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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Cisco
Exam Format
120 min
90-110
750-850 out of 1000
Professional/Expert
Registration
$400 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
Validity
3 years
Pass any current CCNP, CCIE, or CCDE exam; Pass any current Expert-level exam; Pass any two Professional concentration exams
350-501 Exam Topics and Domains
350-501 is organized into 5 weighted domains. Expect to work with Configuration management, Fast reroute, MPLS VPN, Route validation, and more.
1
Architecture
15%
Core Architectures
Metro EthernetMPLSUnified MPLSSegment RoutingSRv6
- Describe and compare core service provider architectures
- Implement MPLS in service provider networks
- Configure and verify Segment Routing
- Understand Metro Ethernet services and standards
Transport Technologies
Optical TransportAccess TechnologiesRouted Optical Networking
- Describe various transport technologies used in service provider networks
- Compare optical transport solutions
- Understand access network technologies and their applications
Network Software Architecture
IOS XRIOS XE
- Compare IOS XR and IOS XE architectures
- Understand software high availability features
- Describe programmability options
Service Provider Virtualization
NFV and VNF
- Describe NFV concepts and architecture
- Understand VNF deployment models
Security Architecture
Control Plane SecurityManagement Plane SecurityData Plane Security
- Implement control plane protection mechanisms
- Configure management plane security
- Deploy data plane security features
2
Networking
30%
IS-IS Implementation
IS-IS FundamentalsIS-IS for IPv6IS-IS Extensions
- Configure and verify IS-IS for IPv4 and IPv6
- Implement IS-IS in multi-area designs
- Troubleshoot IS-IS adjacencies and routing
OSPF Implementation
OSPF FundamentalsOSPFv3OSPF Optimization
- Design and implement OSPF in service provider networks
- Configure OSPFv3 for IPv6
- Optimize OSPF for scale and convergence
BGP Implementation
BGP Path SelectioniBGP and eBGPBGP Address FamiliesBGP Security and Optimization
- Master BGP path selection and manipulation
- Configure BGP for various address families
- Implement BGP security and optimization features
Routing Policy Language
Route Policy Configuration
- Create and apply routing policies using RPL
- Implement complex routing policy requirements
IPv6 Transition
IPv6 Transition Mechanisms
- Implement IPv6 transition strategies
- Configure various IPv6 transition mechanisms
High Availability
Fast Convergence Techniques
- Design for high availability
- Implement fast convergence features
3
MPLS and Segment Routing
20%
MPLS Implementation
LDP ConfigurationMPLS Forwarding
- Configure and verify MPLS using LDP
- Understand MPLS forwarding operations
Traffic Engineering
RSVP-TESR-TE
- Implement MPLS traffic engineering
- Configure SR-TE policies
Segment Routing
SR Control PlaneSR Data PlaneTI-LFA
- Master Segment Routing concepts
- Implement SR for simplification and scale
- Configure TI-LFA for protection
SRv6
SRv6 ArchitectureSRv6 Functions
- Understand SRv6 architecture
- Implement SRv6 for services
4
Services
20%
L2VPN Services
VPLS/VPWSEVPNEthernet Services
- Configure various L2VPN services
- Implement EVPN for next-generation L2VPN
- Troubleshoot L2VPN issues
L3VPN Services
MPLS L3VPNInter-AS VPN6PE/6VPE
- Master MPLS L3VPN configuration
- Implement Inter-AS VPN options
- Deploy IPv6 VPN services
Multicast Services
PIMmVPN
- Configure IP multicast using PIM
- Implement multicast VPN services
QoS Services
Classification and MarkingCongestion ManagementH-QoS
- Design QoS policies for service provider networks
- Implement H-QoS for subscriber services
- Troubleshoot QoS issues
5
Automation and Assurance
15%
Network Programmability
APIs and ProtocolsData Models
- Understand network programmability concepts
- Work with YANG data models
- Implement programmatic interfaces
Automation Tools
Configuration ManagementOrchestrationZero Touch Provisioning
- Implement network automation using various tools
- Design automated workflows
- Deploy zero-touch provisioning
Network Assurance
TelemetryTraditional MonitoringPath Monitoring
- Configure streaming telemetry
- Implement network monitoring solutions
- Deploy OAM for service assurance
How do I earn this certification?
Passing 350-501 earns the CCNP Service Provider / CCIE Service Provider Qualifying certification. It sits in the Service Provider track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
- CCIE SP Lab - CCIE Service Provider Lab Exam v5.1
- CCDE - Cisco Certified Design Expert
Alternative Paths
- 350-401 - ENCOREnterprise networking fundamentals
- 350-701 - SCORService Provider security expertise
- 350-901 - DEVCORNetwork automation and programmability
- 350-601 - DCCORData Center interconnect and services
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 350-501 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: 2024-02-01
- Announcement date: 2020-02-24
Updates
- Segment Routing SR-MPLS and SRv6 Increased focus on SRv6 in exam questions • Release date: 2024-01-15
- Model-Driven Telemetry MDT 2.0 New telemetry questions in automation domain • Release date: 2024-03-01
- FlexAlgo Flexible Algorithm Advanced SR topics now include Flex-Algo • Release date: 2023-11-01
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Network Engineers working in Service Provider environments and Network Architects designing SP solutions.
- 3-5 years of experience implementing service provider solutions
- Knowledge of service provider network fundamentals
- Experience with Cisco IOS XR and IOS XE software
- Understanding of MPLS and Segment Routing technologies
- Familiarity with BGP, IS-IS, and OSPF routing protocols
What jobs can I get with this?
Service Provider Network Engineer
Service Provider Network Architect
SP Solutions Architect
Core Network Engineer
MPLS Engineer
Network Operations Engineer