Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions

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

• 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

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

• 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

There are no 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:     

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)
• Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)
• Introducing Automation for Cisco Solutions (CSAU)

OUTLINE

Module 1: Day-Zero Provisioning

Module 2: On-Box Automation with Cisco NX-OS

Module 3: Cisco Nexus Automation with NX-API CLI

Module 4: Cisco Nexus Programmability with NX-API REST

Module 5: Model-Driven Programmability on NX-OS

Module 6: IaC Tools

Module 7:  Lifecycle

Module 8: Cisco NX-OS Automation with IaC Tools

Module 9: Cisco ACI Automation with IaC Tools

Module 10: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Automation with IaC Tools

Module 11: Simulation of Data Center Topologies

Module 12: Network Change Validation with pyATS

Module 13: Model-Driven Telemetry Implementation

Module 14: Troubleshoot Infrastructure Automation

Module 15: Troubleshoot Container Workloads Connectivity

Module 16: AI-Assisted Coding

Module 17: AI Security Considerations

Module 18: AI Agent Integration

LAB OUTLINE

• Lab 1: Set Up PowerOn Auto Provisioning on the Cisco Nexus 9000
• Lab 2: Use Bash and Guest Shell on Cisco NX-OS
• Lab 3: Use Python to Enhance CLI Commands
• Lab 4: Make NX-API Calls with NX-API Sandbox
• Lab 5: Configure and Verify NX-OS Using Python
• Lab 6: Set Up API Calls with Bruno
• Lab 7: Use NX-API REST with Python
• Lab 8: Configure and Verify Using NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG
• Lab 9: Construct gRPC Payload
• Lab 10: Track Changes with Git and GitHub
• Lab 11: Use Ansible with Cisco NX-OS
• Lab 12: Use Terraform with Cisco NX-OS
• Lab 13: Generate Configuration Using Jinja2 Templates
• Lab 14: Manage ACI Configuration Using Ansible
• Lab 15: Set Up a New Tenant the NetDevOps Way
• Lab 16: Automate ACI with Terraform
• Lab 17: Automate NDFC with REST API and Python
• Lab 18: Retrieve NX-OS Health Data Using Cisco Nexus Dashboard
• Lab 19: Create NDFC Fabric with Ansible
• Lab 20: Automate NDFC with Terraform
• Lab 21: Explore Cisco Modeling Labs Basics
• Lab 22: Simulate Data Center Network with Cisco Modeling Labs
• Lab 23: Cisco ACI Simulator Installation and Initialization Simulation
• Lab 24: Capture and Compare Network State with pyATS CLI
• Lab 25: Run Network Tests Using pyATS and Python
• Lab 26: Configure a Subscription for Model-Driven Telemetry
• Lab 27: Troubleshoot Infrastructure as Code
• Lab 28: Troubleshoot Linux Container Connectivity
• Lab 29: AI Toolset—Jupyter Notebook
• Lab 30: Al-Driven Monitoring Using Nexus Dashboard Simulation