Domain 6 Review: Automation and Programmability

Automation is 10% of the exam and, for most candidates, the newest material. It tests concepts more than configuration. You won't configure a DNA Center or write Python on the exam — you'll be asked about REST APIs, HTTP methods, JSON syntax, and the SDN architecture. If you understand those concepts clearly, the domain is straightforward.

#The Must-Knows#link

• ▪REST API — stateless, resource-oriented, uses HTTP methods
• ▪HTTP methods — GET (read), POST (create), PUT (replace), PATCH (modify), DELETE (remove)
• ▪HTTP status codes — 200 OK, 201 Created, 400 Bad Request, 401 Unauthorized, 404 Not Found
• ▪Authentication — Basic (username:password base64), Bearer (token)
• ▪JSON syntax — objects {}, arrays [], strings in double quotes, no comments
• ▪JSON vs. XML — JSON is more compact, more common in modern APIs
• ▪SDN architecture — three planes: management, control, data
• ▪Northbound API — applications talk to controller
• ▪Southbound API — controller talks to devices
• ▪DNA Center / Catalyst Center — design, policy, provision, assurance
• ▪Ansible — YAML-based, agentless, uses SSH or API
• ▪NETCONF/YANG — model-driven config, structured data instead of CLI
• ▪RESTCONF — RESTful interface to YANG models over HTTPS
• ▪Python — dominant language for network automation; libraries like Netmiko

#JSON Syntax Drill#link