DCNAUTO - Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions

Course Description 

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

 Who Should Enroll

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

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

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

Course Prerequisites

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)

Course Outline

Day-Zero Provisioning
On-Box Automation with Cisco NX-OS
Cisco Nexus Automation with NX-API CLI
Cisco Nexus Programmability with NX-API REST
Model-Driven Programmability on NX-OS
IaC Tools
IaC Lifecycle
Cisco NX-OS Automation with IaC Tools
Cisco ACI Automation with IaC Tools
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Automation with IaC Tools
Simulation of Data Center Topologies
Network Change Validation with pyATS
Model-Driven Telemetry Implementation
Troubleshoot Infrastructure Automation
Troubleshoot Container Workloads Connectivity
AI-Assisted Coding
AI Security Considerations
AI Agent Integration

Lab Outline

Set Up PowerOn Auto Provisioning on the Cisco Nexus 9000
Use Bash and Guest Shell on Cisco NX-OS
Use Python to Enhance CLI Commands
Make NX-API Calls with NX-API Sandbox
Configure and Verify NX-OS Using Python
Set Up API Calls with Bruno
Use NX-API REST with Python
Configure and Verify Using NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG
Track Changes with Git and GitHub
Use Ansible with Cisco NX-OS
Use Terraform with Cisco NX-OS
Generate Configuration Using Jinja2 Templates
Manage ACI Configuration Using Ansible
Set Up a New Tenant the NetDevOps Way
Automate ACI with Terraform
Automate NDFC with REST API and Python
Retrieve NX-OS Health Data Using Cisco Nexus Dashboard
Create NDFC Fabric with Ansible
Automate NDFC with Terraform
Explore Cisco Modeling Labs Basics
Simulate Data Center Network with Cisco Modeling Labs
Cisco ACI Simulator Installation and Initialization Simulation
Capture and Compare Network State with pyATS CLI
Run Network Tests Using pyATS and Python
Configure a Subscription for Model-Driven Telemetry
Troubleshoot Infrastructure as Code
Troubleshoot Linux Container Connectivity
AI Toolset—Jupyter Notebook
Al-Driven Monitoring Using Nexus Dashboard Simulation