I’ve seen lots of people panicing (is that how you spell it?) on the web about the CCNA 5.0 exam which was announced a while back by Cisco.

My understanding is that this is for the Cisco Networking Academy and is a bolt on to the current syllabus (according to their video).

But it’s reasonable to presume that there will be a knock on effect to the current CCNA. You could see the CCENT and ICND2 vanish or at least change. The CCNA will evolve to test you harder on:

• IPv6
• Security
• Voice
• Wireless
• Data centre
• IOS 15.X commands

I’m not sure what will happen with the specialisations because it makes sense to keep them separate and seems a bit too much to cram into the current CCNA syllabus which, let’s face it, is hard enough already.

At this rate my study guide will be 700+ pages thick!

How will you get IOS 15.X hands on time? Who can say at the moment. You have to verify your IOS license with Cisco for 15.x so getting unofficial copies will prove hard and official copies will prove expensive (starting at $1,000 each).

Many people are pushing Cisco for educational copies or discounts but they aren’t budging at the moment. Not sure if IOU will provide a workaround. At the moment, with 15.x features unlock as you pay more (I think the model comes from crack dealers)! IOS 15.x is included with Packet Tracer 6.0 apparently.

I know you can get hands on time with 15.x routers with CCIE rack providers such as INE.

I think you can run evaluation copies for 30 days. Anyone who can add more info feel free to chip in.

For now, if you are studying for your CCNA – get it done ASAP but don’t panic. You will usually have 6 months notice to pass the current exams.

Don’t listen to any opinions though, get the info from Cisco as and when they make an announcement.

Here is some info on IOS 15:

https://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/iosswrel/ps8802/ps10587/ps10591/ps10621/qa_c67_561940.html

Meanwhile, here is a nice fluffy marketing video from Cisco:

Regards

Paul