About 300-625 Exam
The Cisco 300-625 exam is created for those who are aiming to earn the CCNP Data Center certification. By passing it, one validates the knowledge of Storage Area Networking for Cisco. It also checks one’s potentiality in utilizing Cisco’s series switches called MDS 9000 and includes the concepts of deploying, executing, managing, monitoring, as well as troubleshooting.
Certification Path
First things first, acing 300-625 exam alone will bring one the Cisco Certified Specialist – Data Center SAN Implementation certificate. Regarding the CCNP Data Center accreditation, 300-625 serves as a concentration test and only comes after the core exam coded 350-601. Other concentration options available are the following:
- Exam 300-610: It applies to infrastructure design for the Cisco data center with its attention paid to network, compute, storage network, and automation;
- Exam 300-615: Candidates get exposed to troubleshooting skills regarding the data center and the focus here is on the network, compute platforms, automation, storage network, and management as well as operations;
- Exam 300-620: This test deals with Cisco switches within ACI mode. One has to prove strong knowledge of infrastructure for ACI fabric, integrations, ACI management, and ACI Anywhere, among others;
- Exam 300-635: This one recognizes the applicants’ skills needed to effectively execute automated solutions within data centers. Also, it includes programming concepts, automation tools, and orchestration.
300-625 Exam Details
Those who take the Cisco 300-625 test are given 1.5 hours to answer all the questions that are presented in the forms of MCQs, testlets, and drag-and-drops, among the rest. Cisco does not officially state the least that you should receive in terms of scores. You only know the pass or fail status after the test. That is why learning all the topics mentioned in the official syllabus is required.
In case a test-taker fails to satisfy the requisite mark on the first try, there is always a chance for retaking the exam. But, it is possible only after five days from the unsuccessful attempt.
Cisco exams’ offer is through its authorized Partner called Pearson VUE whose mandate is to deliver them. Note that registration includes paying $300 as a fee.
Exam Domains Explained
The Cisco 300-625 exam’s content is divided into four major sections. These are as follows:
- Deploying (15%)
Among the sections looked at when investigating 300-625 exam’s syllabus is the realm of the deployment tasks. This is the smallest part of the test and it first focuses on the description of how to install and perform the initial setup for NX-OS, DCNM, and POAP. The second important topic covered in this section includes main concepts as well as a description of secure boot.
- Implementing (35%)
On the other hand, this is the biggest part of the exam content. When exploring it, the candidates will need to learn more about some core matters on implementation. First, they are going to become familiar with the implementation of port channels for Fibre Channel as well as the implementation of protocol services for the same. This regards name service and CFS (Cisco Fabric Services). Still, on the same topic, candidates learn the execution of FCoE. This subsection starts with FIP (FCoE Initialization Protocol), which is followed by PFC (Priority Flow Control). The other two topics teach one about ETS (Enhanced Transmission Selection) and LLDP (Data Center Bridging Exchange/Link Level Discover Protocol). Other implementations or executions concern VSANs, NPV along with NPIV, device aliases in addition to zoning, and VSAN extensions. Configuring inter-VSAN matters on routing is within the module as well.
- Managing & monitoring(25%)
The aspects of the next domain that is set to have questions derived from starts with the discussion on the configuration of DCNM. This topic, in turn, is divided into DCNM-SAN client, licensing options, and device manager for DCNM. Other topics involved are the configuration of RBAC and setting up fabric security for Fibre Channel. When going further, 300-625 exam applicants must become aware of the description of slow-drain analysis as well as the execution of streaming for SAN telemetry.
- Troubleshooting (25%)
To close the demands of the test is MDS troubleshooting. The specific topics covered in this section are the troubleshooting of domains as well as the duplicate domain ID that are associated with Fibre Channel, troubleshooting zoning in addition to failure for zone merge. Additionally, troubleshooting boot as well as upgrade issues is a point to consider.
Career Opportunities, Job Positions, and Salaries
Some possible titles one can apply for after gaining the CCNP Data Center certification include network engineer and network architect. The professionals will be deploying and managing the FC port security as well as handle its configuration, among other things. Generally, their responsibility relates to managing users as well as the system. With these duties that are ever dynamic and evolving, Cisco’s program covering data center enables the building of the core skills needed for running top-class operations for the data centers as well as rapid deployments that ensure successful outcomes for business. Thus, certified individuals will be able to support wide-ranging technologies relating to the same sphere.
While holding the CCNP accreditation, you may expect to have annual average earnings of about $80k as ZipRecruiter.com alludes. However, your certificate stays valid for three years. To keep your abilities going and to ensure your skills abide by the present-day requirements, recertification is available. The procedure includes participating in activities for continuing education, taking tests, or combining the two approaches as declared in the recertification demands. Other than renewing your skills as well as certificate, you need to step up by seeking a higher qualification in form of certification.
Next Certification
Once you pass the Cisco 300-625 test and get hold of the respective CCNP Data Center, the path is cut out for you already. You can move a step higher to the expert level by applying for the CCIE Data Center certification. The idea is to gain top-level competence to plan, design, execute, and manage complex operations relating to the infrastructures of today’s data centers. Other attainable capacities are going to concern the operation and optimization of the network. Earning the certificate includes passing two exams, where one is written and the other is practical and is done within a lab environment.
