Cisco Introduces Professional-Level Voice Certification.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco Systems(R) (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced the latest addition to its professional-level certifications: the Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP). The new voice certification was created in response to heightened customer and channel partner demand for knowledgeable network professionals who can install, configure, operate and support complex Internet Protocol (IP) telephony systems.

The CCVP certification recognizes the increased importance placed on today's IT professionals who are responsible for integrating voice technology into underlying network architectures. Individuals who earn a CCVP certification can help create a telephony solution that is transparent, scalable and manageable.

"To achieve the many benefits of a converged data, voice and video network, organizations need network professionals with the right mix of skills," said Don Field, director of certifications at Cisco. "Earning a CCVP certification validates a robust set of skills in implementing, operating, configuring and troubleshooting a converged IP network."

The CCVP courses and exams provide a comprehensive curriculum focused on Cisco CallManager call-processing systems, quality of service (QoS), gateways, gatekeepers, IP phones and voice applications and utilities on Cisco routers and Cisco Catalyst(R) switches. CCVP certification is targeted to field engineers, network engineers, systems engineers, telecommunications equipment installers and others who currently install, configure and support IP telephony solutions, private branch exchanges (PBXs) and voice-mail systems.

Candidates must demonstrate a high level of expertise with complex enterprise CallManager and IP networks. This certification also requires demonstration of the use of Cisco QoS features such as queuing, congestion avoidance, traffic policing, shaping and link-efficiency mechanisms in optimizing network traffic for voice and other related applications. Additionally, individuals will be required to verify their knowledge and skills in configuring Cisco IOS(R) Software for managing voice traffic on IP networks using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), H.323 standards-based IP telephony systems and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) group of protocols on voice-over-IP (VoIP) infrastructures.

Exams

Earning a CCVP certification requires holding an active Cisco associate-level CCNA(R) certification and passing five additional exams. The following courses and exams comprise the CCVP certification:

--642-642 QOS--Quality of Service

--642-432 CVOICE--Cisco Voice Over IP

--642-425 IPTT--IP Telephony Troubleshooting

--642-444 CIPT--Cisco IP Telephony

--642-452 GW/GK--Gateway/Gatekeeper

Individuals who currently hold a Cisco IP Telephony Qualified Specialist certification will find that they have already achieved many of the requirements for the new CCVP certification. Virtual University Enterprises (VUE) and Prometric offer Cisco certification exams at locations worldwide. For more information, visit: www.cisco.com/go/training. Successful CCVP candidates will acquire many of the broad-based voice and application skills that the Cisco CCIE(R)-Voice certification requires.

Training and Availability

Authorized Cisco training is available from a global network of Cisco Learning Partners and the Partner E-Learning Connection. For complete details about the training and exam requirements for the CCVP and other certifications, visit: www.cisco.com/go/certifications.

Training may be purchased using Cisco Learning Credits, an easy method of payment for Cisco authorized training, redeemable through participating Cisco Learning Partners worldwide. For information about Cisco Learning Credits, visit www.cisco.com/go/learningcredits.

The Gateway/Gatekeeper course is expected to be available by July 2005.

About Cisco Systems

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