam. However, if you want to be a more Network Automation person, after understanding the basic Network Engineering with the CCNA, then you should continue with the other certifications. These include Devnet Associate, ENAUTO, and so on. CCNP is a professional-level Network Engineering certification and not much Network Automation in detail, for example.
Or if you are targeting a Network Security career, or maybe Datacenter expertise, or Wireless, again CCNP ENCOR is not for you. You should focus on other core exams at a professional level, such as SCOR, DCCOR, SPCOR, and so on.
Final Notes
Network Infrastructure Professional, if you are starting this, then CCNP ENCOR is right for you! After that, you can choose any of the specialized exams and become CCNP Enterprise as well.
