Are you aiming to master Cisco DevNet and validate your skills with the DevNet Certification 1.1? You’ve come to the right place! This roadmap outlines a focused approach to help you achieve your goal within two months. Buckle up and get ready to embark on a rewarding journey!
Month 1: Building the Foundation (Weeks 1-4)
- Week 1: DevNet Fundamentals (5-10 hours):
- Immerse yourself in the core principles of Cisco DevNet, including automation, programmability, and integration.
- Leverage valuable resources like Cisco’s DevNet Learning Network, official documentation, and the exam topics (https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/devnet-associate / https://developer.cisco.com/ / https://developer.cisco.com/certification/).
- Recommended Resources:
- Cisco DevNet Learning Network courses: Introduction to Cisco DevNet, DevNet Associate DEVASC 200-901 (https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/devnet)
- Week 2: Programming Fundamentals (20-30 hours):
- Master the fundamentals of Python, your essential tool for network automation.
- Focus on data types, variables, control flow, functions, and object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts.
- Recommended Resources:
- Online courses like Codecademy’s Learn Python 3 or Coursera’s Python for Everybody Specialization
- Books: “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python” by Al Sweigart, “Fluent Python” by Luciano Ramalho
- Week 3: Network Programmability and Automation (20-30 hours):
- Delve into network programmability with Cisco technologies like APIs, NETCONF, and YANG.
- Grasp configuration management, data retrieval, and troubleshooting using Python libraries like requests, Netmiko, and Cisco DNA Center API.
- Recommended Resources:
- Cisco DevNet courses: Introduction to Network Programmability with Python, Cisco DNA Center Fundamentals
- Cisco DevNet Sandboxes (https://developer.cisco.com/site/sandbox/) for hands-on practice
- Cisco API documentation (https://developer.cisco.com/)
- Week 4: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) (15-20 hours):
- Gain expertise in automating infrastructure provisioning and management with tools like Ansible, Terraform, or Cisco Cloud Automation Service (CAS).
- Recommended Resources:
- Online courses like A Cloud Guru’s Terraform Complete Certification or Linux Academy’s Ansible Essentials
- Documentation: Terraform by HashiCorp, Ansible by Red Hat
Month 2: Deep Dive, Practice, and Exam Readiness (Weeks 5-8)
- Week 5: Security (10-15 hours):
- Solidify your understanding of security considerations in network automation, covering authentication, authorization, and encryption.
- Recommended Resources:
- Cisco DevNet courses: Introduction to Cisco Security (https://developer.cisco.com/learning/modules/network-programmability/networking-101-the-basics/)
- Week 6: Containers (5-10 hours):
- Gain foundational knowledge of containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, relevant for microservices architectures.
- Recommended Resources:
- Online courses like Docker Fundamentals or Kubernetes Fundamentals
- Week 7: Practice and Review (30-40 hours):
- Put your skills to the test using Cisco DevNet Sandboxes, practice exams from reputable sources, and community-driven resources.
- Engage in the Cisco DevNet communities to connect with peers and experts.
- Thoroughly review course materials and revisit areas needing improvement.
- Week 8: Exam Preparation and Confidence Building (10-15 hours):
- Familiarize yourself with the exam format, duration, and question types to manage time effectively (https://developer.cisco.com/certification/).
- Employ relaxation techniques to combat test anxiety. Visualize success and stay focused.
Remember:
- Consistency is Key: Dedicate focused study time daily or several times a week.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Hands-on labs and practice exams are invaluable.
- Community Matters: Leverage the DevNet community for support and knowledge sharing.
- Stay Motivated: Celebrate milestones and visualize your success.
