CCNP Vs CCIE 

The Cisco certifications seem to have taken the market by storm. Cisco certifications are amongst the most popular certifications in the game as they are known to be the standard in all network-related work. Certification with Cisco is legitimate proof of a candidate’s ability to navigate through the ever-evolving landscape of IT. We’ll understand the CCNP Vs CCIE in more detail.

Let’s have a look at the most popular among all Cisco certifications are:

CCNA- Cisco Certified Network Associate
CCNP- Cisco Certified Network Professional
CCIE- Certified Certified Internetwork Expert

CCDE- Cisco Certified Design Expert. 

In today’s blog, we shall understand the features that set apart CCNP Vs CCIE. 

Both the certifications are advanced-level certifications. The CCIE however is more advanced when compared to CCNP. Let’s understand what is CCNP first:

CCNP:

The CCNP certification has two parts when an aspirant wants to get certified. The first is the core exam that focuses on the candidate’s knowledge of enterprise, infrastructure inclusive of knowledge about virtualization, etc.
The second exam focuses on the candidate’s area of choice, that he/she has taken up and wishes to gain expertise in.
The certification is valid for a period of 3 years and to recertify the candidate needs to do so through continued education.

CCIE:
The CCIE certification happens to cover core technologies and also validates the candidate’s end-to-end lifecycle skills in rather complex enterprise networks ranging from planning and design to operating and optimizing.

The exam (350-401 ENCOR) focuses on the knowledge of an individual and their ability to cover an end-to-end lifecycle of complex enterprise networks from designing and developing to operating and optimizing.

To achieve CCIE certification, the candidate must take and pass a  lab exam within the time period of 3 years of passing their core exam. 

CCNP
Job Aspects:

• Network Security Engineer

• Network Architect

• Network Administration

• Information Technology (IT)

CCIE

Job Aspects: 

• Network Engineer 

• Network Solutions Architect

• Core Network Support Engineer

• Telecom domain expert

• Technical Account manager

• Technical Consulting Engineer
  

Salary aspects of CCNP:
The average salary for a CCNP-certified professional in India ranges between 6-7LPA. The entry-level positions often start at 4-5 LPA. But with enough experience, a CCNP-certified professional can make up to a 10-15 LPA. 

Salary aspects of CCIE:
The salary aspects of CCIE are bright as the certification is revered as the most difficult and holds the reputation of being the most sought-after certification.

The salary for a CCIE-certified professional could be a whopping 19-20 LPA. The amount of experience adds to an individual’s credibility and the remuneration can vary accordingly as growth often is subjective.

Worth it or not?
The big question that the maximum number of students feel phased about is whether the CCNP course worth it or not and whether the CCIE course worth it or not? The question is by and large subjective but there are certain grounds based on which one can assess the worth and also decide which certification amongst the two suits him/her the best.

1) The Life span of a certification:
Most of the certifications by CISCO have a validity of 3 years. Similarly, the life span of CCNP is for a period of 3 years. Whereas the time period for the validity of CCIE is for 2 years. Beyond this, both the certification need to be recertified. 

Hence the variation in the life spans of these certifications isn’t much. Both require recertification. 

2) Futuristic aspect of the certification:
The certification one should opt for needs to be futuristic as well.
CCNP :
The CCNP certification is futuristic as we can all see that enterprises need networking to be able to establish connectivity. CCNP is one of the most popular certifications out there and the most popular one as well. This certification is the most recognizable and will lead to a lot of opportunities. 

This certification opens up many doors in manners of jobs and upskilling as well. Hence the course is absolutely worth it and will make for growth in the future.
CCIE :
The CCIE certification is futuristic as well. The certification is often considered the hardest. Hence there isn’t much need for an individual to go from this certification to any other. 

The amount of knowledge one will acquire during the course is a lot. This works wonders for people who are working and wish to elevate their exigency and become indispensable at their workplace.

 

3)Remuneration:
The remuneration for job roles for CCNP and CCIE varies as the former is comparatively hence has a lot of entry-level openings where the salaries are comparatively lesser. Whereas the salary for CCIE-oriented job roles is way higher as the CCIE exam is a harder exam. 

Hence, if we have to argue which of the courses are worthy, it won’t be a fair argument as both the certifications vary enormously and both hold a different place in terms of the expertise they impart to an individual.  

The course varies in a learning capacity. But talking in terms of worth, both are worthy in their own areas Both courses are worthy on the whole.