I am seeing a lot of job postings requiring Python and Ansible knowledge for network roles. I am considering the Cisco DevNet Associate (200-901) to bridge the gap. Is this certification actually respected by hiring managers, or should I stick to the professional level CCNP Enterprise tracks?
3 answers
The DevNet Associate is extremely valuable because it validates that you understand NetDevOps. Hiring managers today aren't just looking for someone who can configure a VLAN; they want engineers who can automate the deployment of 500 VLANs using Ansible or Terraform. This cert covers REST APIs, JSON data structures, and Git, which are now standard tools in the Cisco ecosystem. Even if you pursue the CCNP later, having the DevNet foundation makes you a dual-threat candidate who can bridge the gap between the development teams and the traditional infrastructure operations teams easily.
If I decide to go for the DevNet Associate first, will it provide enough deep-dive coding knowledge to actually write production-ready Python scripts for my Cisco IOS-XE devices immediately?
I found that the DevNet exam opened more doors for me than my old CCNA. It shows you are forward-thinking and ready for the shift toward programmable infrastructure and cloud integration.
Exactly, Barbara. Most legacy engineers are afraid of the "Dev" part of DevNet. By earning this, you're signaling to employers that you aren't afraid of the future of automated networking.
David, the Associate level gives you the syntax and logic, but "production-ready" scripts require practice. It teaches you how to use libraries like Netmiko and requests. You will be able to write functional scripts, but you'll likely need to spend time on GitHub to learn how to refine them for enterprise-grade security and error handling in a live environment.