BARCELONA, Spain (Networkers 2008) January 22, 2008 - Responding to strong customer demand to collaborate on network architecture strategy, and not just implementation, Cisco® is introducing today the new Cisco CCDE^TM certification for design experts. On par with the award-winning CCIE® certification, CCDE applies a solutions-based educational approach and recognizes the growing number of networking experts who have in-depth infrastructure design knowledge, which enables them to assess network business requirements and translate those requirements into effective network designs.

"Networks are strategic and the role of a network designer is becoming much more important," said Yankee Group Analyst Zeus Kerravala. "People who take on design roles impact the strategic direction of their organizations. This new expert-level certification recognizes the importance of individuals to not only operate and diagnose networks, but design them."

The CCDE certification provides further career advancements for networking experts in the information technology (IT) industry. Approximately 30 percent of today's CCIE community is responsible for network design each day; however, these design experts are no longer involved in hands-on configuration, but rather in strategic design and architecture. The CCDE certification was created to provide IT professionals who specialize in network design with a prestigious credential that recognizes senior-level expertise and provides incentives for the experienced practitioner to continue his or her professional development.

"The need for an expert-level design certification is in great demand," said Terry Slattery, CCIE 1026, renowned author and networking expert. "The CCDE certification differentiates network designers from implementation-focused professionals. It respects designers' depth of knowledge while providing them with a clear path through their professional development. This new certification recognizes that implementing best practices at the design level is far more efficient than tackling network problems after implementation.

"Certifications provide a stamp of approval that validates the quality of our organization's employees," said Phil Norton, chairman, CEO and president of ePlus. "The CCDE isn't about operations; it's about recognizing the value of network designers and honoring their core skills that provide a real value to our business and our customers."

The CCDE certification includes sophisticated, multi-vendor network design principles, theory and analysis, as well as strategic architecture concepts that go "beyond the network." Modeled after Cisco's existing expert-level certification program, the CCIE program, the CCDE credential includes a two-part exam: a qualification exam and a practical exam. The qualifying exam, (ADVDESIGN) 352-001, is a two-hour, multiple-choice test that assesses fundamental knowledge of networking theories, principles, protocols and technology. The second exam, the practical exam, is an eight-hour, practical scenario-based exam available in late 2008. The qualification exam is now available at Pearson VUE testing facilities worldwide.

Additional information about CCDE is available at: www.cisco.com/go/designexpert

Training and Availability

Authorized Cisco training is available from a global network of Cisco Learning Partners and the Partner Education Connection. For complete details on the Cisco Career Certifications program, visit: www.cisco.com/go/certifications.