Blog Posts

Microsoft released Windows 8 on October 26, 2012, to some fanfare. Since then, there's been considerable hoopla over the Windows 8 user interface, and its touch-oriented features and functions. But MS is still plowing ahead with various certifications built around its newest desktop OS -- most notably, the MCSA: Windows 8 -- controversy notwithstanding. And now, it looks like publishers of study guides for the exams involved in this credential are starting to catch up with the subject matter.

Last week, I blogged about Cisco's role in a White House sponsored Task Force that aims to help returning military personnel with appropriate Military Occupation Specialties (MOS) get into meaningful civilian employment. In particular, Cisco seeks to identify various specialty codes (all the major branches of the military have them) that would be appropriate for its entry-level CCNA Routing and Switching. And, as I had already guessed, both CompTIA and Microsoft are also in on this initiative, known as the IT Training and Certification Partnership.

On Monday, April 29, 2013, the White House made an announcement about partnering with industry to help active duty military personnel and veterans get credentialed for high-demand jobs. This issue is particularly acute at the moment, thanks to the drawdown of forces in Iraq, and a planned drawdown for those forces still deployed in Afghanistan through the end of 2014. Cisco is offering special access to CCNA training and certification exams as part of this program, to help returning servicepeople and veterans transition back into civilian life.

In following and observing IT certification learning and study habits over nearly two decades now, the ratio of those who self-study to pursue credentials has remained fairly constant at over half the overall population (probably in the 55-60 percent range). That means aspiring and practicing IT professionals are always on the lookout for good self-study materials. To aid them in their search for same, I suggest another category of publications that they might not otherwise consider -- namely, college textbooks that aim at specific certification exams or credentials.

Although IPv6 has been "out there" since the late 1990s, and IPv4 address depletion has basically occurred, organizations and companies have been slow to adopt and adapt to the new 128-bit addressing standard, and all of its enhanced services, security, and gajillions of addresses available. The newly revised CCNA ICND1 version 2 exam finally puts IPv6 front and center, and includes questions directly focused on the new stack. What does this mean for rank and file IT workers?

For the time being, Prometric is offering free access to one of two practice tests for its newly-minted Cyber Security Essentials exam. All you have to do to try out is to sign up for a Prometric account, visit the exam link, provide a promotion code, and you can check yourself against this basic information security exam.

With the recent March Cisco Exam announcement indicating CCENT is now the only prerequisite for the new CCNA Routing and Switching exam, CCNA Voice, CCNA Wireless, CCNA Security and CCDA Certifications, candidates who are currently studying are wondering what the next step is. Good news certification candidates – you may mix and match old and new exams until the exam end date of September 30^th. Choose from ICND1 (640-822 or 100-101) and ICND2 (640-816 or 200-101) to get certified. Learn more from Cisco.

I suppose that because I'm an author of certification prep materials myself, I'm probably more inclined than the average bear to regard such folks in a positive light. You could argue that I see the authors who sign up for "day and date books" -- which MUST be ready to put into readers' hands on the same day that a new exam or credential goes live -- as unsung heroes of the publishing industry because I have had to climb such mountains myself and know how much work must be crammed into a blisteringly short sequence of months and days to make these things happen on time.

To celebrate new Cisco exam changes announced in March, we're kicking off 30 days of CCENT/CCNA Routing & Switching with a special contest for Facebook fans! Enter your name for chance to win new ICND1 or ICND2 Premium Edition eBook and Practice Tests -- winners' choice! 

Contest runs April 1 - May 1, 2013. Enter now: http://a.pgtb.me/8mSgxw.

Cisco Press along with The Cisco Learning Network, presents a free live webinar as authors Robert Cannistra and Michael Scheuing of the recently published CCNA Voice Portable Command Guide, share their best practices for Voice Lab Setups. 

Attendees will be eligible to win one of three copies of the CCNA Voice Portable Command Guide book http://www.ciscopress.com/store/ccna-voice-portable-command-guide-9781587204425! 

EVENT: April 11th, 2013 

All participants will also receive a code for 30% off at ciscopress.com.

Register Now: 
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-19971?utm_source=cp&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=MTAV

 Cisco Press has the first official products available for the new Cisco CCENT and CCNA Routing & Switching exams announced earlier this week by Cisco. The new Premium Edition eBook and Practice Tests are digital-only and combine an Official Cert Guide eBook with premium practice test software. The new editions of the Official Cert Guides, authored by best-selling expert instructor Wendell Odom, have been fully updated for the latest ICND1, ICND2, and CCNA exams.

Today, March 26th 2013, Cisco announced major changes to their associate-level certifications aligning with the evolving job market and the latest Cisco technology.