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Cisco · DevOps & Automation · Professional

Cisco DCNAUTO: Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions exam guide

Exam 300-635 DCNAUTO

DCNAUTO (300-635) validates automating Cisco data center networks: infrastructure as code, network element programmability, operations automation and AI in automation. It counts as a concentration for both CCNP Data Center and CCNP Automation.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limit90 minutes
Passing scoreSee official page
Exam fee$300 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryProctored at a test center or online, scheduled through Cisco's certification portal

Format: Multiple choice (single and multiple answer), drag-and-drop, and simulation/testlet-style items; pass/fail. Fee note: Cisco Learning Credits accepted.

Who it's for

Data center engineers and automation engineers working with NX-OS, ACI and Nexus Dashboard.

What the exam covers

Infrastructure as Code—
Network Element Programmability—
Operations—
AI in Automation—

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

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None.

Recommended: Three to five years of data center networking plus Python and API experience.

Keeping it active

Passing earns a Cisco Certified Specialist credential valid 3 years (renew with 40 CE credits or by passing a qualifying exam). The exam itself also counts toward recertifying CCNP/CCIE.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Terraform and Ansible for NX-OS and ACI
  • NX-API, APIC REST API and Nexus Dashboard APIs
  • Model-driven programmability and telemetry
  • CI/CD pipelines for network changes
  • Python scripting for data center operations
  • Applying AI tools in automation workflows

Job roles

Data Center Automation EngineerNetwork Automation EngineerNetDevOps EngineerCloud Infrastructure EngineerData Center Engineer

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. Week 1: Python, REST and data formats against NX-OS and APIC sandboxes.
  2. Week 2: Terraform and Ansible for ACI and NX-OS.
  3. Week 3: Model-driven programmability, telemetry and Nexus Dashboard.
  4. Week 4: CI/CD, operations automation and AI use; practice exams.

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 APIC object model naming (class vs distinguished name) for API calls.
  • Read Terraform and Ansible snippets and spot errors.
  • Understand NX-API CLI vs NX-API REST differences.
  • Pair with AUTOCOR or DCCOR to earn two possible CCNPs.

Key terms for this exam

All 4 terms Study with thinQcards™

Frequently asked questions

How much does the DCNAUTO exam cost?

US$300 per attempt, or Cisco Learning Credits.

Does DCNAUTO alone give me CCNP Data Center?

No. CCNP Data Center requires the core exam plus one concentration exam. Passing DCNAUTO by itself earns a Cisco Certified Specialist credential.

What is the passing score?

Cisco does not publish passing scores or question counts; the score needed varies by exam form and is reported as pass/fail with a section breakdown.

How hard is DCNAUTO?

It is a 90-minute professional-level exam that assumes CCNA-level knowledge plus hands-on experience with data center APIs and automation tooling. Candidates without real lab time usually struggle.

DCNAUTO or another concentration?

DCNAUTO also counts toward CCNP Automation, so it is a flexible choice for automation-minded data center engineers.

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.