As you might recall, last year Citrix introduced a few new certification programs which also offered various upgrade paths, existing CCIAs and CCEEs could update to the new equivalent level by passing only one exam. The same applied to current CCA’s and CCAA’s. Eligibility to update required a, at that time, unexpired valid credential and the upgrade paths were available till the first versions of the CCE-AD, CCP-AD and CCA-AD exams were retired. During that time they also announced some ‘still to come’ networking and mobility orientated certification tracks. Just recently they’ve launched their new ‘solution-based’ certification tracks which now also include both mobility and networking, let’s see what they’re about.
Solution based certification programs
Ok, up till a few weeks ago we had the CCE-AD (Citrix Certified Expert, former CCIA), CCP-AD (Citrix Certified Professional, former CCEE) and the CCA-AD (Citrix Certified Associate, former CCA’s) credentials with regards to the Desktop and Application virtualization certification tracks, at least that’s what they were called back than. As mentioned, a few weeks ago they released their new solution-based certification programs, based on their three main pilars: Virtualization, the Virtualization certifications focus on the design, deployment, and management of XenDesktop 7.x solutions, Networking, which primarily focusses on Citrix NetScalers, and Mobility, which validatess the knowledge and skills needed to design, deploy and manage mobile solutions, basically meaning XenMobile. First up is the Virtualization solution based certification program, and as you can see, it still consists of three exams in total:
The Networking solution based certification program:
The mobility solution based certification program:
They’re still using the CCE, CCP and CCA credentials as mentioned above, so you’re still an Expert, Professional or Associate once you pass one the above exams. However, the ‘AD’ part is now replaced with a captital V, N or M corresponding to the solution you’re focussing on which will be either Virtualization, Networking or Mobility.
Available upgrade paths
The old upgrade paths still apply as well, for example, if you’re currently CCEE certified than you’ll only have to take the CCP-V exam to renew your credential. The same applies to CCA and CCIA as well, see below. To be clear, these rules don’t apply to the Networking and Mobilty exams, there are no upgrades available since these exams and technologies are still farly new. They are also currently working on a new NetScaler Expert, CCE-N, exam , this certification will validate the advanced skills required to configure, monitor and secure multiple Networking solutions.
The update paths will be available with exams 1Y0-300 and 1Y0-400. Once these exams are discontinued, you will need to meet the full certification requirements to achieve certification. Meaning that you will have to start at the bottum and work your way up from there, which isn’t a bad idea to do anyway, even if you’re a CCIA already. Note that this doesn’t apply to the Netwokring exams currently available, the CCA-N is not a prerequisite for the CCP-N exam.
Virtualization, Networking as well as Mobility certifications are valid for three years from the date you obtain the certification. New exams will be released during this time. To maintain your certification you must pass the latest exam at your certification level before your three-year expiration date. And just so you know, both the CCEE and CCIA exams will be retired on November 28, 2014.
That about somes it up for now, I hope this clears up some of the confusion that may have arised with Citrix changing their certification programs. If you have any questions, and or remakrs, do let me know. Make sure to check out xenappblog.com in my sponsor section, they offer some excellent study material, definitely worth your attention. Also, see my download page for the accompanying study guides on all three tracks! Happy studying! Oh, and don’t forget to sign up :-)
Bas van Kaam ©
Reference material used: Citrix.com
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