The Cisco Certified Network Associate Voice (CCNA Voice) certification prepares the professional to operate and administer a voice network at an associate level. The certification will signify to employers that the professional is skilled in being a voice engineer, a voice manager or a voice technologies administrator. The certification will also ensure the professional can develop solutions for IP PBX, call control, handset and voicemail for VOIP technologies.
The CCNA Voice certification will involve implementing Cisco IOS Unified Communication. The candidate will receive access design covering mobility and Cisco Unified Communication architecture. Participants must earn the certificate by passing the 640-461 Introducing Cisco Voice and Unified Communications Administration (ICOMM) V8.0 or the Cisco CCNA Voice 640-460 IIUC advanced certification. The typical time to prepare for a CCNA Voice Exam requires four to six months. The exam is typically issued by Pearson VUE.
CCNA Voice certification will qualify a professional to implement this technology in large government organizations, corporations and colleges. Professionals also have the option to gain skills in the commercial arena. The CCNA Voice certification commercial option will train the candidate in skills suitable for companies with fewer than 2000 employees.
This may include retail businesses and small school districts. Cisco CallManager Express (CME) and Cisco Unity Express (CUE) are the primary technologies to learn to manage these networks. Candidates will be required to take the IIUS exam #640-460 to receive certification.
What classes should I take for the CCNA Voice exam, and what prerequisites do I need
Through several classes, candidates will gain the skills necessary to demonstrate proficiency in core Cisco switching and routing networks. Sample classes offered by Cisco include: Cisco Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 (ICND1), Cisco Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND1) and Introducing Cisco Voice and Unified Communications Administration (ICOMM) v8.0. Other classes may include the following:
• An Overview of Cisco Unified Communications Solutions
• An Overview of Administrator and End-User Interfaces
• End Point and End-User Administration
• Enablement of Cisco Unity Connection and Cisco Unified Presence
• Enablement of End-User Telephony and Mobility Features
• Cisco Unified Communication Solution Maintenance
Before beginning this course, candidates must have a working knowledge of converged voice and data networks. They must also have a basic knowledge of Cisco IOS gateways and a basic knowledge of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco Unity Connection. Analytical skills, logical thinking skills, mathematical ability and some networking abilities are required before studying to take the CCNA exam.
What will I learn by studying for the CCNA Voice exams?
Students will learn components, architecture, functionalities and features of Cisco Unified Communications.
System monitoring, moves, adds and changes are all taught in this curriculum. After completing the assignments, clients will be able to identify call signaling, media stream flows and the components of a Cisco Unified Communications solution. Students will also learn to discuss the administrator and end-user interface.
Students will also understand call flows in Cisco Unified Communications Manager and the Express version. Performing end-point and end-user administrator is also taught during these classes. Students will learn to describe all telephony features and how to maintain a Cisco Unified Communications solution. More information can be discovered on Cisco.com.
Renewing your CCNA Voice certification
The CCNA Voice certification is valid for three years and then professionals must recertify. Recertification simply requires that you retake and pass the previous exam or achieve the next level of certification beyond CCNA.
Typical Salaries of CCNA Voice certification holders
Most professionals in this field will earn between $60,000 and $100,000 per year depending on the company, the economy and the area employed. Currently, the job market for CCNA Voice certified professionals is sound. There is a shortage of CCNA Voice networking professionals, so the demand is higher than normal. University students, helpdesk operators, IT professionals, network engineers, network support staff and system engineers are all eligible to pursue this certification.