Software Development and Design
– Compare data formats (XML, JSON, and YAML)
– Describe parsing of common data format (XML, JSON, and YAML) to Python data structures
– Describe the concepts of test-driven development
– Compare software development methods (agile, lean, and waterfall)
– Explain the benefits of organizing code into methods / functions, classes, and modules
– Identify the advantages of common design patterns (MVC and Observer)
– Explain the advantages of version control
– Utilize common version control operations with Git
– Clone
– Add/remove
– Commit
– Push / pull
– Branch
– Merge and handling conflicts
– diff
Understanding and Using APIs
– Construct a REST API request to accomplish a task given API documentation
– Describe common usage patterns related to webhooks
– Identify the constraints when consuming APIs
– Explain common HTTP response codes associated with REST APIs
– Troubleshoot a problem given the HTTP response code, request and API documentation
– Identify the parts of an HTTP response (response code, headers, body)
– Utilize common API authentication mechanisms: basic, custom token, and API keys
– Compare common API styles (REST, RPC, synchronous, and asynchronous)
– Construct a Python script that calls a REST API using the requests library
Cisco Platforms and Development
– Construct a Python script that uses a Cisco SDK given SDK documentation
– Describe the capabilities of Cisco network management platforms and APIs (Meraki, Cisco DNA Center, ACI, Cisco SD-WAN, and NSO)
– Describe the capabilities of Cisco compute management platforms and APIs (UCS Manager, UCS Director, and Intersight)
– Describe the capabilities of Cisco collaboration platforms and APIs (Webex Teams, Webex devices, Cisco Unified Communication Manager including AXL and UDS interfaces, and Finesse)
– Describe the capabilities of Cisco security platforms and APIs (Firepower, Umbrella, AMP, ISE, and ThreatGrid)
– Describe the device level APIs and dynamic interfaces for IOS XE and NX-OS
– Identify the appropriate DevNet resource for a given scenario (Sandbox, Code Exchange, support, forums, Learning Labs, and API documentation)
– Apply concepts of model driven programmability (YANG, RESTCONF, and NETCONF) in a Cisco environment
– Construct code to perform a specific operation based on a set of requirements and given API reference documentation such as these:
– Obtain a list of network devices by using Meraki, Cisco DNA Center, ACI, Cisco SD-WAN, or NSO
– Manage spaces, participants, and messages in Webex Teams
– Obtain a list of clients / hosts seen on a network using Meraki or Cisco DNA Center
Application Deployment and Security
– Describe benefits of edge computing
– Identify attributes of different application deployment models (private cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, and edge)
– Identify the attributes of these application deployment types
– Virtual machines
– Bare metal
– Containers
– Describe components for a CI/CD pipeline in application deployments
– Construct a Python unit test
– Interpret contents of a Dockerfile
– Utilize Docker images in local developer environment
– Identify application security issues related to secret protection, encryption (storage and transport), and data handling
– Explain how firewall, DNS, load balancers, and reverse proxy in application deployment
– Describe top OWASP threats (such as XSS, SQL injections, and CSRF)
– Utilize Bash commands (file management, directory navigation, and environmental variables)
– Identify the principles of DevOps practices
Infrastructure and Automation
– Describe the value of model driven programmability for infrastructure automation
– Compare controller-level to device-level management
– Describe the use and roles of network simulation and test tools (such as VIRL and pyATS)
– Describe the components and benefits of CI/CD pipeline in infrastructure automation
– Describe principles of infrastructure as code
– Describe the capabilities of automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef, and Cisco NSO
– Identify the workflow being automated by a Python script that uses Cisco APIs including ACI, Meraki, Cisco DNA Center, or RESTCONF
– Identify the workflow being automated by an Ansible playbook (management packages, user management related to services, basic service configuration, and start/stop)
– Identify the workflow being automated by a bash script (such as file management, app install, user management, directory navigation)
– Interpret the results of a RESTCONF or NETCONF query
– Interpret basic YANG models
– Interpret a unified diff
– Describe the principles and benefits of a code review process
– Interpret sequence diagram that includes API calls
Network Fundamentals
– Describe the purpose and usage of MAC addresses and VLANs
– Describe the purpose and usage of IP addresses, routes, subnet mask / prefix, and gateways
– Describe the function of common networking components (such as switches, routers, firewalls, and load balancers)
– Interpret a basic network topology diagram with elements such as switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, and port values
– Describe the function of management, data, and control planes in a network device
– Describe the functionality of these IP Services: DHCP, DNS, NAT, SNMP, NTP
– Recognize common protocol port values (such as, SSH, Telnet, HTTP, HTTPS, and NETCONF)
– Identify cause of application connectivity issues (NAT problem, Transport Port blocked, proxy, and VPN)
– Explain the impacts of network constraints on applications