NCDA — NetApp Certified Data Administrator (ONTAP) Practice Test

131 questions available

The NCDA - NetApp Certified Data Administrator ONTAP (NS0-163) exam validates the skills required to perform essential administration, configuration, and data protection tasks on NetApp ONTAP 9 clusters. This certification is designed for data administrators, storage administrators, and technical professionals who manage and maintain NetApp ONTAP-based storage systems in production environments. The exam tests a candidate's ability to configure storage virtual machines (SVMs), manage storage efficiency features, implement data protection solutions like SnapMirror and SnapVault, perform basic troubleshooting, and ensure high availability. By earning this certification, you demonstrate a foundational, vendor-verified competency in managing one of the industry's leading enterprise storage platforms, which can enhance your professional credibility and career opportunities in data center and cloud infrastructure roles.

Certification exam

65 Exam questions

1 hour 30 minutes Time Limit

Career Opportunities & Salary

Entry – Storage Administrator $63,000 - $96,000

Mid-Career – Storage Engineer $90,000 - $138,000

Senior – Senior Storage Architect $117,000 - $179,000

Storage AdministratorStorage EngineerSenior Storage Architectstable market

Why This Certification Opens Doors

In the real world, enterprise data is the lifeblood of organizations, and its availability, integrity, and efficiency are non-negotiable. Mastering ONTAP administration directly translates to ensuring business continuity, optimizing costly storage resources, and implementing robust disaster recovery plans. The practical skills validated by this exam-such as provisioning storage for applications, creating immutable backup copies, and managing multi-tenancy-are daily responsibilities for administrators. This certification proves you can perform these tasks effectively, reducing operational risk and increasing the value you deliver to your team and organization.

Exam Blueprint

01Cloud Integration (AWS, Azure, GCP)

02Data Protection and SnapVault

03ONTAP Data Management

04Performance and Troubleshooting

05SAN/NAS Configuration

06Storage Architecture and Design

Exam Details NS0-175 | $250 USD | 1 hour 30 minutes

Exam Code NS0-175

Vendor NetApp

Exam Cost $250 USD

Passing Score 60

Time Limit 1 hour 30 minutes

Exam questions 65

Question Types Multiple Choice, Multiple Response

Retake Policy 14-day waiting period between failed attempts. Full exam fee applies for each retake attempt. Candidates who pass may not retake the exam to improve their score.

Exam Format Linear (fixed-form, Pearson VUE)

Online Proctoring Available

Study Resources

NetApp Certification Exam Preparation

NetAppFree

Exam objectives and preparation guides available on the official certification page.

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NetApp Learning Center

NetAppFree

Official instructor-led and self-paced courses aligned to certification tracks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much hands-on experience is recommended before attempting the exam?

NetApp recommends 6-12 months of hands-on experience administering ONTAP systems. This is a practical guideline. While you can study the theory, the exam questions often present scenario-based problems that are significantly easier to solve if you have personally performed the related tasks in a lab or production environment.

Is the exam focused more on the CLI (Command Line Interface) or System Manager?

The exam tests your ability to use both interfaces. You need to understand how to achieve objectives using the ONTAP CLI (often via SSH) and the web-based System Manager. Some tasks are more efficiently done in one interface over the other, and the exam reflects this reality. Be prepared to interpret CLI output and know where to find settings in System Manager.

What is the single most important topic area to master?

While all areas are important, a strong, foundational understanding of SVM (Storage Virtual Machine) configuration and NAS protocol management (NFS & SMB/CIFS) is critical, as this is the primary method for delivering storage to clients. Closely following is a deep, practical knowledge of Snapshot, SnapMirror, and SnapVault technology for data protection and replication.

Are there performance-based (lab) questions on the exam?

The standard delivery of the NS0-163 exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions. It does not include a live, interactive lab component. However, many questions are scenario-based and may present command output or System Manager screenshots that you must analyze to select the correct answer, simulating a practical troubleshooting or configuration decision.

How should I use the official NetApp documentation during my study?

The NetApp Documentation Center is an essential study tool. Do not just read it passively. Use it to look up commands, understand syntax, and learn the step-by-step procedures for tasks listed in the exam blueprint. Familiarize yourself with its structure, as knowing how to quickly find information is a valuable professional skill that also aids in comprehension.

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