FYI - Now it's officially been announced
New CCENT Certification The Cisco CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician) certification validates the skills required for entry-level network support positions, the starting point for many successful careers in networking. Candidates should have the knowledge and skill to install, operate and troubleshoot a small enterprise branch network, including basic network security. CCENT certification is the first step toward achieving CCNA, which covers medium size enterprise branch networks with more complex connections.
Available 01 August 2007 the new cert exam is 640-822 ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1)
Media release: Cisco Addresses Global Networking Skills Gap with New Entry-Level Certification and Updates to CCNA
New Cisco Networking Academy courses - there's a preview on
(1) CCNA Discovery: Completely different approach - First two courses map to ICND1 (CCENT) and the 3rd and 4th courses map to ICND2 (CCNA) - it's designed more for high schools or post-secondary students doing networking as a minor; e.g., MIS majors.
(2) CCNA Exploration: Maps to the CCNA only - it's more like the existing courses but more (and some new) content - you'll be pleased to hear, for example, that the idea of "useable subnets" has finally been put out of its misery, IGRP is gone, etc. Exploration is aimed at technical college, polytechnic, technical university level networking or computer systems students.
The first two courses for each of Discovery and Exploration are available for Academies to deliver from this week - although only in English at this stage unfortunately - labs start from Chapter 1 and Packet Tracer sim activities are embedded directly in the curriculum - no more "e-labs".
The 3rd and 4th courses for each of Discovery and Exploration will be out for January 2008.
Media releases: Cisco Networking Academy: Curriculum Evolves to Address Changing Industry, Student Needs