The Cisco 300-435 is the industry-standard IT certification exam that aids the candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of implementing enterprise automated solutions. If you are rooting for a career in enterprise automation, this test is a must-do for you. Once you pass it, you will be honored with the Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Enterprise Automation and Programmability certification. Besides, if you blend this test with 350-401 & 350-901, you’ll procure the CCNP Enterprise and Cisco Certified DevNet Professional, respectively.

Who Is Cisco 300-435 Intended for?

The exam, in particular, is designed for the candidates who are responsible for the task of developing and maintaining applications that were built on Cisco Platforms. What is more, the candidates for such a test should have knowledge of software development and design. In addition, this knowledge also includes programming concepts, Python programming, controllers, and automation tools.

300-435 Exam Structure

In a nutshell, the 300-435 exam is 90 minutes long and is presented in Japanese and English only. Plus, the candidates need to pay $300 for the registration for the official exam. To add more, the actual test is conducted by Pearson VUE and you can either take it online or in person.

Cisco 300-435 Content Outline

As mentioned above, this exam measures the candidate's knowledge of implementing enterprise automated solutions that include Python programming, automation tools, and APIs controllers. Thus, you can prepare well for the real exam only if you master the following domains:

• Networking Foundation for Programmability 10%;
• Networking Programmability of Devices 20%;
• Automating APIs & Protocols 10%;
• Cisco SD-WAN 20%;
• Cisco DNA Center 20%;
• Cisco Meraki 20%.

The first tested domain discusses the networking foundation for programmability. In more detail, it deals with utilizing general control version operations together with git, describing the peculiarities of styles for API, interpreting scripts for Python that comprise functions, data types, looping, and also conditions. Moreover, it explains the perks of utilizing the configuration networking tools such as Puppet and Ansible for the automation of IOS XE platforms. Finally, the candidate should have knowledge about Python virtual environments and describing the problems faced including patterns used while consuming the APIs both asynchronously and synchronously.

The second area focuses on the networking programmability of devices and includes implementing the management and monitoring of various devices utilizing NetMiko. The candidates should also have skills in utilizing Ansible to set up a device for IOS XE. Moreover, the knowledge of configuring the model-driven telemetry subscriptions and describing their usage together with advantages in solving glitches with the network are also included in the real exam. Finally, within such a scope, the candidates should be able to define methods for Day 0 provisioning.

The third tested topic emphasizes APIs as well as protocols by identifying the JSON instance found on the model of YANG, comparing functionality, benefits, and the use of NETCONF. It further includes interpreting the module of the YANG tree generated per RFC8340. You will also be tested on identifying the XML instance based on the YANG model.

The fourth section discusses the SD-WAN of Cisco. Thus, the candidate's knowledge of the facets and capabilities of SD-WAN will be measured in the final exam. Moreover, it also deals with constructing requests for API used for SD-WAN vManage Administration APIs by Cisco. On top of these, the skills of troubleshooting a Cisco SD-WAN deployment and implementing a script of Python to accomplish the requests for API with the help of SD-WAN vManage Configuration APIs by Cisco.

The fifth tested part involves the DNA Center of Cisco. It helps the candidates to validate their knowledge of comparing conventional networks and the ones that are software-defined and also describing the features alongside capabilities of Cisco DNA Center. More so, it includes multivendor support, events & notifications, intent APIs, and network assurance APIs. It also tests the candidate's skills in implementing the webhooks of Cisco DNA Center that are event-outbound and executing the requests of API for Cisco DNA Center to achieve network tasks for managing. In addition, such a topic defines the troubleshooting of Cisco DNA Center automation utilizing Intent APIs.

The last objective defines the concepts of Cisco Meraki. In particular, it describes the capabilities & features of this technology and includes the APIs for MV Sense, location scanning APIs, and the Alert APIs of WebHook. Besides, the candidates should be capable of creating networks by making use of Meraki APIs by Cisco, configuring the same with the Cisco Meraki APIs, and implementing a script for Python used for Cisco Meraki Alert WebHooks. Finally, the candidates need to understand the concepts of external captive portal APIs to perform well in the 300-435 test.

What Are Career Opportunities Available for Cisco Certified Specialists?

Many career opportunities are awaiting the individuals who successfully accomplish the Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Enterprise Automation and Programmability certification. It will help specialists grab limitless benefits in the IT industry and broaden their skills in the automation & programming field. Besides these, you will also get a high-rank job in the IT industry and will have a name in the organization you’ll be working for. Thus, the job roles that you can apply for after passing the 300-435 exam include:

• Wireless design engineer;
• Network engineer;
• Technical solutions architect;
• Consulting systems engineer;
• Sales engineer;
• Account manager, etc.

When it comes to the average annual compensation of these specialists, this may vary. For example, network engineers can earn $74,986 annually while consulting systems engineers are eligible for $118,984 per annum as the median salary according to the Payscale.com website. Also, if you attained the CCNP Enterprise certification via 300-435, then you can ask for the annual pay of $96,479 as rendered by the same site.

Certification Path

If you’ve decided to attain the CCNP Enterprise designation with the help of the Cisco 300-435 exam, you can then apply for expert-level certifications like the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure and the CCIE Enterprise Wireless.