Associate Cisco · Exam 200-901 · formerly DevNet Associate

Cisco CCNA Automation 200-901 Study Guide

Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms (200-901 CCNAAUTO) v1.0 earns the CCNA Automation certification. It is a 120-minute exam covering software development and design, APIs, application deployment and security, and infrastructure automation on Cisco platforms — the network-engineering side of DevOps rather than general programming. It costs $300 USD and is offered in English and Japanese.

Overview

Level

Associate

Vendor

Cisco

Audience

Network engineers whose work is drifting into scripting, developers building against network APIs, and automation or platform engineers in Cisco environments. It expects you to read and reason about Python, REST APIs, JSON and YAML, and version control — not to write production software, but enough that someone who has never scripted will find it hard going.

Why get CCNA Automation

CCNA Automation proves you can bridge traditional networking and modern software automation—reading and writing Python, calling REST APIs, and automating infrastructure on Cisco platforms like DNA Center, Meraki, and ACI. That overlap is exactly what employers pay a premium for: network automation engineers consistently earn more than traditional network engineers at the same experience level. It is also the entry point to Cisco's Automation track (formerly DevNet), leading to CCNP Automation. For anyone in networking who wants to stay relevant as infrastructure becomes code-driven, this is the credential that signals you've made the jump.

Salary expectations

Typical salary range

$75,000 – $140,000

Network automation is a premium niche. Engineers who combine networking with automation typically earn 15–30% more than traditional network engineers at the same level. Early-career roles blending networking and scripting commonly land around $75K–$95K; experienced network automation / NetDevOps engineers frequently reach $110K–$140K, with senior and cloud-heavy roles going higher. Demand is strongest where infrastructure is moving to code (large enterprises, service providers, cloud teams).

When to get CCNA Automation

Take it once you already understand networking and have started automating pieces of your own job — it assumes the network knowledge rather than teaching it, so CCNA first is the usual and sensible order. It suits people whose employer runs Cisco gear and is moving toward infrastructure-as-code, and it is the entry point into Cisco's automation track. If you want general automation skills rather than Cisco-specific ones, a Python and Git foundation plus a portfolio of real scripts will take you further for less money.

Exam details

Exam Quick Reference

Exam Code
200-901
Vendor
Cisco
Level
Associate
Duration
120 minutes
Format
Multiple-choice and multiple-response questions, 120 minutes, offered in English and Japanese. Cisco does not publish the question count or the passing score — third-party sites quoting "about 100 questions" or an "800–850 cut score" are guessing.
Questions
Cisco does not publish the question count
Official exam page Verify current pricing

Renewal: Valid for 3 years. Renew by passing another Cisco exam, earning Continuing Education credits through the Cisco CE program, or achieving a higher-level Cisco certification before expiration.

Facts on this page last verified September 24, 2026 against official Cisco sources.

Skills covered

Software Development and Design (15%)

  • Python data structures, functions, and error handling
  • Code organization, modularity, and version control with Git
  • Common design patterns (MVC) and software development methods (agile, waterfall)
  • Parsing and constructing data formats: JSON, XML, YAML
  • Unit testing concepts

Understanding and Using APIs (20%)

  • REST API principles: methods, status codes, and headers
  • Authentication mechanisms (basic, token, OAuth)
  • Constructing and interpreting API requests and responses
  • Rate limiting, pagination, and error handling
  • Webhooks and common API tools (Postman, curl, requests)

Cisco Platforms and Development (15%)

  • Cisco DNA Center, Meraki, and ACI APIs
  • Cisco Webex, Umbrella, and security platform APIs
  • Model-driven programmability (NETCONF, RESTCONF, YANG)
  • Network device APIs and configuration management
  • Cisco SDKs and the DevNet ecosystem

Application Deployment and Security (15%)

  • Deployment models: on-premises, private, public, and hybrid cloud
  • Containers and Docker fundamentals
  • CI/CD pipelines and DevOps concepts
  • Application security and the OWASP Top 10
  • Bug fixing, debugging, and logging

Infrastructure and Automation (20%)

  • Controller-based vs device-level network management
  • Infrastructure as code and automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
  • Automating configuration with APIs and scripts
  • CI/CD for network automation
  • Interpreting basic automation scripts and their outcomes

Network Fundamentals (15%)

  • IP addressing, subnets, and common protocols
  • Networking devices: switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers
  • OSI and TCP/IP models
  • Network troubleshooting basics relevant to automation
  • How automation interacts with the data, control, and management planes

Step-by-step study path

This sequence reflects what consistently works for automation-bound candidates. Follow it in order—don't skip ahead.

  1. 1

    Download the official 200-901 exam topics

    Get the official CCNAAUTO (200-901) exam topics from the Cisco Learning Network. The six domains and their weightings are your roadmap—review them before buying anything so you study what the exam actually tests.

  2. 2

    Get comfortable with Python basics

    The software development and API domains assume working Python: variables, data structures, functions, and the requests library. If you've never coded, start here. A free course like Kirk Byers' Python for Network Engineers is aimed squarely at this audience.

  3. 3

    Work through a primary video course

    Choose one comprehensive 200-901 course and complete it end to end. A full DevNet Associate / CCNA Automation course on Udemy covers all six domains with code walkthroughs. See the paid resources section for options.

  4. 4

    Read the official cert guide

    The Cisco Press DEVASC 200-901 Official Cert Guide is the Cisco-approved book for this exam. Use its 'Do I Know This Already?' quizzes and exam-prep tasks to find and close gaps in the API, platform, and automation chapters.

  5. 5

    Practice hands-on with Cisco DevNet

    This exam rewards real reps. Use the free Cisco DevNet Learning Labs and always-on Sandbox to call real Cisco platform APIs (DNA Center, Meraki, ACI). Practice REST calls in Postman and write small Python scripts that hit those APIs.

  6. 6

    Build small automation projects

    Reinforce the concepts by automating something concrete: pull device inventory via an API, push a config change with a script, or parse JSON/YAML output. Hands-on projects make the infrastructure-and-automation questions intuitive instead of abstract.

  7. 7

    Take timed practice exams

    Once you've covered all six domains, work through practice exams under timed conditions. Aim to score consistently above 85% before booking. Review every wrong answer until you understand the concept, not just the right option.

  8. 8

    Schedule and sit the exam

    Register through Pearson VUE and take the 120-minute exam at a test center or online proctored. Book about two weeks out to set a firm deadline. Get comfortable reading short code and API snippets quickly—several questions hinge on that.

Starting step 3?

A full DevNet Associate / CCNA Automation course on Udemy covers all six 200-901 domains with code walkthroughs. See the paid resources section below for options and pricing.

View course options →

Free resources

Official Documentation Cisco 200-901 CCNAAUTO Exam Topics (Official)

The official exam blueprint with all six domains and their weightings. This is your study roadmap—start here.
Hands-on Labs Cisco DevNet – Learning Labs & Sandbox

Cisco's free developer platform. The Learning Labs and always-on Sandbox let you call real Cisco platform APIs—the single best free resource for this exam.
Hands-on Labs Postman Learning Center

Free, practical lessons on REST APIs, authentication, and requests. APIs are 20% of the exam—Postman is the standard tool for learning them hands-on.
Hands-on Labs NetDrill — network labs in your browser

A free network simulator that runs in your browser, made by the team behind CertBlueprint (in beta, no account). Graded labs for the network side of automation: Ansible playbooks, NETCONF and RESTCONF, and EEM, plus lessons on Python, JSON and YANG. Opens at the Ansible labs.
Video Course Kirk Byers – Python for Network Engineers

A free, well-known course teaching Python specifically for networking automation. Ideal for building the coding foundation the exam assumes.
Community r/devnet on Reddit

Active community for DevNet / CCNA Automation candidates. Recent exam-experience posts are useful for understanding the current question style.

Vouchers & exam cost

Buy 200-901 Exam Voucher – Cisco Official

The 200-901 exam is $300 USD at standard pricing, or payable with Cisco Learning Credits, and is scheduled through Pearson VUE. Verify current pricing on the official Cisco exam page before purchasing.

Frequently asked questions

Is CCNA Automation the same as DevNet Associate?

Yes. As part of Cisco's 2026 certification rebrand, the Cisco Certified DevNet Associate was renamed CCNA Automation. The exam code (200-901) and core content are the same—only the name and some branding changed. You'll see both names used interchangeably for a while, and the DevNet developer platform itself keeps the DevNet name.

Do I need to know how to code or program in Python?

Some Python is essential. The software development and API domains assume you can read and write basic Python—variables, data structures, functions, and the requests library. You don't need to be a software engineer, but a complete non-coder should budget extra time to build that foundation first.

Is CCNA Automation good for beginners?

It's beginner-friendly for the automation path but assumes some networking and coding comfort. People with a networking background (CCNA-level) who are new to automation are the ideal audience. True beginners can do it, but should expect to learn networking basics and Python alongside the exam material.

How hard is the 200-901 exam?

It's a genuine associate-level exam that spans two worlds—networking and software. The breadth is the challenge: you need working knowledge of Python, REST APIs, Cisco platform APIs, containers, CI/CD, and automation tools. Hands-on practice with the free Cisco DevNet labs makes a big difference.

How long does it take to study for CCNA Automation?

Most candidates spend 2 to 4 months part-time. Those who already code or have DevOps experience may be ready in 6 to 8 weeks; networking pros new to programming should plan for the longer end while they build Python and API skills.

Do I need CCNA (networking) first?

Not formally, and there's no prerequisite. But networking knowledge helps—the Network Fundamentals and Infrastructure and Automation domains assume you understand how networks work. Many people take CCNA first, then CCNA Automation to add programmability.

What certification comes after CCNA Automation?

The natural Cisco progression is CCNP Automation (formerly DevNet Professional). Many automation engineers also branch into cloud (AWS, Azure), DevOps tooling, and infrastructure-as-code as they specialize.

Does CCNA Automation expire?

Yes. Like all Cisco associate certifications, it's valid for three years. Renew it by passing another Cisco exam, earning Continuing Education credits through the Cisco CE program, or achieving a higher-level Cisco certification before it expires.

Jobs where CCNA Automation shows up

One role in our Career Navigator list CCNA Automation as worth having. Each page covers what the job involves day to day, its honest downside, and the typical pay.

Not sure which of these fits you? Take the free Navigator assessment →

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Ready to study?

Start with the free Cisco DevNet Learning Labs and exam topics, then add the Udemy course and the official DEVASC cert guide for full coverage.

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