Press Release

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 29, 2003 - Cisco Systems, Inc.® announced today new enhancements to its CCNP® (Cisco Certified Network Professional) certification by introducing four revised courses and exams. The updated course and exam content reflects a greater emphasis on topics such as security, converged networks, quality of service (QoS), virtual private networks, and broadband technologies.

To foster a skills-oriented learning opportunity for candidates, Cisco also expanded the hands-on component of the CCNP courses and exams to include more remote lab exercises and simulations. The additional simulations are aimed at qualifying a candidate's ability to perform multiple tasks such as building, configuring, and troubleshooting converged networks.

"Cisco has continued to maintain a focus on real-world problem-solving to validate the skills of certified professionals," said Don Field, senior manager, Internet Learning Solutions Group, Cisco Systems, Inc. "The enhanced CCNP curriculum and exams strengthen that commitment by focusing on hands-on skills development through remote labs and simulations to truly qualify a candidate's knowledge of converged enterprise networks."

Under the new CCNP guidelines, the four courses and four exams will include:

• Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI): BSCI 642-801 Exam
• Building Cisco Multilayer Switched Networks (BCMSN): BCMSN 642-811 Exam
• Building Cisco Remote Access Networks (BCRAN): BCRAN 642-821 Exam
• Cisco Internetwork Troubleshooting (CIT): CIT 642-831 Exam

The existing CCNP courses will retire on July 7, 2003 and the exams will retire on August 7, 2003.

Training and Availability

Cisco ensures that customers have the option to prepare or re-certify for the CCNP exams through high performance e-learning which relieves travel and reduces costs. From the convenience of the home or office, simply contact a Cisco Learning Partner to purchase and take the BCRAN, BCSI and CIT courses as well as the CCNA curriculum.

The recommended training for the CCNP certification is available from a global network of authorized Cisco Learning Partners and the Partner E-Learning Connection. VUE and Prometric offer Cisco certification exams at locations worldwide. Additionally, Cisco's new Learning Credits Program enables customers to buy training at a significant savings while providing a web-based management tool that tracks training activities throughout an organization. Program details are available at www.cisco.com/go/learningcredits and for complete training information, visit www.cisco.com/go/training.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is a worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.

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