Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services exam, commonly known as Cisco 300-410, is one of the concentration tests associated with the Cisco CCNP Enterprise certification. In addition, if passed alone, it leads to earning the Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Advanced Infrastructure Implementation certificate. Generally, this exam measures one’s knowledge of implementing and troubleshooting routing technologies at an intermediate level and proves one’s readiness for new tech jobs at this level.

Certification Overview

The Cisco CCNP Enterprise certificate is designed to help examinees prove that they fully understand enterprise networking solutions. To obtain this accreditation, you must pass one core exam and a concentration test that can be selected from 6 options. In a nutshell, the core assessment associated with this learning path is Cisco 350-401: Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR). Also, it clears the path to obtaining the CCIE Enterprise Wireless and CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certificates.

The Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Advanced Infrastructure Implementation certificate, on the other hand, is a specialist title that recognizes learners who work tirelessly to boost their skills in working with enterprise solutions.

Cisco 300-410 Exam Facts

This exam has a duration of 90 minutes and costs $300 per attempt. Students can take it in English or Japanese languages. The major topics this test is focused on the implementation and troubleshooting of routing services and technologies such as infrastructure security, Layer 3, and VPN.

Cisco 300-410 Exam objectives

In summary, the content outline for the Cisco 300-410 exam can be divided into 4 knowledge areas. They are disclosed below:

1. Layer 3 Technologies (35%)

This topic is exclusively focused on the candidate’s knowledge of troubleshooting Layer 3 technologies and solutions. This includes troubleshooting route map, mechanisms for preventing loop, redistribution, auto- and manual summarization, and EIGRP. Also, it addresses the configuration and verification of policy-centered routing, a description of bidirectional forwarding detection, and BGP as well as OSPF troubleshooting.

2. VPN Technologies (20%)

This section widely covers a description of MPLS operations such as LDP, LSP, label switching, and LSR. Also, it will address the basics of MPLS Layer 3 VPN and DMVPN configuration and verification. This means the exam takers should understand the principal details of IPsec, dynamic neighbor, spoke-to-spoke, NHRP, and GRE/mGRE.

3. Infrastructure Security (20%)

Under this domain, exam candidates will be tested on the concepts related to the troubleshooting of device security with IOS AAA, troubleshooting the security features of a router, troubleshooting policing for control plan, and the main security features of IPv6 First Hop. On that note, the learners should demonstrate that they understand the role of the following tools as far as infrastructure security goes: Telnet, SSH, BGP, SNMP, DHCP guard, RA guard, source guard.

4. Infrastructure Services (25%)

To conclude, the Cisco 300-410 exam will check one’s familiarity with different infrastructure services. And some of the essential tasks covered here include troubleshooting SNMP, resolving network problems associated with logging, troubleshooting IPv6 and IPv4 DHCP, and handling issues in network performance with IP SLA. Also covered is the knowledge of NetFlow troubleshooting and troubleshooting network issues with the Cisco DNA Center assurance. Going by the content outline, students should be well conversant with all technologies addressed by this domain. These include debugs, Syslog, local, timestamps, DHCP client, jitter, delay, connectivity, flexible NetFlow, network health, device health, v9, v5, and monitoring.

Career Opportunities

After passing the Cisco 300-410 exam and obtaining the chosen certificate, one can apply for various job roles, and the most popular options are as follows:

• Network Engineer

  A network engineer troubleshoots, diagnoses, and resolves software, hardware, network, and other system-related issues. The key responsibilities that fall under their job scope include maintaining computer networks, performing data backups, recovering data, protecting computer software and hardware, and replacing damaged hardware components. In specific circumstances, these individuals may also allocate time to the monitoring of computer systems, coordinating network access, and assessing system performance. And when all is said and done, they are rightly compensated with an average salary of $75k per year. That’s according to the official information from the PayScale website.

• Network Security Engineer

  As a network security engineer, you will be expected to provision, deploy, configure, and administer a wide range of network and security-centered software and hardware. This implies that your roles and responsibilities will revolve around routers, switches, firewalls, and other tools used to monitor VPNs and networks. In the era of the digital revolution, network security engineers are an important asset in many organizations and spend most of their days tackling a wide variety of security threats such as Trojans, Phishing, Spyware, Viruses, and zero-day attacks. By adopting a robust approach to managing security threats, they become indispensable members of modern IT departments and serve as the first line of threat against digital attacks. That being said, it's easy to see why these individuals are also one of the best-paid professionals, earning an average salary of $87k per year according to PayScale.com.

• Systems Engineer

  From their name, systems engineers manage and monitor operational computer systems. They install, configure, test, and maintain operating systems, system management tools, and application software. Also, they may be involved in security maintenance, writing and maintenance of custom scripts, monitoring and testing of application performance, and maintenance of the highest attainable levels of system availability. To succeed in this role, candidates require much more than just the CCNP Enterprise certificate. A combination of soft skills and project management knowledge comes in handy when you want to effortlessly cement your status in this niche. And at the end of the day, PayScale salary data states that you will be compensated with an average pay of $80k per year.

Certification Path

Cisco CCNP Enterprise is an intermediate-level program that prepares you for more advanced roles within the Cisco certification path. For many individuals, getting this certificate marks a huge step in their quest for certification supremacy by enabling them to upgrade their skills and earn the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure and CCIE Enterprise Wireless certifications. If you pass the Cisco 300-410 exam together with the core test, Cisco 350-401, you will only need to succeed in the relevant lab exams to complete the CCIE track.