CCNA Automation (200-901)
Cisco's automation certification. Separate from the regular CCNA (200-301): adds Python, REST APIs, Cisco platform SDKs, Ansible, Git, CI/CD and application deployment. Each topic has an in-browser lab you run yourself: no install, no cloud account, no network required.
Exam blueprint (200-901)
The six official domains. Domain 6 (Network Fundamentals) overlaps with CCNA 200-301, so those topics live in the CCNA library instead of being duplicated here.
Software Development and Design
Data types, control flow, Python basics, version control, software design patterns.
Understanding and Using APIs
REST, HTTP status codes, authentication, pagination, rate limits, webhooks.
Cisco Platforms and Development
Cisco IOS-XE RESTCONF/NETCONF, Meraki Dashboard API, Webex, DNA Center.
Application Deployment and Security
Docker basics, CI/CD, the 12-factor app, secret management.
Infrastructure and Automation
Ansible, Terraform, YANG, model-driven telemetry, controller-based automation.
Network Fundamentals
Overlap with 200-301: IP, routing, DNS, troubleshooting. Covered in the CCNA library.
CCNA Automation topics
Topics written specifically for 200-901 depth. Each one has a short mental-model section followed by a browser-based lab you can run yourself.
- Foundational #75
Git Basics for Network Engineers
The four Git commands network engineers use every day: init, add, commit, log. Pairs with a dedicated in-browser lab you can run in five minutes, no install needed.
- Foundational #76
Git Branches, Merge and Conflicts for Network Engineers
A branch is a parallel universe. This topic covers clone, branch, switch, merge, handling conflicts and diff: everything in Cisco's 1.8 Git objectives, in plain English with a browser lab.
- Foundational #78
Data Formats for Automation: JSON, YAML, XML
The three data formats you will see every day in network automation: JSON (APIs), YAML (configs and Ansible), XML (NETCONF). Same data in all three with a side-by-side comparison and a hands-on parse lab in Python.
- Foundational #79
Parsing JSON and YAML in Python
Deep-dive on parsing JSON and YAML into Python data structures: the exact functions, how dicts and lists map to the source text, and the common parse errors network engineers hit.
- Foundational #80
Python: Functions, Classes and Modules
The three building blocks every Python network script grows into: functions (reusable blocks), classes (grouped state and behavior), modules (grouped files). When to use each, with a Cisco-flavored example of each.
- Foundational #82
Test-Driven Development (TDD) Basics
What test-driven development actually is in plain English: write the test first, watch it fail, write just enough code to pass, refactor. Why it saves time on network automation scripts.
- Foundational #83
Software Development Methods: Agile, Lean, Waterfall
The three software development methods you need to compare for CCNA Automation 200-901 objective 1.4: waterfall (plan everything first), agile (iterate in sprints), lean (ship, measure, learn). Side-by-side table.
- Foundational #84
Design Patterns: MVC and Observer
Two software design patterns in Cisco CCNAAUTO 200-901 objective 1.6: MVC (Model-View-Controller) separates data, display and logic. Observer lets one thing subscribe to events from another.
Shared with CCNA (do these first)
These topics are part of the CCNA (200-301) Automation & Programmability domain. Rather than duplicate them, we link into the CCNA library. CCNA Automation goes deeper on each one, with its own labs under CCNA Automation topics above.
- Python for Network Engineers In CCNA library
- REST APIs for Network Engineers In CCNA library
- JSON, YAML & XML for Network Engineers In CCNA library
- Ansible for Network Engineers In CCNA library
- NETCONF & YANG In CCNA library
- NETCONF and RESTCONF: Model-Driven Network APIs In CCNA library
- gRPC & gNMI: Streaming Telemetry In CCNA library
- Cisco DNA Center / Catalyst Center In CCNA library
Prefer 1:1 mentorship over self-study?
Twelve weeks, 24 live 1:1 classes, same-business-day async support, a shippable portfolio automation project, two timed mock exams, pass-or-keep-going. Same price as our CCNA mentorship.