Cisco DevNet Associate Foundations
A structured Cisco DevNet Associate course covering software, APIs, automation, networking, security, and deployment, with linked practice questions.
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What you will learn
- Describe software development and version control.
- Explain REST APIs and integration.
- Describe network automation.
- Explain security and testing.
- Describe CI/CD and deployment.
Before you start
- Basic programming knowledge is helpful.
- Some networking fundamentals are recommended.
- No previous Cisco certification is required.
Lesson 1 Software Development and Version Control
The Cisco Certified DevNet Associate exam validates skills for automating networks with software. Software development concepts include REST APIs, JSON, YAML, and version control. REST APIs use HTTP methods to exchange data, JSON is a common data format, and YAML is used in configuration files. Git is a distributed version control system with repositories, branches, commits, and merges. Developers write readable code, test changes, and review pull requests. Understanding these fundamentals helps engineers integrate with Cisco platforms and build reliable automation.
Example
Example: A developer creates a branch, writes Python code that calls a REST API with JSON, commits the change, and merges it after review.Lesson 2 REST APIs and Integration
APIs connect applications to platforms. HTTP methods define operations: GET retrieves, POST creates, PUT updates, and DELETE removes. Status codes communicate results such as 200 OK and 404 Not Found. API keys and OAuth 2.0 authenticate requests, and webhooks push event notifications. Cisco platforms such as DNA Center, Meraki, and IOS XE expose REST APIs. Engineers parse JSON responses, handle errors, and build reusable integrations. Understanding HTTP, authentication, and data formats is essential for DevNet.
Example
Example: A script uses GET to retrieve network health from DNA Center, checks a 200 response, and parses the JSON result.Lesson 3 Network Automation
Network automation replaces manual configuration with repeatable tools. Ansible uses YAML playbooks and modules to configure devices, and Terraform manages infrastructure as code. Cisco DNA Center and Meraki expose APIs for centralized management. Controllers translate intent into device configuration, and intent-based networking uses desired state. Idempotent operations can be repeated safely. Engineers should understand device inventory, configuration templates, and API-driven workflows. Automation reduces errors, speeds deployment, and makes networks consistent.
Example
Example: Ansible runs a playbook that configures VLANs on switches, while Terraform provisions a test environment and DNA Center exposes the API inventory.Lesson 4 Security and Testing
Secure software uses testing and security practices. Unit tests verify individual functions, integration tests check components together, and linters catch style issues. Code reviews improve quality. Authentication verifies identity, authorization grants access, and encryption protects data. Threat models identify risks. Network security includes IP and MAC addressing, switches, routers, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, and firewalls. Developers should avoid exposing secrets, validate input, and use HTTPS. Testing early and continuously reduces defects and vulnerabilities.
Example
Example: A developer writes unit tests, runs a linter, reviews the pull request, and checks that API calls use HTTPS and OAuth.Lesson 5 CI/CD and Deployment
DevOps pipelines deliver software reliably. Continuous integration builds and tests code on every change, and continuous delivery keeps artifacts ready to deploy. Pipelines include build, test, and deploy stages, and artifacts are build outputs such as packages and images. Docker packages applications in containers, and Kubernetes orchestrates them. Dockerfiles define image builds. Canary deployments roll out changes gradually, and rollbacks restore previous versions. Engineers automate releases, monitor failures, and use Git to manage change. This reduces risk and speeds delivery.