Elevating Your Collaboration Skills: A Look at the Latest Updates in CCNP Collaboration Program

The CCNP Collaboration program, offered by Cisco, is a popular certification program for network engineers looking to specialize in collaboration technologies. Recently, the program underwent significant updates with the release of v1.1, bringing exciting changes to both the core and concentration exams.

With the latest minor revision in the CCNP Collaboration program, the domain has been brought in sync with the currently prevailing Cisco Collaboration technologies and solutions. The collaboration industry is increasingly leaning towards hybrid and cloud solutions, and their orchestration. To reflect these developments, the v1.1 blueprints now include Webex Calling, Webex App, Cloud Calling, Webex Control Hub, and Cloud Messaging.

Core Exam Revisions

The core exam, Implementing and Operating Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies (350-801 CLCOR), has undergone a revamp to reflect the latest industry trends and technologies.

The revised version of the exam, compared to the previous version, features identical domains, but with some notable changes. The changes were made to ensure the continued relevance of the blueprint by adding newer Cisco collaboration technologies, such as Webex Control Hub, Cloud Calling, Webex Calling, and Webex App. These newer technologies reflect the growing trend toward hybrid, cloud solutions, and orchestration in the collaboration industry.

Additionally, some outdated protocols and technologies have been removed from the exam blueprint. Codec negotiations, MGCP, ISDN PRI/BRI, and IM and Presence protocols are no longer included. The removal of these technologies signifies the program’s commitment to staying relevant and up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry.

Concentration Exam Revisions

The concentration exams have also been updated to reflect the latest technologies and trends in the industry. The CCNP Collaboration program now offers four concentration exams:

1. Implementing Cisco Collaboration Applications (300-810 CLICA) The exam maintains the same four domains as the previous version, but with several updates to reflect current trends and technologies. Notably, the updated exam places an increased emphasis on security, with additions like two-factor authentication, third-party IdP, and OAuth protocols. In addition, the inclusion of the Webex App highlights the growing importance of cloud-based collaboration solutions. However, the Cisco Unity Express has been removed from the blueprint.
2. Implementing Cisco Advanced Call Control and Mobility Services (300-815 CLACCM)The core components of the blueprint remain the same as in v1.0. However, the updated exam includes new topics such as SIP trunks, SRST, SRTP, SIP TLS, Cisco UCM call recording, as well as Cloud Mobility. These additions align with the latest Cisco Collaboration technologies and solutions. At the same time, Cisco UCME and device mobility have been removed from the blueprint to reflect the shift in industry focus. Overall, these changes ensure that the exam remains up-to-date with the latest advancements in Cisco Collaboration.
3. Implementing Cisco Collaboration Cloud and Edge Solutions (300-820 CLCEI)The 300-820 CLCEI exam blueprint continues to cover the topics of Cisco Collaboration Cloud, Cisco Unified IM and Presence, Cisco Expressway, and Cisco Webex Edge Services. However, the updated exam now includes a greater focus on Webex architecture, reflecting the growing trend of remote collaboration.
4. Automating and Programming Cisco Collaboration Solutions (300-835 CLAUTO)The blueprint still covers domains such as programming concepts, APIs, and automation solutions for collaboration platforms. However, the revised version places more emphasis on programming skills and the ability to develop and integrate applications using APIs. The updated blueprint includes topics such as developing REST API client code, Python programming, and developing custom collaboration workflows using automation tools. Additionally, the new version covers app development for Cisco Webex Teams and Cisco Unified Communications Manager. These changes reflect the growing demand for programming skills and the increasing adoption of automation in the collaboration industry.

The Retirement of the CLCNF 300-825 Exam

Cisco has recently announced the retirement of the Implementing Cisco Conferencing (CLCNF 300-825) exam. This exam was a part of the CCNP Collaboration certification program and was designed to test the skills and knowledge of professionals who implement Cisco conferencing solutions.

The CLCNF 300-825 exam tested candidates on various topics such as Cisco Meeting Server, Cisco Meeting Management, Cisco Webex, and Cisco Spark. However, with the growing demand for cloud-based collaboration solutions and the rapid adoption of Cisco’s Webex platform, the exam was deemed no longer relevant to the current market needs. The retirement of the CLCNF 300-825 exam is part of Cisco’s continuous effort to streamline its certification portfolio and keep up with the changing industry trends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the CCNP Collaboration certification program has undergone significant updates with the release of v1.1. These changes reflect the current state of the industry, making the program more relevant to network engineers looking to specialize in collaboration technologies. With the increasing demand for collaboration solutions in today’s business landscape, obtaining a CCNP Collaboration certification can elevate your skills and help you advance your career.