On Tuesday, Cisco announced the introduction of the new Cisco Video Network Specialist and CCNA Video certifications. The Cisco Video Network Specialist certification is geared toward individuals who perform jobs such as video technicians, video administrators or audiovisual installers in IP-networked environments. The CCNA Video certification is intended to extend the capabilities of an existing Cisco Voice Professional (CCNA Voice) into video technologies. The CCNA Video certification combines the operational tasks learned with the Cisco Video Network Specialist certification and the deployment, implementation and troubleshooting knowledge that comes along with the CCNA Voice.
As the video/voice over IP market continues to grow at a very fast pace, obtaining these certifications will allow people interested in these technologies to make an easier entry into the market. It’s likely that Cisco may introduce a professional level (CCNP) video track at some point to complement this growth.
The next few sections will review the testing requirements for these new certifications.
Cisco Video Network Specialist Exam Requirements
The Cisco Video Network Specialist certification involves the passing of the 200-001 VIVND – Implementing Cisco Video Network Devices exam. To pass this test, you’ll need to understand the following set of exam objectives (Blueprint):
Video Concepts
- Describe the functional components of video solutions
Endpoint Configuration
- Describe video product models
- Describe environment recommendations
- Implement desktop endpoints and surveillance cameras
- Describe features and functions
Troubleshooting and Support
- Describe troubleshooting methodologies
- Identify endpoint issues
- Collect system information
- Manage configuration
- Implement key CLI commands
- Monitor events and alerts
Conferencing Concepts
- Describe multi point control units
- Describe conferencing features
- Describe scheduling vs. ad hoc vs. on-demand features
CCNA Video
The CCNA Video certification requires the passing of two different exams. The first is the same 200-001 VIVND – Implementing Cisco Video Network Devices that is required for the Cisco Video Network Specialist certification; the second is the 640-461 ICOMM – Introducing Cisco Voice and Unified Communications Administration (ICOMM) exam. For those familiar with the CCNA Voice, this exam will sound familiar because it is the same exam needed to obtain the CCNA Voice certification. What this means is that once the CCNA Video has been achieved, there are actually three different certifications you will hold: The CCNA Video, the CCNA Voice and the Cisco Video Network Specialist certifications.
To pass the ICOMM test, the following set of exam objectives (Blueprint) has been established:
Describe the characteristics of a Cisco Unified Communications solution
- Describe the Cisco Unified Communications components and their functions
- Describe call signaling and media flows
- Describe quality implications of a VoIP network
Provision end users and associated devices
- Describe user creation options for Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express
- Create or modify user accounts for Cisco Unified Communications Manager
- Create or modify user accounts for Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express using the GUI
- Create or modify endpoints for Cisco Unified Communications Manager
- Create or modify endpoints for Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express using the GUI
- Describe how calling privileges function and how calling privileges impact system features
- Create or modify directory numbers
- Enable user features and related calling privileges for extension mobility, call coverage, intercom, native presence, and unified mobility remote destination configuration
- Enable end users for Cisco Unified Presence
- Verify user features are operational
Configure voice messaging and presence
- Describe user creation options for voice messaging
- Create or modify user accounts for Cisco Unity Connection
- Describe Cisco Unified Presence
- Configure Cisco Unified Presence
Maintain Cisco Unified Communications system
- Generate CDR and CMR reports
- Generate capacity reports
- Generate usage reports
- Generate RTMT reports to monitor system activities
- Monitor voicemail usage
- Remove unassigned directory numbers
- Perform manual system backup
Provide end user support
- Verify PSTN connectivity
- Define fault domains using information gathered from end user
- Troubleshoot endpoint issues
- Identify voicemail issues and resolve issues related to user mailboxes
- Describe causes and symptoms of call quality issues
- Reset single devices
- Describe how to use phone applications
To learn more about these certifications, see CCNA Video and Video Network Specialists overviews on the Cisco websites.
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