NETCONF

CCIE DevNet — recently rebranded by Cisco as CCIE Automation — is the only CCIE track where software development skills matter more than protocol knowledge. The 8-hour lab exam tests your ability to write Python code, build API integrations, design automation architectures, and deploy CI/CD pipelines against live network infrastructure. This makes it fundamentally different from every other CCIE track. Exam Overview The CCIE DevNet v1.1 exam consists of two modules tested at a Cisco lab facility: ...

Building your first CCIE Automation practice lab with Python and NETCONF on Cisco CML takes about 30-60 minutes and gives you a hands-on environment that directly mirrors the exam. The CCIE Automation lab exam (formerly DevNet Expert) is an 8-hour test where you write real code against real devices — and the only way to prepare is by writing real code against real devices. Key Takeaway: The fastest path to CCIE Automation lab readiness starts with a CML topology, three IOS-XE routers with NETCONF enabled, and a single Python ncclient script. Master that foundation first, then expand to RESTCONF, Ansible, and Terraform. ...