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Guys, my boss is insisting that I do the Cisco qualifications but as I am already a CWNA, I wish to persue the CWSP etc can anyone give me a good business case for doing this, I know it is independent etc.

Also is the CWNP program recognised by Cisco in anyway, main reason for this is that the company has x amount of budget & I want some for ME lol

But seriously if anyone can help or advise thanks in advance

devinator Escribi?3:

How can you appreciate and correctly use all of the myriad features available in today's WLAN systems when you don't know what all of the features are? Well, that's my $0.02 anyway. :-)

Devinator

I think that people holding Cisco wireless certification have the ability of understanding very well features of Cisco products and strong knowledge of wireless networking. Further, at least they have practical experience on one line of product while vendor-neutral certification holder don't.

Sorry, but I beg to differ on this one. I know tons of CWNPs that know the products much better because they have our certifications. They can't play with "brand x" equipment, so they have to choose one or more vendor's equipment to learn on. Cisco is a common choice. I have taken the Cisco wireless certs, and they are pitifully easy. I've heard from many CWNAs who will tell you the Cisco certs are way too easy and that they studied only for 1 day to pass them.

Devinator

I thought the Cisco certs were tough in general. Not compared to CWNP certs. Time to hit Cisco certs if it is easy. Thanks for the tip Devinator.

I would appreciate learning about these certificates as the only one I know about the Cisco Wireless LAN Support Specialist was retired in July of this year???

I have the CCNP, CCDP, and CCSP certs, and believe me, none of them were easily obtained. The wireless cert on the other hand is a walk in the park. I have a deep-rooted respect for Cisco's cert program and the company as a whole. Their engineers, as I've stated many times on this forum, are simply top-notch - certainly, at least in part, due to a great education program at Cisco. The wireless cert simply isn't up to par. This should come as no surprise really because it's a specialization cert - not a main-line cert track like CCNP, et al.

Devinator

Hello Devin,

I have to ask again what Cisco wireless cert are you referring to? The one that was discontinued or a different one? I just would like to know if I am missing something.

I will second your opinion on the main stream Cisco certs, they are tough.

Thanks

I'm referring to the discontinued version. The new "advanced" (ha!) cert has only recently been introduced. I really must find the time to go take that new one. :-D

Cisco's new advanced wireless cert (for example AWLANFE) covers both WLSE, WiSM blades (2 controllers on a 6500 blade) and the 440x wireless controllers themselves. I just came back from their CUWN class last week and I can tell you it was very interesting and educational too. I plan to take this exam right after I get my CWNA which I feel will be a solid foundation for the Cisco wireless exam.

On a side note, my instructor (Marcus Jones of Giga-wave) last week said he knows Devin personally. He said you guys worked together on some Cisco beta testing a few years ago.

Yes, Giga-wave is a class act, and their instructors are top-notch. I've sat their classes myself, and they've never disappointed.

Giga-wave, however, teaches the courseware but doesn't have anything to do with writing the Cisco exams (to my knowledge anyway). The Cisco courseware is always good, and combined with Giga-wave instructors, classroom experiences are always good (kudos).

Cisco specialist exams are often poorly written, not representative of necessary knowledge, and have other issues (that's been my experience anyway).

My $0.02

Devinator