Cisco DevNet Associate – Blueprint Domains / Topics mapped to Posts here – List will continue to grow! (Will update soon, tons of new posts with exam day info!)

1.1 Compare data formats (XML, JSON, and YAML)

JSON Data Format!

XML Data Format!

YAML Data Format! (Needs a touch up in Ubuntu)

1.2 Describe parsing of common data format (XML, JSON, and YAML) to Python data structures

This post, though Data Formats links just above covers it 100%

1.3 Describe the concepts of test-driven development

Test Driven Development (TTD) Model Reviewed!

1.4 Compare software development methods (agile, lean, and waterfall)

All 3 explained in painful detail!

1.5 Explain the benefits of organizing code into methods / functions, classes, and modules

Covered (bottom of post)!

1.6 Identify the advantages of common design patterns (MVC and Observer)

Original / Observer / MVC Design Patterns covered!

1.7 Explain the advantages of version control

Advantages of Git and 3 Git Models covered in detail!

1.8 Utilize common version control operations with Git

Clone / Add (Stage) / Remove / Commit / Push / Pull / Branching / Merge Conflict and Handling / digg demo’d and explained!

GitHub Push / Clone / Pull demo from Local to GitHub repo!

GIT Timeline Understanding / Detached Head / GIT Reset / GIT revert / GIT Amend Explained!

• 1.8.a Clone
• 1.8.b Add/remove
• 1.8.c Commit
• 1.8.d Push / pull
• 1.8.e Branch
• 1.8.f Merge and handling conflicts
• 1.8.g diff

2.0 – Understanding and Using APIs (20%)

2.1 Construct a REST API request to accomplish a task given API documentation

2.2 Describe common usage patterns related to webhooks

Demo’d on my Meraki Home Stack!

2.3 Identify the constraints when consuming APIs

All 6 constraints and 4 Principles of Uniform Interfaces!

2.4 Explain common HTTP response codes associated with REST APIs

Code types and exact codes reviewed in depth!

2.5 Troubleshoot a problem given the HTTP response code, request and API documentation

Covered, but need a new article to fully cover this topic!

2.6 Identify the parts of an HTTP response (response code, headers, body)

Covered!

2.7 Utilize common API authentication mechanisms: basic, custom token, and API keys

Basic / Bearer / API Key Authentication covered!

2.8 Compare common API styles (REST, RPC, synchronous, and asynchronous)

Explained in detail!

2.9 Construct a Python script that calls a REST API using the requests library

Demonstrated, but needs a review for clarity, will review this!

3.1 Construct a Python script that uses a Cisco SDK given SDK documentation

3.2 Describe the capabilities of Cisco network management platforms and APIs (Meraki, Cisco DNA Center, ACI, Cisco SD-WAN, and NSO)

NSO and SD-WAN Covered in depth!

IOS-XE, (DevNet Data-Planes), DNA Center, ACI, and NX-OS Reviewed!

3.3 Describe the capabilities of Cisco compute management platforms and APIs (UCS Manager, UCS Director, and Intersight)

These are all Cisco On-Prem / Bare Metal Clouds described here!

3.4 Describe the capabilities of Cisco collaboration platforms and APIs (Webex Teams, Webex devices, Cisco Unified Communication Manager including AXL and UDS interfaces, and Finesse)

All covered with important details highlighted for exam day!

3.5 Describe the capabilities of Cisco security platforms and APIs (Firepower, Umbrella, AMP, ISE, and ThreatGrid)

All security platforms / API Integrations reviewed!

3.6 Describe the device level APIs and dynamic interfaces for IOS XE and NX-OS

Overview of RESTCONF APIs here, labs to come!

3.7 Identify the appropriate DevNet resource for a given scenario (Sandbox, Code Exchange, support, forums, Learning Labs, and API documentation)

!!! ALL RESOURCE LINKS HERE, KNOW AND LOVE THEM !!!

3.8 Apply concepts of model driven programmability (YANG, RESTCONF, and NETCONF) in a Cisco environment

Overview of YANG, NETCONF, and RESTCONF – Labs to come!

3.9 Construct code to perform a specific operation based on a set of requirements and given API reference documentation such as these:

• 3.9.a Obtain a list of network devices by using Meraki, Cisco DNA Center, ACI, Cisco SD-WAN, or NSO
• 3.9.b Manage spaces, participants, and messages in Webex Teams
• 3.9.c Obtain a list of clients / hosts seen on a network using Meraki or Cisco DNA Center

4.1 Describe benefits of edge computing

Less latency! Edge computing Explained!

4.2 Identify attributes of different application deployment models (private cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, and edge)

Covered in detail here!

4.3 Identify the attributes of these application deployment types

Methods and Environments covered!

• 4.3.a Virtual machines
• 4.3.b Bare metal
• 4.3.c Containers

4.4 Describe components for a CI/CD pipeline in application deployments

Covered here but lacking, will review / update soon!

4.5 Construct a Python unit test

4.6 Interpret contents of a Dockerfile

Of creating a “Dockerfile” / Template and its contents (to create a Container)

4.7 Utilize Docker images in local developer environment

Demonstrated in Ubuntu at length!

4.8 Identify application security issues related to secret protection, encryption (storage and transport), and data handling

Security Covered!

Extra Security regarding Pushing / Executing code to remote sites!

4.9 Explain how firewall, DNS, load balancers, and reverse proxy in application deployment

Covered!

4.10 Describe top OWASP threats (such as XSS, SQL injections, and CSRF)

All covered + more, and link to OWASP Top Ten Threats!

4.11 Utilize Bash commands (file management, directory navigation, and environmental variables)

Demo’d here and in DevNet lab posts! (May re-make this in its own article)

4.12 Identify the principles of DevOps practices

Core Priciples, Evolution from “Dev” and “Ops” to “DevOps”

5.0 – Infrastructure and Automation (20%)

5.1 Describe the value of model driven programmability for infrastructure automation

Covered in depth!

5.2 Compare controller-level to device-level management

5.3 Describe the use and roles of network simulation and test tools (such as VIRL and pyATS)

pyATS covered in detail, and enough VIRL for exam day!

5.4 Describe the components and benefits of CI/CD pipeline in infrastructure automation

Covered, but needs a clean up for clarity, will review / re-write!

5.5 Describe principles of infrastructure as code

Software-Defined Infrastructure / Full-Stack Automation

5.6 Describe the capabilities of automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef, and Cisco NSO

Ansible / Puppet / Chef covered here (More Ansible Labbing to come)

5.7 Identify the workflow being automated by a Python script that uses Cisco APIs including ACI, Meraki, Cisco DNA Center, or RESTCONF

5.8 Identify the workflow being automated by an Ansible playbook (management packages, user management related to services, basic service configuration, and start/stop)

Brief Hands-On Lab, more to come!

5.9 Identify the workflow being automated by a bash script (such as file management, app install, user management, directory navigation)

Small demo, much more to come!

5.10 Interpret the results of a RESTCONF or NETCONF query

RESTCONF and NETCONF Basics Reviewed

5.11 Interpret basic YANG models

YANG Covered in Detail

5.12 Interpret a unified diff

5.13 Describe the principles and benefits of a code review process

Near bottom of this giant post!

5.14 Interpret sequence diagram that includes API calls

Sequence Diagram visually demonstrated!

6.0 – Network Fundamentals (15%)

6.1 Describe the purpose and usage of MAC addresses and VLANs

Covered!

6.2 Describe the purpose and usage of IP addresses, routes, subnet mask / prefix, and gateways

Covered!

6.3 Describe the function of common networking components (such as switches, routers, firewalls, and load balancers)

Basic Info Covered here!

And some here!

6.4 Interpret a basic network topology diagram with elements such as switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, and port values

Covered!

6.5 Describe the function of management, data, and control planes in a network device

Detailed review from TSHOOT studies!

6.6 Describe the functionality of these IP Services: DHCP, DNS, NAT, SNMP, NTP

Covered!

6.7 Recognize common protocol port values (such as, SSH, Telnet, HTTP, HTTPS, and NETCONF)

Covered!

6.8 Identify cause of application connectivity issues (NAT problem, Transport Port blocked, proxy, and VPN)

Troubleshooting covered here!

6.9 Explain the impacts of network constraints on applications

Covered here (will update if I find better info)!

Challenges of testing code on Physical Networks, Testing on SDN Networks

I will be filling this in again ASAP to see where I am at / what I am missing!

This Blueprint change so much since I first posted this in February / March that I decided to completely wipe out all my mappings, so I just completely wiped out the old topic to post mappings and will be doing that again as soon as possible, but until then I am going to start in on getting some of my 8-week Cisco DevNet boot camp material covered!

Will update ASAP to see how much ground I have covered!