The previous Routing and Switching track have been renamed Enterprise Infrastructure. In this essay, I'll go over everything you need to know to get started, prepare for, and pass the Cisco Enterprise Infrastructure Core Technologies or ENCOR 350-401 test. If you already understand what this exam is all about, you may go ahead and obtain my 80-hour ENCOR learning plan by filling out the form below. Introduction The ENCOR 350-401 exam, Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Infrastructure Core Technologies, is one of many new tests announced by Cisco in June 2019 as part of their most comprehensive career certification program upgrade since creation (back in 1993!). Cisco announced fresher examinations, but they also revised recertification requirements and released the brand new Cisco DevNet certification. On February 24, 2020, all exam and regulation amendments went into force. The Cisco Enterprise Core Technologies or ENCOR 350-401 test is both a CCIE and a CCNP level exam; you must pass this exam if you intend to sit for the Cisco Enterprise Lab or prepare for your CCNP Enterprise Infrastructure certification. It is one of two tests required for the CCNP; the other exam might be one of the five Enterprise Infrastructure focus exams. Last but not least, with the revised program style, there is no CCNA R&S or Enterprise Infrastructure test; instead, the Enterprise specializations begin at the CCNP level. Exams that are no longer in use The Cisco ENCOR 350-401 exam (with the 300 series concentration) replaces the previous CCNP Enterprise exams listed below. CCNP R&S Exams from the Past • ROUTE • SWITCH • TSHOOT CCIE R&S Exams from the Past The Cisco ENCOR 350-401 exam is designed to replace the following CCIE R&S exams. Consider the ENCOR to be the new R&S "written test." • Written 400-101 Routing and Switching Exam ENCOR Exam Objectives or Topics The Cisco ENCOR 350-401 test topics are divided into five sections. According to my official ENCOR test blueprint research, 60% of the exam topics within the official ENCOR exam blueprint are theoretical. In comparison, the remaining 40% need some level of hands-on participation. 1. Architecture 2. Virtualization 3. Infrastructure 4. Network Security 5. Security 6. Automation Let us now go over each exam section as specified in the official Cisco ENCOR exam blueprint. Architecture The enterprise network design principles for wired and wireless LANs, SD-WAN, SD-Access, QoS, and hardware and software switching techniques are covered in this section. This section's information is entirely theoretical. Virtualization This section contains information on network and data path virtualization technologies. Approximately 66 percent of the content in this section is theoretical, with the remaining 33 percent requiring hands-on experience. Infrastructure This section covers network fundamentals such as layer two and layer three technologies, wireless, and IP services. About half of the content in this area is theoretical, while the other half is practical. Network Security This section covers network troubleshooting, device monitoring, NetFlow, SPAN, IP SLA, DNA Center, and the RESTCONF/NETCONF protocols. This section's content is entirely hands-on. Security This section covers device access control, infrastructure security, REST API security, wireless security, and network security design techniques such as 802.1X and TrustSec. Approximately 40% of the content in this area is theoretical, while 60% is hands-on. Automation This part covers Python 101, JSON data encoding formats, data modeling languages, DNA Center APIs, EEM, and configuration management tools. Approximately 30% of the content in this area is theoretical, while 70% is hands-on. When comparing the ENCOR test to the now-obsolete R&S written exam, you will see that it does not map smoothly section to section because Cisco has transferred the majority of the original "R&S" topics, such as L2/L3 technologies, onto the ENARSI 300-410 exam. Exams for the CCNP Enterprise Concentration To obtain CCNP Enterprise Infrastructure certification in the updated test format, you must pass ENCOR and one of the six Enterprise concentration exams listed below. All concentration exams are numbered in the 300 series. Therefore the ENAUTO exam is 300-535. 1. ENARSI 2. ENSDWI (England, Scotland, and Wales) (SD-WAN) 3. ENSLD 4. ENWLSD 5. ENWLSI 6. ENAUTO Examining ENCOR and Analyzing Job Tasks (JTA) JTA is concerned with the exam's alignment with the fundamental role that you must execute as an Enterprise network engineer. So, what are the essential functions that are available in the Enterprise Infrastructure space today? Design Engineer / Architect Engineer in Operations Network Administrator Engineer, Network Automation Except for NOC/Ops, we can easily observe that the ENCOR exam perfectly maps all Enterprise expert jobs based on those four roles. It is evident that it barely scratches the surface of each of those positions, and mastery necessitates passing some of the Enterprise Infrastructure focus examinations. Fees for the ENCOR and Concentration Exams Each ENCOR exam attempt costs $400, as do all 350 series exams. Similarly, the charge for each try at the concentration examinations is $300, as it is for all 300 (and 200) series exams. Costs or fees for CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Certification and Recertification Given that you must pass ENCOR and one 300 series concentration test, the CCNP Enterprise Infrastructure certification will set you back $700. It rises up for CCIE because you must pass both the ENCOR theory (or written) exam as well as the Enterprise Infrastructure Lab or hands-on exam. Thus it's $400 + $1600 or $2000 total. Things become more fascinating when it comes to recertification because you have many possibilities. You have four alternatives for recertifying your CCNP Enterprise Infrastructure. 1. Retake the ENCOR test ($400). 2. Pass any two separate focus exams ($600). 3. complete any CCIE Lab exam ($1600). 4. Make use of Cisco Learning Credits greater than 80. You have four possibilities for recertification for the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure. 1. Pass the ENCOR test and 1x Concentration exam ($700). 2. Pass any three (3) concentration exams ($900). 3. complete any CCIE Lab exam ($1600). 4. Make use of Cisco Learning Credits greater than 120. It is worth mentioning that all certification cycles in the redesigned Cisco certification program style run three years. Exam Preparation for the ENCOR It is a challenging exam, and your background is fundamental. So, suppose you have CCNA R&S experience. In that case, you will only discover the essential concepts relevant to you, such as routing protocols—my analysis suggests that those topics account for only 38% of the exam topics! However, if you have a CCNP R&S or a CCIE R&S background, you may recognize up to 33% and 68% of the exam subjects, respectively. To get started, get 100% authentic Cisco CCNP ENCOR 350-401 test dumps with real 350-401 exam questions and answers to help you pass the 350-401 exam on the first try!