9/10/2002 -- Cisco Systems announced late last week that it would be permanently retiring its Routing exam (RTING 640-603) this Friday, Sept. 13.

Routing was a core exam requirement for Cisco's popular Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) titles.

Individuals registering for the Routing exam on or before September 13, 2002 will be able to take that exam through October 25, 2002. After that time, candidates will be required to take the program's Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BCSI 640-901) exam.

Cisco gave no reason for the exam change on its Web site, but Phoenix-based trainer Andy Barkl said that the switch didn't come as much of a surprise to him. "The [routing] course was replaced one year ago and updated by the BSCI course, which includes new topics such as the IS-IS routing protocol.," he said. "BCSI is the Routing exam on steroids. The BSCI exam also qualifies candidates for the CCIP certification."

"ISIS is very similar in many respects to OSPF," he continued. "If you have been studying for the exam, continue on, include some time to learn ISIS, and check for any other new updates to the exam objectives of the new CCNP Routing exam, BCSI 640-901."

To view the official announcement, click here. - B.N.