About CompTIA Security+ Certification
The Cisco 350-401: Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) exam evaluates the candidates’ competency in the implementation of key enterprise network technologies, such as network assurance, dual-stack (IPv4 & IPv6) architecture, automation, infrastructure, security, and virtualization. The test leads to the award of the Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Core certification. It is also part of the requirements for earning the following certificates: CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure, CCNP Enterprise, and CCIE Enterprise Wireless.
The Cisco 350-401 exam is intended for those professionals who currently perform the roles of Mid-Level Network Engineers, Network Support Technicians, Network Administrators, as well as Help Desk Technicians. To succeed in this certification test, the candidates are recommended to possess the relevant skills in the implementation of enterprise LAN networks, fundamental knowledge of enterprise routing & wireless connectivity, and general comprehension of Python scripting.
Exam Details
The Cisco 350-401 exam has the allocated duration of 120 minutes. The students can take the test in the English or Japanese languages. To register for it, they must create an account on the Pearson VUE website and pay the fee of $400. This sum applies to a single delivery of the exam. In case you do not achieve the required passing score at your first attempt, you will have to pay a new registration fee to retake the test.
It is recommended that the applicants enroll for the official training course, Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR), to prepare for the 350-401 exam. This preparation option will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills required for configuring, troubleshooting, and managing enterprise wireless & wired networks. There are several options that the students can choose from to follow the instruction. You can opt for instructor-led training either in a physical or virtual classroom. This will enable you to interact with your trainer and peers as well as ask questions and receive feedback whenever you face difficulties. If you prefer to study on your own, you can choose the option of self-paced e-Learning. Moreover, the individuals are free to use third-party materials, such as alternative courses, study guides, and practice tests available on numerous online platforms.
Exam Topics
The applicants for the Cisco 350-401 exam are required to develop competency in the topics outlined below before attempting the test. Let’s have a closer look at them.
- Architecture – 15%
Within the first topic, the candidates should be capable of explaining various design principles that are utilized in an enterprise network, including enterprise network design (Fabric Capacity planning, Tier 3, Tier 2) as well as high availability techniques (FHRP, SSO, and redundancy). In addition, they should have the skills in analyzing the design principles of WLAN deployment, including location services within WLAN design as well as wireless deployment models; differentiating between Cloud & on-prem infrastructure deployments; explaining the Cisco SD-WAN solution working principles, including SD-WAN control & data planes elements as well as traditional SD-WAN & WAN solutions. Other skills measured within this section of the certification test include the ability to describe the Cisco SD-Access solution working principles, including SD-Access data & control planes elements as well as traditional campus cooperating with SD-Access; explain the wired & wireless Quality of Service concepts such as QoS components & QoS policy; differentiating hardware & software switching mechanisms, including CEF & process, FIB versus RIB, MAC address table & TCAM.
- Virtualization – 10%
Here the examinees should demonstrate their proficiency in describing the following technologies for device virtualization: hypervisor type 1 & 2, virtual machine, and virtual switching; configuring & verifying the following technologies for data path virtualization: IPsec & GRE tunneling as well as VRF; describing the following network virtualization concepts: VXLAN & LISP.
- Automation – 15%
This subject area requires that the learners have expertise in interpreting primary Python scripts & components; constructing proper JSON encoded file; explaining the benefits & high-level principles of a data modeling language; describing APIs for vManage & Cisco DNA Center; interpreting codes & results of REST API response within payload with the help of RESTCONF and Cisco DNA Center; building the EEM applet to activate data collection, configuration, and troubleshooting; comparing agent versus agentless orchestration tools, including SaltStack, Ansible, Chef, and Puppet.
- Security – 20%
In the framework of this subject area, the test takers need to demonstrate that they know how to perform the configuration & verification of device access control, including lines & password protection as well as authentication & authorization with the help of AAA; configuration & verification of the ACLs & CoPP infrastructure security features; description of REST API security; configuration & verification of the following wireless security features: WebAuth, EAP, and PSK; description of following network security design components: threat defense, next-generation firewall, endpoint security, TrustSec & MACsec, network access control using 802.1X, WebAuth, and MAB.
- Network Assurance – 10%
The students need to understand how to execute the configuration & verification of the following: device monitoring with the help of Syslog for remote logging, NetFlow & Flexible NetFlow, IPSLA, ERSPAN/RSPAN/SPAN, NETCONF & RESTCONF. They should also possess the relevant skills in diagnosing network issues with the following tools: Syslog, debugs, trace route, conditional debugs, SNMP, and ping. Their ability to explain Cisco DNA Center workflows for the application of network configuration, monitoring, and management is also required.
- Infrastructure – 30%
This part revolves around one’s knowledge of Layer 2 (including troubleshooting dynamic & static 802.1q trunking protocols, troubleshooting dynamic & static EtherChannels, configuring & verifying common Spanning Tree Protocols) and Layer 3 (including comparing routing concepts of EIGRP & OSPF as well as configuring & verifying simple OSPF environments, such as summarization, multiple normal areas, and filtering; configuring & verifying eBGP between directly connected neighbors). The candidates should also have a solid understanding of Wireless. This includes their ability to describe Layer 1 concepts (RF power, SNR, RSSI, interference noise, band & channels, etc.), explain AP modes as well as antenna types, explain access point discovery as well as join process, explain the most important principles as well as utilization cases for Layer 3 & Layer 2 roaming, troubleshoot the WLAN configuration as well as problems with wireless client connectivity. Lastly, this objective required your competency in IP Services, including the description of Network Time Protocol, configuration and verification of NAT/PAT, configuration of first hop redundancy protocols such as VRRP & HSRP, description of multicast protocols such as IGMP v2/v3 & PIM.
Career Prospects
Passing the Cisco 350-401 exam gives you access to a number of professional-level certificates that can be extremely helpful for your career advancement. Some of the job roles that will become available to you after acing this test and earning one of the associated certifications are as follows:
- Network Engineer
- Security Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Enterprise Solutions Architect
- Technical Team Lead
- Voice Operations Support Engineer
- Data Center Technician
- Technical Consulting Engineer
Another advantage of the Cisco 350-401 exam is that it helps you significantly boost your earning potential. After getting the CCNP Enterprise certification, you can count on over $109,353 per year. With some level of experience, you can earn as much as $179,000 per annum. The average salary related to the CCIE Enterprise Wireless certificate amounts to $151,000 per year, with the highest paycheck of $177,500.
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