Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Networking (CCNP Enterprise) - Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

This qualification aims to give you:

  • the knowledge, skills and behavioural characteristics you will need to complete the Cisco CCNP Enterprise professional accreditation.

It will also:

  • focus your research skills in the domains of infrastructure and enterprise security
  • enhance your technological skillset through the use of remote labs
  • further your understanding of enterprise network systems.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this qualification, you’ll have knowledge and understanding of:

  • how a range of IPv4 and IPv6 interior and exterior routing technologies interoperate
  • how to troubleshoot a range of infrastructure and enterprise networking issues
  • the range of techniques in use to secure enterprise networks and ensure the safe transit of data
  • the implementation constraints and opportunities associated with VPN technologies
  • the implementation constraints and opportunities associated with enterprise security solutions
  • system logging and infrastructure monitoring services within an enterprise network
  • current network automation, assurance and architecture implementation and security compliance challenges
  • how virtualisation is deployed within an enterprise network.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

  • develop research, investigation and troubleshooting skills by means of appropriate practical and exploration-based activities throughout your learning materials
  • use direct feedback after Cisco theory and practice-based assessments to evaluate your own learning
  • integrate knowledge from alternate sources to provide context to the Cisco view.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

  • configure routers and switches, implementing complex enterprise networking scenarios through online lab sessions
  • use specialist software tools
  • use network equipment via remote mediated labs
  • plan and organise yourself and your work appropriately when working within online lab sessions.

Key skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

  • communicate accurately and reliably in a structured and coherent fashion, recognising purpose and audience
  • work effectively with others in a distance setting where the collaboration is undertaken via computer-mediated communication
  • work effectively in a remote practical lab setting on NETLAB+
  • use appropriate numerical and mathematical skills to analyse network data
  • find and select information for a specific purpose, including via the Web or a router/switch CLI
  • learn to organise time, study methods and resources to suit the circumstances.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

You’ll learn independently, using online teaching texts, elearning resources via the Web; directed reading from ebooks and academic and industry papers, remote labs and specialised software tools.

We’ll support your learning with:

  • self-assessment questions and exercises
  • computer-based investigations, tasks and activities, and open-ended project work
  • feedback and guidance from tutors and other subject specialists
  • computer conferences and other online forums
  • study guides, information and guidance packs.

We’ll assess your learning using some or all of the following:

  • interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) via Cisco NetAcad
  • tutor-marked assessments (TMAs)
  • end-of-module assessments (EMAs).

There will be opportunities for you to:

  • apply your learning in practical contexts, for example by reflecting on your own engagement with infrastructure networking systems in a corporate setting and completing practical activities on remote lab-based systems
  • engage with fellow students, tutors, subject practitioners and academic specialists via moderated forums
  • engage with research papers and industry white papers at the forefront of the discipline
  • gain exposure to the professional and employability discussions that are shaping the computing profession.

Cognitive skills are developed via a range of activities including self-assessment exercises, multi-media tasks, tutor-led discussions, and the exploration of open and complex problems. Tutor-mediated online activities and student and tutor conference facilities provide an environment for critical discussion and peer interaction. Tutor feedback on formal exercises aids the development of these skills.

Cognitive skills will be assessed by addressing problems requiring investigation, analysis and synthesis. These will be examined in TMAs and examinations, and TMAs and the project will offer opportunities to demonstrate integration of knowledge and skills from a range of topics.

Key skills are taught and developed throughout the teaching materials; supported by tutor feedback and guidance around formal activities and assessed exercises.

You’ll undertake both direct and self-selected reading, and there is progressive development of your engagement and use of these materials.

Various types of assessment questions, project reports and some open-ended activity progress reports will be used to formally assess the skills taught.

Practical and professional skills will be taught and developed throughout the qualification, with support from tutors and subject specialists. All TMA and EMA activities, will include assessment points related to practical and professional skills.

You’ll be supported in developing a style of independent learning and reflective practice that encourages a professional engagement with the computing discipline, encompassing professional codes of conduct and legal, social and ethical concerns.

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