Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)

One of two associate- or entry-level certifications, the CCDA falls completely within the Network Engineering and Design track. Although the CCNA is not a required prerequisite for CCDA, Cisco states that “knowledge and skills to install, configure and operate small networks” are needed. Therefore, Cisco recommends obtaining a CCNA prior to pursuing the CCDA credential.  CCNA level knowledge and BCMSN level knowledge is needed to prepare for the CCDA certification exam.

CCDAs are equipped to perform basic design and network engineering for the small-office/home-office (SOHO) market. CCDAs can design routed and switched networks that include LAN, WAN and remote-access services for networks with less than 100 nodes. As an entry-level credential, a CCDA is a “nice-to-have” rather than a “must-have” credential and should be viewed as a stepping-stone to the Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) and higher-level certifications.

It is only necessary to pass a single exam to obtain the CCDA. That exam is currently known as #640-863, Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (DESGN).  In addition to the DESGN class, Cisco also recommends that candidates take the Cisco Certified Network Associate Basics (CCNAB) class. Obviously, those who obtain a CCNA before attempting the CCDA can omit that class.

The CCDA remains valid for three years. Since it’s a single-exam credential, those who wish to retain a CCDA must either advance to or recertify at the Professional level or take whatever CCDA exam is required at the time of expiration.