Data Center, Specialist (JNCIS-DC) Certification Overview

Data Center, Specialist (JNCIS-DC) Certification Overview 

One of four certifications in the Data Center track, the JNCIS-DC, specialist, is designed for data center networking professionals with intermediate knowledge of the Juniper Apstra software and data center devices. During the written exam, you verify your understanding of data center technologies and related platform configuration and troubleshooting skills.

This track includes four certifications:

  • JNCIA-DC: Data Center, Associate. For details, see JNCIA-DC.
  • JNCIS-DC: Data Center, Specialist. For details, see the sections below.
  • 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 is a high-level view of the skillset required to successfully complete the JNCIS-DC certification exam.

Exam Objective Description
Data Center Architectures (IP Fabrics, EVPN-VXLAN) Describe the concepts, operation, or functionalities of an IP fabric:
  • Spine-leaf topology design
  • Equal Cost Multi-path (ECMP) load balancing
  • Underlay and overlay routing strategies
  • Juniper Networks best practices

Identify the concepts, operation, or functionalities of Ethernet VPN (EVPN):
  • EVPN interface (EVI)
  • Bridge domain
  • Ethernet segments
  • Route distinguisher
  • Route target versus vrf-import and vrf-export policies
  • EVPN route types
  • Edge-Routed Bridging (ERB) using Type 2 or Type 5

Identify the concepts, operation, or functionalities of VXLAN:
  • Control plane options
  • Virtual Network Identifier (VNI)-to-VLAN mapping
  • Virtual Tunnel Endpoint (VTEP) functions
Juniper Apstra Architecture   Identify concepts and general features of Juniper Apstra:
  • Apstra server
  • Apstra device agents
  • Apstra user interface (UI)
  • Role-based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Event log
  • Syslog
Apstra Design Phase Identify the concepts, operation, or functionalities of components in the Apstra design phase:
  • Data center reference design
  • Interface maps
  • Device profiles (e.g., interface naming and speeds)
  • Resources
  • Tags
  • Logical devices
  • Rack types
  • Planning total spine capacity
  • Templates

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot the various components in the Apstra design phase. 
Apstra Build and Deploy Phases Identify the concepts, operation, or functionalities of components in the Apstra build and deploy phases:
  • Fabric device management (e.g., install agents, system IDs)
  • Blueprint UI
  • Cable map
  • Device states
  • Deploy modes

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot the various components in the Apstra build and deploy phases.
Blueprint Operations Identify the concepts, benefits, applications, or requirements of managing and operating a deployed Apstra blueprint:
  • Service versus probe anomalies
  • Usage of top-level tabs (dashboard, analytics, staged, uncommitted, active, time voyager)
  • Querying the blueprint
  • Find by tags
  • Making changes to a blueprint
  • Reverting
  • Time voyager usage
  • Property sets and configlets
  • Root cause identification
  • Virtual networks and connectivity templates
  • Adding a rack
  • Configuration types  (e.g., rendered, incremental, and pristine configs)
  • Adding a generic system

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot a deployed Apstra blueprint.
Data Center Multitenancy Identify the concepts, operation, or functionalities of multitenancy using Apstra:
  • Connectivity templates
  • Routing zones and Virtual routing and forwarding (VRF)
  • Routing policy
  • Virtual networks
  • Security policies
  • VMware integration as it relates to Apstra
  • Data Center Interconnect

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot multitenancy using Apstra.
Intent-Based Analytics Identify the concepts, benefits, applications, or requirements of using Apstra intent-based analytics:
  • Graph explorer
  • Graph queries
  • Intent-based analytics probes

Describe how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot Apstra intent-based analytics.

Exam Details

Exam questions are derived from the recommended training and the exam resources listed above. Pass/fail status is available immediately after taking the exam. The exam is only provided in English.

Exam Code

  • JN0-481

Prerequisite Certification

Delivered by

Exam Length

  • 90 minutes

Exam Type

  • 65 multiple-choice questions

Exam Length

  • Apstra 5.1
  • Junos v24.4

Recertification

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