Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist
Exam Code: NS0-175
The Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist certification validates your knowledge of designing FlexPod solutions, including compute, networking, storage, virtualization, and data center architecture using Cisco and NetApp technologies. It demonstrates your ability to design converged infrastructure solutions that integrate Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus switching, and NetApp storage systems.
- Exam Breakdown
- Domain Breakdown
- Access Breakdown
Exam Format
- Exam Code: NS0-175
- Certification Level: Specialist
- Exam Duration: 90 minutes
- Passing Score: Not officially disclosed by Cisco (score report provided after completion)
- Unscored Content: The exam may include unscored questions for research purposes. These do not affect your score and are not identified.
Exam Details
- Question Types: Multiple choice, multiple response
- Number of Questions: Approximately 55–65 questions (Cisco does not publish exact count)
- Hands-On Questions: No hands-on lab simulations — focuses on design concepts and architecture knowledge.
Exam Policies
- Offline Proctoring: Must be rescheduled or canceled at least 48 hours before the scheduled exam time.
- Online Proctoring: Must be rescheduled or canceled at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time.
- Waiting Period: A minimum 5-calendar-day wait is required after a failed attempt before retaking the exam.
- Retake Fee: Full exam fee must be paid for each retake.
Certification Validity and Renewal
- Validity: 3 years
- Renewal Options: Recertify by passing another Cisco professional or specialist exam or earning Cisco Continuing Education credits.
Exam Fee
- Base Fee: $300 USD (excluding taxes)
- Taxes: Country-specific VAT may apply
- Example: In India, 18% tax applies, making the total $354 USD ($300 + $54 tax)
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for taking the Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist exam. However, it is recommended to have:- Understanding of data center infrastructure and virtualization concepts
- Knowledge of Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus switching, and NetApp storage technologies
- Experience with data center and converged infrastructure design
Exam Topics
- FlexPod Architecture and Components — Cisco UCS servers, Cisco Nexus networking, NetApp storage systems, FlexPod design principles
- Compute Design — Cisco UCS architecture, service profiles, server virtualization integration
- Network Design — Nexus switching, LAN/SAN connectivity, network topology and redundancy design
- Storage Design — NetApp ONTAP storage architecture, data protection, storage protocols (NFS, iSCSI, FC)
- Virtualization and Data Center Integration — Hypervisor integration, virtualization solutions, data center architecture considerations
- FlexPod Solution Design and Validation — Design best practices, scalability, performance considerations, Cisco Validated Designs (CVDs)
Intended Audience
The Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist certification is designed for professionals working with converged infrastructure solutions, including:- Data Center Engineers
- Solutions Architects
- Infrastructure Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Technical Consultants
Career Impact
Jobs You Can Get:
- Data Center Engineer, Infrastructure Architect, Solutions Architect, Converged Infrastructure Specialist, Systems Engineer
- U.S.: $90,000–$130,000 USD,
- India: ₹7,00,000–₹16,00,000 INR,
- United Kingdom: £40,000–£70,000 GBP,
- UAE: 160,000–300,000 AED per year.
Why It’s Valuable:
- Validates expertise in Cisco and NetApp converged infrastructure solutions, demonstrates data center design skills, recognized by organizations deploying FlexPod architectures.
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
- Book your Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist exam via Pearson VUE — Click here (https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/cisco.html)
Once you pass the exam:
- Download your certification from Cisco Certmetrics
- Processing Time: Certificate available within 24 to 48 hours after passing the exam
- Log in to Cisco Certmetrics: https://cp.certmetrics.com/cisco/en/login
- Navigate to the Certifications section
- Download your certification (PDF format)
Offers
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Top Reasons to Choose
Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist
Industry-Proven Converged Infrastructure Skills
FlexPod combines Cisco compute and networking with NetApp storage to deliver highly reliable and scalable data center infrastructure widely used by enterprises and service providers.
Strong Demand for Data Center Architecture Expertise
Organizations deploying private cloud, virtualization, and hybrid cloud environments require specialists who understand integrated infrastructure design across compute, networking, and storage platforms.
Career Growth in Enterprise Infrastructure Roles
This certification validates real-world design skills for converged infrastructure solutions, helping professionals advance into roles such as infrastructure architect, data center engineer, and enterprise solutions architect.
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FAQ
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Who should take the Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist exam?
The Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist exam is ideal for infrastructure architects, data center engineers, and solutions designers responsible for planning converged infrastructure deployments. It is particularly useful for professionals working with Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus networking, and NetApp storage systems in enterprise or hybrid cloud data center environments.
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How difficult is the Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist exam?
The exam is considered moderately challenging because it focuses on architecture and design knowledge rather than basic configuration tasks. Candidates must understand FlexPod components, Cisco compute and networking technologies, and NetApp storage integration. Practical experience designing data center solutions significantly improves the chances of passing the exam successfully.
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Why does Cisco offer the FlexPod Design Specialist certification?
Cisco offers the FlexPod Design Specialist certification to validate professionals who can design reliable converged infrastructure solutions using Cisco and NetApp technologies. Organizations deploying FlexPod environments require architects capable of designing scalable, efficient, and highly available infrastructure that supports virtualization, private cloud, and enterprise application workloads.
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What tools and resources can be used to prepare for this exam?
Candidates should prepare using official Cisco and NetApp documentation, FlexPod validated design guides, Cisco UCS and Nexus product documentation, and NetApp ONTAP architecture resources. Hands-on experience designing FlexPod environments and reviewing Cisco Data Center architecture materials are also highly recommended for successful exam preparation.
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Is the Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design Specialist certification still valuable in 2026?
Yes, the certification remains valuable because many enterprises continue adopting converged infrastructure solutions for data center modernization and hybrid cloud environments. FlexPod is widely used for virtualization, private cloud platforms, and enterprise applications, making certified professionals highly valuable for designing scalable and reliable infrastructure architectures.
