New CCNP – Official Announcement
Following all the rumors and speculations Cisco finally released the official announcement.
Cisco has updated its Cisco CCNP® certification for network engineers through a comprehensive process involving customers and partners from around the globe. The revision focuses on the competencies that are needed to plan, implement, and troubleshoot the routed and switched networks of today and is designed to be more predictive of job readiness. CCNP offers a career development path for Cisco CCNA® certified network engineers and a solid foundation for those who are interested in Cisco CCIE®.
The revised CCNP curriculum and exams include the following:
ROUTE v1.0 – Implementing Cisco IP Routing – is a five-day instructor-led course in which network professionals learn to plan, configure, and verify the implementation of complex enterprise LAN and WAN routing solutions, using a range of routing protocols. ROUTE v1.0 also covers configuration of secure routing solutions to support branch offices and mobile workers. The course includes more than seven hours of e-learning lessons and demos that students can absorb at their own pace.
This is a replacement for BSCI exam and it does look easier as it only include OSPF, EIGRP & BGP.
SWITCH v1.0 – Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks – is a five-day instructor-led course in which network professionals will learn to plan, configure, and verify the implementation of complex enterprise switching solutions, using Cisco Enterprise Campus Architecture. SWITCH v1.0 also covers secure integration of VLANs, WLANs, voice, and video into campus networks.
This is a replacement for BCMSN exam and generally there are no major changes
TSHOOT v1.0 – Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks – is a five-day instructor-led course in which network professionals learn to (1) plan and perform regular maintenance on complex enterprise routed and switched networks, and (2) use technology-based practices and a systematic ITIL-compliant approach to perform network troubleshooting. Extensive labs provide hands-on learning and reinforce troubleshooting skills. The course includes more than nine hours of e-learning lessons and demos that students can absorb at their own pace.
This is a replacement for both ISCW & ONT exams and looking at it I feel it is an easier exam though we should wait to hear feedbacks.
The new exams will be available March 10th 2010 and the old exam will retire July 31st 2010. You can go over all the exam details at the official CCNP page.
Each of the new exam will be 120 minute long and cost $200 (which allow Cisco to keep the same $600 cost per CCNP candidate)
There are 4 optional paths:
Path 1
642-901 BSCI (Last day to test: July 31, 2010) or 642-902 ROUTE
and
642-812 BCMSN (Last day to test: July 31, 2010) or 642-813 SWITCH
and
642-825 ISCW (Last day to test: July 31, 2010)
and
642-845 ONT (Last day to test: July 31, 2010)
Path 2
642-892 Composite (Last day to test: July 31, 2010)
and
642-825 ISCW (Last day to test: July 31, 2010)
and
642-845 ONT (Last day to test: July 31, 2010)
Path 3
642-901 BCSI (Last day to test: July 31, 2010) or 642-902 ROUTE (Available March 10, 2010)
and
642-812 BCMSN (Last day to test: July 31, 2010) or 642-813 SWITCH (Available March 10, 2010)
and
643-832 TSHOOT beta (available Feb 16 through Mar 26, 2010)
or
642-832 TSHOOT (available April 30, 2010)
And the most surprising 2 exam only, Path 4
642-892 Composite (Last day to test: July 31, 2010)
and
643-832 TSHOOT beta (available Feb 16 through Mar 26, 2010)
or
642-832 TSHOOT (available April 30, 2010)
Overall and after only a short review of the new details it looks as if Cisco is making it easier to become a CCNP but also focus on real Route & Switch topics which an average CCNP R&S have a real world access to.
CCDP note – as expected, the CCDP track requirements will not change other than the replacement of BSCI & BCMSN exams with the new ROUTE & SWITCH exams. ARCH exam stay untouched.
Cisco provide a video with an overall review on the new track
Study materials are available, Check here for details.
You can use this CCNP Combination Tool to see which exams are required for you to complete your CCNP.
IT Dualism 
Hey all –
Hope this is helpful -Cisco Press has materials for the new CCNP exam already — see the official news release from Cisco Press here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100125006061/en/Cisco-Press-Launches-Suite-Products-CCNP-Certification
thanks Jamie
New CCNP is bad for those who started ISCW & ONT but it will be good for those who are going to proceed.Cisco’s appreciable move is revision of ccnp,and look the time 120min instead of 90min thats really good,after taking my ccna exam i thought there are many thing to ask and question but that was limited with 90min.So that 120min will really check many in CCNP.. but cost is not good.(Maintaining the same cost even after reducing one exam).
hey Ramesh, did you start your CCNP studies? let us know which track you’re going to take
I can understand Cisco’s need to move forward with their certs, but I think this is a pretty quick timeline. Some coworkers and I just started down the CCNP tracks in December by taking the ISCW and ONT classes; now, to avoid wasting the $4k per class, we have to finish everything by July. That’s not really cool in my book.
I hear you my friend. I’m already registered for the ISCW exam and paid for the books. I see no choice but push hard and complete it.
I also feel that although it make sense to remove security and voice as there are specialist tracks for both, some knowledge should be kept for the R&S exam.