CCNP Enterprise Core (ENCOR 350-401) Practice Test
Build your confidence for CCNP Enterprise Core (ENCOR 350-401). Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.
Try a sample questionExam overview and details
The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 certification exam validates a professional's comprehensive knowledge and skills in implementing and operating core enterprise network technologies. This exam serves as the foundational component for the CCNP Enterprise certification track, covering critical domains such as dual-stack (IPv4 and IPv6) architecture, virtualization, infrastructure, network assurance, security, and automation. Passing the ENCOR 350-401 demonstrates an individual's ability to design, deploy, secure, and manage complex enterprise wired and wireless networks. It signifies a deep understanding of advanced routing protocols like BGP, network programmability, and Cisco's Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) architecture. This certification is a key differentiator in the networking field, signaling to employers a commitment to professional excellence and mastery of current, in-demand enterprise networking solutions. It is designed for network engineers, systems engineers, network administrators, and network support technicians aiming to advance their careers in enterprise networking roles.
Sample Questions
Choose an answer and explore the explanation to see how practice works.
A new trunk between two Catalyst switches remains in access mode. One side is dynamic auto and the other is dynamic auto. Which change forms the trunk?
After an HSRP active router loses its WAN uplink, the standby should take over as the default gateway. Which feature is needed?
Routers need submicrosecond time alignment for industrial control traffic, while ordinary log timestamp accuracy is not sufficient. Which protocol is the better fit?
A four-link EtherChannel using LACP is suspended after one member is cabled to the wrong switch. What should be verified first?
VXLAN traffic is being dropped after a provider adds an IPsec underlay. Pings with small payloads work, but larger application packets fail. What should the engineer verify first?
Career Opportunities & Salary
Exam insights and study advice
Achieving the CCNP Enterprise Core ENCOR certification is a significant career milestone that provides substantial industry recognition. It validates your expertise beyond the foundational CCNA level, positioning you as a subject matter expert capable of handling complex enterprise network challenges. This certification is frequently listed as a preferred or required qualification for senior network engineering, architecture, and consultancy roles. It demonstrates a proven investment in your professional development and a mastery of technologies critical to modern digital business infrastructure, including automation and security. Holding this credential can lead to increased professional credibility, greater responsibility, and enhanced earning potential within the competitive IT networking landscape.
Your Path Forward
What this exam covers
Use the published domain weights to plan your study. Practice results do not predict your certification exam score.
01Infrastructure
Topics
- Layer 2: 802.1q trunking, EtherChannels, Spanning Tree (RSTP, MST), root/BPDU guard
- Layer 3: EIGRP vs OSPF, OSPFv2/v3, eBGP, policy-based routing
- IP Services: NTP/PTP, NAT/PAT, HSRP/VRRP, multicast (PIM SM, IGMP)
Learning objectives
- Layer 2: 802.1q trunking, EtherChannels, Spanning Tree (RSTP, MST), root/BPDU guard
- Layer 3: EIGRP vs OSPF, OSPFv2/v3, eBGP, policy-based routing
- IP Services: NTP/PTP, NAT/PAT, HSRP/VRRP, multicast (PIM SM, IGMP)
02Security
Topics
- Device access control: AAA authentication and authorization
- Infrastructure security: ACLs, CoPP
- REST API security
- Network security design: threat defense, NGFW, TrustSec and MACsec
Learning objectives
- Device access control: AAA authentication and authorization
- Infrastructure security: ACLs, CoPP
- REST API security
- Network security design: threat defense, NGFW, TrustSec and MACsec
03Architecture
Topics
- Enterprise network design principles (2-tier, 3-tier, fabric, cloud)
- High availability techniques (redundancy, FHRP, SSO)
- Cisco SD-WAN control and data planes
- Cisco SD-Access control and data planes
- QoS configuration interpretation
Learning objectives
- Enterprise network design principles (2-tier, 3-tier, fabric, cloud)
- High availability techniques (redundancy, FHRP, SSO)
- Cisco SD-WAN control and data planes
- Cisco SD-Access control and data planes
- QoS configuration interpretation
04Automation and Artificial Intelligence
Topics
- Python components and script interpretation
- JSON-encoded file construction
- Data modeling languages (YANG)
- APIs for Catalyst Center and SD-WAN Manager
- EEM applets
- Agent vs agentless orchestration tools
Learning objectives
- Python components and script interpretation
- JSON-encoded file construction
- Data modeling languages (YANG)
- APIs for Catalyst Center and SD-WAN Manager
- EEM applets
- Agent vs agentless orchestration tools
05Network Assurance
Topics
- Diagnostics: debugs, traceroute, ping, SNMP, syslog
- Flexible NetFlow
- SPAN/RSPAN/ERSPAN
- IPSLA
- NETCONF and RESTCONF
Learning objectives
- Diagnostics: debugs, traceroute, ping, SNMP, syslog
- Flexible NetFlow
- SPAN/RSPAN/ERSPAN
- IPSLA
- NETCONF and RESTCONF
06Virtualization
Topics
- Device virtualization (hypervisor type 1 and 2, virtual machines, virtual switching)
- Data path virtualization: VRF, GRE and IPsec tunneling
- Network virtualization: LISP, VXLAN
Learning objectives
- Device virtualization (hypervisor type 1 and 2, virtual machines, virtual switching)
- Data path virtualization: VRF, GRE and IPsec tunneling
- Network virtualization: LISP, VXLAN