Understand the certification
300-610 DCID（Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure）是 CCNP Data Center 认证的设计方向专项，60 题 / 90 分钟。考查 Cisco 数据中心网络的架构设计能力。
考试核心是 Nexus 交换机（9000/7000/5000 系列选型）+ VXLAN EVPN Fabric 设计 + ACI（Application Centric Infrastructure）架构。约 35% 的题涉及 VXLAN EVPN 的 Spine-Leaf 拓扑设计，20% 考 ACI 的 Tenant/EPG/Contract 模型。
Cisco 数据中心产品线在 2024 年进一步向 Nexus 9000 + ACI 收敛。考试中 Nexus 7000 相关内容在减少，VXLAN EVPN 和 ACI multi-site 比重在增加。UCS 计算平台（Blade/Rack Server）的基础选型也会考 2-3 题。
Exam at a glance
- Exam code
- 300-610
- Provider
- Cisco
- Format
- Single choice / Multiple select
- Language
- English
- Validity
- 3 years
- Exam fee
- $330
Skills in focus
Learning outcomes
- Prepare for the Cisco 300-610 DCID exam
- Build confidence in Cisco data center design decisions
- Understand how ACI, UCS, storage, and DCI components fit together
- Improve your fit for data center design roles
Who this is for
- Data center engineers preparing for Cisco 300-610 DCID
- Solutions architects designing Cisco data center environments
- IT professionals who want to strengthen data center design skills
- Students and practitioners moving toward CCNP Data Center
Before you start
- Basic networking knowledge is required
- Data center or enterprise infrastructure experience is recommended
- Associate-level Cisco knowledge will help with the terminology and design patterns
Your learning path
6 chapters
Plan your preparation
- Learning hours
- 40h
- With relevant experience
- 5-7 weeks
- Starting from scratch
- 10-14 weeks
- Daily study
- 1-2h
Included in your preparation
- 6 structured chapters that cover the exam domains
- 228 practice questions with explanations
- Mock exam practice for timed review
- A strong focus on design decisions and architecture trade-offs
- Coverage of ACI, UCS, storage networking, and interconnect design
1. 第一阶段：DC 网络架构基础（2 周）
理解 Spine-Leaf 拓扑 vs 传统三层架构的设计决策。学习 Nexus 9000 系列的 NX-OS 和 ACI 双模式切换。Cisco Validated Design for VXLAN EVPN 白皮书是最好的参考资料。
2. 第二阶段：VXLAN EVPN + ACI 设计（3-4 周）
VXLAN EVPN 的 control plane（MP-BGP EVPN）和 data plane（VXLAN 封装）。ACI 的 Tenant → VRF → Bridge Domain → EPG 层级模型。Multi-Site 架构中 ISN（Inter-Site Network）的设计要求。
3. 第三阶段：UCS + 模考（1-2 周）
UCS B-Series（Blade）和 C-Series（Rack）的选型场景、Service Profile 概念。做 2 套模考，VXLAN EVPN Fabric 设计题是重中之重。
Career value
尽管公有云增长迅猛，企业自建数据中心和混合云场景仍需要大量 DC 网络工程师。金融、政府、电信行业的核心业务系统通常部署在自建 DC 内。
适合考的人：在 Cisco Nexus 环境工作的 DC 工程师，尤其是正在参与 VXLAN EVPN Fabric 迁移或 ACI 部署项目的人。
不适合考的人：纯公有云（AWS/Azure/GCP）工作者，或使用 Arista 数据中心交换机的环境。
- 澳洲
- AUD 130,000 – 175,000
- 美国
- USD 115,000 – 165,000
- 新加坡
- SGD 95,000 – 145,000
Preparation tips
Common mistakes
- **混淆 VXLAN EVPN 和 ACI** — 两者都用 VXLAN 封装，但 EVPN 用 BGP 做控制面，ACI 用 APIC 集中管理。考试会问同一个需求分别用两种方案怎么设计。
- **忽略 Multi-Site 设计** — ACI Multi-Site 的 IPN（Inter-Pod Network）和 ISN（Inter-Site Network）的区别是高频考点。
- **UCS 部分不能完全放弃** — 虽然只占约 10%，但 Service Profile 和 LAN/SAN Connectivity 的基本概念一定会出。
Before you register
What is the Cisco 300-610 DCID exam and who is it for?
The 300-610 DCID (Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure) is a CCNP Data Center concentration exam that validates your ability to design data center infrastructure solutions. It is designed for data center engineers, solutions architects, and IT professionals who plan and design Cisco data center environments including Nexus switching, ACI fabric, storage networking, compute platforms (UCS), and data center interconnect solutions.
What topics does the 300-610 DCID exam cover?
The exam covers key data center design domains including: (1) Network design for data centers (VPC, FabricPath, VXLAN); (2) Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) design and multi-site architecture; (3) Storage network design (Fibre Channel, FCoE, iSCSI); (4) Compute design with Cisco UCS (service profiles, templates); (5) Data center interconnect technologies (OTV, VXLAN EVPN); (6) High availability and disaster recovery design considerations. A strong understanding of data center architecture principles is essential.
How difficult is the 300-610 exam and how should I prepare?
The 300-610 exam is 120 minutes long with approximately 65 questions, requiring a score of 825/1000 to pass. The exam fee is $330 USD. It is considered moderately difficult, with a focus on design methodology rather than pure configuration. Recommended preparation includes 3-6 months of study, understanding of Cisco Validated Designs (CVDs) for data centers, and hands-on experience with Nexus switches and ACI. The certification is valid for 3 years.
Learner experiences
Loading reviews…
ACI 的 EPG/Contract 模型是最容易丢分的地方 — 给你一个应用拓扑，问 Web Tier 和 App Tier 之间该配什么 Contract。建议一定要在 ACI Simulator 上动手练。
K. Singh
DC 网络工程师 @ 银行 · 790/1000 · 7 weeks
Done reading? Next steps
- SkillPractise Cisco DCID by exam domainQuestions are grouped by the official exam domains, so you can see which domain still needs work.Open the question bank →
- SkillCisco DCID learning pathWork through the exam scope chapter by chapter, then come back to the questions.See the learning path →
- ExpressionExplain it in an interviewRun a mock interview for a role that uses this certification and turn what you studied into project stories.Practise an interview →
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