What next after CCNA?

Hi people, i'm just about to complete my CCNA certification, hopefully in a months time. I'm really spoilt for choices here. What i wanted to know is this; In the market today which cisco course is more relevant than the other? , or better yet, Which cisco certification holds more weight than the other?

Do i go with CCNP, CCSP, CCDP, CCIP, or CCVP. After all, if all goes well i also intend to do CCIE. I just need to study something that will still be relevant some 5-10 years to come and perhaps something that will land me a really good foundation in any networking environment.

Seeing that most ISPs tend to go for Juniper's devices at the core layer and most companies use juniper at the edge. Does it really matter what i go for, and will my cisco certifications help me when handling Juniper's devices if and when i come accross them.

Is there any big difference between CISCO and JUNIPER? If no or yes, can i use the knowledge i acquire from cisco certifications to handle juniper devices or do i still need to do juniper certifications?

Me not being able to make a decision is what's tearing me down. So if there's anyone out there who has the certifications and hands on experience, your advice is really really needed.

Perhaps the forum moderators can shed some light on the issue - WHAT NEXT AFTER CCNA?

I'm studying for the BSCI but then noticed that the CCNA security is only one test. lol.. I think I'll grab Security first.

Someone else? Any advises or opinions?

Thanks all!

I was actually browsing around and saw my post here,which up to now no one has given detail to.

This is funny coz i'll be answering myself now. I have started my CCNP and already sat for the first certification and passed i.e BSCI. i'm looking forward to doing the next exam at the end of the month i.e ISCW.

For all those who were confused as i am, first know if u really want to establish networking as your line of work. if so, i recommend you do your CCNP after completing CCNA. This will give you a good foundation to know whether you want to go with VOICE,SECURITY or WIRELESS next.

After doing your CCNP you will be able to know what to do next.

I agree Losh, The CCNP certification does in fact give you a very good idea on what road you should select. The material and technologies covered is simply great and complex enough to help you clarify what to work with in the future (security, voice, switching).

Cheers,

You did not answer the Juniper part of your question.

Juniper is a company that produces networking hardware just like Cisco, and together they formed a kind of duopoly in the networking market, with Cisco taking 60%, Juniper 30% and the others sharing the remaining 10%. Juniper produces T-series, M-series, E-series, MX-series, and J-series families of routers, EX-series Ethernet switches and SRX-series security products. JUNOS Juniper's network operating system runs on most of the Juniper products. In 2009, Juniper made its debut on Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work for. Juniper ranked 4 in Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies list in Networking Communications category in 2009. M40 of M-series was the first product by Juniper Networks, which was released in 1998. JNCIA-ER is the entry-level certification in Juniper, much like Cisco's enhanced qualifications for the CCNA certification. Next is the JNCIS-ER, which requires a bit more advanced-level knowledge. The idea here is to represent a CCNP-type knowledge level. Then, there's the newly listed JNCIE-ER certification, which offers a lab-based exam, just like the CCIE R&S. Prometric is Juniper's only choice for testing centers, whereas Pearson Vue is Cisco's. Juniper is a little behind the curve in terms of the number of qualified/certified individuals out there interested in its products compared to Cisco. These days Juniper is awarding free exam vouchers to Cisco Certified Professionals, to initiate them into the Juniper platform. Though, I have met CCIE holders that are beginning to take Juniper exams so as to move into the 30% margin of the networking market.


ther certifications offered by Juniper include:



Associate Level Certifications

JNCIA-M: Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate on M-Series router network.

JNCIA-E: Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate on E-Series router network.

JNCIA-ER: Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate on enterprise routing (former JNCIA-J, J-Series routers associate).

JNCIA-EX: Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate on EX-Series SwitchNetwork.

Specialist level certifications

JNCIS-M, JNCIS-E, JNCIA-FWV, JNCIS-ES, JNCIS-ER.

JNCIS is short for Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist.

M stands for M-Series router certification path, E stands for E-series router certification path, and FWV stands for Firewall/VPN certification path, ES for Enhanced Services, ER for Enterprise Routing certification path.


Professional level certifications

JNCIP-M, JNCIP-E

JNCIP is short for Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional. M stands for M-Series router certification path, and E stands for the E-Series router certification path.


Expert level certifications

JNCIE-M, JNCIE-ER

JNCIE is short for Juniper Networks Certified Internet Expert. M stands for M-Series router certification path and, ER stands for Enterprise Routing certification path.

Also you did mentioned that which Cisco certification has most weight. Let me tell you one reality in life VOICE, WIRELESS,SECURITY or what ever doesn't really matter, it is you that matters. How you position yourself in each field and how you can innovatively make good use of the opportunities in that field determines your success money wise. I have two groups of friends, one group told me that they are moving from networking to programming because networking is not paying and the other group said they are moving from programming to networking because programming is not paying. I watch these two groups of friends carefully and noticed a common denominator- all of them were not well positioned in their fields and as such have failed to see opportunities that will land them into great success. so Think-Create-Innovate and Maintain