Cisco Certified DevNet Automation Associate (200-901 DEVASC)
200-901 · ● Active · Associate · Cisco
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | $300 USD |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Questions | 110 (multiple-choice and multiple-select) |
| Passing | 800–850 points (scaled out of 1000) |
| Format | Multiple-choice, multiple-select, code analysis (no live coding lab) |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (online proctored or testing center) |
| Languages | English |
| Valid | 3 years |
| Renewal | CE credits or retake exam |
| Prerequisites | None; practical networking experience recommended |
| Released | Originally 2020 (DevNet Associate); rebranded February 3, 2026 to CCNA Automation |
| Retiring | N/A |
Vendor source — Cisco 200-901 CCNAAUTO ↗
Official exam guide — Cisco Certified DevNet Associate DEVASC 200-901 Official Cert Guide ↗
Exam objectives — DevNet Associate Exam Topics ↗
Pearson VUE delivery — Schedule exam (CCNAAUTO / 200-901) ↗
About
The Cisco Certified DevNet Automation Associate (DEVASC 200-901) is an associate-level credential bridging networking and software development, targeting engineers who automate Cisco platforms using APIs, Python, and infrastructure-as-code tools. Launched in 2020 as "Cisco Certified DevNet Associate," the credential was rebranded February 3, 2026 into Cisco's mainstream Automation hierarchy — DevNet Associate became CCNA Automation, DevNet Professional became CCNP Automation, and DevNet Expert became CCIE Automation. Candidates holding active DevNet credentials were automatically migrated; no retakes required. The exam tests practical automation skills relevant to network engineers transitioning into DevOps, infrastructure automation, network programmability, and site-reliability engineering roles.
Domain context — DevOps / Automation
Network automation and programmable infrastructure — APIs, Python scripting, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code, and vendor platforms (Cisco DNA, AppDynamics, Meraki). Peers with CompTIA Cloud+, HashiCorp Certified, Linux/Kubernetes foundations. Sits below CCNP Automation and CCIE Automation.
Read full deep dive — DevOps / Automation Domain →
Topics covered
The exam blueprint spans six weighted domains:
- Software Development and Design (15%) — Variables, data types, control flow, functions, OOP principles, design patterns.
- Understanding and Using APIs (20%) — REST API mechanics, HTTP methods, JSON/XML payloads, request/response cycles, authentication (OAuth, API keys).
- Cisco Platforms and Development (15%) — Cisco DNA Center, Meraki Dashboard API, Cisco ISE programmability, Cisco IOS XE NetConf/YANG.
- Application Deployment and Security (15%) — Containerization (Docker basics), secure coding practices, secrets management, code review.
- Infrastructure and Automation (20%) — Ansible fundamentals, Terraform, configuration management, idempotency, version control (Git).
- Network Fundamentals (15%) — Switching, routing, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP (refresher context for automation tasks).
Source: DevNet Associate Exam Topics ↗
Common skills at DevOps/Automation · Associate
Shared baseline for the DevOps/Automation domain at Associate level — not unique to this cert.
- Python scripting (variables, functions, libraries, error handling)
- REST API consumption and design (HTTP verbs, headers, status codes, JSON parsing)
- Version control workflows (Git branching, commit history, pull requests)
- Infrastructure-as-code concepts (declarative vs. imperative, idempotency, templating)
- Basic CI/CD pipeline understanding (build, test, deploy stages)
- Linux command-line fundamentals (shell, file management, permissions)
- Configuration management basics (YAML, templates, Jinja2)
- Containerization 101 (Docker images, containers, registries — no Kubernetes required at Associate)
Recommended courses at DevOps/Automation · Associate
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco DevNet (official) | Cisco DevNet Learning Labs (free interactive labs, hands-on) | Free | ↗ |
| Cisco Networking Academy | DevNet Fundamentals (structured pathway, beginner-friendly) | Free | ↗ |
| Pluralsight | Cisco DEVASC 200-901 Study Path (structured video track) | $35–$40/mo | ↗ |
| CBT Nuggets | CCNA Automation / DevNet Associate (DEVASC 200-901) | $30–$60/mo | ↗ |
| Udemy | Cisco DevNet Associate DEVASC 200-901 (Sander van Vugt & others) | $15–$100 | ↗ |
| Nick Russo (njrusmc) | DEVASC Deep Dive Course (100+ hours, advanced Python + APIs) | $300–$500 | ↗ |
| INE | Cisco DevNet Associate (DEVASC) 200-901 Path | $99–$299/yr | ↗ |
Course-selection rule: Cisco DevNet Learning Labs (free, official, hands-on) are mandatory starting point. Cisco Networking Academy and Pluralsight offer structure for beginners. CBT Nuggets and INE suit intermediate learners. Nick Russo's materials are gold-standard for deep Python and API expertise.
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boson | ExSim-Max for Cisco 200-901 DevNet Associate (3 full exams, 309 questions) | $99 | ↗ |
| MeasureUp | Cisco Practice Test 200-901 DEVASC: DevNet Associate | $21+ (subscription) | ↗ |
| Cisco Press (Pearson) | Official practice test (bundled with Official Cert Guide) | Included with book | ↗ |
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Certified DevNet Associate DEVASC 200-901 Official Cert Guide | Chris Jackson, Jason Gooley, Adrian Iliesiu, Ashutosh Malegaonkar | Cisco Press / Pearson | 2020 | 978-0136642961 | ↗ |
Book rule: The Official Cert Guide (Jackson et al., Cisco Press) is the only Cisco-endorsed self-study resource for DEVASC 200-901, including two full practice exams, 2+ hours of video training, and a final prep chapter. Published October 2020; still current for 2026 exam (Cisco has not released an updated edition, indicating exam objectives remain stable).
Typical job titles at DevOps/Automation · Associate
Network Automation Engineer · NetDevOps Engineer · Junior Network Programmer · Cisco Developer · Infrastructure Automation Engineer · Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) — Entry · Cloud Network Engineer
(Job titles drawn from current job-board postings that list DEVASC 200-901 or Cisco DevNet Associate as required or preferred.)
Salary
| Region | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $103,000 – $161,000 (median $128,000) | Glassdoor ↗ · ZipRecruiter ↗ |
| ZAR | R437,000 – R550,000 (estimated from Automation Engineer median) | PayScale ZA ↗ · JobTed ↗ |
| GBP | £28,000 – £48,000 | IT Jobs Watch ↗ · Hays ↗ |
| EUR | €32,000 – €52,000 (DE/NL average) | Regional job boards (Stepstone, LinkedIn) — no unified automation-specific benchmark |
| AUD | A$80,000 – A$115,000 | Regional variation; consult SEEK or LinkedIn Australia |
Salary rule: Cisco-specific DEVASC holder salary data is sparse; figures above reflect "Network Automation Engineer" and "Junior DevOps Engineer" role surveys (nearest match). Entry-to-mid roles align with lower quartiles; experienced practitioners approach upper ranges. Regional variations significant — local job boards provide most accurate benchmarks.
Skills validated
Specific to the 200-901 exam — technologies and tools tested directly.
Programming & Scripting
- Python 3 (scripting, libraries, file I/O, exception handling, requests library, list/dict comprehensions)
- Jinja2 templating (variable substitution, filters, loops, conditionals)
- YAML syntax and configuration file structure
API Development & Consumption
- REST APIs (HTTP methods, headers, authentication, JSON/XML parsing, status codes)
- HTTP fundamentals (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH; request/response cycles)
- API authentication mechanisms (API keys, OAuth, certificate-based, token-based)
- JSON and XML data serialization and deserialization
Cisco Platforms & Services
- Cisco DNA Center API and REST endpoints
- Cisco Meraki Dashboard API (device management, networks, organizations)
- Cisco ISE programmability (REST APIs, pxGrid API for third-party integration)
- Cisco IOS XE (NetConf/YANG configuration, Telemetry via gNMI, RESTful NBI)
Infrastructure Automation & DevOps
- Ansible (playbooks, inventories, modules, idempotency, error handling, templates)
- Terraform (HCL syntax, resources, state management, provisioning Cisco infrastructure)
- Docker (images, containers, Dockerfile authoring, container networking basics)
- Git (clone, commit, branch, merge, pull requests, collaborative workflows)
- CI/CD pipelines (build, test, deploy stages; Jenkins, GitLab CI basics)
Network Fundamentals (Automation Context)
- Switching and VLAN concepts (for automation targeting L2/L3)
- Routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP fundamentals for network automation use cases)
- TCP/IP model and IPv4/IPv6 addressing (context for network-facing automation)
- DNS, DHCP, NAT mechanisms (config automation targets)
Security & Best Practices
- Secure coding practices (input validation, error handling, secrets management)
- Secrets management tools (environment variables, HashiCorp Vault concepts)
- Code review and linting (identifying security flaws, PEP 8 compliance for Python)
- Vulnerability scanning (SAST, container image scanning basics)
Exam strategy & tips
Target score: 800–850 (pass threshold ~80%) — The exam is not a gatekeeping challenge at Associate level; it's a professional-validation gate. Candidates with solid Python fundamentals and hands-on REST API + Ansible experience typically reach 800+ with 2–3 weeks of focused study.
Common traps:
- Overthinking network questions — Network fundamentals on DEVASC are context only (e.g., "What VLAN configuration would Ansible automate?"). Don't memorize subnetting; focus on network-as-a-service and automation targets.
- API authentication confusion — Expect 8–12 questions on OAuth vs. API keys vs. certificates. Understand the workflow, not just the acronym.
- Code analysis without a Python IDE — The exam includes code snippets (no live coding). Practice reading Python + Ansible playbooks cold on pen-and-paper or whiteboard.
- Underestimating Docker — Containerization appears in ~5–8 questions. Know: image layers, container lifecycle, Dockerfile basics, registry concepts.
Study path (4–6 weeks, 15–20 hours/week):
- Week 1–2: Cisco DevNet Learning Labs (free, hands-on). Complete Python modules + API fundamentals.
- Week 2–3: Choose one video path (Pluralsight or CBT Nuggets). Watch domain-by-domain, build mini-projects in parallel.
- Week 3–4: Nick Russo's deep dives on Python + Cisco APIs. Write 3–5 small Python scripts against Meraki or DNA Center APIs.
- Week 4–5: Boson ExSim-Max practice exams (3 full tests). Aim for 75%+ on first attempt; review failures ruthlessly.
- Week 5–6: Final review: flashcards on Ansible syntax, HTTP status codes, Cisco API endpoints. Light practice exam.
Delivery day: Exam is 120 minutes; you'll face ~110 questions. Multiple-choice and multiple-select (pick all correct answers, no partial credit). Calculator provided. Scratch paper allowed. No external references. Schedule early morning when fresh.
Related certifications
- Stacks with: CompTIA Cloud+ ↗ (cloud operations companion) · HashiCorp Certified Terraform Associate ↗ (IaC specialization)
- Prerequisite for: Cisco Certified Automation Professional (CCNP Automation / 300-435 ENAUTO) ↗ · Cisco Certified Automation Expert (CCIE Automation) ↗
- Replaces: DevNet Associate (credential name; exam code 200-901 unchanged) — rebranded February 3, 2026 as CCNA Automation.
- Equivalents at this level: CompTIA Cloud+ (CLO-002) ↗ (cloud ops, no vendor focus) · Linux Professional Institute LPIC-2 (201 + 202) ↗ (infrastructure focus, not API/Python-heavy)
- Vendor overview: Cisco Vendor Overview ↗
Sources
- Cisco 200-901 CCNAAUTO exam page ↗
- Cisco Certified DevNet Associate DEVASC 200-901 Official Cert Guide (Cisco Press) ↗
- DevNet Associate Exam Topics (Cisco Learning Network) ↗
- Cisco DevNet Learning Labs (free official labs) ↗
- CBT Nuggets CCNA Automation / DevNet Associate Course ↗
- Pluralsight DevNet Associate Paths ↗
- Cisco DevNet to Automation Rebrand (February 2026) ↗
- MeasureUp 200-901 Practice Test ↗
- Boson 200-901 Practice Exam ↗
- Glassdoor Network Automation Engineer Salary ↗
- ZipRecruiter Network Automation Engineer Salary ↗
- PayScale Automation Engineer (South Africa) ↗
- IT Jobs Watch Network Automation Engineer (UK) ↗
- Nick Russo DEVASC Deep-Dive Course ↗
- Boson ExSim-Max 200-901 Practice Exams ↗
Remote & first-job readiness
Remote-friendly? Yes — Network automation and DevOps roles are among the most remote-capable in IT. DEVASC holders frequently land junior NetDevOps, Infrastructure Automation, or SRE roles in fully remote or hybrid settings. No on-site lab access required after certification (labs are virtual or cloud-hosted).
Good as a first IT cert? Moderately. DEVASC sits between "foundation" (CompTIA A+, Net+) and "specialist" (CCNP, CKA). If you're a software engineer or IT hobbyist with Python skills, DEVASC is a straight path into automation / DevOps. If you're coming from help desk with no programming background, acquire Python basics first (via free Codecademy, edX, or YouTube) before attempting DEVASC.
Career-changer angle? Strong. Software developers, system administrators, and cloud enthusiasts commonly transition into network automation via DEVASC. The exam is portable across industries (cloud, telecom, financial services, healthcare all hire NetDevOps engineers).
Last verified: 2026-05-01
Parent domain: DevOps / Automation
Vendor overview: Cisco Ecosystem Overview