The Cisco CCIE Collaboration certification refers to the expert-level designations in the Cisco Certification program. It is designed for candidates that are competent in creating complex collaboration solutions. To obtain this accreditation, candidates need to pass a qualifying exam that checks their skills in working with core collaboration technologies and a practical lab exam that is focused on enterprise collaboration solutions to ensure the whole network lifecycle.
So, the first step on your way to be a Cisco expert in collaboration is passing the 350-801 exam, also known as Implementing and Operating Cisco Collaboration Core(CLCOR) technologies. Consider the fact, that this exam is also associated with such designations as CCNP Collaboration, Cisco Certified Specialist – Collaboration Core, and CCIE Collaboration. The exam questions will check how knowledgeable you are of collaboration technologies, such as design, infrastructure, Call Control. QoS, protocols, codecs, endpoints, Cisco IOS XE gateway, and collaboration applications. Speaking of the exam content, it contains 5 domains, each of which tests definite skills.
The first domain is centered on infrastructure and design. Candidates should be able to describe core elements of Cisco Collaboration architecture, such as HA, sizing, disaster recovery, security, dial plan, QoS, bandwidth, and licensing. The other expertise tested in this domain refers to the purpose of Edge devices used in the Cisco Collaboration architecture and configuration of the network components, such as DHCP, CDP, LDAP, NTP, LLDP, TFTP. Your ability to troubleshoot these network components and explain them to provide support to Cisco Collaboration solutions will also be tested.
The second domain in which you should be competent deals with protocols, codecs, and endpoints. This section implies that you possess skills to troubleshoot the following elements that refer to a SIP conversation: SDP, DTMF, call set up and tear down. Another skill you should have concerns the configuration of codec negotiations as well as deployment SIP endpoints, which include self provisioning, manual, and BAT. Besides, your ability to troubleshoot collaboration endpoints and define the suitable collaboration codecs for a given task will be assessed.
The third domain the candidates are tested on refers to Cisco IOS XE Gateway and media resources. This requires skills on subjects, such as dial peers, codec preference list, DTMF, and voice translation rules and profiles. Exam-takers should also be able to configure ISDN BRI/PRI, troubleshoot ISDN BRI/PRI, verify the MGCP, define the suitable media resources for a given task.
The fourth section is focused on call control. In this part, you should have knowledge of the Cisco Unified Communications Manager digit analysis process and be able to describe it. In addition, you should be able to apply fraud prevention on Cisco Unified CM, as well as be proficient in globalized call routing in Cisco Unified CM. Next, candidates should have knowledge on Mobile and Remote Access and be able to describe it.
The fifth topic is about QoS. In this part, the exam will evaluate your skills to describe issues that lead to poor video and voice quality. For that, you need to have in-depth knowledge of latency, jitter, bandwidth, and packet loss. Moving forward, it’s also important that you are able to describe the QoS requirements for these app types and the class models that ensure QoS provision on a network. Your ability to describe the function and purpose of the DiffServ values, QoS trust boundaries, along with configuring and verifying LLQ will also be tested.
The sixth domain covers your expertise in dealing with collaboration applications. In this section, you should be skilled in configuring Cisco Unity Connection mailbox, MWI, Cisco Unity Connection SIP integration options, and Cisco Unity Connection call handlers. You also should be able to describe XMPP, high availability and implement Cisco Jabber on premises.
The second step on the way to obtaining the Cisco CCIE Collaboration certification is passing the CCIE Collaboration v3.0 Lab exam which lasts for 8 hours. This evaluation will measure your skills to plan, design, apply, manage, and optimize complex enterprise collaboration solutions.
Being a certified Cisco expert in the CCIE Collaboration field, you can earn annually about $130, 067 per year as stated on the ZipRecruiter website.
To opt for this exam, you should be ready to tackle all exam questions within 2 hours, and pay $400 before the exam date.