A great way to start the Cisco Certified Automation Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability (DCNAUTO) preparation is to begin by properly appreciating the role that syllabus and study guide play in the Cisco 300-635 certification exam. This study guide is an instrument to get you on the same page with Cisco and understand the nature of the Cisco CCNP Data Center exam.
Our team of experts has composed this Cisco 300-635 exam preparation guide to provide the overview about Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions exam, study material, sample questions, practice exam and ways to interpret the exam objectives to help you assess your readiness for the Cisco DCNAUTO exam by identifying prerequisite areas of knowledge. We recommend you to refer the simulation questions and practice test listed in this guide to determine what type of questions will be asked and the level of difficulty that could be tested in the Cisco CCNP Data Center certification exam.
Cisco 300-635 Exam Overview:
| Exam Name | Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions |
| Exam Number | 300-635 DCNAUTO |
| Exam Price | $300 USD |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Number of Questions | 55-65 |
| Passing Score | Variable (750-850 / 1000 Approx.) |
| Recommended Training | Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions | DCNAUTO |
| Exam Registration | PEARSON VUE |
| Sample Questions | Cisco 300-635 Sample Questions |
| Practice Exam | Cisco Certified Automation Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability Practice Test |
Cisco 300-635 Exam Topics:
| Section | Weight | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Network Automation Foundation | 15% |
- Describe OpenConfig, IETF, and native YANG models - Describe ACI-based network-centric mode including objects such as EPG, bridge domains, contracts, and VRFs - Describe DPUs in data center network switches - Describe NETCONF, gNMI, gRPC, and gNOI - Construct a gRPC payload based on a YANG module using tools such as YANG Suite and pyang |
| Infrastructure as Code | 25% |
- Describe infrastructure as code (IaC) and GitOps - Construct network configuration templates with Jinja2 using features such as loops, conditionals, output modifiers, and filters - Construct an Ansible playbook with controller and device collections - Construct a Terraform plan with controller and device providers - Troubleshoot network automation solutions based on Ansible and Terraform |
| Network Element Programmability | 25% |
- Construct a network automation solution with Python using ncclient to manage and monitor configurations - Construct a device-level network automation solution for Day-0 provisioning with POAP - Implement on-box programmability and automation with NX-OS using
- Describe the use of templates and policies in Nexus Dashboard |
| Operations | 25% |
- Describe use of network topology simulation related to data center operations - Implement change validation for a network automation solution using pyATS CLI tools - Describe architectural components of model-driven telemetry - Configure a subscription for model-driven telemetry on NX-OS devices (gNMI and gRPC) - Integrate a network automation solution with a network source of truth - Construct a Python script that retrieves network health data from NX-OS devices via CLI and Nexus Dashboard - Troubleshoot packet flows for containerized workloads on Linux hosts considering VLANs, veth, bond interfaces, subinterfaces, and bridges |
| AI in automation | 10% |
- Describe AI-assisted code development for network automation - Describe the security risks in a given AI-based network automation solution - Describe the integration of network devices, controllers, and management platforms with AI agents |
Cisco DCNAUTO Exam Description:
Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions v2.0 (DCNAUTO 300-635) is a 90-minute exam associated with the CCNP Data Center Certification and CCNP Automation Certification. This exam certifies a candidate's knowledge of implementing Data Center automated solutions, including infrastructure as code, network element programmability, operations, and AI in automation. Technologies included are Cisco NX-OS, Cisco Nexus Dashboard, Cisco ACI (network-centric mode) and Cisco Nexus Hyberfabric. The course, Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions, helps candidates to prepare for this exam.
