Cisco DevNet Expert Certification Program

Course Title: Cisco DevNet Expert Certification Program

Executive Summary

This intensive two-week Cisco DevNet Expert certification program equips network engineers, software developers, and automation specialists with the advanced skills required to design, develop, deploy, and operate complex network automation solutions. The course covers a broad spectrum of topics, including advanced network programmability, infrastructure as code, CI/CD pipelines for network changes, and comprehensive network monitoring and analytics. Participants will engage in hands-on labs, real-world case studies, and collaborative projects to solidify their understanding and build practical expertise. Upon completion, participants will be prepared to tackle the challenges of modern, software-defined networks and achieve the prestigious DevNet Expert certification, demonstrating mastery in network automation and programmability.

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern networking, traditional manual configurations are no longer sufficient. The increasing complexity and dynamic nature of networks demand automation and programmability to ensure agility, scalability, and efficiency. The Cisco DevNet Expert certification program is designed to address this need by providing professionals with the advanced knowledge and skills required to excel in network automation. This course goes beyond the basics, delving into the intricacies of network programmability, infrastructure as code, and CI/CD methodologies tailored for network environments. It focuses on enabling participants to build robust, scalable, and maintainable automation solutions that drive business value. Through a combination of theoretical instruction and hands-on practice, this program prepares participants to lead network transformation initiatives and achieve the highest level of Cisco DevNet certification.

Course Outcomes

• Design and implement complex network automation solutions using various programming languages and tools.
• Automate network infrastructure deployment and management using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles and tools.
• Develop and deploy CI/CD pipelines for network configuration changes and software updates.
• Implement advanced network monitoring and analytics solutions for proactive network management.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network automation issues efficiently and effectively.
• Integrate network automation solutions with existing IT infrastructure and workflows.
• Prepare for and successfully pass the Cisco DevNet Expert certification exam.

Training Methodologies

• Expert-led lectures and presentations.
• Hands-on labs and coding exercises.
• Real-world case studies and scenario analysis.
• Collaborative group projects.
• Interactive Q&A sessions and discussions.
• Access to online learning resources and documentation.
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced network automation professionals.

Benefits to Participants

• Achieve the prestigious Cisco DevNet Expert certification, validating expertise in network automation.
• Gain in-depth knowledge and skills in advanced network programmability and automation techniques.
• Enhance career prospects and earning potential in the high-demand field of network automation.
• Develop practical experience through hands-on labs and real-world projects.
• Become a leader in network transformation initiatives within their organizations.
• Network with other professionals and experts in the field of network automation.
• Gain access to a valuable network of peers and mentors.

Benefits to Sending Organization

• Improved network agility and responsiveness to changing business needs.
• Increased efficiency and reduced operational costs through automation.
• Enhanced network reliability and security through proactive monitoring and management.
• Accelerated deployment of new network services and technologies.
• Reduced human error and improved consistency in network configurations.
• Improved team skills and increase innovation
• Increased competitive advantage through advanced network automation capabilities.

Target Participants

• Senior Network Engineers
• Network Architects
• Software Developers with a focus on Networking
• Automation Engineers
• DevOps Engineers with Networking Responsibilities
• Technical Leads and Managers
• System Integrators

Week 1: Advanced Network Programmability and Infrastructure as Code

Module 1: Python for Network Automation

1. Advanced Python concepts: decorators, generators, and context managers.
2. Network-specific Python libraries: Netmiko, NAPALM, and Scrapli.
3. Building reusable network automation scripts and modules.
4. Error handling and exception management in network automation scripts.
5. Testing and debugging Python code for network automation.
6. Working with network device APIs using Python.
7. Advanced data manipulation and processing techniques for network data.

Module 2: RESTful APIs and Network Controllers

1. Deep dive into RESTful API design principles and best practices.
2. Working with network controller APIs (e.g., Cisco DNA Center, Juniper Apstra).
3. Authentication and authorization mechanisms for network APIs.
4. Building custom API clients and interacting with network devices programmatically.
5. Handling API rate limits and throttling.
6. Implementing API monitoring and alerting.
7. Securing network APIs and protecting against common vulnerabilities.

Module 3: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform

1. Introduction to Infrastructure as Code (IaC) concepts and benefits.
2. Terraform fundamentals: resources, providers, and state management.
3. Building Terraform configurations for network infrastructure deployment.
4. Using Terraform modules for code reusability and organization.
5. Implementing Terraform workflows for network changes.
6. Integrating Terraform with CI/CD pipelines.
7. Managing Terraform state securely and collaboratively.

Module 4: Ansible for Network Automation

1. Advanced Ansible concepts: roles, variables, and templates.
2. Building Ansible playbooks for complex network automation tasks.
3. Using Ansible modules for network device configuration and management.
4. Implementing Ansible workflows for network orchestration.
5. Integrating Ansible with network controllers and APIs.
6. Developing custom Ansible modules for specific network devices and tasks.
7. Securing Ansible playbooks and managing sensitive data.

Module 5: Network Configuration Management

1. Network configuration management best practices.
2. Using configuration management tools (e.g., Git) for network configuration versioning.
3. Automating network configuration backups and restores.
4. Implementing network configuration compliance checks.
5. Detecting and remediating configuration drifts.
6. Integrating configuration management with network monitoring and alerting.
7. Auditing network configuration changes and ensuring accountability.

Week 2: CI/CD, Network Monitoring, and Advanced Automation Techniques

Module 6: CI/CD Pipelines for Network Automation

1. Introduction to CI/CD principles and practices.
2. Building CI/CD pipelines for network configuration changes.
3. Using CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI) for network automation.
4. Automating testing and validation of network changes.
5. Implementing rollback strategies for failed deployments.
6. Integrating CI/CD with network monitoring and alerting.
7. Managing CI/CD pipelines for multiple network environments.

Module 7: Network Monitoring and Analytics

1. Network monitoring concepts and techniques.
2. Using network monitoring tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana) for real-time network visibility.
3. Implementing network telemetry and data collection.
4. Analyzing network data to identify performance bottlenecks and security threats.
5. Building custom network dashboards and reports.
6. Integrating network monitoring with automation workflows.
7. Proactive network management through anomaly detection.

Module 8: Advanced Network Automation Techniques

1. Intent-Based Networking (IBN) concepts and implementation.
2. Building self-healing network automation solutions.
3. Using machine learning for network optimization and prediction.
4. Automating network security incident response.
5. Integrating network automation with cloud platforms.
6. Developing serverless network automation functions.
7. Implementing network automation at scale.

Module 9: Network Security Automation

1. Automating security policy enforcement.
2. Automating vulnerability scanning and remediation.
3. Using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools.
4. Automating threat intelligence gathering and analysis.
5. Automating security incident response.
6. Integrating security automation with network automation workflows.
7. Securing network automation infrastructure and code.

Module 10: Capstone Project: Building a Complete Network Automation Solution

1. Participants work in teams to design and implement a complete network automation solution.
2. The solution should address a real-world networking challenge.
3. The solution should incorporate the concepts and techniques learned throughout the course.
4. Teams present their solutions to a panel of experts.
5. Experts provide feedback and guidance.
6. Assessment based on the project’s completeness, functionality, and innovation.
7. Focus on documentation, testing, and maintainability of the solution.

Action Plan for Implementation

1. Identify a specific network automation project within your organization.
2. Develop a detailed plan for implementing the project, including timelines, resources, and milestones.
3. Build a team of skilled professionals to work on the project.
4. Secure executive sponsorship and support for the project.
5. Use the knowledge and skills gained in this course to design and implement the project.
6. Continuously monitor and evaluate the progress of the project.
7. Share your learnings and best practices with the wider network automation community.