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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Cisco
Exam Format
90 min
55-65
Not publicly disclosed
Professional
Registration
$300 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
English
Validity
3 years
Pass any Expert-level exam (CCIE Lab, CCDE); Pass any two Professional concentration exams; Pass the current CCNP Data Center core exam (DCCOR 350-601)
300-610 Exam Topics and Domains
300-610 is organized into 4 weighted domains. Expect to work with Cisco MDS, Cisco Nexus Dashboard, Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects, Cisco UCS Manager, and more.
1
Network Design
35%
Describe AI/ML concepts
Application and usesDeep learning and machine learning concepts (inference vs training)Hardware components (GPUs and DPUs / SmartNICs)Network requirementsOperational sustainability
- Understand AI/ML workload characteristics and requirements
- Differentiate between training and inference workloads
- Identify appropriate hardware components for AI applications
- Design sustainable AI infrastructure
Evaluate technologies for high-performance networks and AI workloads
ROCEv2EthernetInfiniBandRemote Direct Memory Access
- Evaluate high-performance networking technologies
- Compare ROCEv2, Ethernet, and InfiniBand for AI workloads
- Understand RDMA benefits and implementation
Evaluate options for Layer 2 connectivity
Endpoint mobilityRedundancy / high availabilityConvergenceServices insertionvPC and LACP
- Design Layer 2 connectivity for data centers
- Implement high availability with vPC
- Optimize Layer 2 convergence and redundancy
Evaluate options for Layer 3 connectivity
IP mobilityRedundancy / high availability (graceful restart, NSF)ConvergenceServices insertion (load balancing, security)Routing virtualization with VRF lite
- Design Layer 3 connectivity with high availability
- Implement routing virtualization with VRF lite
- Optimize Layer 3 convergence and services insertion
Evaluate QoS for lossless Ethernet
QoS for lossless Ethernet
- Design lossless Ethernet for RDMA and AI workloads
- Implement PFC and ECN for data center QoS
Evaluate options for interconnecting data centers with VXLAN EVPN
VXLAN EVPN for data center interconnect
- Design VXLAN EVPN for data center interconnect
- Implement multi-site VXLAN architectures
Evaluate network management and redundancy strategies
Management and monitoring (in-band, out-of-band)Redundancy options such as active / active and disaster recovery siteCentralized management and monitoring such as Nexus Dashboard
- Design management and monitoring infrastructure
- Implement redundancy and disaster recovery strategies
- Deploy centralized management with Nexus Dashboard
Evaluate network segmentation methods using VXLAN and Cisco ACI
Network segmentation with VXLAN and ACI
- Design network segmentation with VXLAN
- Implement Cisco ACI for multi-tenancy and micro-segmentation
2
Compute Design
25%
Evaluate options for Ethernet connectivity
Redundancy / high availabilityBandwidthFabric interconnect operation mode (switch mode, end host mode)
- Design redundant Ethernet connectivity for compute
- Calculate and optimize bandwidth requirements
- Select appropriate Fabric Interconnect operation modes
Evaluate options for storage connectivity
BandwidthFabric interconnect operation mode (switch mode, end host mode)Direct-attached storage (appliance, FC storage, and FCoE ports)
- Design storage connectivity with proper bandwidth
- Implement FC, FCoE, and direct-attached storage
- Optimize storage traffic flows
Evaluate options for network device virtualization in a data center (Cisco VIC adapters)
Service profilesEthernet adaptor policiesFibre Channel adapter policies
- Design Cisco VIC adapter configurations
- Implement service profiles and templates
- Configure vNICs and vHBAs with policies
Evaluate UCS-X design options based on deployment and performance requirements
UCS-X design options
- Evaluate UCS-X architecture and design options
- Select UCS-X for appropriate use cases
- Design UCS-X deployments for performance
Describe compute requirements for AI/ML applications
Compute requirements for AI/ML
- Understand compute requirements for AI/ML applications
- Design GPU-accelerated compute infrastructure
- Size and scale AI compute clusters
3
Storage Network Design
20%
Plan for iSCSI deployment in a data center (Multipathing and addressing schemes)
iSCSI multipathing and addressing
- Design iSCSI storage networks
- Implement multipathing for high availability
- Plan IP addressing for iSCSI storage
Evaluate QoS requirements in a data center
Fibre ChanneliSCSI
- Design QoS for storage networks
- Implement FC and iSCSI QoS policies
- Optimize storage network performance
Determine Fibre Channel interface
Port typesISLOversubscription
- Configure FC port types appropriately
- Design ISL connectivity
- Calculate and optimize oversubscription
Evaluate storage deployment options for traditional and high-performance networks
Storage deployment options
- Evaluate storage deployment architectures
- Design high-performance storage for AI workloads
- Implement modern storage protocols
4
Automation Design
20%
Evaluate options for network orchestration and automation
Cisco IntersightREST API (NX-API, JSON encoding, and XML encodings)Model-driven programmabilityAnsiblePythonTerraform CLI
- Design network automation with multiple tools
- Implement API-based programmability
- Use Ansible, Python, and Terraform for automation
- Deploy Cisco Intersight for orchestration
Evaluate options for compute orchestration and automation
Service profile templatesvNIC templatesvHBA templatesGlobal policies vs. local policies
- Automate compute provisioning with templates
- Design policy hierarchies
- Implement global and local policies
Describe Cisco Intersight Cloud Orchestrator workflows
Intersight Cloud Orchestrator workflows
- Design Intersight Cloud Orchestrator workflows
- Implement multi-step automation
- Integrate with external systems
Evaluate options for implementing automatic network deployment using Nexus Dashboard
Automatic network deployment with Nexus Dashboard
- Deploy fabrics with Nexus Dashboard
- Automate Day 0/1/2 operations
- Implement policy-based automation
How do I earn this certification?
Passing 300-610 earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center Design certification. It sits in the Data Center track.
Current Level Exams
- 350-601 - DCCOR - Implementing Cisco Data Center Core TechnologiesCore exam covering Nexus, storage networking, automation, and ACI fundamentals
- 300-615 - DCIT - Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center InfrastructureAlternative concentration focusing on troubleshooting
- 300-620 - DCACI - Implementing Cisco Application Centric InfrastructureAlternative concentration focusing on Cisco ACI
- 300-625 - DCSAN - Implementing Cisco Storage Area NetworkingAlternative concentration focusing on SAN technologies
- 300-635 - DCAUTO - Automating Cisco Data Center SolutionsAlternative concentration focusing on automation and programmability
Next Level Options
- CCIE Data Center Lab - CCIE Data Center Lab Exam Expert-level hands-on lab exam for CCIE Data Center • Career advancement to expert-level data center engineering
- 300-635 - DCAUTOComplementary automation specialization • Expand automation skills beyond design
Alternative Paths
- 300-615 - DCIT - Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center InfrastructureComplementary troubleshooting skills for data center operations
- 300-620 - DCACI - Implementing Cisco Application Centric InfrastructureDeep dive into Cisco ACI, often used in modern data centers
- 300-635 - DCAUTO - Automating Cisco Data Center SolutionsAdvanced automation and programmability skills
- 350-701 - SCOR - Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core TechnologiesData center security expertise for comprehensive infrastructure knowledge
- 350-901 - DEVCOR - Developing Applications using Cisco Core Platforms and APIsAutomation and development skills for infrastructure as code
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for 300-610 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-05-21
- Announcement date: 2024-12
Updates
- ROCEv2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet v2) Current NEW in v1.2 - Critical for AI/ML workloads • Release date: Industry standard
- Cisco Nexus Dashboard 3.x Enhanced coverage in v1.2 - Topics 1.7.c and 4.4 • Release date: Ongoing updates
- Cisco Intersight SaaS - continuous updates Maintained in v1.2 - Topics 4.1.a and 4.3 • Release date: Ongoing
- Terraform for Cisco Latest NEW in v1.2 - Topic 4.1.f • Release date: Ongoing
- VXLAN with Cisco ACI ACI 6.x NEW segmentation topic in v1.2 - Topic 1.8 • Release date: Ongoing
- UCS-X Series Current generation NEW in v1.2 - Topic 2.4 • Release date: 2021+
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Data center engineers and Network design engineers.
- Certification: CCNA; Exam Code: 200-301; Reason: Foundation in Cisco networking
- Certification: CCNP Data Center - DCCOR; Exam Code: 350-601; Reason: Core exam for CCNP Data Center (required for full certification)