Data Center, Associate (JNCIA-DC) Certification Overview

Data Center, Associate (JNCIA-DC) Certification Overview 

The Data Center track enables you to demonstrate competence with data center technologies and related configuration and troubleshooting skills. JNCIA-DC, the associate-level certification in this track, is designed for data center networking professionals with introductory-level knowledge of the Juniper Networks Junos software and data center devices. The written exam verifies your understanding of data center technologies, related platform configuration, and troubleshooting skills.

This track includes four certifications:

  • JNCIA-DC: Data Center, Associate. For details, see the sections below.
  • JNCIS-DC: Data Center, Specialist. For details, see JNCIS-DC.
  • JNCIP-DC: Data Center, Professional. For details, see JNCIP-DC.
  • JNCIE-DC: Data Center, Expert. For details, see JNCIE-DC.

Exam Preparation

We recommend the following resources to help you prepare for your exam. However, these resources aren't required, and using them doesn't guarantee you'll pass the exam.

Exam Resources

Additional Preparation

Exam Objectives

Here’s a high-level view of the skillset required to successfully complete the JNCIA-DC certification exam.

Exam Objective Description
Data Center Architectures Identify concepts and general features of data center architectures:
  • Traditional architectures (multitier)
  • IP fabric architectures (spine/leaf)
  • Layer 2 and Layer 3 strategies
  • Overlay network vs. underlay network  
  • Ethernet VPN–Virtual Extensible LAN (EVPN-VXLAN) basics/purpose
Layer 2 Switching and VLANs Identify the concepts, operations, or functionalities of Layer 2 switching for Junos OS:
  • Ethernet switching/bridging concepts and operations

Identify the concepts, benefits, or functionalities of VLANs:
  • Port modes
  • VLAN tagging
  • Integrated Routing and Bridging (IRB)

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot Layer 2 switching or VLANs:
  • Ethernet switching/bridging
  • VLANs
Protocol-Independent Routing Identify the concepts, operations, or functionalities of various protocol-independent routing components:
  • Static, aggregate, and generated routes
  • Martian addresses
  • Routing instances, including Routing Information Base (RIB) groups
  • Load balancing
  • Filter-based forwarding

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot various protocol-independent routing components:
  • Static, aggregate, and generated routes
  • Load balancing
Data Center Routing Protocols BGP/OSPF Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of OSPF:
  • Link-state database
  • OSPF packet types
  • Router ID
  • Adjacencies and neighbors
  • Designated router (DR) and backup designated router (BDR)
  • OSPF area and router types
  • Link State Advertisement (LSA) packet types

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot OSPF:
  • Areas, interfaces, and neighbors
  • Additional basic options
  • Routing policy application
  • Troubleshooting tools

Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of BGP:
  • BGP basic operation
  • BGP message types
  • Attributes
  • Route/path selection process
  • IBGP and EBGP functionality and interaction

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot BGP:
  • Groups and peers
  • Additional basic options
  • Routing policy application
High Availability Identify the concepts, benefits, applications, or requirements of high availability (HA):
  • Link aggregation groups (LAG)
  • Graceful restart (GR)
  • Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD)
  • Virtual Chassis

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot high availability components:
  • LAG
  • GR
  • BFD

Exam Details

Exam questions are derived from the recommended training and the exam resources listed above. The exam is only provided in English.

Exam Code

  • JN0-281

Prerequisite Certification

  • None

Delivered by

Exam Length

  • 90 minutes

Exam Type

  • 65 multiple-choice questions

Exam Length

  • Junos 24.2

Recertification

Juniper certifications are valid for three years. For more information, see Recertification .