CCNP Data Center and Training Exam – Study Guide
& Practice Review
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Data Center | 2026/2027
1. EXAM OVERVIEW & STRUCTURE
The CCNP Data Center certification validates your ability to design, implement,
secure, automate, and troubleshoot modern data centers built on Cisco technologies
. The certification requires passing two exams:
| Exam Component | Required? | Cost |
|-|--||
| Core Exam: 350-601 DCCOR (Implementing Cisco Data Center Core
Technologies) | Mandatory | $400 |
| One Concentration Exam | Choose one | $300 |
| Total Certification Cost | | ~$700+ |
Core Exam (350-601 DCCOR) Details
- Exam Code: 350-601 DCCOR v1.2
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Question Format: Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, simulation
1
,- Prerequisite: CCNA or equivalent knowledge recommended
- Validity: 3 years
The DCCOR v1.2 update shifted focus toward modern data centers with more
emphasis on cloud concepts, automation, and AI-powered monitoring. Topics
include VXLAN EVPN, Intersight-managed systems, and modern storage
approaches such as NFS and iSCSI .
2. EXAM DOMAINS & WEIGHTING
350-601 DCCOR Exam Topics
Based on the official Cisco exam blueprint and training resources :
| Domain | Weight | Key Topics |
|--|--||
| 1. Data Center Networking | ~35% | Routing/switching protocols, VXLAN
EVPN, Cisco ACI, Nexus OS, vPC, FabricPath |
| 2. Data Center Compute | ~25% | Cisco UCS management, HyperFlex, server
virtualization, service profiles |
| 3. Data Center Storage | ~15% | Fibre Channel, FCoE, VSANs, zoning, iSCSI,
NFS, storage virtualization |
2
,| 4. Data Center Automation | ~15% | Python, Ansible, REST APIs, Terraform,
Cisco NX-API, EEM |
| 5. Data Center Security | ~10% | RBAC, CoPP, ACLs, secure management
protocols, MACsec |
New Concentration Exam: 300-640 DCAI (AI Infrastructure)
Effective February 3, 2026, Cisco introduced the 300-640 DCAI (Implementing
Cisco Data Center AI Infrastructure) exam as a new concentration option .
Key Topics:
- AI/ML workload types (RAG, Training, Inference, Generative AI)
- AI lifecycle and use cases
- Infrastructure components (GPUs, NVLink, containers)
- High-performance network configuration (RoCE, PFC, ECN, QoS)
- AI-ready fabric deployment using Nexus Dashboard, APIC, Intersight
- Monitoring and troubleshooting AI infrastructure
3. KEY TECHNOLOGIES & CONCEPTS
3
, Data Center Networking
Core Switching Technologies :
| Technology | Purpose |
|||
| vPC (Virtual Port Channel) | Link aggregation across two Nexus switches |
| VXLAN EVPN | Overlay networking for multi-tenancy and workload mobility |
| Cisco ACI | Policy-based automation and micro-segmentation |
| FabricPath | Layer 2 multipath for scalable campus/data center |
| OSPF/BGP | Routing protocols for data center interconnect |
Data Center Compute
Cisco UCS (Unified Computing System) :
| Component | Function |
|--|-|
| Fabric Interconnects | Management and connectivity backbone |
| Service Profiles | Identity and policy for UCS servers |
4
& Practice Review
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Data Center | 2026/2027
1. EXAM OVERVIEW & STRUCTURE
The CCNP Data Center certification validates your ability to design, implement,
secure, automate, and troubleshoot modern data centers built on Cisco technologies
. The certification requires passing two exams:
| Exam Component | Required? | Cost |
|-|--||
| Core Exam: 350-601 DCCOR (Implementing Cisco Data Center Core
Technologies) | Mandatory | $400 |
| One Concentration Exam | Choose one | $300 |
| Total Certification Cost | | ~$700+ |
Core Exam (350-601 DCCOR) Details
- Exam Code: 350-601 DCCOR v1.2
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Question Format: Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, simulation
1
,- Prerequisite: CCNA or equivalent knowledge recommended
- Validity: 3 years
The DCCOR v1.2 update shifted focus toward modern data centers with more
emphasis on cloud concepts, automation, and AI-powered monitoring. Topics
include VXLAN EVPN, Intersight-managed systems, and modern storage
approaches such as NFS and iSCSI .
2. EXAM DOMAINS & WEIGHTING
350-601 DCCOR Exam Topics
Based on the official Cisco exam blueprint and training resources :
| Domain | Weight | Key Topics |
|--|--||
| 1. Data Center Networking | ~35% | Routing/switching protocols, VXLAN
EVPN, Cisco ACI, Nexus OS, vPC, FabricPath |
| 2. Data Center Compute | ~25% | Cisco UCS management, HyperFlex, server
virtualization, service profiles |
| 3. Data Center Storage | ~15% | Fibre Channel, FCoE, VSANs, zoning, iSCSI,
NFS, storage virtualization |
2
,| 4. Data Center Automation | ~15% | Python, Ansible, REST APIs, Terraform,
Cisco NX-API, EEM |
| 5. Data Center Security | ~10% | RBAC, CoPP, ACLs, secure management
protocols, MACsec |
New Concentration Exam: 300-640 DCAI (AI Infrastructure)
Effective February 3, 2026, Cisco introduced the 300-640 DCAI (Implementing
Cisco Data Center AI Infrastructure) exam as a new concentration option .
Key Topics:
- AI/ML workload types (RAG, Training, Inference, Generative AI)
- AI lifecycle and use cases
- Infrastructure components (GPUs, NVLink, containers)
- High-performance network configuration (RoCE, PFC, ECN, QoS)
- AI-ready fabric deployment using Nexus Dashboard, APIC, Intersight
- Monitoring and troubleshooting AI infrastructure
3. KEY TECHNOLOGIES & CONCEPTS
3
, Data Center Networking
Core Switching Technologies :
| Technology | Purpose |
|||
| vPC (Virtual Port Channel) | Link aggregation across two Nexus switches |
| VXLAN EVPN | Overlay networking for multi-tenancy and workload mobility |
| Cisco ACI | Policy-based automation and micro-segmentation |
| FabricPath | Layer 2 multipath for scalable campus/data center |
| OSPF/BGP | Routing protocols for data center interconnect |
Data Center Compute
Cisco UCS (Unified Computing System) :
| Component | Function |
|--|-|
| Fabric Interconnects | Management and connectivity backbone |
| Service Profiles | Identity and policy for UCS servers |
4
