The Cisco Certified DevNet Professional certification validates your solid skills to develop and operate applications based on Cisco platforms. The designation can be obtained in taking two steps: by passing one core exam 350-901 and one concentration exam (choose from the pool of those offered by the vendor). Before you begin the process of gaining this certification, you need to have at least 5 years of experience in software development, and be competent in Python programming.
The core exam you are to pass is coded 350-901 and known as the Developing Applications Using Cisco Core Platforms and APIs (DEVCOR). The exam checks how proficient you are in software development and design including Cisco platforms, app deployment and security, APIs, infrastructure and automation. In addition, this evaluation brings you the Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist – Core certification and serves as a qualifying exam for the Cisco Certified DevNet Expert. Exam 350-901 lasts for 2 hours and will cost you $400.
Speaking of the exam topics, it comprises 5 domains. The first one deals with software development and design. You should be able to describe the concepts related to front-end, back-end, and load balancing, assess scalability and modularity as well as maintainability included in an app design. Your ability to identify issues within an app using logs, choose the appropriate database type, and describe the architectural patterns will also be checked. In addition, you should be proficient in implementing advanced version control operations using Git, concepts related to dependency and packaging management, and a sequence diagram that contains API calls.
The second domain is centered on utilizing APIs. This encompasses competence in applying robust REST API error and control flow connected with the consumer code. The other skills evaluated within this section entail defining ways to improve API usage and building an app that consumes a REST API.
The third domain deals with Cisco platforms. Here, you will be asked to create various API requests using FDM or the Meraki platform, create API calls, and build a Python script with the help of the Cisco DNA center APIs or UCS APIs. In addition, your ability to perform the potential of AppDynamics and steps to design a custom dashboard will be assessed.
The fourth topic is centered on the app deployment and security. This section covers the skills to define a CD or CI pipeline issue, use Docker appropriately, set up SSL certificates related to a specific app, and apply mitigation strategies for OWASP threats. Besides, your knowledge of the benefits of the static code analysis, continuous testing, and data privacy concerns will be evaluated. To add more, you should be proficient in applying end-to-end encryption principles.
The fifth topic refers to infrastructure and automation. The core points highlighted there relate to model-driven telemetry, usage of RESTCONF in a network device, and configuration of network parameters. Within this topic, the identification of configuration management solutions that meet the business requirements, as well as a description of hosting an app on a network device will be measured.
The second exam you are to pass is known as the concertation exam. Cisco offers a pool of 8 tests from which you have to choose only one. Each exam is devoted to a definite industry-specific topic, thus 300-435 (enterprise automation), 300-835 (collaboration automation), 300-635 (data center automation), 300-535 (service provider automation), 300-735 (security automation), 300-910 (DevOps solutions and practices related to Cisco Platforms), 300-915 (developing solutions including Cisco IoT and Edge platforms), 300-920 (developing apps for Cisco devices). Each of these tests lasts for 90 minutes and will cost you $300. In addition, each exam will earn you a specific specialist level certification. Thus, the 300-735 evaluation will bring you the Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Security Automation and Programmability certification, while the 300-835 exam - Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Collaboration Automation and Programmability accreditation.
After you succeed in passing 2 exams, core and concentration ones, you will obtain the Cisco Certified DevNet Professional certification. According to the Ziprecruiter website, you will earn $107,293 per year.