CCNA, short for Cisco Certified Network Associate, is one of the premier certs in the area of networking. The topics usually covered by CCNA include TCP/IP and OSI stacks, IPv4 subnets, IP v6 addressing schemes, STP (Spanning Tree Protocol), VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), ACLs (Access Control Lists), routing protocols such as RIP v2, OSPF and OSPF v3, BGP, and wireless networks. The new syllabus deviated from the past very significantly. Notable deletions were RIP v2, OSPF v3, and TCP/IP fundamentals. Notable additions are WLC (Wireless Controllers, specifically Cisco WLC), DNA (Cisco Digital Network Architecture, and network security. Candidates are expected to learn Cisco centric technologies like WLC GUI and DNA in addition to usual iOS that runs on Cisco routers and switches. DNA is the Cisco’s solution to recently emerging Open Networks Architecture.
Apart from the above, two exams track is going to be discontinued. i.e. CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician) and ICND2 (Inter Connecting Network Devices 2) exams together used to qualify a candidate to be Cisco certified. It appears that ths track is being discontinued.
Over all, it is expected that the new exam is broader in covering various technologies including the following:
- Wireless Controllers
- Network Security
- DNA (Open Source project that compares with this is Open Daylight project)
- Router and Switch iOS
It is recommended that those who are in the middle of preparation for the existing version of CCNA (200-125) complete the same before the deadline (23rd Feb 2020) as the new objectives of the exam require lot of time and effort due to significant differences in exam topics.
Certexams.com offers the following for CCNA 200-125:
- CCNA Practice Tests (200-125)
- CCNA Network Simulator with Designer
- CCNA Cheatsheets
- CCNA Online Labs (Physical lab access)
Wish you all good luck!