How to become an Aruba Certified Design Expert
There are many qualifications and certifications available if you want to demonstrate your skills as a network engineer. Aruba offers a number of options covering general networking skills and their networking products. Becoming an Aruba Certified Design Expert is just one possibility.
What is ACDX?
Aruba Certified Design Expert (ACDX) certification confirms that you have the skills to design multi-site and complex Aruba mobile and switch solutions. It shows that the solutions you design can incorporate ClearPass, mobile engagement, and network management. The certification also verifies that you can collect the information that you need and plan at a high level, as well as create detailed designs.
People with ACDX certification need to show that they can use Aruba best practices for designing wireless networks in challenging RF environments and that they can analyze what a business needs and design a solution to meet their needs. There is a focus on solutions for campus LAN and WLAN networks.
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How does ACDX Certification help IT Engineers?
ACDX certification is designed to give network engineers the recognition that they need to take their career further. With this certification from Aruba, engineers can position themselves as design experts who can build complicated network solutions using a variety of technologies and products.
The certification is the highest level offered by Aruba, as an expert level certification, and demonstrates to employers and more that engineers have the necessary skills to deliver on a company's network requirements. Engineers can advance their career and job satisfaction when they find new opportunities.
The benefits of ACDX Certification
The Aruba Certified Design Expert (ACDX) V8 certification offers a number of benefits for network engineers. This certification is the highest level that you can achieve from Aruba, so it positions you as a true expert in your field.
It validates that you have master level skills that allow you to design complex, multi-site Aruba networks. By gaining this certification, network engineers will be able to prove that they have some of the top skills that are in demand. You will be able to validate that you are an expert in your field when you take this certification.
Skills measured By ACDX Certification
The Aruba Certified Design Expert certification measures various essential skills, so that you can show employers, you have the experience and knowledge necessary to carry out complex jobs within an organization.
The exam will measure your ability to do the following things:
Collecting information and creating high-level plans
Creating detailed designs that include RF Planning, redundant high-density campus architecture, location services, outdoor stadium very high-density and remote access branch office designs
Using Aruba best practices for designing wireless networks in challenging RF environments for redundancy and high availability
Assessing and analyzing a company’s business requirements and design a solution for meeting those requirements
Focusing on solutions for campus LAN and WLAN, including outdoor and high-density scenarios
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Aruba ACDX Certification Exams
The ACDX certification has two paths to choose from, one for design professional candidates and one for mobility and switching candidates. Both paths have a written exam and a practical exam, which are required to receive the certification.
To register for the exam, you need to get access to The Learning Center from Hewlett Packard Enterprises and get an HPE Learning ID. You also need to create a profile with Pearson VUE, which is the exam vendor for the certification. The exams take place in training centers. You can also check if you're eligible to upgrade your qualification from before.
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Aruba ACDX Certification prerequisites
The Aruba ACDX certification is for experienced networking professionals. Typically, candidates have three to five years of experience designing complex Mobile First Networks. It's important to be familiar with building a detailed bill of materials using Aruba products. The prerequisites for the exam depends on whether you take the first or second path.
The first path requires the Aruba Certified Design Professional (ACDP) V1. For the second path, you need to have an Aruba Certified Mobility Professional (ACMP) and Aruba Certified Switching Professional (ACSP) certification. While training isn't a prerequisite to take-up the exam, it is highly recommended.
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Aruba ACDX Certification Training
As well as the prerequisites for the certification, there are also courses that are recommended before taking the exam. The recommended courses are the same for both paths, whether you are a design professional or mobility and switching candidate.
You can complete training for both the written and practical exams, with each course lasting five days. The training options are instructor-led and virtual instructor-led. You can register for the training through The Learning Center.
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Aruba ACDX Certification Jobs
Aruba ACDX certification is an excellent option if you want to improve your opportunities as a network engineer. Whether you want to show your current employer what you're capable of or you're looking for new work, having a certification that proves your skills can be a huge benefit for you.
Using your new certification to boost your freelance career is also a good idea. FieldEngineer.com is helping to connect engineers and businesses, making it easy for them to find each other. Businesses are looking for freelance engineers so that they can save money and still benefit from the excellent talent and skills that professional network engineers can offer.
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Aruba ACDX Certification Salary
According to ZipRecruiter, senior network engineers earn an average of $110,719 per year. However, salaries can be as high as over $154,000 and as low as $55,500. Your qualifications and certifications can help you to find the perfect roles so that you can earn a salary that works for you. If you're looking for different ways to earn more, you might also want to consider contracting.
Contract work gives you full control over who you work for and how much you're earning. When you use FieldEngineer.com, you can explore the jobs posted and easily apply to those that are right for you. Jobs from employers all over the world give you a flexible way to earn.
