- Business strategy design
- Control, data, management plane and operational design
- Network design
- Service design
- Security design
Get your license to design as a leader in complex network solutions
To design a truly transformative IT solution, you need to know more than just the technology. The CCDE certification program arms you with a breadth of knowledge and skills to navigate the waters of complex IT projects in network architecture and design. Proven skills include:
400-007 CCDE: Cisco Certified Design Expert
This is a 2-hour, multiple-choice test with 90-110 questions. This exam validates that you have expert-level knowledge in the topics and skills integral to designing even the most complex network solutions. Be ready to gather and clarify network functional requirements, design networks to meet these requirements, develop implementation plans, and convey design decisions and their rationale.
- Cost: $US450, or use Cisco Learning Credits
- Languages: English
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Prerequisites: None
- Valid for: 3 years
- Grading is pass/fail and results are available online within 48 hours
- This exam can be used toward recertification
CCDE practical exam v3.1: Core and electives
This scenario-based exam focuses on the core Enterprise network architectures and technologies, as well as on your selected elective.
- Cost: $US1,600, or use Cisco Learning Credits
- Duration: 8 hours
Cisco Certified Design Expert Specialist - AI Infrastructure
The CCDE AI Infrastructure elective is an expert specialist certification that showcases your ability to design, provision and optimize networks and compute power for today’s AI workloads. Be ready to demonstrate knowledge of AI, machine learning, network, security, hardware and environment considerations.
Cisco Certified Design Expert Specialist - Large Scale Networks
The CCDE AI Infrastructure elective is an expert specialist certification that demonstrates your knowledge and skills for integrating transport technologies, layers 2 and 3 control plane mechanisms and models, as well as network virtualization, security, and automation capabilities.
Cisco Certified Design Expert Specialist - On-Prem and Cloud Services
The CCDE On-Prem and Cloud Services elective is an expert specialist certification that validates your ability to integrate and deploy transport technologies, layer 3 control plane connectivity, network virtualization, and automation. Also apply your knowledge of data center application, network, storage, and compute considerations.
Cisco Certified Design Expert Specialist - Workforce Mobility
The CCDE Workforce Mobility elective is an expert specialist certification that applies your knowledge of network security, like identify management, as well as wireless and campus networks design considerations.
Cisco U.
Choose from guided learning paths, hands-on practice, training on Cisco and Cisco-adjacent products, and more.
Instructor-led training
Join lively classroom-style learning and discussions, online or in-person, through Cisco and our authorized Learning Partners.
Cisco Press
Learn from leading Cisco authorities and other industry innovators who contribute to the titles that make up the Cisco Press — the Cisco authorized publisher of Cisco technology.
Maintain your certification
Your certification is valid for three years. You can renew with Continuing Education credits or retake exams before they expire.
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CCDE certification: Your License to Design
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Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) v3.0 summary
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The CCDE certification story
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