Monday, July 28, 2025

CERT-EXAM GUIDE : CISCO ENCOR 350‑401 CERTIFICATION

INTRODUCTION

The Cisco ENCOR 350‑401 exam certifies expertise in implementing and operating core enterprise network technologies. It awards the Cisco Certified Specialist – Enterprise Core credential, which is also required for CCNP Enterprise and CCIE Enterprise certification paths. The exam covers advanced routing, dual-stack IP architecture, virtualization, infrastructure services, network assurance, security mechanisms, and automation.

EXAM OVERVIEW

EXAM CODE
350‑401 ENCOR

EXAM DURATION
120 minutes

NUMBER OF QUESTIONS
Approximately 90 to 110

PASSING SCORE
Typically around 825 out of 1000 scaled score

EXAM COST
Approximately USD 400 (may vary by region)

EXAM DOMAINS AND WEIGHTS

ARCHITECTURE (Approx. 15 %)
Network design, high availability, SD‑WAN, SD‑Access, QoS (wired and wireless), hardware vs software switching
VIRTUALIZATION (Approx. 10 %)
Virtual machines and hypervisors, VRF implementations, GRE and IPSec tunnels, VxLAN and LISP
INFRASTRUCTURE (Approx. 30 %)
Spanning Tree Protocol variants, EtherChannel, routing protocols, VLANs, wireless roaming
NETWORK ASSURANCE (Approx. 10 %)
Monitoring and diagnostic tools including SNMP, NetFlow, Syslog, IP SLA, Cisco DNA Center assurance features
SECURITY (Approx. 20 %)
AAA, ACL configuration, CoPP, wireless and VPN security, device hardening
AUTOMATION (Approx. 15 %)
Python scripting fundamentals, RESTCONF/NETCONF, configuration templates, Cisco DNA Center automation

PREPARATION TIPS

Study the official exam domains and percentages to prioritize focus areas
Practice configuration in labs or simulators including routing, switching, VPNs, QoS, and security features
Use timed mock exams to build pacing and identify weaker domains
Engage in hands-on troubleshooting scenarios to reinforce real-world readiness
Focus strongly on automation and programmability labs, as these are growing areas in the blueprint

PRACTICE NOTES AND TESTS

Recommended preparation materials include:

• Detailed topic-wise notes covering each domain including architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, assurance, security, and automation
• Domain-specific quizzes and flashcards to reinforce critical concepts
• Full-length timed mock exams featuring 90 to 110 questions mimicking real exam format
• Thorough answer explanations to aid learning from mistakes
• Config-based lab exercises focusing on VLANs, routing protocols, VPN overlays, firewall policies, QoS, IP SLA, and automation tasks
• Exhibit-style questions and troubleshooting labs for configuration review
• Strategy guides and glossaries for key terms such as BGP attributes, VRF routing, CoPP policies, and SLA metric interpretation

These resources are typically available through widely recognized Cisco certification preparation platforms aligned with ENCOR 350‑401 standards.

CERTIFICATION VALIDITY AND RECERTIFICATION

VALIDITY
The certification is valid for three years from the date of passing

RECERTIFICATION
Renew by retaking ENCOR, completing a higher-level Cisco certification, or earning approved continuing education credits

CAREER VALUE AND BENEFITS

The ENCOR credential supports roles such as enterprise network engineer, infrastructure consultant, network architect, or systems integrator. It verifies advanced competence in routing technologies, network security, automation, and infrastructure assurance. Professionals with this certification often receive higher compensation and are entrusted with the operation of large-scale enterprise networks.

CONCLUSION

The Cisco ENCOR 350‑401 exam offers a comprehensive assessment of enterprise network core competencies, including routing, security, infrastructure services, network assurance, and embedding automation into operations. Focused preparation with lab practice, domain-aligned notes, and timed testing ensures readiness for certification and performance in complex real-world environments.

For more information visit this site : CERT-EXAM GUIDE : CISCO ENCOR 350‑401 CERTIFICATION

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