Hardware certification is the process through which computer hardware is tested to ensure it is compatible with specific software packages, and operates as intended in critical situations.
Big established enterprises like Cisco, Novell, Sun Microsystems, etc., no longer manufacture all the hardware required in the market, instead they "license" or "certify" small hardware players operating in countries like Taiwan or China.
To obtain certification, the hardware or software has to conform to a set of protocols and quality standards that are put in place by the original creator of technology.
Vendors use a "label" on the products to advertise the fact of compatibility with the said technology.
The process of certification ensures that the products made by different manufacturers are standardized and are compatible with each other as indicated in hardware or software platform.