The news is not unexpected: New versions of title's four core exams have been in beta testing for several weeks. However, today's announcement was the first time Cisco has commented publicly on the upgrade.

The same four core exams will still be required to earn the CCNP (as shown in the chart below):

-- advertisement (article continued below) --

However, the content has been upgraded to reflect today's "greater focus of the converged network" in the enterprise, commented Nader Nanjiani, marketing programs manager, Cisco Internet Learning Solutions Group. Topics with more emphasis include security, converged networks, quality of service (QoS), virtual private networks, and broadband technologies.

"The CCDP and CCDA have changed in response to converged networks...and the CCNP brings that all together," Nanjiani explained in an interview today. "We want to embed convergent technologies in the knowledge base of our certified professionals."

A press release announcing the revamp also said that the exams will feature additional simulation questions. Cisco declined our request for more details regarding this portion of the announcement.

Nanjiani told CertCities.com that the betas above are targeted to go live in July. As for the current versions, while registration will end August 7, those who register before that date can take the exam up to six weeks later, Nanjiani said. Candidates can mix and match 640- and 642-/643- exams to earn the title.

More details on the CCNP revamp can be found here. Although the site currently makes no mention of revising the CCNP Foundations or recertification exam, Nanjiani said that new versions will indeed be coming and that an official announcement will be made in approximately one month. -B.N.