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Cisco U. Essentials

Cisco U. Essentials
 Get the convenience of flexibility and self-study

  • Format: Digital
  • Price: $1,800 or 18 CLCs
  • Duration: 365 Days

Cisco U. Essentials includes everything offered in Cisco U. Free, plus a broad collection of foundational training across key technology domains. Learners gain access to guided paths covering topics like BGP, MPLS, Hybrid Cloud, SD-WAN, and Security Operations Analyst skills, along with many other in-demand areas.

Cisco U. is designed as a modern, flexible technical learning experience aligned to your team’s skill-development goals. The platform helps organizations get the highest return on their Cisco technology investment and achieve faster, more meaningful business outcomes.

Cisco U. delivers this value by focusing on the individual learner, whether they need quick, practical guidance for day-to-day tasks or deeper, structured training for job roles, solutions, and certification preparation.

To meet your team’s diverse training needs, Cisco U. is built around three core principles:

  • Guidance — Personalized recommendations that lead learners to the most relevant content

  • Community — Collaboration with peers, mentors, and Cisco experts

  • Depth — High-quality, comprehensive content across Cisco technologies and related skills

View All Learning Paths in Cisco U. Essentials
Who is Cisco U. for?
  • Technology professionals pursuing or interested in pursuing Cisco certifications or Cisco skills and expertise
  • New and aspiring technology professionals who wish to gain Cisco skills and expertise
  • Experienced technology professionals looking to gain additional Cisco skills and expertise

Cisco U. Learning Paths display the estimated amount of time per learning track to help the learner determine the time it will take to complete their learning goals. Total completion time depends on many factors, such as the individual learner, assessment results, and the type of content.

Content Included:

 
Networking
  • Administering Cisco Modeling Labs
  • Advanced Automation with Cisco Modeling Labs
  • Cisco Catalyst Center Foundations
  • Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Operation and Deployment
  • Cisco Common Service Platform Collector Fundamentals
  • Cisco Energy Networking Systems and Panduit Fault Managed Power
  • Cisco for SMB: Secure Your Assets
  • Cisco IOS XR Software Essentials
  • Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance – Analytics
  • Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance – Introduction
  • Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance – Orchestrator
  • Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance – Performance Elements
  • Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance – Sensor Control
  • Cisco SD-WAN Operation and Deployment
  • Cisco ThousandEyes Essentials
  • Configuring BGP on Cisco Routers
  • Engineering Cisco Meraki Solutions
  • Evolution of Cisco Network Operating Systems
  • Implementing Cisco MPLS
  • Implementing Cisco Multicast
  • Introduction to Network Simulations with Cisco Modeling Labs
  • IPv6 Fundamentals, Design, and Deployment
  • Managing Cisco Network Operating Systems
  • Network Fundamentals for Network Adjacent Engineers
  • Programming for Network Engineers
  • Transforming to a Cisco Intent-Based Network (Catalyst Center)
  • Transforming to a Cisco Intent-Based Network (SD-Access)
  • Troubleshooting Cisco Enterprise Networking Solutions
  • Understanding AI and LLMs as a Network Engineer
  • Understanding Cisco Network Automation Essentials
  • Understanding Cisco Service Provider Network Foundations
  • Understanding Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul Foundation

Security

  • Designing Cisco Security Infrastructure
  • Fundamentals of Cisco Firewall Threat Defense and Intrusion Prevention
  • Introduction to 802.1X Operations for Cisco Security Professionals
  • Securing Cisco Networks with Open Source Snort
  • Securing Cisco Networks with Snort Rule Writing Best Practices
  • Securing Industrial IoT Networks with Cisco Technologies
  • Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CCNACBR)
  • Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)
  • Using Duo to Support Secure Access Service Edge
  • Operational Technology (OT) and IoT Security
  • Security Essentials for Decision-makers and Leaders

Data Center

  • AI Solutions on Cisco Infrastructure Essentials
  • Automate AI Solutions on Cisco Infrastructure
  • Cisco Data Center Nexus Dashboard Essentials
  • Cisco Intersight Essentials
  • Cisco Nexus Dashboard Advanced
  • Cisco Silicon One for AI Networking
  • Designing Cisco UCS X-Series for AI
  • Operate and Troubleshoot AI Solutions on Cisco Infrastructure
  • Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations
  • Convolutional Neural Networks
  • Introduction to Neural Networks Bootcamp

Cloud and Computing

  • Cisco Provider Connectivity Assurance – Introduction (also Networking)
  • Understanding Cisco Hybrid Cloud Fundamentals
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Describe Azure architecture and services
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Describe Azure management and governance
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Describe cloud concepts
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Describe core Azure concepts
  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 2023 CLF-C02
  • Cloud Computing for Decision Makers and Leaders
  • Docker Foundations
  • Foundations of Generative AI
  • Google Cloud
  • Introduction to GitHub Copilot
  • Kubernetes Foundations
  • Leveraging Generative AI APIs
  • Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals 2022 (AZ-900)
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
  • OpenAI Prompt Engineering Practice
  • Prompt Engineering with Generative AI Tools

Collaboration

  • Introduction to Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise
  • Understanding Cisco Collaboration Foundations
  • AI Simulators – Building Business and Troubleshooting Skills

Mobility and Wireless

  • Cisco Service Provider 5G Technologies Foundations
  • Understanding Cisco Wireless Foundations

Software

  • Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms
  • Cisco AI Business Practitioner
  • Cisco AI Technical Practitioner
  • Understanding Cisco Network Automation Essentials (also Networking)
  • Agile for Software Development
  • Ansible – Basics and Practical Uses
  • Performance Engineering Journey
  • Practical ChatGPT: Prompt Engineering and Ethical Implications
  • Software Product Management Proficiency
  • Terraform – Introduction and Configuration

Application Performance

  • Application Performance Monitoring Essentials for Cisco AppDynamics
  • Splunk AppDynamics for Hybrid Application Monitoring

Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Securing Industrial IoT Networks with Cisco Technologies (also Security)

Other

  • AI Agent Fundamentals
  • CCSI Fundamentals
  • Cisco Splunk for AI Operations
  • Data for Decision-makers and Leaders
  • Inspiring Engagement and Resilience

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Make sure to check out Cisco U. All-Access.

Yes. 

Find multi-vendor training all in one place with Cisco-adjacent content from AWS, Splunk, Microsoft, Cisco AppDynamics, and more!

Price:  $1,800 or 18 CLCs

What Can You Do With Cisco U.?

Prep for successful deployments with product training and hands-on labs

Reduce downtime with moment-of-need searchable learning

Create a shared vocabulary around your Cisco investment

Earn Continuing Education credit to keep certifications active

Streamline study time for certification exams

Struggling with the IT skills gap? You’re not alone.

 

But it doesn’t have to hold you back.

 

Cisco U. gives you the tools to grow your expertise, stay competitive, and stand out to employers, whether you’re deepening your current skills or exploring new ones.