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Exam Information
Official specifications published by NetApp
Exam Format
90 min
60
64%
Professional
Registration
$200 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
English
Validity
24 months
Pass any current NetApp certification exam before expiration; Complete the required Continuing Education (CE) credits; Retake and pass the NS0-164 exam (or current version)
NS0-164 Exam Topics and Domains
NS0-164 is organized into 8 weighted domains. Expect to work with Active IQ, statistics show, Volume Move, Active Directory, and more.
1
Storage Platforms
12%
Physical Storage Systems
NetApp Hardware PlatformsStorage Architecture Components
- Identify appropriate NetApp storage platforms for given requirements
- Understand hardware architecture and component functions
- Configure physical storage systems according to best practices
Software-Defined On-Premises or Cloud Storage Systems
ONTAP SelectCloud Volumes ONTAPHybrid Cloud Integration
- Deploy and configure software-defined ONTAP storage
- Understand cloud storage deployment models
- Implement hybrid cloud storage architectures
Upgrading or Scaling ONTAP Clusters
ONTAP Software UpgradesCluster ExpansionHardware Refresh and Migration
- Plan and execute ONTAP software upgrades
- Expand cluster capacity and scale infrastructure
- Perform hardware refresh and data migration
2
Core ONTAP
18%
ONTAP System Management
System Manager and CLI ManagementCluster Configuration and ManagementAggregates and RAID
- Manage ONTAP systems using System Manager and CLI
- Configure cluster-wide services and settings
- Create and manage storage aggregates with appropriate RAID protection
High Availability Concepts
HA Pair ConfigurationStorage Failover (SFO) and GivebackMetroCluster and Disaster Recovery
- Configure and manage HA pairs for high availability
- Understand storage failover and giveback procedures
- Implement disaster recovery strategies
Storage Virtual Machine (SVM) Management
SVM Architecture and ConfigurationSVM Protocol ConfigurationSVM Resource Management
- Create and configure Storage Virtual Machines
- Enable and manage protocols on SVMs
- Implement multi-tenancy with SVM delegation
- Configure SVM disaster recovery
3
ONTAP Storage
15%
Logical Storage Features
FlexVol VolumesFlexGroup VolumesQtrees and QuotasConsistency GroupsLUNs and NVMe Namespaces
- Create and manage FlexVol and FlexGroup volumes
- Implement qtrees and quotas for storage management
- Understand consistency groups for application protection
- Provision LUNs and NVMe namespaces
NetApp Storage Efficiency Features
DeduplicationCompressionCompactionThin ProvisioningFabricPool and Data Tiering
- Enable and manage storage efficiency technologies
- Understand deduplication, compression, and compaction
- Implement thin provisioning strategies
- Configure FabricPool for data tiering to cloud
4
Networking
12%
Network Components
Logical Interfaces (LIFs)Ports, Interface Groups, and VLANsIPspaces and Broadcast DomainsNetwork Routing and Reachability
- Configure and manage logical interfaces (LIFs)
- Implement interface groups and VLANs
- Understand IPspaces and broadcast domains
- Configure network routing
Troubleshoot Network Components
Network Connectivity TroubleshootingNetwork Performance TroubleshootingIPsec and Network Encryption Troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot network connectivity issues
- Diagnose network performance problems
- Use ONTAP diagnostic tools effectively
5
Storage Protocols and Connectivity
18%
SAN Solutions
iSCSI ProtocolFibre Channel ProtocolNVMe over FabricsLUN Provisioning and Management
- Configure iSCSI, FC, and NVMe protocols
- Provision and manage LUNs
- Implement SAN multipathing and high availability
- Understand SAN authentication and security
Troubleshoot SAN Solutions
SAN Connectivity TroubleshootingSAN Performance Troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot SAN connectivity issues
- Diagnose SAN performance problems
- Use SAN diagnostic tools effectively
NAS Solutions
NFS ProtocolSMB/CIFS ProtocolMulti-Protocol NASAdvanced NAS Features
- Configure NFS and SMB protocols
- Implement multi-protocol NAS environments
- Integrate with Active Directory
- Configure export policies and share permissions
Troubleshoot NAS Solutions
NFS TroubleshootingSMB Troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot NFS access and performance issues
- Diagnose SMB connectivity and authentication problems
- Use NAS diagnostic tools effectively
ONTAP S3 Solutions
S3 Protocol Configuration
- Configure ONTAP S3 protocol
- Create and manage S3 buckets
- Understand S3 use cases with ONTAP
6
Data Protection
15%
ONTAP Data Protection Solutions
Snapshot TechnologySnapMirror ReplicationSnapVault BackupSVM Disaster Recovery
- Implement snapshot-based data protection
- Configure SnapMirror replication
- Set up SnapVault for backup
- Implement SVM disaster recovery
ONTAP Business Continuity Concepts
SnapMirror SynchronousMetroCluster
- Understand synchronous replication concepts
- Understand business continuity solutions
- Recognize zero RPO architectures
Troubleshoot Data Protection Solutions
SnapMirror TroubleshootingSnapshot and Space Issues
- Troubleshoot SnapMirror replication issues
- Diagnose snapshot-related space problems
- Use data protection diagnostic tools
7
Security
10%
Protocol Security
NFS SecuritySMB SecuritySAN Security
- Implement secure NFS and SMB configurations
- Configure authentication mechanisms
- Secure SAN protocols
Security Hardening
Administrative SecuritySecurity Hardening Best Practices
- Implement RBAC for administrative access
- Configure secure authentication methods
- Apply security hardening best practices
Inflight or At-Rest Encryption
Data-at-Rest EncryptionData-in-Flight Encryption
- Implement data-at-rest encryption
- Configure data-in-flight encryption
- Manage encryption keys
- Understand encryption performance impact
Anti-Ransomware Concepts
Autonomous Ransomware Protection (ARP)Ransomware Defense Strategy
- Implement Autonomous Ransomware Protection
- Understand ransomware detection mechanisms
- Configure multi-layered ransomware defense
- Develop ransomware recovery procedures
8
Performance
10%
ONTAP Performance Monitoring
Performance Metrics and Monitoring ToolsQuality of Service (QoS)Performance Best Practices
- Monitor ONTAP performance metrics
- Implement Quality of Service policies
- Apply performance best practices
- Use performance monitoring tools effectively
Troubleshoot Storage System Performance
Performance Troubleshooting MethodologyCommon Performance IssuesPerformance Optimization
- Troubleshoot performance issues systematically
- Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks
- Optimize storage system performance
- Balance workloads for optimal performance
How do I earn this certification?
Passing NS0-164 earns the NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA ONTAP) certification. It sits in the ONTAP Data Administration track.
Current Level Exams
NS0-164 - NetApp Certified Data Administrator, ONTAPProfessional-level certification validating ONTAP administration skills
Next Level Options
- NS0-520 - NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer - SAN Specialist, ONTAPSpecialist-level certification for SAN implementation expertise
- NS0-527 - NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer - Data Protection Specialist Specialist-level certification for data protection implementation
- NS0-604 - NetApp Certified Hybrid Cloud ArchitectExpert-level certification for hybrid cloud architecture design
Alternative Paths
- NS0-194 - NetApp Certified Support EngineerProfessional-level certification for support engineers • Support-focused role for troubleshooting and customer assistance
- NS0-002 - NetApp Certified Technology AssociateAssociate-level certification covering NetApp portfolio • Foundational NetApp technology knowledge across products
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 NS0-164.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024-08-01
Updates
- Autonomous Ransomware Protection (ARP/AI) ONTAP 9.16.1 HIGH - Critical security feature • Release date: 2024-12-17
- IPsec Hardware Offload ONTAP 9.16.1 MEDIUM - Networking and security domain • Release date: 2024-12-17
- AFF A1K, A90, A70 Systems ONTAP 9.15.1 MEDIUM - Storage Platforms domain • Release date: 2024-10-01
- NVMe Space Deallocation ONTAP 9.16.1 MEDIUM - Storage efficiency topic • Release date: 2024-12-17
- Granular Data Distribution for FlexGroup ONTAP 9.16.1 MEDIUM - FlexGroup management topic • Release date: 2024-12-17
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Storage Administrators and Data Administrators.
- 6-12 months of experience with NetApp ONTAP solutions
- Configuration experience with storage administration
- Data management experience
- Fundamental knowledge of network concepts
- Fundamental knowledge of cloud concepts
- Fundamental knowledge of virtualization concepts
- Fundamental knowledge of SAN/NAS concepts
- Knowledge of host OS (e.g., Windows, Linux)
- Fundamental knowledge of data protection
- Knowledge of High Availability concepts