Are you thinking about becoming a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)? You’ve passed all of the other Cisco exams. You’ve operated a successful business, designing and building networks with Cisco equipment. Now, you’re ready to attain the highest and most respected certificate - the CCIE. Unfortunately, only a few have this certificate.

As a business owner, you're busy and don’t want to spend a lot of time in school. The business has to be your focus, but you also have set higher goals for yourself. Here are quick ways to getting Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Education and Training:

1. Become familiar with Cisco Certified Internet Expert by participating via certification programs.

2. Gain knowledge about Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert through seminars.

3. Watch webcasts and webinars to obtain CCIE information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how to become a Cisco Certified Internet Expert through certification programs

As previously stated, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert is the highest level in Cisco certifications. Less than 30 percent of Cisco professionals pursue this certificate. You will not only concentrate on networking theories, but protocols such as Border Gateway Protocol. Taking the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) exam consists of written questions and lab.

I recommend: Cisco gives you very detailed information about Cisco Certified Internet Expert. You can take advantage of Cisco’s exam preparation tools. Unitek is also another place you’ll want to check for Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). This school offers Cisco bootcamps. In case you're stuck in understanding certain internetworking concepts, you can find CCIEs to help you.

Attend seminars for more info about Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

Seminars aren't just for networking with other CCIE professionals or talking about the CCIE salary range. Rather, CCIE professionals use seminars to focus on areas such as routing and switching. Learn about emerging technologies in the Cisco world. Don't think that you'll need to appear in person to attend seminars. You can watch them online from your office or home.

I recommend: Internetwork Expert offers online seminars that cover routing and switching. You will get solid Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) education and training through these seminars. TrainUp also provides CCIE online seminars that cover multilayer switched networks or Cisco Internetworking Troubleshooting.

Obtain training on CCIE information through webcasts or webinars

Webcasts or webinars also provide comprehensive Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) education and training. You can learn about networking concepts such as OSI (Open System Interconnection), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or other protocols. Not only do webcasts and webinars allow you to set your own schedule in viewing these subjects, they also will save you money.

I recommend: TechRepublic provides information about Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert, where you will review overall networking concepts and protocols. You also will review Cisco equipment. The Bryant Edge also offers webinars which you can view at your convenience.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you take advantage of the many tech tips and documentation that are online to help you prepare for the CCIE exam. This is a tough exam to pass. The more help you have at your fingertips, the better chance you have in passing the exam.

Certified network professionals are extremely common, but a CCIE is not. Knowing whether or not a particular networking candidate without the CCIE designation can keep your network running at its best is difficult.

The Cisco certified internet expert certification is the top of the line when it comes to network certifications. If your network runs on Cisco equipment, you should consider a CCIE to maintain that network.

Here are basics you should consider when you're looking for a CCIE:

1. There is a wealth of information about the Cisco certified internetwork expert certification available from Cisco trainers.

2. A Cisco certified internetwork expert has undergone rigorous practical exams in real CCIE labs, in addition to having passed certification exams.

3. The salary range for a CCIE is much higher than it is for professionals with lesser certifications. Consider offering CCIE training for existing personnel to save money.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Offer CCIE boot camps and educational programs to existing employees

The CCIE salary range varies, but starts in the low six figures. To have a CCIE at the low end of the CCIE pay scale, consider paying for an employee's CCIE training. You can do intensive training via a boot camp, slower training via traditional courses, or self-study courses via web or CD.

I recommend: If your network professional already has her CCNA certification, consider sending her to the Internetwork Expert boot camp to rapidly give her the educational experience she needs to get the CCIE. CBT Nuggets offers a self-study course for the CCIE.

Utilize a CCIE on a temporary basis if necessary

As high as the salary range for CCIEs is, you might consider finding a consultant that can help engineer your network or troubleshoot mission-critical applications.

I recommend: If you only need temporary network consulting, you can find CCIEs who will work on a short term basis from Rent A Cert. If you need long-term temporary CCIE consulting, consider Progent.

Make sure your network candidate is truly a CCIE

Unfortunately, there are people who will claim certifications who aren't certified. Fortunately, there are ways to know whether a candidate actually earned the CCIE certification.

I recommend: Use the Cisco verification tool to see whether an individual earned the CCIE. Consider running candidates through a mock CCIE test like the one available from Test King to make sure their knowledge is current.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you have more information about Cisco certified internetwork expert certifications, you are better prepared to make hiring or outsourcing decisions. Get CCIE information for yourself before considering particular candidates or solutions.

CCIE or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert is the highest level of certification offered by Cisco for networking professionals. It certifies that you have the highest level of networking expertise. Candidates must pass two required exams—a hand-written and a lab exam. Once you pass the written exam you qualify to take the corresponding one-day lab exam. It's important to know the different CCIE tracks, and the tools Cisco has made available to prepare you for the exams.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

CCIE tracks, or certification tracks

Less than 3-percent of Cisco certified professionals achieve the CCIE certification. Once you decide to go for it, there are several different CCIE tracks from which to choose. You can focus on routing and switching, voice, security, service provider, storage networking and wireless networking.

I recommend: You can compare the different CCIE tracks at Cisco Systems or Comet Systems & Networks.

Recertification

Recertification is required every two years to maintain your CCIE credentials. You can recertify by scoring a passing grade on any of the currently available written exams. Recertifying your CCIE automatically extends any other Cisco certifications you may hold.

I recommend: Check out Cisco certification and recertification courses at Course Fox.

CCIE labs, or lab exams

CCIE labs, or lab exams, address critical skills by testing you on live configuration scenarios. They also ask a number of broad, open-ended questions. Cisco is continually refreshing the material in the lab exams for each of the CCIE tracks to maintain pace with emerging technology.

I recommend: IPexpert provides training for CCIE labs.

Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching

The Cisco 360 Learning Program for CCIE Routing and Switching is a blended learning program that allows 24/7 access to online training content and labs. It is designed to accelerate expert-level abilities over a period of six months to a year, and provides access to mentoring and training from elite CCSI instructors.

I recommend: Read all the particulars of the Cisco 360 Learning Program at Cisco Systems.

CCIE Mobile Testing Labs

CCIE Mobile Testing Labs bring the CCIE lab portion of the exam directly to locations around the globe. This vastly reduces travel time and expenses for networking experts who live in locations without a permanent lab.

I recommend: Read about the CCIE Mobile Testing Labs at Network World, ITWorldCanada and the CCIE Blog.

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) advice and ratings are essential for anyone considering CCIE certification, as well as employers seeking to hire a CCIE. The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert — sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Cisco Certified Internet Expert — is one of the most valuable and recognized technical certifications and the top Cisco certification. Those who pass the certification process can usually expect excellent career opportunities.

There is a flip side of the rewards of CCIE certification: the difficulty of the exam and preparation process. More than just a simple written exam, the CCIE includes exhaustive laboratory and troubleshooting exercises. Further, Cisco requires hands-on experience to take the exam. Check out the following CCIE information to find out how to prepare for CCIE and decide whether CCIE certification is the right choice for you, and worth the time and effort:

1. Determine the salary range for CCIEs compared to other certifications.

2. Get a thorough overview of the preparation and exam process.

3. Get tips for passing the CCIE exam.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get advice about the CCIE salary range

As one of the most prestigious technology certifications, CCIEs command high salaries. However, certification alone doesn't guarantee a salary increase. Pay is usually based on experience as well as certifications. In addition, comparative salaries may change based on skills and certifications that are currently in demand.

I recommend: See PayScale for breakdowns of salaries by certification, years of experience and other factors. CiscoTips compares salaries for CCIE professionals with other technology certification holders. Get information about current trends in certification salaries at Network World.

Get insider information about Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert certification

More than just a simple test, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert exams often require months or years of study and preparation, including real-world experience with Cisco hardware. Get expert advice to find out if your skills and experience are a match for CCIE certification.

I recommend: See GoCertify from Anventure for an expert interview with recommendations for preparing for the exam and required experience to qualify for taking it. Tech Republic and GirlGeeks provide an overview of the CCIE certification process and preparation.

Get study tips about setting up real CCIE labs, recommended reading and other resources

The CCIE exam is spread out over several days and includes lab work as well as written questions. To be thoroughly prepared for the exam, get tips from others who have taken and passed it.

I recommend: Networking Certifications provides recommendations for studying for the CCIE, including mastering all topics on the Cisco exam blueprint, joining online study groups and suggested reading. CramSession offers additional study tips. See Cisco Systems for detailed information about exam changes.