Cisco CCDA certification demonstrates competence as a Network Design Professional
Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certification validates the skills needed to design a secure Cisco network. CCDA certified network professionals can design routed and switched network infrastructures and services involving LAN, WAN and broadband access.
The CCDA certification exam covers the design of basic voice, campus, security, data center and wireless networks. Becoming a Cisco Certified Design Associate is a tangible first step toward an exciting and lucrative career as a network designer or network engineer.
Skills Measured by the CCDA
Key skill sets and knowledge areas measured by the CCDA certification exam include the following.
Cisco Certified Design Associates can:
- Design secure data center, voice and wireless networks in enterprise environment.
- Describe in detail the tools and methodologies used to design a computer network.
- Explain network structure, hierarchy and the modular nature of modern IT networks.
- Implement enterprise data centers using cutting-edge network virtualization tools.
- Develop IP addressing and routing protocols for busy enterprise computer networks.
- Design effective network services while mitigating network security vulnerabilities.
- Identify business needs and design Cisco Enterprise Edge and Remote Network Modules.
CCDA Exams
You must pass one exam to become a Cisco Certified Design Associate:
- DESGN: Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (exam # 200-310)
CCDA Exam Format: Cisco Certification Exams are comprised of multiple testing formats including multiple choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, testlet, simlet, and simulations. Explore Cisco's Cisco Certification Exam Tutorial to familiarize yourself with these unique question types.
CCDA Time Limit: 200-310 (DESGN) is 75 minutes long.Exam Length: 200-310 (DESGN) contains 55 - 65 questions.
Exam Cost: 200-310 (DESGN) costs $300 USD.
Passing Grade: Approximately 75% correct; Cisco does not publish exam passing scores because test questions and passing scores are subject to change without notice.
CCDA Prerequisites
- Required: No required prerequisites for CCDA certification
- Recommended: Cisco CCNA certification or equivalent knowledge is needed to prepare for the Cisco CCDA certification exam.
CCDA Salary
Average annual wage for CCDA certified pros and other Cisco certification holders:
- CCENT: Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician | $59,000
- CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing & Switching | $75,000
- CCNA Security | $78,000
- CCNA Voice | $79,000
- CCNA Wireless | $79,000
- Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist | $86,000
- CCDA: Cisco Certified Design Associate | $88,000
- CCNP Wireless | $89,000
- CCNP: Cisco Certified Network Professional, Routing & Switching | $92,000
- CCVP: Cisco Certified Voice Professional | $95,000
- CCSP: Cisco Certified Security Professional | $100,000
- CCNP Security | $103,000
- CCDP: Cisco Certified Design Professional | $106,000
- CCIE Routing & Switching | $122,000
- CCIE Security | $130,000
Average salary by Cisco certification (USA)
Source: Payscale.com
Related Certifications
- CompTIA A+ Certification
- CompTIA Network+ Certification
- Cisco CCNA Certification
- Cisco CCNP Certification
