Cisco CCNA Automation Certification: Complete Training and Exam Roadmap

The CCNA Automation Certification provides an associate-level pathway for learning Cisco network programmability, infrastructure automation, and software development. Candidates earn the certification by passing Cisco's 200-901 CCNAAUTO examination, which lasts 120 minutes and requires no previous certification. The exam tests knowledge of Python, REST APIs, Cisco platforms, application deployment, security, and automation tools. Previously associated with Cisco DevNet Associate, the credential now belongs to Cisco's Automation certification track. Effective preparation combines technical study with practical programming, API exercises, and networking fundamentals.

Why CCNA Automation Matters for Network Professionals

Network operations increasingly rely on software to perform tasks that once required extensive manual intervention.

Organizations may use programmable interfaces to collect inventory information, validate network configurations, and simplify infrastructure management.

The Cisco CCNA Automation Certification focuses on the technical knowledge needed to understand these processes.

Consider a network administrator responsible for collecting software version information from numerous devices.

A manual process requires accessing each device, running commands, and documenting the results.

An automated process can use supported APIs or scripts to collect the same information and organize it in a consistent format.

The objective is not simply to reduce typing. Automation can also improve repeatability, documentation, and operational consistency.

These capabilities explain why networking professionals increasingly study scripting and software development alongside conventional network administration.

What Is Cisco DevNet and How Is It Related?

Cisco DevNet is Cisco's developer-focused ecosystem, providing learning resources, APIs, documentation, and opportunities to explore programmability.

Historically, the Cisco DevNet Associate Certification assessed foundational development and automation knowledge.

In February 2026, Cisco renamed the associate-level credential CCNA Automation.

The updated certification name reflects the connection between networking and programmable infrastructure.

Candidates may still encounter older terminology, including:

• DevNet Associate

• Cisco Certified DevNet Associate

• Cisco DevNet Certification

• CCNA DevNet

• DEVASC

These terms help explain the certification's history, but current exam preparation should use the 200-901 CCNAAUTO designation.

The rebranding did not introduce a completely unrelated certification. The associate-level knowledge areas continue to emphasize software development and network automation.

CCNA Automation Exam Overview

The certification is awarded after successfully completing one qualifying examination.

The current examination is Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms, identified by code 200-901 CCNAAUTO.

Certification Requirement

Information

Exam code

200-901 CCNAAUTO

Exam level

Associate

Duration

120 minutes

Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites

Examination version

v1.1

Certification validity

Three years

Exam administrator

Pearson VUE

The examination uses pass/fail grading.

Cisco does not publish a fixed universal passing percentage that candidates should treat as an official benchmark.

Instead, preparation should emphasize comprehensive understanding of the published topics.

Candidates interested in exploring Cisco's other certification pathways can also visit the Cisco Certifications training and programs page to discover additional learning opportunities.

Six Core Knowledge Areas

The CCNAAUTO examination evaluates six technical domains.

Domain

Weight

Software Development and Design

15%

Understanding and Using APIs

20%

Cisco Platforms and Development

15%

Application Deployment and Security

15%

Infrastructure and Automation

20%

Network Fundamentals

15%

Python and Software Development

Python is an important language for network automation because of its readable syntax and extensive ecosystem.

Candidates should understand functions, modules, data structures, and common programming concepts.

Version control is another important subject.

Git allows developers and network engineers to track changes, maintain development histories, and collaborate on automation projects.

API Communication

APIs provide structured methods for software to communicate with network platforms.

The examination includes API requests, responses, authentication, and error handling.

Candidates should distinguish HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE where applicable.

Understanding HTTP status codes is equally important.

An unsuccessful request may indicate a missing resource, insufficient permissions, or an invalid request.

Cisco Platform Integration

Candidates should understand how automation interfaces connect with Cisco networking technologies.

This includes awareness of controller-based networking platforms and their programmability capabilities.

The emphasis is on understanding documented interfaces and their role in software-driven operations.

Deployment and Security

Automation applications must operate securely.

Candidates study application deployment, containers, security considerations, and software testing.

They should understand why credentials must be protected and why automated workflows require careful validation.

Infrastructure Automation

Configuration management and infrastructure-as-code concepts help engineers maintain consistent environments.

Candidates should understand tools such as Ansible and Terraform, as well as model-driven networking concepts.

Networking Fundamentals

Programming knowledge alone is insufficient without networking context.

Candidates should understand essential network protocols, addressing, devices, and communication concepts.

Practical Training Exercises

The strongest Cisco CCNA Automation training online approach encourages hands-on experimentation.

A candidate might begin with a basic Python program that reads JSON data.

Next, the candidate can work with a public or simulated API to retrieve information.

After understanding requests and responses, the exercise can progress to Cisco networking APIs available through appropriate lab environments.

A useful practice sequence includes:

1. Write a Python script that processes structured data.

2. Create REST API requests using appropriate authentication.

3. Interpret returned JSON information.

4. Store scripts and documentation in Git.

5. Review an Ansible automation workflow.

6. Troubleshoot deliberately introduced configuration errors.

Practical exercises provide evidence of learning that passive video consumption cannot offer.

Common Preparation Mistakes

One common mistake is concentrating exclusively on Python.

Although scripting is important, software development represents only part of the examination.

Another mistake is memorizing API terminology without understanding practical requests.

Candidates should be able to explain why an API call fails and identify the information needed to resolve the problem.

A third mistake is ignoring networking fundamentals.

Automation interacts with real infrastructure, so an understanding of addressing, protocols, and network operation remains essential.

Finally, outdated training materials can create confusion.

Older Cisco DevNet Training resources may still be educational, but candidates should confirm their alignment with the latest CCNAAUTO syllabus.

How to Organize a Study Schedule

An eight-week preparation schedule may be suitable for candidates with some technical experience.

Week

Study Activity

1

Python basics and software design

2

JSON, YAML, Git, and code organization

3

REST APIs and HTTP troubleshooting

4

API authentication and Cisco interfaces

5

Cisco programmability platforms

6

Infrastructure automation tools

7

Security, deployment, and networking

8

Practice assessments and revision

Candidates starting without programming experience may benefit from extending the schedule.

Is CCNA Automation Different From Other CCNA Programs?

Yes. Cisco offers associate-level certifications with different technical focuses.

The traditional CCNA emphasizes broad networking administration knowledge.

CCNA Automation focuses on software interaction with networks.

Some learners encounter Enterprise Networking Security and Automation while researching the traditional CCNA program.

That terminology should not be confused with the dedicated CCNA Automation credential.

Understanding the distinction helps candidates select study materials relevant to their intended examination.

Professionals interested in advancing beyond associate-level networking certifications can also explore CCIE Security Training, which covers a more advanced area of Cisco networking and security expertise.

Prepare for CCNA Automation With NYTCC

NYTCC provides training opportunities for candidates seeking structured Cisco certification preparation.

Candidates exploring 200-901 CCNAAUTO exam preparation should begin with the official examination blueprint and assess their existing programming and networking knowledge.

Through the CCNA Automation Certification training program, candidates can explore relevant preparation opportunities and develop their understanding of network automation.

Developing strong fundamentals in Python, APIs, and automation tools provides a useful foundation for technical study.

Select training that combines conceptual explanations with practical tasks and measurable progress.

The most productive next step is to build a study plan that addresses the specific skills required by the current Cisco examination.

For more information about NYTCC's training programs and certification preparation services, visit the NYTCC official website.

Candidates who would like assistance selecting a suitable training program can also contact NYTCC to discuss their certification preparation requirements.