Certification Overview

Cisco positions CCNP Data Center as evidence that a candidate can translate technical or business knowledge into repeatable workplace performance. Its scope centers on data center networking, compute, storage networking, ACI, design, operations, automation, and AI infrastructure. The active requirements are deliberately tied to Cisco's current technology and service portfolio, so preparation should combine conceptual study with configuration practice, scenario analysis, or workflow rehearsal as appropriate. Key coverage includes Data center network — 25%, Compute — 25%, Storage network — 15%, Data center network, compute, storage, and service design, Resilience, scalability, security, and operational requirements, Design trade-offs, migration, and architecture validation, Network, compute, storage, and management troubleshooting, Fault isolation, telemetry, logs, and operational tools.

The credential is most relevant to data center engineers, infrastructure architects, operations specialists, ACI practitioners, and automation engineers. It can support entry into a new discipline, formalize experience already gained on the job, or document a specialization inside a broader Cisco certification path. Employers can use it as one signal that a practitioner understands Cisco terminology, recommended operating models, and the trade-offs involved in delivering reliable outcomes. It does not replace hands-on experience, but it supplies a structured benchmark against a published exam or program blueprint.

The earning rule is straightforward: Pass 350-601 DCCOR v1.1 and one current data center concentration exam: 300-610 DCID, 300-615 DCIT, 300-620 DCACI, 300-635 DCNAUTO, or 300-640 DCAI. No formal prerequisites. Cisco nevertheless recommends that candidates build the practical background described in this document before attempting the requirement. Preparation should begin with the active blueprint, then proceed through Cisco training or equivalent study, guided labs, documentation review, and timed practice. Candidates should verify the exam appointment details in the registration system because taxes, currency conversion, local delivery availability, and version transitions can affect the final booking.

From a career perspective, the certification maps to IT Support & Infrastructure, Database & Storage and the selected level is Professional Level. After earning it, holders should retain their score report, monitor the credential in Cisco's certification tracking system, and understand any expiration or renewal rule before the renewal window becomes urgent. Cisco updates exams as technologies evolve; therefore, candidates close to a published transition date should compare the active and announced blueprints and schedule against the version they intend to take.

Track Details & Exam Requirements

Certification provider: Cisco

Credential type: Professional certification

Current status: Active

Research currency: Checked against Cisco-controlled certification and exam information on 25 August 2026

Official earning rule: Pass 350-601 DCCOR v1.1 and one current data center concentration exam: 300-610 DCID, 300-615 DCIT, 300-620 DCACI, 300-635 DCNAUTO, or 300-640 DCAI

Formal prerequisites: No formal prerequisites

Recommended background: Cisco recommends three to five years implementing data center solutions

Exam 1 — 350-601 DCCOR: Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies

Path position: Required core exam

Exam version: v1.1

Exam status: Active

Duration: 120 minutes

Price: US$400

Languages: English and Japanese

Delivery: Secure, proctored exam through Pearson VUE, online or at an authorized test center where available

Number of questions: Not officially specified

Passing score: Not officially specified

Skills measured: The active Cisco blueprint covers:

• Data center network — 25%
• Compute — 25%
• Storage network — 15%
• Automation — 15%
• Security — 20%

Exam 2 — 300-610 DCID: Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure

Path position: Concentration option — choose one

Exam version: v1.1

Exam status: Active

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: US$300

Languages: English

Delivery: Secure, proctored exam through Pearson VUE, online or at an authorized test center where available

Number of questions: Not officially specified

Passing score: Not officially specified

Skills measured: The active Cisco blueprint covers:

• Data center network, compute, storage, and service design
• Resilience, scalability, security, and operational requirements
• Design trade-offs, migration, and architecture validation

Exam 3 — 300-615 DCIT: Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Infrastructure

Path position: Concentration option — choose one

Exam version: v1.1

Exam status: Active

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: US$300

Languages: English

Delivery: Secure, proctored exam through Pearson VUE, online or at an authorized test center where available

Number of questions: Not officially specified

Passing score: Not officially specified

Skills measured: The active Cisco blueprint covers:

• Network, compute, storage, and management troubleshooting
• Fault isolation, telemetry, logs, and operational tools
• Service restoration, validation, and escalation

Exam 4 — 300-620 DCACI: Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure

Path position: Concentration option — choose one

Exam version: v1.1

Exam status: Active

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: US$300

Languages: English

Delivery: Secure, proctored exam through Pearson VUE, online or at an authorized test center where available

Number of questions: Not officially specified

Passing score: Not officially specified

Skills measured: The active Cisco blueprint covers:

• ACI fabric, policy model, tenants, contracts, and external connectivity
• Virtualization, Layer 4–7 services, management, and monitoring
• Implementation, migration, security, and troubleshooting

Exam 5 — 300-635 DCNAUTO: Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions

Path position: Concentration option — choose one

Exam version: v2.0

Exam status: Active

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: US$300

Languages: English and Japanese

Delivery: Secure, proctored exam through Pearson VUE, online or at an authorized test center where available

Number of questions: Not officially specified

Passing score: Not officially specified

Skills measured: The active Cisco blueprint covers:

• Data center network APIs and automation tools
• NX-OS, ACI, controllers, data models, and telemetry
• Infrastructure-as-code workflows, testing, and operations automation

Exam 6 — 300-640 DCAI: Designing and Implementing Cisco Data Center AI Infrastructure

Path position: Concentration option — choose one

Exam version: Not officially specified

Exam status: Active

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: US$300

Languages: English

Delivery: Secure, proctored exam through Pearson VUE, online or at an authorized test center where available

Number of questions: Not officially specified

Passing score: Not officially specified

Skills measured: The active Cisco blueprint covers:

• AI cluster network and compute architecture
• High-performance fabrics, GPUs, storage, operations, and telemetry
• Design, implementation, optimization, security, and troubleshooting

Additional requirement details

• Minimum listed exam fees for one core plus one concentration are US$700 before taxes or regional adjustments.

Registration, results, and tracking

• Create or use a Cisco account and keep the legal name aligned with the government-issued identification used for the appointment.
• Register through Cisco's authorized delivery workflow; Pearson VUE administers Cisco proctored written exams, while expert practical exams use Cisco-designated lab delivery.
• Grading is pass/fail. Cisco states that results for proctored written exams are generally available online within 48 hours; practical result timing follows the applicable lab program.
• Use Cisco's certification tracking environment to confirm exam history, credential status, expiration dates, and available digital certification records.
• A failed entry, associate, professional, specialist, or CCDE written exam normally requires a five-calendar-day wait; expert lab/practical retakes normally require 30 days. A passed exam generally cannot be repeated for 180 days.

Current update

No announced retirement or replacement was identified on Cisco's current certification pages as of the research date.

Validity & Recertification

Validity period: Three years from the date the certification is earned

Continuing Education requirement: 80 Continuing Education credits for professional-level certifications; 40 credits when maintained as a specialist credential

Renewal method: Renew before expiration by meeting Cisco's current eligible examination or Continuing Education requirements

Renewal timing: Complete all eligible requirements before the credential expiration date; no extension should be assumed

If the credential expires: Complete the full current earning process again unless Cisco's rules for this specific credential state otherwise

Reminder and recordkeeping: Keep the Cisco account email current and monitor the certification tracker; reminder delivery is helpful but remains the holder's responsibility