Cisco Certified

Network Academy
(CCNA) Curricula
Webinar

CCNA Discovery and CCNA Exploration

January 15 and 16, 2008

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 1
 Session Objective
 Provide the new CCNA overview &
supporting materials to our local
academies for a high level
understanding of the exciting new
curricula
 Assure all current CCNA
academies have a plan in place to
convert before the 2008-09 school
year, if not sooner – in order to
best serve our students
 Review end of life
dates for CCNA 3.x
 Share available resources
 Answer your questions

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 2
 Where are we today?
New CCNA Curricula and Certification Timeline
Released
on
June 25

General Availability General Availability

CCNA Discovery – 2 courses CCNA Discovery – final 2 courses
New CCNA Curricula CCNA Exploration – 2 courses CCNA Exploration – final 2 courses
Announcements (English Versions) (English Versions)

Nov 2006 Apr 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 Aug 2007 Sept 2007 Dec 2007

New
Certification
New CCNA & Exams Aug
New CCENT 15

Certification Announced
at National Education
Curriculum Conference
Publicly
Announce
d
June 25
CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 3
 Where Are We Today in the U.S. and Canada?
There are more students enrolled in 4.0 than 3.1!
 Goal: 100% conversion of targeted academies to CCNA Discovery
or Exploration (4.0) by Oct 2008
# Targeted % Target Non-
Target Targeted Acads
Academies Acads Students
Academies Converted Offering
Converted Converted Enrolled
(CCNA) (New or
to Date (4.0) (4.0) Rejuvenated)

20,586 (4.0) 919 (4.0)

CCNA 1895 840 44.3% 79
16,871 (3.1) 901 (3.1)

18,057 (4.0) 693 (4.0)

IT Ess: PC 769 511 66.4% 182
2033 (3.1) 101 (3.1)

Jan. 2, 2007 Source: rpt 2881

 Target academy: Any academy that has offered a CCNA-1 3.x class in English since Aug 1, 2006
 Non-targeted academy: Any academy that has offered a new CCNA Discovery or CCNA Exploration
course 1, 4.x class that has not offered CCNA prior to Aug. 2006 (either a new academy or non-
participating that has become active again)
 Conversion: Any academy that has offered a CCNA class within the past 12 months beginning Aug 1,
2006, opened a CCNA Discovery or Exploration course and has five or more students enrolled

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 4
 CCNA v3.1 End-of-Life Milestones and Dates
English Version
Milestone Definition Date
End of offering Last date to create new instructor classes: courses 1-4 Jan 31, 08

Course 1
End of offering Last date to create new student classes Mar 31, 08

End of support Last date to receive help desk support for course maintenance July 31, 08

End of availability Last date to access content on Academy Connection July 31, 08
Courses 2–4
End of offering Last date to create new student classes Jan 31, 09

End of support Last date to receive Help Desk support for curriculum maintenance July 31, 09

End of availability Last date to access content and receive curriculum operational July 31, 09
support on Academy Connection
Certification Exams
Certification Last date for students to take INTRO (640-821), ICND (640-811), July 31, 09
exams retired and CCNA (640-801) exams

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 5
 Why Plan to Convert to CCNA 4.0?
Advantages of the New CCNA Curricula
CCNA 4.0

 Improved accuracy and flow of information with less redundancy

 Optimal balance of theory, practice and application

 Aligns to the new CCNA Certification Exam

E-Doing: embedded simulation tools, providing exploration and

 experimentation

 Alignment of learning objectives with job skills

Increased use of rich media for ongoing interactivity through the

 learning process

 Benefit students by teaching the latest technology and skills

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 6
 Current CCNA Curriculum
Instructor and Student Feedback

Improve Student
Improve Quality Increase Flexibility
Experience

• Promote engagement; • Improve accuracy and • Make curricula more

align with student flow of course content efficient to localize
interests and
capabilities • Ensure content is • Facilitate curriculum
relevant and up-to-date delivery and class
• Optimize balance of administration
theory, practice, and • Address advanced
application technologies • Provide high and low
bandwidth delivery
• Accommodate different capabilities
skill levels

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 7
 CCNA 4.0 Small Market Trials
Overall Course Satisfaction
 Structured process: approach, feedback, reporting, and exit criteria
 Overall course satisfaction
Five-point scale: 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied)

CCNA Courses 1 and 2, May 2007 CCNA Courses 3 and 4, Nov 2007
7 global trials, 73 instructors from 9 countries 8 global trials, ~80 instructors from 9 countries
 Discovery 1 overall rating 4.72  Discovery 3: overall rating 4.80
 Discovery 2 overall rating 4.00*  Discovery 4: overall rating 4.20
 Exploration 1 overall rating 4.92
 Exploration 3: overall rating 4.56
 Exploration 2 overall rating 4.47
 Exploration 4: overall rating 4.44
*small sample size

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 8
 Two New CCNA Curricula
Both Prepare Students for CCNA Certification and Professional Careers

CCNA Discovery CCNA Exploration

• Independent curriculum or • Integrated technology

integrate into broader course curriculum or continuing
of study education program
• Students with basic PC • Students with advanced
usage skills problem solving and
analytical skills

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 9
 Feature Comparison
CCNA v3.1 CCNA Discovery CCNA Exploration
Expected Basic PC usage Basic PC usage skills Advanced problem-solving and
Student skills analytical skills typically associated
with students in engineering, math,
Capabilities or science degree programs

Content Four courses – Four courses – structured by Four courses – structured by

structured by practical network environments protocols and technologies within
protocols and various topologies
technology PLUS:
• E-doing PLUS:
• Introduction to advanced • E-doing
technologies • Introduction to advanced
• Helps prepare students for technologies
entry-level IT careers by • Extra theory and more
teaching applied skills early in challenging labs
the curriculum

Business Rules Required minimum Required

Required minimum
minimum of of four
fourweeks
weeksto • Required minimum of four four weeks
weeks
of six months to complete
to complete
eacheach
course
courseandand to complete each course and
complete all four minimum
minimum of
of four
fourmonths
monthstoto minimum of three
three months
months toto
courses complete
complete all
all four
four courses
courses complete all four courses
• Courses structured to increase
flexibility and efficiency in course
sequence

Time to Learn ~70hours

~70 hours per
percourse
course

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 CCNA Discovery CCNA Exploration

 Networking based  Networking based

on application Basics of Routing on technology
 Introduction to and Switching  Deep into protocols
career exploration and theory (LAN,
an soft skills WAN)

 Skills for entry-level Core Skills  Skills for wide range of

professions: networking professions:
for CCNA
Network installer Network technician
Certification
Network technician Network administrator
Help desk technician Network engineer
Basic network design

Key Factors in Obtaining Jobs: Education, Experience, and Certification

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 11
 CCNA Exploration:
Flexibility in Course Sequence
Network Fundamentals Network Fundamentals

Routing Protocols and LAN Switching and

Concepts Wireless

LAN Switching and Routing Protocols and

Wireless Concepts

Accessing the WAN Accessing the WAN

Network Fundamentals

Routing Protocols and LAN Switching and

Concepts Wireless

Accessing the WAN

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 12
 New CCNA Curricula
How Do I Choose?

• What are your students’

academic capabilities?

• What are your students’ goals?

• How will your institution integrate

the new CCNA curriculum?

• Which curriculum best aligns

with your teaching methodology and
your students' interests?

• Is the existing CCNA v3.1 curriculum

very difficult for your students in
terms of theoretical topics?

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 13
 Paths to CCNA Certification

CCNA Discovery CCNA Exploration CCNA Discovery

Networking for Home and Networking for Home and

Small Businesses Networking Fundamentals Small Businesses

Working at a Small-to- Working at a Small-to-

Medium Business Medium Business
or ISP Routing Protocols and or ISP
CCENT Certification (optional) Concepts CCENT Certification (optional)
CCNA Exploration
Introducing Routing and
Switching in the Enterprise LAN Switching and
Wireless Routing Protocols and
Concepts

Designing and Supporting

Computer Networks Accessing the WAN LAN Switching and Wireless

Accessing the WAN

CCNA Certification

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 14
 Let’s take a closer look...

CCNA Discovery Demo

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 15
 Resources

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 16
 CLI and Academy Connection
Instructor Page

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 17
 Instructor Materials from
Cisco Learning Institute

 Interactive Course Guides (ICG)

Provide instructional support consistent with learning by doing approach
Contain ideas for activities, discussions, and reflection
Also key ideas, critical concepts, teaching goals, case studies, and tools

 Instructor Reference Guides (IRG) formerly ‘Delta Documents’

Provide comparison of new and existing curricula
Primarily for existing instructors to determine overlap

 PowerPoint Presentations
Building blocks for instructors, who can alter the presentations to fit their needs.
Include chapter objectives and section-level objectives with graphics and
summaries

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 18
 Instructor Tools
On Academy Connection

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 19
 Tools Available to You on
Academy Connection
Currently Available

 Datasheets  Job framework

information
 Scope and Sequence
documents  Curriculum Selection
Guidelines
 Detailed equipment list  Presentations
 Product demos  New CCNA Video
 FAQs
 New CCNA servers page
 At-A-Glance
 New Packet Tracer page

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 20
 Instructor Training

CCNA Discovery CCNA Exploration

 Not required but strongly recommended

Current  Encouraged to read the new CCNA curricula, Interactive Course Guide
(ICG), Instructor Reference Guide (IRG), and slide presentations
Instructor

(min. 8-10 hours per course) (min. 4-8 hours per course)

 In person training required

New
Instructor  Approximately 40 classroom hours per course; similar to
current CCNA v3.1

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 21
 Cisco Press Text Books
 PDF versions of the first few chapters are available online now
 Check www.ciscopress.com or sign up for the newsletter for the latest info

Target Target
Discovery Book Exploration Book
Availability Availability
Companion Guide Available
Networking for Home Learning Available Now
Network
or Small Business Guide Now
Fundamentals Lab & Study Guide Available
Now
Working at a Small-to-
Learning Companion Guide Available
Medium Business or Mar 2008 Routing
Guide Now
ISP Protocols and
Concepts Lab & Study Guide Available
Now
Introduction to Routing
Learning Companion Guide April 2008
and Switching in the April 2008
Guide LAN Switching
Enterprise
and Wireless Lab & Study Guide April 2008
Designing and
Learning Companion Guide April 2008
Supporting Computer April 2008
Guide Accessing the
Networks
WAN Lab & Study Guide April 2008

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 22
 Supporting
Material

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 23
Operational Requirements
 Equipment: Overall, there has been a reduction in equipment requirements.
CCNA curricula requirements now include a Linksys wireless router - details on
the course catalog
 Guides Available:
1) Computer requirements
2) Legacy Equipment & Software Guides: Image & Hardware Support
Assistance with Legacy Equipment and Software (see ‘Classroom Set Ip’ tab
under Tools)

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 24
 CCNA Discovery and Eagle Server Support
CCNA Discovery & Eagle Server – provides network services in your classroom
lab without going on to your schools intranet (e.g. FTP, email, streaming video,
Web hosting, instant messaging & more). Can be implemented either through a
bootable CD or installed as a permanent server.

New CCNA Servers page

Linked from the Tools & also off
the Course Catalog area
on Academy Connection
includes:
Instructions
FAQs
Additional Server resources
Server Interactive Course
Guide (ICG) available from CLI
Forums & Chat: Discovery &
Eagle Network Services Servers

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 25
 Continuous Quality:
Maintenance & Bug Reporting
 Extensive, robust quality processes updated & in place
Cisco New Product Introduction methodology
 Reported bugs are continuously monitored and fixed
Planned maintenance releases – (e.g. Dec. 10)
For more information , check out the recent headlines on Academy
Connection http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/downloads/pdf/CurriculumReleaseBugReporting-06NOV07-
final.pdf
 Assessments continuously refreshed as required
Policy is to correct and refresh as soon as possible
Three CCNA assessment updates released since launch
Processes will continue to evolve and improve
 Check for known issues and report bugs in curricula and assessments
using Help link on Academy Connection

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 26
 Service Offerings for Networking Academies
NEW: Networking Academy Maintenance service
offering pilot at no cost
 During the initial US/Canada pilot, Cisco will donate the
cost of this service to all participating academies
 Deadline to register to participate in the pilot has been How To:
extended to Feb 29, 2008 Have your legal main
 Features contact open a ticket
Provides centralized contract management with the Support Desk.
Administers instructor CCO access Details posted here:
Support desk provides level one technical support http://www.cisco.com/web/learni
ng/netacad/landing/NA_Mainten
Support desk arbitrates TAC cases ance_Pilot.html
Provides approved software
Reports & monitors usage to validate appropriate access
 Does not provide hardware replacement
Existing: purchase SMARTnet (or equivalent) with
discounts
 Currently in place, no changes
 If you require hardware replacement, SMARTnet is still
available
CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 27
 We Thank You… for All You Do!

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 28
 To Learn More!

Academy Conference 2008

June 30 – July 2 Saratoga Springs, NY
The Saratoga

July 7 – July 9 Portland, OR

Red Lion on the River

July 28 – July 30 Little Rock, AR

The Peabody

Registration - $275 (opens online in April)

For more information – www.cisco.com/go/academyconference

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 29
 What Can You Expect?

 Sessions to increase technical and program knowledge

for Cisco Networking Academy instructors and
administrators.
 Opportunities for dialogue among educators, Cisco
program staff and academy personnel about IT trends
and career paths related to IT education.
 Sharing strategies and best practices for leveraging the
new CCNA Discovery and Exploration curricula, IT
Essentials: PC Hardware and Software, and CCNP
curriculum.
 Creating connections among Academy instructors and
administrators, the academy team, academy partners
and IT professionals.
CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 30
 Thanks for your Participation

 To best serve our students, our goal is to assure all

current CCNA academies have a plan in place to
convert to CCNA 4.0 before the 2008-09 school year, if
not sooner...

 If you need more information beyond this Webinar,

please check Academy Connection or contact your
Regional Academy

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 31
 Q and A

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 32
 CCNA Webinar Schedule

 Tuesday, January 15 11 a.m. Eastern

 Wednesday, January 16 4 p.m. Eastern
 Wednesday, February 6 TBD
 March – May TBD

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 33
CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 34
 Aligning Certifications to Jobs
Certification Skills Certified Job Roles Job Titles
Cisco Certified • Install, operate, and • Setup, install and maintain • Entry Level Help Desk
Entry troubleshoot small routed PCs, servers, racks and Technician
Network and switched networks cabling • Entry Level Technical
Technician • Basic optimization of network • Train users Support
(CCENT) • Connect to other networks • Support senior technicians • IT Systems Coordinator
(LANs and WANs) • Staff a help desk, retrieve • Entry Level Operating
• Install a small wireless calls, and isolate problems Center Technician
network • Use monitoring tools to • Entry Level IT Technician/
• Identify security threats and verify network operations Specialist
basic mitigation methods

CCNA • Install, operate and • Assist in design, installation, • Help Desk Support
troubleshoot medium sized configuration and Specialist
routed and switched maintenance of medium • Network Technician
networks sized routed and switched • Network Specialist
• Implement and troubleshoot networks • Network Administrator
various protocols to manage • Isolate network problems • Technical Support Specialist
addressing, perform load • Support users via helpdesk • Network Engineering
balancing and authentication for hardware, software and Technician
• Establish and troubleshoot network
connection to service • Use monitoring tools to
provider over WAN ensure network operations

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 35
 Chapter Demos

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 36
 New CCNA Curricula Video

CCNA rev 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 37