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Cisco · Data Center & Virtualization · Expert

Cisco CCIE Data Center exam guide

Exam 350-601 DCCOR + CCIE Data Center lab v3.1

CCIE Data Center is Cisco's expert certification for designing, deploying and operating data center networks including Nexus/VXLAN EVPN, ACI, compute and storage networking and automation. It requires the 350-601 DCCOR core exam and an 8-hour hands-on lab.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limit120 minutes
Passing scoreSee official page
Exam fee$400 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryCore: Pearson VUE test center or online proctored. Lab: Cisco lab locations

Format: Core: multiple choice, drag-and-drop, simulations. Lab: 8-hour hands-on practical (design, deploy, operate, optimize). Fee note: Core exam $400 (120 min); lab/practical exam $1,600 (8 hours). Cisco Learning Credits accepted.

Who it's for

Senior data center network engineers working with Nexus, ACI and large-scale fabrics.

What the exam covers

Data Center L2/L3 Technologies—
Data Center Fabric Infrastructure—
Data Center Fabric Connectivity—
Computing Technologies—
Storage Network—
Automation—
Security—

A dash means the vendor does not publish a weight for that domain.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None formally. You must pass the core exam and then the lab/practical exam within 3 years of the core exam.

Recommended: Cisco recommends 5-7 years of experience designing, deploying, operating and optimizing the technologies in the track.

Keeping it active

Valid 3 years. Recertify by earning 120 Cisco Continuing Education credits, passing any CCIE lab/practical exam, passing a technology core exam plus CE credits, or other combinations defined by the Cisco recertification policy.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Nexus NX-OS switching and VXLAN EVPN
  • ACI fabric design and policy
  • Nexus Dashboard and fabric automation
  • UCS compute and storage networking
  • Data center security and segmentation
  • Automation with APIs and Python

Job roles

Data Center ArchitectSenior Data Center EngineerNetwork ArchitectCloud Infrastructure EngineerData Center Consultant

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Month 1-2: Pass 350-601 DCCOR.
  2. Month 3-5: VXLAN EVPN on Nexus with multi-site designs.
  3. Month 6-7: ACI fabric: tenants, contracts, L3Outs, multi-pod/multi-site.
  4. Month 8-9: Compute, storage networking and automation.
  5. Month 10-12: Full 8-hour mock labs.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Know VXLAN EVPN route types and how to verify them.
  • Practice ACI policy troubleshooting from the GUI and API.
  • Keep a verification checklist for every fabric change.
  • Allocate time for the design module before deploying.

Key terms for this exam

All 21 terms Study with thinQcards™

Frequently asked questions

How much is CCIE Data Center?

$400 for 350-601 DCCOR plus $1,600 for the 8-hour lab v3.1.

How long is it valid?

3 years.

Is ACI still on the lab?

ACI remains a key data center technology; check the current lab blueprint for exact coverage.

Do I need CCNP Data Center?

No formal requirement, but DCCOR is shared.

Is it worth it with AI data centers growing?

Yes; high-performance fabrics for AI workloads increase demand for expert data center networkers.

Official page: www.cisco.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.