CCIE Data Center

Written and Lab Exam Content Updates

Introduction
The CCIE Data Center exam topics have been revised from version 1.0 to version 2.0 to certify candidates
knowledge and capabilities based on the latest skills and technologies required of expert-level data center
professionals. CCIE Data Center v2.0 exam curriculum comprises of six domains.
Each domain lists specific tasks that a minimally qualified candidate to perform is expected to perform in a data
center job role requiring expert-level skills. Note the exam topics serve as a general guideline for the content likely
to be included in the exam. However, other related topics may also appear on any delivery of the exam. All of the
domains or tasks listed appear on both the Written and the Lab exam making it a unified blueprint for both the
exams.

Domain comparison between CCIE Data Center v1.0 and CCIE Data Center v2.0
Below you can find a domain level comparison between the CCIE Data Center v1.0 and CCIE Data Center v2.0.
CCIE Data Center Domain v1.0 versus v2.0

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

CCIE Data Center v1.0

CCIE Data Center v2.0

Cisco Data Center Architecture

Cisco Data Center Infrastructure-Cisco NX-OS
Cisco Storage Networking
Cisco Data Center Virtualization
Cisco Unified Computing System
Cisco Application Networking Services

Cisco Data Center L2/L3 Technologies

Cisco Data Center Network Services
Data Center Storage Networking and Compute
Data Center Automation and Orchestration
Data Center Fabric Infrastructure
Evolving Technologies

The Exam Topics changes reflect both the evolving Data Center environment and the evolving CCIE Data Center job
role. Compared to CCIE Data Center v1.0, CCIE Data Center v2.0 domains were designed to focus more on skills and
technologies then on the hardware. All the v2.0 domains include skills focused on design, implement and
troubleshoot. Domains like Application Networking Services, which were focused on products like ACE and WAAS
has been removed. Meanwhile evolving technologies like Cloud and ACI has been added in the v2.0 blueprint.
Storage and Compute has been refreshed and combined into a consolidated domain in v2.0 as Data Center Storage
Networking and Compute.

CCIE Data Center v2.0 Changes

Please refer to the Exam Topics more detailed information.
Topics added to the CCIE Data Center v2.0 Exam:

Implement and Troubleshoot Data Center Automation

Implement and Troubleshoot Data Center Orchestration Tools
Integrate Cisco Cloud Offerings into existing Data Center Infrastructure
Design, Implement and Troubleshoot policy and non-policy driven Internal Fabric Connectivity

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CCIE Data Center

Written and Lab Exam Content Updates

Design, Implement and Troubleshoot Infrastructure policies and elements

Design, Implement and Troubleshoot External Fabric Connectivity
Evolving Technologies

Topics no longer included in CCIE Data Center v2.0

Implement Data Center application high availability and load balancing

Implement FCIP features

The hardware and software list have been updated for version 2.0, the required implementation and
troubleshooting skills have changed significantly for several of the tasks. The figure below is a high level overview
of the changes in hardware and software, please refer to the Lab Equipment and Software List for more detailed
information.
CCIE Data Center v1.0

MDS 9222i
Nexus7009
- (1) Sup
- (1) 32 Port 10Gb (F1 Module)
- (1) 32 Port 10Gb (M1 Module)
Nexus5548
Nexus2232
Nexus 1000v
UCS C200 Series Server
- vic card for c-series
UCS-6248 Fabric Interconnects
UCS-5108 Blade Chassis
- B-200 Series Blades
- Palo mezzanine card
- Emulex mezzanine card
Cisco Application Control Engine Appliance ACE4710
Dual attached JBODs

CCIE Data Center v2.0

APIC Cluster
Nexus 9336 ACI Spine
Nexus 9372
Nexus 7004
- Sup2E
- 48 Port 10Gb (F3 Module)
Nexus 5672
Nexus 2348
Nexus 1000v
UCS C220 M4 Series Rack Server
- VIC card for C-Series
UCS-6248 Fabric Interconnects
UCS-4308 M-Series Chassis
- UCS M142 Compute Cartridge
UCS-5108 B-Series Chassis
- B-200 M4 Series Blades
- Palo mezzanine card
- VIC 1340 Card for B-Series
Dual attached JBODs

Unified Blueprint
CCIE DC v2.0 unifies Written and Lab Exam Topics documents into a unique curriculum, while explicitly disclosing
which domains pertain to which exam, and the relative weight of each domain.

CCIE Data Center v2.0 Exam Format

The Written exam v2.0 (400-151) includes a new educational approach ensuring that expert-level candidates can
demonstrate knowledge and skills with Evolving Technologies (E.T.) such as Network Programmability, Cloud and
Internet of Things (IoT). The intent behind this change is to ensure that certified experts are well equipped to

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CCIE Data Center

Written and Lab Exam Content Updates
participate in meaningful discussions with business leaders about these new technical areas that already greatly
influence business globally.
The web-based delivery infrastructure supporting the new Lab exam is very similar to version 1.0. The format of
the Lab exam itself however has changed significantly compared to version 1.0. The Lab exam format has been
updated similar to other CCIE tracks to include a Diagnostic module.
As a result, the CCIE Data Center v2.0 lab format is designed follows:

Part 1: Diagnostic module

Part 2: Configuration & Troubleshooting module.

The new Diagnostic module, which has a length of 60 min, focuses on the skills required to properly diagnose
network issues, without having device access. The main objective of the Diagnostic module is to assess the skills
required to properly diagnose network issues. These skills include:

Analyze
Correlate
- Discerning multiple sources of documentation (in example e-mail threads, network topology diagrams,
console outputs, logs, and even traffic captures.)

In the Diagnostic module, candidates need to make choices between pre-defined options to indicate:

What is the root cause of an issue

Where is the issue located in the diagram
What is the critical piece of information allows us the identify the root cause
What piece of information is missing to be able to identify the root cause

The Configuration and Troubleshooting module consists of one topology, similar to CCIE Data Center v1.0. The
length of the Configuration and Troubleshooting module is seven hours. At the beginning of the module, the
candidate has a full overview of the entire module; and can make a choice of working on items in sequence or not,
depending on the candidates comfort level, the overall scenario and question interdependencies.
The Diagnostic and Configuration and Troubleshooting modules in the Lab exam are delivered in a fixed sequence:
the candidate starts the day with the 1 hour Diagnostic module, which is followed by the 7 hours Configuration

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CCIE Data Center

Written and Lab Exam Content Updates
and Troubleshooting module. The entire Lab exam lasts up to eight hours. Note that candidates are not allowed to
go back and forth between modules.

Diagnostic Module
For the Diagnostic module, no device access is provided. Candidates are provided various pieces of information
(example emails, debug outputs, example network diagram information that is provided to a Data Center support
engineer assisting a customer in determining the root cause of an issue, or an analogy of information that is
provided by a colleague who is stuck in a troubleshooting issue).
Within the Diagnostic module, the items are presented in a similar format as within the Written exam. The module
includes multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, or even point-and-click style items. The major differences between the
Written exam and the Diagnostic module is that the items in the Diagnostic module (called troubleshoot tickets)
contain a set of documents that the candidate must consult in order to be able to understand and identify the root
cause of the issue presented. Candidates need to analyze and correlate information (after discerning between
valuable and worthless pieces of information) in order to make the right choice among the pre-defined options
provided.
The troubleshoot tickets will not require candidates to type in order to provide the answer. All tickets will be closeended so grading will be deterministic, ensuring a fair and consistent scoring process. The new module allows us
to grant credit to candidates who are able to accurately identify the root cause of a networking issue, but fail to
resolve it within specific constraints (as in the Configuration and Troubleshooting module).
Real-life experience is certainly the best training to prepare for this module. Candidates with limited experience
should focus on discovering, practicing and applying efficient and effective troubleshooting methodologies that are
used for any realistic networking challenge.

Passing Criteria
In order to pass the Lab exam, the candidate must meet both of the following conditions:

The minimum cut-score of the each individual module must be achieved.

The total score of both modules together must be above the minimum value of the combined cut-score.

The point value(s) of the items in each module is known to the candidate. Note points are only granted when all
requirements and sometimes restrictions of the item are met. There is no partial scoring for any items.

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CCIE Data Center

Written and Lab Exam Content Updates

View more CCIE Data Center certification program information

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