Course Overview
The Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions (DCNAUTO) training teaches you how to implement and optimize automation in Cisco data center environments. You will gain hands-on experience with Cisco Nexus platforms, programmability features, and modern automation tools used to streamline operations across switching, compute, and fabric controllers. The training covers foundational concepts in network programmability, then advances into day-zero provisioning, on-box automation using Bash, Python, and Guest Shell, and off-box automation with Cisco NX-API, NETCONF/RESTCONF, and YANG models. You will also explore Infrastructure as Code (IaC) workflows with Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC), Ansible, and Terraform, as well as network validation and testing with Cisco pyATS. Finally, you will learn how AI-driven operations enhance network automation and simplify lifecycle management.
This training prepares you for the 300-635 DCNAUTO v2.0 exam. If passed, you earn the Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center Networking Automation certification and satisfy the concentration exam requirements for the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Data Center and Automation certifications. This training also earns you 43 Continuing Education (CE) credits toward recertification.
How You'll Benefit
This training will help you:
- Gain practical, hands-on experience with Cisco Nexus platforms and automation tools used in modern data centers
- Acquire skills in network programmability, including scripting with Python and using APIs for automating network operations
- Learn to implement IaC workflows using tools like Ansible and Terraform for efficient configuration management
- Develop troubleshooting expertise in both infrastructure automation and AI-driven operations, enhancing job readiness for advanced network roles
- Prepare for the 300-635 DCNAUTO v2.0 exam
- Earn 43 CE credits toward recertification
What to Expect in the Exam
Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions (300-635 DCNAUTO) v2.0 is a 90-minute exam associated with the Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center Networking Automation certification and satisfies the concentration exam requirements for the CCNP® Data Center and Automation certifications.
This exam tests your knowledge and skills related to implementing data center automated solutions, including:
- Infrastructure as code
- Network element programmability
- Operations
- AI in automation
Who should attend
- Network Designers
- Systems Engineers
- Wireless Engineers
- Consulting Systems Engineers
- Technical Solutions Architects
- Network Administrators
- Wireless Design Engineers
- Network Managers
- Site Reliability Engineers
- Deployment Engineers
- Sales Engineers
- Account Managers
- Program Managers
- Project Managers
Certifications
This course is part of the following Certifications:
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are:
- Basic programming language concepts
- Basic understanding of virtualization and VMware
- Ability to use Linux and CLI tools, such as SSH and bash
- CCNP level data center knowledge
- Foundational understanding of Cisco ACI
These skills can be found in the following Cisco Learning Offerings:
Course Objectives
- Explain the role of programmability and automation in Cisco data center networks
- Explain the benefits of programmability compared to manual CLI workflows
- Identify data models and data formats (XML, JSON, YAML) used in Cisco automation frameworks
- Use version control systems such as Git for storing and managing configuration files
- Perform day-zero provisioning on Cisco Nexus devices using Power-On Auto Provisioning (POAP)
- Enable and use the Bash shell and Guest Shell on Cisco Nexus devices
- Run Linux commands inside Guest Shell to interact with NX-OS and external services
- Write Python scripts on-box to parse CLI output and enhance operational workflows
- Describe and configure Cisco NX-API CLI and REST interfaces
- Send JSON/XML payloads to NX-API using Python scripts and verify device responses
- Use Cisco NX-API Developer Sandbox for testing and validation
- Implement model-driven programmability using NETCONF/RESTCONF and YANG data models
- Construct and validate Python scripts to configure and verify protocols with NX-OS APIs
- Implement off-box automation with Cisco NX-API CLI/REST, NETCONF/RESTCONF, and YANG models
- Describe Cisco NDFC architecture and automation capabilities
- Use NDFC REST APIs for fabric automation tasks
- Automate fabric provisioning and configuration with Ansible playbooks
- Build and apply Terraform plans for managing data center fabrics with NDFC
- Describe Cisco pyATS and Genie frameworks for network validation
- Build and run pyATS test cases to verify device state before and after automation
- Interpret test results and integrate them into automation workflows
- Describe how AI and ML capabilities are applied in Cisco Data Center automation
- Explain AI-driven monitoring and anomaly detection workflows
- Correlate AI insights with automated remediation actions