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The Cisco Networking Academy Programme allows students to get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art networking equipment. Through this alliance with Cisco Systems, we aim to provide innovative, flexible and high-quality vocational education. A review of current job specifications and requirements for network focused technical posts show that employer expectations have significantly moved to encompass Cisco experience, expertise and qualifications. The programme is vocational education at its best providing training and the provision of new career opportunities in the community.

The CNAP programme is divided into semesters. There are four semesters in total, each covering a specific part of the CNAP curriculum. A student studies the Semesters 1 to 4 in sequence. Starting with Semester 1, the student progresses by passing each Semster in turn until all four are completed, thus obtaining the CNAP qualification.

Semester Content Overview

Semester 1 – covers network foundations. You are introduced to fundamental communication theory, network components and protocols and learn how to make and test different cable types.
Semester 2 - is real router hands-on time. You learn about the Cisco IOS and important key configuration issues for interfaces and ip set-ups.
Semester 3 – More router hands-on, learning how to filter different traffic types. You will also take your first steps in LAN design using switch technology and study key concepts in network management eg VLANS.
Semester 4 - This semester completes the CNAP program with more hands-on and a close look at WAN technologies. For example ISDN and Frame Relay are studied, culminating in a substantial integrated LAN/WAN design project.

Cisco Certified Network Associate is one who has the knowledge and skills to install, configure, maintain and troubleshoot Cisco routers, switches and related networking equipment in a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) environment.

To be certified, you must successfully pass the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam as determined by Cisco. The classes we offer to prepare for the required exam are CNT 140 (Cisco Networking Fundamentals), CNT 150 (Cisco Networking Router Technologies), CNT 160 (Cisco Advanced Routing and Switching), and CNT 170 (Cisco Project Based Learning). Cisco certification depends on successful completion of the Cisco CCNA exam, not on completion of the courses at CGCC, although successful completion of the courses helps to prepare you for the Cisco exam.

The majority of Cisco classes meet for approximately 3 hours per week for 16 weeks, the length of our usual semester. Summer classes are offered in an accelerated 8 week format in which classes meet for 6 hours per week. Lab time for each full semester class is required to complete assignments and is at least 1 hour per week outside of the scheduled class time. At the rate of one class per semester, the entire sequence would take 4 semesters or 1 _ years to complete. The CNT 140 and CNT 150 classes must be taken sequentially but the CNT160 and CNT170 classes can be taken simultaneously allowing all four courses to be completed in 1 year.

There are no prerequisites to start the CNT 140 course if the student has prior work experience with computer networks. For students who are new to computers and networking, several foundational courses are highly recommended. Taking these courses will greatly increase the chances of success. The decision should be made by the student with input from the advisor and with consideration given to many factors. We recommend the following courses be taken prior to starting the Cisco program: BPC121AB (MS-DOS Operating System), BPC121AE (Windows 95/98 Desktop Operating System), BPC170 (Computer Maintenance I: A+ prep), MST 140 (Microsoft Networking Essentials) and a Network Operating System (NOS) course such as MST150 (Microsoft Network Administration)