Not much has changed from previous versions. Varying question counts usually indicate seeding of new exam content which may or may not be testable.
So, you want to become a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and are preparing to tackle the Cisco Troubleshooting Exam
(CIT 642-831)? In this article, I discuss what you need to know to take and pass the 642-831 exam, including prerequisites and
some test-taking strategies.
CIT 642-831 is Cisco’s latest version of this CCNP exam. To prepare to pass it, you first need to develop a strategy as this
exam is by no means ”easy.” Cisco has made great efforts over the last few years to increase the difficulty level of CCNP exams
and to make them more realistic to what a CCNP would need to know or be in contact with in the workplace. Like anything in
technology, change is imminent and with the never-ending enhancements to Cisco’s product line, it’s important to continue to
learn and be tested on new topics and technology. Today’s networks focus more on IPSec and MPLS-based virtual private networks
and less on Frame Relay networks. As that focus changes, so does the Cisco testing environment.
Having taken and passed the first version of the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam several years ago and having taken
its newer versions since then, it’s clear to me that Cisco means business when it attempts to qualify good candidates via its
certification exams. Cisco has included new enhancements such as simulation-based questions in which the test-taker needs to solve
a problem by doing it instead of simply selecting an A, B, C, or D answer. Simulation-based questions allow a test-taker to prove
mastery of configuration or troubleshooting knowledge applied to situations that occur frequently on a production network. Today,
with the CIT 642-831 exam, one thing is certain[md]you must prepare by covering all of the objectives and mastering the material
based on those testable objectives.
Exam Preparation Strategies
To pass the CIT exam, you need to be good at troubleshooting Cisco routing, switching, and remote access problems. It’s wise to
take this exam after the other CCNP requirements; however, it’s neither necessary nor mandatory. In fact, you can take any of
the four CCNP exams in any order you like. Years ago, I obtained my CCNP with the first batch of exams that Cisco offered
(including the dreaded ACRC exam) and actually took CIT first so that I could intensely study for it and then be familiar with
the Routing, Switching, and Remote Access exams when I took them. I was somewhat new to routing with Cisco equipment, and although
I thoroughly understood the fundamentals of networking and IP addressing and had already acquired my CCNA, the CCNP line of exams
showed a need to understand not only the concepts of routing and switching but the Cisco product line and all the details of
applying that technology with the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS). Taking the CIT first proved to be a good strategy for
me, but you have to gauge your own knowledge level as you prepare to take this exam and plan what works for you. You will be tested
on routing, switching and remote access on the CIT exam, so plan wisely based on your own level of knowledge and experience.
As you build your strategy to take the exam, you must also plan how to study for the CIT exam specifically. You have many options. You
can take...
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CCNA & CCNP Lab Suggestions
Many people ask me what would make a good CCNA lab? Well, that can be a tricky question based upon your budget and future Cisco aspirations. So let’s start off with a few basic concepts I hope we can
all agree on. Real Routers. Read more…
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