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Exam Information
Official specifications published by NetApp
Exam Format
90 min
60
68%
Associate
Registration
$150 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
Validity
3 years
Pass current exam version before expiration; Pass higher-level NetApp certification (e.g., NS0-004); Complete NetApp continuing education credits
NS0-003 Exam Topics and Domains
NS0-003 is organized into 4 weighted domains. Expect to work with Cloud Volumes ONTAP, Active IQ, Cloud Insights, FabricPool, and more.
1
Infrastructure Concepts
25%
Basic Infrastructure Concepts
Storage FundamentalsNetworking Basics
- Identify basic infrastructure concepts including storage types and RAID levels
- Understand networking fundamentals for storage environments
- Recognize storage performance metrics and capacity planning
Data Governance Concepts
Data Management Principles
- Understand data governance principles
- Identify compliance and regulatory requirements
- Recognize data lifecycle management strategies
Virtualization Concepts
Virtualization Technologies
- Identify virtualization concepts and technologies
- Understand NetApp integration with hypervisors
- Recognize storage best practices for virtualized environments
2
NetApp Data Storage Software
40%
NetApp ONTAP
ONTAP Architecture and FeaturesONTAP Storage Efficiency
- Identify components and concepts of NetApp ONTAP
- Understand ONTAP storage architecture
- Recognize ONTAP data protection features
- Identify ONTAP storage efficiency technologies
NetApp Element (SolidFire)
Element Software Features
- Identify NetApp Element software components and concepts
- Understand Element QoS capabilities
- Recognize Element use cases and benefits
NetApp StorageGRID
StorageGRID Object Storage
- Identify NetApp StorageGRID components and concepts
- Understand object storage use cases
- Recognize StorageGRID ILM capabilities
NetApp SANtricity (E-Series)
SANtricity Software Features
- Identify NetApp SANtricity software components
- Understand E-Series storage arrays
- Recognize SANtricity use cases
Data Management Tools
NetApp Management Tools
- Identify NetApp data management tools
- Understand management tool capabilities
- Recognize automation and API options
3
NetApp Cloud Solutions
25%
NetApp Cloud Manager and BlueXP
Cloud Manager Tools
- Identify NetApp Cloud Manager/BlueXP tools and capabilities
- Understand multi-cloud management concepts
- Recognize cloud service deployment options
NetApp Data Mobility Solutions
Cloud Data Mobility
- Identify NetApp data mobility solutions
- Understand cloud data movement strategies
- Recognize hybrid cloud data workflows
NetApp Cloud Data Protection
Cloud Backup and Recovery
- Identify NetApp cloud data protection solutions
- Understand backup and disaster recovery options
- Recognize cloud-based data protection strategies
NetApp Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage Services
- Identify NetApp cloud storage solutions
- Understand cloud storage service offerings
- Recognize cloud storage deployment options
NetApp Cloud Services
Additional Cloud Services
- Identify additional NetApp cloud services
- Understand cloud optimization and cost management
- Recognize cloud security and compliance capabilities
4
NetApp Hybrid Cloud Value Proposition
10%
NetApp Data Fabric
Data Fabric ConceptsBusiness Benefits
- Understand the NetApp Data Fabric vision
- Identify business benefits of NetApp hybrid cloud solutions
- Recognize Data Fabric architectural components
Consumption Models
NetApp Consumption Options
- Identify consumption model options for NetApp solutions
- Understand financial models (CapEx vs OpEx)
- Recognize subscription and flexible capacity offerings
How do I earn this certification?
Passing NS0-003 earns the NetApp Certified Technology Associate (NCTA) certification. It sits in the Technology Associate track.
Next Level Options
- NS0-004 - NetApp Certified Technology Solutions Professional Professional-level certification focusing on NetApp technology solutions portfolio
- NS0-163 - NetApp Certified Data Administrator, ONTAPSpecialized ONTAP administration certification
- NS0-520 - NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer - SAN, ONTAPImplementation engineer specialization for SAN environments
Alternative Paths
- NS0-162 - NetApp Certified Data Administrator, ONTAP (Previous Version) Legacy ONTAP administration certification (replaced by NS0-163)
- NS0-159 - NetApp Certified Data Administrator, ONTAPAnother version of ONTAP administration certification
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for NS0-003.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2021-07-01
- Announcement date: 2021-07-01
Updates
- ONTAP 9.15 9.15.1 New features may appear in future exam updates • Release date: 2024-07-15
- BlueXP Latest BlueXP (formerly Cloud Manager) is covered in Domain 3 • Release date: 2024-06-01
- Cloud Volumes ONTAP Latest Core cloud solution covered in NS0-003 Domain 3 • Release date: 2024-05-01
- Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP Latest Cloud storage solution covered in Domain 3 • Release date: 2023-11-01
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by IT professionals seeking NetApp certification and Storage administrators.
- Six months of experience with NetApp storage solutions
- Basic understanding of network storage concepts
- Familiarity with storage area networks (SAN) and network-attached storage (NAS)
- Understanding of hybrid cloud environments