• Exam Breakdown
  • Domain Breakdown
  • Access Breakdown

Exam Format

  • Exam Code: NS0-164
  • Certification Level: Professional
  • Exam Duration: 120 minutes
  • Passing Score: Not publicly disclosed by NetApp (score report provided after completion)
  • Unscored Content: The exam may include unscored questions for research purposes that do not affect your final score.

Exam Details

  • Question Types: Multiple choice, multiple response
  • Number of Questions: Approximately 60 questions
  • Hands-On Questions: No hands-on lab simulations — focuses on administration, configuration, and management concepts.

Exam Policies

  • Rescheduling/Cancellation: Must follow Pearson VUE testing policies (typically at least 24 hours before the scheduled exam time).
  • Waiting Period: Retake policies follow NetApp certification guidelines (waiting period required after failed attempts).
  • Retake Fee: Full exam fee required for each retake.

Certification Validity and Renewal

  • Validity: 2 years (NetApp certifications follow version-based renewal aligned with ONTAP updates)
  • Renewal Options: Pass the latest version of the certification exam to maintain certification status.

Exam Fee

  • Base Fee: $150 USD (excluding taxes)
  • Taxes: Country-specific VAT may apply
  • Example: In India, 18% tax applies, making the total $177 USD ($150 + $27 tax)

Prerequisites

There are no mandatory prerequisites for taking the NetApp Certified Data Administrator – ONTAP exam. However, NetApp recommends:
  • 6–12 months of experience administering NetApp ONTAP storage systems
  • Understanding of storage technologies and data management concepts
  • Basic networking knowledge and system administration experience
  • Familiarity with NetApp ONTAP management tools and interfaces

Exam Topics

  • ONTAP Architecture and Core Concepts — Clustered ONTAP architecture, storage virtual machines (SVMs), aggregates, volumes
  • Storage Provisioning and Configuration — LUNs, volumes, qtrees, storage efficiency technologies
  • Data Protection and Data Management — Snapshots, replication (SnapMirror, SnapVault), backup and recovery
  • Networking and Protocols — NFS, SMB/CIFS, iSCSI, Fibre Channel configuration and management
  • Security and Access Control — Authentication, authorization, data access security, encryption
  • Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Maintenance — System health monitoring, performance management, upgrades, troubleshooting procedures

Intended Audience

The NetApp Certified Data Administrator – ONTAP certification is designed for professionals managing NetApp storage environments, including:
  • Storage Administrators
  • Systems Administrators
  • Infrastructure Engineers
  • Data Center Engineers
  • Storage Engineers

Career Impact

Jobs You Can Get:

  • Storage Administrator, Storage Engineer, Systems Administrator, Infrastructure Engineer, Data Center Engineer

Average Salary:

  • U.S.: $80,000–$120,000 USD,
  • India: ₹6,00,000–₹15,00,000 INR,
  • United Kingdom: £40,000–£65,000 GBP,
  • UAE: 140,000–260,000 AED per year.

Why It’s Valuable:

  • Validates ONTAP administration skills, demonstrates enterprise storage management expertise, recognized by organizations using NetApp storage solutions.

Exam Mode

The exam is proctored and can be taken either:
  • In-person at authorized Pearson VUE test centres
  • Online through Pearson VUE’s online proctoring system

Exam Booking Link

Once you pass the exam:

  • Access your certification through the NetApp Certification Portal
  • Digital certificate available after successful completion
  • Download and share certification credentials from your NetApp account dashboard

Offers

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    Top Reasons to Choose
    NetApp Data ONTAP Administrator Exam

    High Demand for Storage Administration Skills

    Organizations depend on reliable storage systems to manage growing data workloads, making skilled NetApp administrators essential for maintaining performance, availability, and data protection in enterprise environments.

    Strong Focus on Enterprise Storage Management

    The certification validates practical knowledge of managing Data ONTAP storage systems, including provisioning storage, monitoring system health, and implementing data protection strategies in enterprise infrastructures.

    Career Opportunities in Storage Infrastructure

    This certification helps professionals advance into roles such as storage administrator, infrastructure engineer, or data center specialist responsible for managing enterprise storage platforms.

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    FAQ

    • Who should take the NetApp Data ONTAP Administrator exam?

      The NetApp Data ONTAP Administrator exam is designed for storage administrators, system administrators, and infrastructure engineers responsible for managing NetApp storage environments. It is particularly valuable for professionals who configure storage systems, manage data protection, and maintain enterprise storage infrastructure running NetApp Data ONTAP.

    • How difficult is the NetApp Data ONTAP Administrator exam?

      The exam is considered moderately challenging because it focuses on real-world administrative tasks such as storage provisioning, monitoring system health, and implementing data protection strategies. Candidates with hands-on experience managing NetApp storage environments typically find the exam manageable and aligned with practical storage administration responsibilities.

    • Why does NetApp offer the Data ONTAP Administrator certification?

      NetApp offers this certification to validate professionals who can administer and maintain enterprise storage systems effectively. Organizations rely on skilled administrators to ensure storage performance, reliability, and data protection. The certification helps employers identify professionals capable of managing NetApp Data ONTAP environments efficiently.

    • What tools and resources can be used to prepare for this exam?

      Candidates can prepare using official NetApp documentation, Data ONTAP administration guides, NetApp training courses, and hands-on practice with NetApp storage systems. Reviewing NetApp best practices for storage provisioning, monitoring, and data protection is strongly recommended for successful exam preparation.

    • Is the NetApp Data ONTAP Administrator certification still valuable in 2026?

      Yes, the certification remains valuable in 2026 because many organizations still rely on NetApp storage solutions for managing enterprise data. Professionals who can administer, monitor, and protect storage environments using NetApp technologies are highly valued in enterprise IT infrastructure and data center operations.