8/1/2001 -- Cisco recently announced five more exams for its new Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP) certification.

According to the Cisco Web site, the first in this group of betas was released July 30, with the rest scheduled to roll out on various dates throughout August. All are priced at $50 U.S.

Cisco announced the CCIP in June. Like the company's CCNP and CCDP titles, the CCIP is a Professional-level certification, but it is designed specifically for those working in the communications and services industry. The CCIP currently offers three specialties: Cable, MPLS and Security. More are under development.

Cisco launched the beta for one of the title's two core exams, Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI), in June. This beta is closed Aug. 6. The other exams are:

• 641-910 MPLS -- Elective, Beta Started July 30
• 641-915 METRO -- Elective, Beta Starts Aug. 3
• 641-905 MCAST+QoS -- Core, Beta Starts Aug. 10
• 641-925 CN -- Elective, Beta Starts Aug. 24
• 641-920 PKTEL -- Elective, Beta Starts Aug. 24
  (According to Cisco, dates are subject to change without notice.)

A spokesperson for Cisco could not say when the exams will go live, but did say that training from Cisco Authorized Training Centers will be available for all tracks of this certification.

Cisco strongly recommends that candidates hold the company's CCNA certification before pursing the CCIP. Those who complete the CCIP may decide to pursue the Communications and Services track of the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification.

For more information on these beta exams, visit the Beta Exam section of the Cisco Web site. For more information on the CCIP title, visit the CCIP section of the Cisco Web site. -B.N