Taking the ENCOR exam soon

Certifications CCNP ENCOR
1

Hello, everyone.

I am taking the ENCOR exam in a few weeks.

I can happily say that I am very confident in Architecture, Virtualization, and Infra. As for architecture

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This section is rather simple and apart from things like Wireless, there isn’t much that could go wrong.

The only thing that I am unsure of is maybe 1.2b Location services in a WLAN design. The OCGs do include some information about it but I am not really sure if it’s enough as this topic is not covered by many resources.

As for infra, the only topic that worries me is PTP:

3.4.a Interpret network time protocol configurations such as NTP and PTP

It’s one of the newer topics and my books only contain 2-3 pages regarding PTP. Then there is NetworkLessons that has an entire huge lesson about PTP. I also cannot configure it since it requires one of the higher-end routers in CML (that I cannot run and boot :smiley: )

As for Assurance

4.5 Describe Cisco DNA Center workflows to apply network configuration, monitoring, and management

I generally hate any topics regarding DNA center. I didn’t have good experience with it on the ENARSI exam (I cannot say why of course). What I can say is that I feel like this topic always lacks the necessary coverage and the exam topics aren’t being clear about what they want you to know, especially NOT in ENARSI.

Then there is Security and Automation. I feel pretty confident in the topics mentioned there. I’ve programmed everything possible in Python - NETCONF, RESTCONF, Netmiko, even API calls to DNAC and vManage. Security is something that I still have to cover.

I generally have a good feeling about this. I’ve passed ENARSI before so the L3, troubleshooting, services, and VPNs are relatively easy for me at this point.

Do you guys have any advice in general about what to do in the next few weeks? What was your experience with the ENCOR exam?

Thank you.
David

2

Hello David

You’ve touched upon various areas of your experience on your journey to certification, and that is very helpful to all those reading! Let me just comment on a few of your points, and in doing so, hopefully you can gain some benefit from this.

Indeed, this is a little bit vague. This part is looking for an understanding of high level design best practices and concepts rather than deep protocol level details. Things like RF triangulation presence analytics, and AP placement (overlap etc) are some of the ideas involved here. I wouldn’t worry too much as just a couple of questions may focus on this, if any at all!

I don’t believe configuration will be a huge part of this section. It’s more about understanding how it differs from NTP (high precision, etc.). So my suggestion is to understand the “big-picture” differences, knowing that PTP is specialized for environments like financial trading or industrial automation.

You’re absolutely right! My feeling on this is that because DNA is so hard to gain experience on (no simulators, and it’s available exclusively for higher-end and expensive designs), it can only be learned “in theory”. In the exam, it is likely that you’ll see scenario-based questions about the overall workflow or what DNA Center’s analytics can do.

Don’t commit to intense study. If you’re already confident in most areas, just keep that info fresh by doing reviews of the topics you think you need most. Also, trust your intuition. You’ve passed ENARSI and have strong Layer 3 troubleshooting skills, so you already have a good foundation. The ENCOR exam is broad. Approach it systematically, and supplement any less-confident areas with official documentation and some final practice labs.

I wish you success, and I’m glad to have been part of your journey!! Keep networking!

I hope this has been helpful!

Laz

3

Thank you Laz!

7 more days to go, I’ll make another review post if I happen to succeed.

Thank you and Rene for helping me along the way, I wouldn’t have passed ENARSI if it wasn’t for you :slight_smile:

David

1 Like
4

Hello David

I should have mentioned that Cisco does have some sandboxes for DNA that you can check out:

Note that Cisco’s DNA Center has now been renamed Cisco Catalyst Center.

I hope this has been helpful!

Laz

5

Hello Laz.

I’ve tried the always-on one and was a little suprised because I could not do anything there. There were no devices in the inventory, the assurance section didn’t show anything, the design section didn’t show anything, I thought it was bugged somehow for a second.

I have AnyConnect VPN from my work so I made a reservation instead which reserves some devices, catalyst center and ISE for you to use and lets you build your own fabric (considering that you have the SUPER-ADMIN role there).

David

8

Hello David

I wish you success in your exam! I’m glad that we have been helpful, and that we have been part of your certification journey, it is a privilege for us. Let us know about your experience and your results!

Laz

9

Hello David

Ah I see. I think the always-on labs are pre-configured environments designed for exploration rather than hands-on configuration. As a result, you won’ see any devices in the inventory, because the labs are static, with configurations already applied. You cannot modify device inventories there.

The reserved labs however are more flexible, and that’s why you see more options. Let us know how you get along with the specific setup, and what you were able to achieve in your experimentation…

I hope this has been helpful!

Laz