This new entry-level certification has been dubbed Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT).

Why is this so important? Well, because the CCNA exam—especially the new CCNA announced today—is now extremely hard, that´s why! So basically, it´s CCENT to the rescue. It gives unsuspecting network professionals the opportunity to take a much easier stepping stone-like approach to getting that all-important CCNA certification instead of trying to gulp all the information in a one week class, or by reading a book.

Yes, it´s true—the GlobalNet Training bootcamp approach works really well for most people that have networking experience, but for those people trying to become network professionals with no prior experience whatsoever, diving straight into the sometimes overwhelming and unforgiving depths of the CCNA is a pretty formidable challenge! The CCNA course/exam just isn´t the entry level program of days past, so the new CCENT certification is a terrific introduction—it´s the answer for inexperienced people who want a much more user-friendly, (read, possible), way to break into the internetworking profession!

Okay—here´s what Cisco has to say about this new entry certification:

• Optional step toward CCNA or all other Certification Programs
• Certifies Practical Skills
• Tangible first step to CCNA
• Assesses aptitude & competence for working with Cisco Networking Devices and Software

Oh, and by the way, Cisco has done a bit of research that just so happens to confirm the fact that there´s some serious interest among employers for a certification that covers entry level IT skills that mitigates and reduces the risk inherent when hiring employees with little or no previous networking experience.

Note: This new entry level certification exam is not a prerequisite to obtaining your CCNA.

• ICND1 640-822
• ICND2 640-816
• CCNA Composite 640-802

In order to obtain your CCNA you can take and pass the ICND1 and ICND2 exams at $125 bucks a piece, or try your hand at the CCNA Composite 640-802 exam at $150.

This is the same approach Cisco has been using for years—you either take two relatively easier tests, or one super hard test.

I always recommend the one test approach because, well, no one, including Cisco, has proved that the two-test approach is actually easier. So why go there?

Anyway, since the new exam won´t be released for another month, this could all change very soon. But no worries—I´ll give you the dirt on all of this somewhere around August 1st, as soon as I get back from Networkers.

And, it´s also good to know that if you´re still are studying for the old exam(s), you haven´t wasted your time/effort/cash, because you get until November of 2007 to take them.

A really cool thing I like about the new exam is that it covers all the new cutting edge stuff—no more of that ISDN crap! Here´s a short list of the new technologies covered:

• Secure Device Manager
• Virtual Private Networks
• IPv6 (my favorite!)
• 2960 Switches
• Cisco Network Assistant
• Advanced EIGRP and OSPF
• Introduction to Wireless networks
• More security
• Lots of troubleshooting

Should be a hoot…

In the meantime, come on over to www.globalnettraining.com and get yourself signed up for the newest courses using the latest and greatest gear.

And, don´t forget to nick a copy of my latest CCNA Composite 640-802 Study guide from Sybex because it truly is, far and away, the best book I´ve written to date—I´m so happy with how this book turned out!