As Arista Networks continues to revolutionize data center and cloud networking, its Arista Certified Engineering (ACE) program is becoming increasingly valuable for IT professionals. Whether you're aiming for the ACE-A (Associate), ACE-P (Professional), or ACE-E (Expert) level, preparing for the arista certification  exam requires a targeted strategy. Unlike traditional vendor certifications, Arista's exams emphasize real-world, hands-on skills and advanced concepts such as automation, programmability, and scalable network design.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to prepare for the Arista ACE exam, highlighting essential resources, preparation tips, and strategies to help you succeed.

1. Understand the Exam Structure

Before diving into study materials, familiarize yourself with the ACE certification levels:

• ACE-A (Associate): Covers foundational knowledge of Arista’s Extensible Operating System (EOS), CLI commands, basic networking concepts, and troubleshooting.
  
  

• ACE-P (Professional): Targets engineers with deeper knowledge of Arista configurations, automation tools (such as Ansible and Python), and real-world network deployment scenarios.
  
  

• ACE-E (Expert): Focuses on high-level network design, advanced troubleshooting, automation pipelines, and scalable architecture for large data centers.
  
  

Visit the Arista certification website to download official exam blueprints, which outline the domains and competencies required at each level.

2. Use Official Training and Documentation

Arista offers official online courses and self-paced study tracks tailored to each ACE level. These include:

• ACE-A Learning Path: Covers EOS architecture, VLANs, routing protocols, interface configurations, and CLI usage.
  
  

• ACE-P and ACE-E Tracks: Include deep dives into BGP, EVPN, VXLAN, Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), CloudVision, and network automation.
  
  

In addition to formal courses, Arista’s documentation portal (https://www.arista.com/en/support/software-download) is a goldmine. You’ll find command references, configuration guides, feature overviews, and whitepapers—all essential for understanding real-world applications.

3. Build a Lab for Hands-On Practice

The ACE exam places a heavy emphasis on practical, hands-on experience, especially at the Professional and Expert levels. While reading is important, nothing substitutes time spent configuring and troubleshooting Arista devices.

Here’s how to get started:

• vEOS Lab: Arista provides a free virtual EOS image (vEOS) that runs on virtualization platforms like VirtualBox, VMware, or GNS3.
  
  

• EVE-NG or GNS3: Build virtual labs using Arista EOS to simulate network scenarios.
  
  

• CloudVision Portal: If accessible, this Arista tool provides experience with network-wide automation, telemetry, and configuration management.
  
  

Practice tasks should include:

• Configuring BGP and OSPF on EOS
  
  

• Creating and managing VLANs
  
  

• Automating configurations using Python or Ansible
  
  

• Simulating network failures and troubleshooting them
  
  

4. Supplement with Third-Party Training Resources

In addition to Arista’s own content, several third-party platforms offer quality ACE training:

• INE: Known for hands-on network labs and expert-led videos.
  
  

• CBT Nuggets and Pluralsight: Offer vendor-neutral courses that can support your knowledge in automation and SDN.
  
  

• YouTube Channels: Some networking experts share Arista-specific walkthroughs and exam prep videos.
  
  

Look for resources that align closely with Arista’s exam objectives and emphasize lab work.

5. Join the Arista Community

Learning from others can dramatically accelerate your preparation. Join the Arista EOS Central forums and Reddit communities like r/networking or r/Arista to:

• Ask technical questions
  
  

• Share lab scenarios
  
  

• Get updates on exam content and difficulty
  
  

• Learn from professionals who’ve passed the ACE exam
  
  

Participating in community discussions can also give you insight into common pitfalls, real-world case studies, and tips from other candidates.

6. Study Tips and Success Strategies

• Set a Study Schedule: Allocate specific time each day or week for theory and lab work.
  
  

• Use Flashcards for CLI Commands: Memorizing key EOS commands is essential for the exam.
  
  

• Simulate Exam Conditions: Time yourself while solving lab scenarios to build confidence under pressure.
  
  

• Review Case Studies: Focus on how Arista solves networking challenges in modern data centers—this prepares you for scenario-based questions.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the Arista ACE exam requires dedication, hands-on practice, and a clear understanding of modern network infrastructure. Unlike many traditional certifications, Arista expects candidates to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. By combining official resources, home labs, community engagement, and a focused strategy, you'll be well-positioned to earn your ACE certification and unlock exciting new career opportunities in 2025 and beyond.