This document provides an overview of Cisco's new CCNA Discovery and CCNA Exploration curricula. It discusses the objectives of the webinar, the timeline and end-of-life dates for the previous CCNA 3.x curriculum, an overview of the two new CCNA curricula including their features and how they differ, paths to CCNA certification, resources available for instructors including training, textbooks, and operational requirements. It also addresses exam vouchers, the CCNA certification prep center, and the processes for continuous quality improvement and bug reporting.

1. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
CCNA rev 6 1
Cisco Networking
Academy
CCNA Curricula
US & Canada Webinar
CCNA Discovery and CCNA Exploration
Susan Weatherly, Area Academy Manager
Karen Alderson, Technical Manager
May 2008

2. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
CCNA rev 6 2
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

3. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
CCNA rev 6 3
Where are we today?
New CCNA Curricula and Certification Timeline
Apr 2007 May 2007 Dec 2007
June 2007
New CCNA Curricula
Announcements
General Availability
CCNA Discovery – final 2 courses
CCNA Exploration – final 2 courses
(English Versions)
General Availability
CCNA Discovery – 2 courses
CCNA Exploration – 2 courses
(English Versions)
Aug 2007
Nov 2006
New CCNA &
New CCENT
Certification Announced
at National Education
Curriculum Conference
Released
on
June 25
July 2007 Sept 2007
New
Certification
Exams Aug
15
Publicly
Announce
d
June 25

4. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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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
support on Academy Connection
July 31, 09
Certification Exams
Certification
exams retired
Last date for students to take INTRO (640-821), ICND (640-811),
and CCNA (640-801) exams
July 31, 09

5. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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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

6. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Improve Student
Experience
Improve Quality Increase Flexibility
Current CCNA Curriculum
Instructor and Student Feedback
• Promote engagement;
align with student
interests and
capabilities
• Optimize balance of
theory, practice, and
application
• Accommodate different
skill levels
• Improve accuracy and
flow of course content
• Ensure content is
relevant and up-to-date
• Address advanced
technologies
• Make curricula more
efficient to localize
• Facilitate curriculum
delivery and class
administration
• Provide high and low
bandwidth delivery
capabilities

7. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Two New CCNA Curricula
Both Prepare Students for CCNA Certification and Professional Careers
CCNA Exploration
CCNA Discovery
• Integrated technology
curriculum or continuing
education program
• Students with advanced
problem solving and
analytical skills
• Independent curriculum or
integrate into broader course
of study
• Students with basic PC
usage skills

8. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Feature Comparison
~70 hours per course
Time to Learn
Required minimum of four weeks to
complete each course and
minimum of four months to
complete all four courses
• Required minimum of four weeks
to complete each course and
minimum of three months to
complete all four courses
• Courses structured to increase
flexibility and efficiency in course
sequence
Required minimum
of six months to
complete all four
courses
Business Rules
Four courses – structured by
practical network environments
PLUS:
• E-doing
• Introduction to advanced
technologies
• Helps prepare students for
entry-level IT careers by
teaching applied skills early in
the curriculum
Four courses – structured by
protocols and technologies within
various topologies
PLUS:
• E-doing
• Introduction to advanced
technologies
• Extra theory and more
challenging labs
Four courses –
structured by
protocols and
technology
Content
Basic PC usage skills Advanced problem-solving and
analytical skills typically associated
with students in engineering, math,
or science degree programs
Basic PC usage
skills
Expected
Student
Capabilities
CCNA Discovery CCNA Exploration
CCNA v3.1
Required minimum of four weeks
to complete each course and
minimum of four months to
complete all four courses
~70 hours per course
• Required minimum of four weeks
to complete each course and
minimum of three months to
complete all four courses
• Courses structured to increase
flexibility and efficiency in course
sequence

9. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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 Skills for wide range of
networking professions:
Network technician
Network administrator
Network engineer
CCNA Discovery
Basics of Routing
and Switching
Core Skills
for CCNA
Certification
 Networking based
on technology
 Deep into protocols
and theory (LAN,
WAN)
 Skills for entry-level
professions:
Network installer
Network technician
Help desk technician
Basic network design
 Networking based
on application
 Introduction to
career exploration
an soft skills
Key Factors in Obtaining Jobs: Education, Experience, and Certification
CCNA Exploration

10. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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LAN Switching and
Wireless
CCNA Exploration:
Flexibility in Course Sequence
Network Fundamentals
Routing Protocols and
Concepts
Accessing the WAN
LAN Switching and
Wireless
Network Fundamentals
Routing Protocols and
Concepts
Accessing the WAN
LAN Switching and
Wireless
Network Fundamentals
Routing Protocols and
Concepts
Accessing the WAN

11. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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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?

12. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Paths to CCNA Certification
Accessing the WAN
LAN Switching and
Wireless
Routing Protocols and
Concepts
Networking Fundamentals
CCNA Exploration
Working at a Small-to-
Medium Business
or ISP
Networking for Home and
Small Businesses
CCNA Discovery
Accessing the WAN
LAN Switching and Wireless
Routing Protocols and
Concepts
CCNA Exploration
Designing and Supporting
Computer Networks
CCENT Certification (optional)
CCNA Certification
Introducing Routing and
Switching in the Enterprise
Networking for Home and
Small Businesses
CCNA Discovery
Working at a Small-to-
Medium Business
or ISP
CCENT Certification (optional)

13. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Let’s take a closer look...
CCNA Discovery Demo

14. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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CCNA Latest Versions
CCNA Discovery
 CCNA Discovery: Networking for Home
and Small Businesses v4.01
 CCNA Discovery: Working at a Small-to-
Medium Business or ISP v4.1
New topics include:
– Determining an IP address range
– Cisco device boot sequence
– Configuring port-security and other security
measures on Cisco Switches
– Managing multiple telnet sessions
– Routing protocol metrics and the purpose of the
administrative distance
– Methods of IOS Backup and Recovery
– Troubleshooting
 CCNA Discovery: Introducing Routing &
Switching in the Enterprise v4.0
 CCNA Discovery: Designing and
Supporting Computer Networks v4.0
CCNA Exploration
 CCNA Exploration: Network
Fundamentals v4.01
 CCNA Exploration: Routing Protocols and
Concepts v4.02
 CCNA Exploration: LAN Switching and
Wireless v4.0
 CCNA Exploration: Accessing the
WAN v4.0
See Academy Connection
Headlines for more details...

15. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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What Version Are You Using?

16. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Resources

17. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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CLI and Academy Connection
Instructor Page

18. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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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

19. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Instructor Tools
On Academy Connection

20. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
CCNA rev 6 20
Tools Available to You on
Academy Connection
 Datasheets
 Scope and Sequence
documents
 Detailed equipment list
 Product demos
 FAQs
 At-A-Glance
 Migration guidelines (found
under Tools for CCNA
version 3.1)
 Job framework information
 Curriculum Selection
Guidelines
 Presentations
 New CCNA Video
 New CCNA servers page
 New Packet Tracer page
Currently Available

21. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Instructor Training
 Not required but strongly recommended
 Encouraged to read the new CCNA curricula, Interactive Course Guide
(ICG), Instructor Reference Guide (IRG), and slide presentations
Current
Instructor
 In person training required
 Approximately 40 classroom hours per course; similar to
current CCNA v3.1
New
Instructor
(min. 4-8 hours per course)
(min. 8-10 hours per course)
CCNA Exploration
CCNA Discovery

22. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
CCNA rev 6 22
Cisco Press Text Books
 Check www.ciscopress.com or sign up for the
newsletter for the latest info
Discovery Book
Target
Availability
Networking for Home
or Small Business
Learning
Guide
Available
Now
Working at a Small-to-
Medium Business or
ISP
Learning
Guide
Available
Now
Introduction to Routing
and Switching in the
Enterprise
Learning
Guide
Available
Now
Designing and
Supporting Computer
Networks
Learning
Guide
Available
Now
Exploration Book
Target
Availability
Network
Fundamentals
Companion Guide Available
Now
Lab & Study Guide Available
Now
Routing
Protocols and
Concepts
Companion Guide Available
Now
Lab & Study Guide Available
Now
LAN Switching
and Wireless
Companion Guide
Available
Now
Lab & Study Guide
Accessing the
WAN
Companion Guide
Available
Now
Lab & Study Guide

23. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Supporting
Material

24. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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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 up’ tab
under Tools)

25. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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CCNA Discovery and Eagle Server Support
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 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.

26. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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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

27. 27
CCNA Certification Prep Center
http://forums.cisco.com/eforum/servlet/PrepCenter?page=main
•Free of charge to anyone
with a Cisco.com guest
login
•Provides certification
candidates with practice
questions, labs,
simulations, tips,
discussion forums
•CCNA videos
•Advice from CCNA experts

28. 28
Cisco Certification Exam Vouchers
Available Vouchers
 Discount Vouchers: These vouchers allow qualified Networking Academy students to
take the following Cisco certification exam at a reduced cost:
– ICND1 (640-822)
– ICND2 (640-816)
– CCNA (640-802)
 Retired Exam Promotional Code: These promotional codes allow Networking Academy
students, instructors & alumni to take the following retired exams until July 31,2009:
– INTRO (640-821)
– ICND (640-811)
– CCNA (640-801)
Testing with Pearson VUE
 Cisco exams are only available through Pearson VUE, to register for exams you may:
– Contact a Pearson VUE agent directly (www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/contact)
– Register via the Pearson VUE website (www.pearsonvue.com)
– Call or visit a test center directly; to locate a test center visit the Pearson VUE
website (www.pearsonvue.com) and use the “Locate a Test Center” option
Detailed Voucher Information
 Visit Academy Connection post login
 Go to Tools Page – scroll to bottom for Program/Marketing Tools
 Go to the Program Tab
 Scroll to Certification and Voucher Info
 Here you will find a link to a comprehensive slide deck

29. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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We Thank You… for All You Do!

30. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
CCNA rev 6 30
To Learn More!
US Academy Conferences 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 – is now open!
For more information – www.cisco.com/go/academyconference

31. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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To Learn More!
Canadian Academy Conferences 2008
March 26 – March 28 Vancouver, BC
BCIT
May 7 – May 9 Toronto, ON
Durham College
May 28 – May 30 Montreal, QC (en français)
College de Rosemont
Online registration –open now
For more information – http://www.cisco.com/offer/usc/cac08/vancouver/index.htm

32. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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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.

33. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Thanks for Your Participation Today!
 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 (try the HELP Link, too)
–or contact your Regional Academy

34. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Q and A

35. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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36. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Aligning Certifications to Jobs
Certification Skills Certified Job Roles Job Titles
Cisco Certified
Entry
Network
Technician
(CCENT)
• Install, operate, and
troubleshoot small routed
and switched networks
• Basic optimization of network
• Connect to other networks
(LANs and WANs)
• Install a small wireless
network
• Identify security threats and
basic mitigation methods
• Setup, install and maintain
PCs, servers, racks and
cabling
• Train users
• Support senior technicians
• Staff a help desk, retrieve
calls, and isolate problems
• Use monitoring tools to
verify network operations
• Entry Level Help Desk
Technician
• Entry Level Technical
Support
• IT Systems Coordinator
• Entry Level Operating
Center Technician
• Entry Level IT Technician/
Specialist
CCNA • Install, operate and
troubleshoot medium sized
routed and switched
networks
• Implement and troubleshoot
various protocols to manage
addressing, perform load
balancing and authentication
• Establish and troubleshoot
connection to service
provider over WAN
• Assist in design, installation,
configuration and
maintenance of medium
sized routed and switched
networks
• Isolate network problems
• Support users via helpdesk
for hardware, software and
network
• Use monitoring tools to
ensure network operations
• Help Desk Support
Specialist
• Network Technician
• Network Specialist
• Network Administrator
• Technical Support Specialist
• Network Engineering
Technician

37. © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
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Chapter Demos

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New CCNA Curricula Video