Cisco 300‑635 DCNAUTO — Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions Practice Exams
About the Cisco 300-635 DCNAUTO exam
Exam at a glance
Professional tier, CCNP Data Center Concentration. Validates the skills to automate Cisco data center infrastructure — Nexus switches, ACI fabrics, UCS servers, and Intersight cloud management — using Python, REST APIs, YANG/gNMI, Ansible, Terraform, and Cisco NSO. 55–65 questions in 90 minutes, $300 USD. Pair this exam with the 350-601 DCCOR core to earn the full CCNP Data Center credential. Valid 3 years.
Domain weighting
- Network Automation Foundation — 15%
- Infrastructure as Code — 25%
- Network Element Programmability — 25%
- Operations — 25%
- AI in Automation — 10%
Key technologies (≈70% of questions)
- Python for DC automation —
requestsfor REST,ucsmsdkfor UCS, Cobra SDK (acimodel + acicobra) for ACI,acitoolkitfor simpler ACI scripting. - NX-OS automation — NX-API REST + NX-API CLI, native + OpenConfig YANG models, gNMI subscriptions for streaming telemetry, EEM scripting for on-box event response.
- ACI automation — APIC REST API (Managed Object tree, MO classes), REST request structure for tenants/EPGs/contracts/bridge domains, ACI Toolkit, Ansible
cisco.acicollection. - UCS / Intersight automation — UCS Manager XML API, ucsmsdk Python library, Intersight REST API, Terraform Cisco Intersight provider for IaC.
- Cisco NSO — basics of YANG-driven service models, device sync, and config templates.
Prerequisites
Cisco does not require formal prerequisites for the 300-635 concentration. Most candidates have already passed 350-601 DCCOR (or are preparing it in parallel) and have completed 200-901 CCNAAUTO for the Python / REST / JSON foundations. Working hands-on experience with Nexus, ACI, and UCS is strongly recommended.
Why take this certification
- Bridges traditional DC engineering and DevOps. DCNAUTO certifies the rare combination of Cisco data center knowledge and modern automation skills — the exact profile enterprises building software-defined data centers are hiring for.
- Completes the CCNP Data Center credential. Pair 300-635 with the 350-601 DCCOR core to earn the full CCNP Data Center certification.
- Salary uplift. Cisco DC automation engineers earn 15–25% more than traditional CCNP DC engineers, with senior automation architects in the $130,000–$160,000 USD range in the US.
- Real-world toolchain. Unlike vendor-neutral DevOps certifications, DCNAUTO tests the exact SDKs, APIs, and YANG models you use day-to-day on Cisco gear — instantly applicable to production work on Nexus, ACI, UCS, and Intersight environments.
What you'll learn in the 300-635 DCNAUTO exam
DCNAUTO is hands-on and scenario-driven. Expect questions that show you a Python snippet, REST payload, YANG model, Ansible playbook, or Terraform module and ask you to identify the correct output, the missing line, or the right tool to choose for a given DC automation task. Memorising syntax matters less than understanding which API/SDK is appropriate for each platform.
Core technologies you'll be tested on
- Python for DC automation: Cobra SDK (acimodel + acicobra) for ACI Managed Objects,
ucsmsdkfor UCS Manager scripting,requests+jsonfor REST workflows,acitoolkitfor simplified ACI provisioning,pyacifor ACI Python ORM. - NX-OS automation: NX-API REST for structured config + show commands, NX-API CLI for sending raw CLI over HTTPS, OpenConfig + Cisco native YANG models, gNMI subscriptions for streaming telemetry, Embedded Event Manager (EEM) scripting for on-box automation.
- ACI automation: APIC REST API structure (URL patterns, Managed Object classes), provisioning tenants / VRFs / bridge domains / EPGs / contracts, ACI Toolkit for quick scripting, Ansible
cisco.acicollection for declarative provisioning, Cobra SDK for full-fidelity automation. - UCS Manager + Intersight: UCSM XML API basics, ucsmsdk for Python-driven service profile and policy automation, Intersight REST API for global UCS / HyperFlex / SaaS-managed infrastructure, Terraform Cisco Intersight provider for IaC workflows.
- Cisco NSO basics: YANG-driven service models, device onboarding and sync, config templates, NETCONF transport.
- DC orchestration tools: Ansible (cisco.aci, cisco.nxos, cisco.intersight collections), Terraform (Intersight + ACI providers), Git workflows for DC infrastructure-as-code.
Automation patterns you'll need to recognize
- Choosing the right Cisco SDK or API for each platform — NX-API REST vs gNMI on Nexus, ACI Toolkit vs Cobra SDK on ACI, ucsmsdk vs Intersight REST on UCS.
- Constructing valid REST requests against APIC, NX-API, Intersight — URL structure, authentication tokens, JSON body shape, expected response codes.
- Building YANG/NETCONF/gNMI workflows on NX-OS for both config push and streaming telemetry consumption.
- Reading and writing small Python scripts that drive ucsmsdk, acitoolkit, or requests-based REST calls — recognizing the common imports, login patterns, and Managed Object handling.
- Designing Ansible playbooks for ACI tenant + EPG provisioning, NX-OS day-0 config, and Intersight server policy bundles.
- Authoring Terraform modules against the Cisco Intersight provider to declare service profiles + policies as code.
- Spotting when EEM scripting on Nexus solves a problem better than a remote automation framework.
How the practice exams help
Every free question and premium exam mirrors the scenario-driven, code-on-screen format DCNAUTO uses. Detailed explanations cover not just why the right answer is right but why each distractor is wrong — so you learn the SDK, API, and YANG/REST patterns rather than memorizing snippets.
How to prepare for the 300-635 DCNAUTO exam
A successful DCNAUTO preparation strategy combines Python practice, hands-on Cisco DevNet sandbox time, and exam simulation. Recommended approach:
- Foundation — Python + REST (2–3 weeks). If you haven't passed 200-901 CCNAAUTO, refresh Python (data structures, virtual environments,
requests, JSON, error handling), Git basics, and REST API mechanics (HTTP verbs, auth, status codes, JSON payload design). Review the official 300-635 DCNAUTO exam topics. - Nexus + ACI automation (4–5 weeks). Reserve free Cisco DevNet sandboxes for Nexus 9000 + ACI Simulator. Practice NX-API REST and NX-API CLI calls, write small Python scripts to push config, build at least one gNMI subscription example, and provision ACI tenants/EPGs/contracts using both the ACI Toolkit and Cobra SDK. Build at least one Ansible playbook against each platform.
- UCS + Intersight automation (3 weeks). Use the UCS Platform Emulator and Intersight DevNet sandbox. Write ucsmsdk scripts that create service profiles + policies, then replicate the same outcome via the Intersight REST API. Author a small Terraform module against the Cisco Intersight provider to declare a server policy.
- NSO + DC orchestration tools (1–2 weeks). Walk through the official Cisco NSO basics learning path. Understand the role of NSO service models, device sync, and YANG. Review where Ansible, Terraform, and NSO each fit in a DC automation stack.
- Practice exams (1–2 weeks). Take timed practice tests to identify weak areas. Aim for consistent 80%+ scores across all five domains before scheduling. Re-read explanations for every missed question — DCNAUTO rewards depth, not breadth.
Recommended timeline
12–16 weeks of focused study (10–15 hours per week) for engineers with existing CCNP DC knowledge plus 200-901 CCNAAUTO. Add 3–4 weeks if you're new to Python or to Cisco DC platforms.
Cisco DevNet DC sandboxes (free)
- Nexus 9000 Always-On Sandbox — reserved-time and always-on labs against real Nexus switches for NX-API REST, NX-API CLI, and gNMI practice.
- ACI Simulator Sandbox — full APIC + simulated fabric for tenant / EPG / contract provisioning using Cobra SDK, ACI Toolkit, and Ansible.
- UCS Platform Emulator (UCSPE) — downloadable VM that emulates UCSM API for full ucsmsdk + XML API practice.
- Intersight DevNet Sandbox — managed Intersight tenant for REST API + Terraform Cisco Intersight provider practice.
- Cisco NSO Sandbox — reserved sandbox with NSO installed and a few simulated devices for service-model practice.
Official resources
Download the official 300-635 DCNAUTO exam topics from Cisco Learning Network and bookmark the Cisco DevNet Data Center hub for sandboxes, code samples, and API documentation. The DCNAUTO learning path on DevNet is the closest free first-party study material.
Frequently asked questions
Are these actual exam questions?
No. All Nex Arc Cisco 300-635 DCNAUTO practice questions are original content based on the provider's published exam blueprint, official documentation, and real-world scenarios across every topic the exam covers. We do not offer brain dumps, leaked questions, or actual exam content. Using or distributing real exam questions violates Cisco's certification agreement and can result in certification revocation.
How many questions are in the Cisco 300-635 exam?
The Cisco 300-635 DCNAUTO exam typically contains 55–65 questions delivered in 90 minutes. Questions include multiple choice (single answer), multiple response, drag-and-drop, and scenario-based formats. Cisco does not publish the exact question count per delivery — it can vary slightly between attempts.
What's the 300-635 passing score?
Cisco does not publish a fixed passing score for the 300-635 exam. The cut score is determined by Cisco's psychometric model and varies per exam form. Historically, candidates aim for 825–850 on a 300-1000 scaled score. Focus on demonstrating deep practical understanding of Nexus, ACI, UCS, and Intersight automation rather than guessing the threshold.
How do I access the full 300-635 practice exam?
Click the Buy Now button in the sidebar to purchase the complete Cisco 300-635 DCNAUTO course. After payment you'll have instant lifetime access to 17 practice exams with detailed explanations covering every domain — Network Programmability Foundation, Nexus, ACI, UCS / Intersight, and Cisco DC automation tools.
What are the prerequisites for the 300-635 exam?
There are no formal prerequisites for the 300-635 DCNAUTO concentration exam, but Cisco recommends 3–5 years of hands-on experience with Cisco data center technologies plus working knowledge of Python and REST APIs. Most successful candidates have already passed the 350-601 DCCOR core exam (or are studying it in parallel) since DCNAUTO assumes familiarity with Nexus, ACI, and UCS architecture. Completing 200-901 CCNAAUTO before DCNAUTO is highly recommended — it covers the Python, JSON, YANG, and REST fundamentals that DCNAUTO builds on.
How long is the 300-635 certification valid?
Passing 300-635 contributes toward the CCNP Data Center certification, which is valid for 3 years from the date you complete both required exams (350-601 DCCOR plus one concentration exam such as 300-635). You can recertify by retaking the current concentration exam, passing a higher-tier Cisco exam, or earning Continuing Education (CE) credits through the Cisco Learning Network. CE credits accrue from completing approved Cisco training, attending Cisco Live sessions, and authoring technical content.
What's the exam cost and can I retake it if I fail?
The 300-635 DCNAUTO exam costs $300 USD globally (converted to local currency where applicable). The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE at testing centers or via online proctoring. If you fail, you must wait 5 calendar days before retaking the exam at full price. There is no limit to the number of attempts, but each attempt requires a new $300 payment. Cisco occasionally offers exam discount vouchers through Cisco Learning Network promotions, partner programs, and post-event Cisco Live attendee benefits.
What Cisco technologies are most heavily tested on 300-635?
Based on Cisco's published blueprint, the most heavily tested areas are: NX-OS automation (NX-API REST, NX-API CLI, OpenConfig + native YANG models, gNMI streaming telemetry, EEM scripting), ACI automation (APIC REST API for tenants, EPGs, contracts, bridge domains; ACI Toolkit; Cobra SDK; Ansible ACI modules), UCS Manager + Intersight automation (XML API for UCSM, ucsmsdk Python library, Intersight REST API, Terraform Cisco Intersight provider), and Python toolchains for DC operations (requests, ucsmsdk, acitoolkit, pyaci). Cisco NSO appears in the Cisco DC Network Automation Tools domain alongside Ansible and Terraform.
How does DCNAUTO 300-635 differ from CCNAAUTO 200-901?
CCNAAUTO 200-901 is the associate-tier DevNet certification — broad coverage of software development fundamentals, Cisco platform APIs across all domains (collaboration, security, enterprise, data center), and general DevOps concepts. DCNAUTO 300-635 is a professional-tier concentration exam tightly focused on data center automation — Nexus, ACI, UCS, Intersight, and the specific Python SDKs and YANG models used in DC operations. DCNAUTO assumes you already know Python, REST, JSON, and Git (the CCNAAUTO fundamentals) and tests how you apply them to automate data center infrastructure. Most candidates pass CCNAAUTO first, then specialize with DCNAUTO.
Can I retake the 300-635 exam if I fail?
Yes. Cisco allows retakes after a 5-day waiting period. You pay the full $300 exam fee for each attempt. There is no limit on total attempts within a 12-month rolling window. Note Cisco's general policy: candidates may not take the same exam more than 5 times within a 12-month period.