Become a Data Center Architecture Specialized Partner
Cisco Data Center Architecture Specialization tests knowledge in selling, designing, installing, and supporting the Data Center Architecture.
Data Center Architecture Specializations
| Entry | Express | Advanced | Master |
|---|---|---|---|
| Related certifications: Advanced Data Center Architecture is not required for certification but will be required for Gold certification and optional for Silver and Premier after August, 2012. | |||
The Cisco Data Center Architecture Specialization helps your company:
- Develop sales, technical, and service capabilities for integrated networking solutions
- Increase technical competency within your company
- Achieve recognition as a Specialized Partner in the Cisco Partner Locator
This specialization also entitles you to a range of additional benefits. You can:
- Participate in Cisco channel incentive programs
- Receive invitations to Cisco sponsored partner events
- Access Partner Education Connection
- Use My Cisco to personalize web content and get information quickly
- Send a press release for your accomplishment
- Visit the Design Zone for tested designs and configurations
Account Manager | Architecture Systems Engineer | Field Engineer | Apply or Renew
Effective February 7, 2012: Data Center Training and Exam Requirements Update
Specialization Requirements
There are five required roles for the Advanced Data Center Architecture Specialization: account manager, architecture systems engineer, and 3 field engineers.
The roles provide a targeted roadmap with training content and exams tailored to the types of jobs these individuals would perform in a company.
All costs and training hours are approximate and may vary by region.
Account Manager
Responsible for sales methodology and customer engagement.
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco Sales Expert (#646-205 CSE or #646-206 CSE) | Exam | $80 | 60 min |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Data Center Sales Specialist for Architecture | |||
| #650-987 PSDCUCAM Exam Details | Exam | $65 | 75 min |
| #646-985 DCNSS Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 60 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Cisco Sales Essentials (CSE) v5.0 or v6.0 (to match exam) | v5 E-learning v6 E-learning |
$0 | 5 hrs |
| Quickstart for Data Center/Virtualization Architecture | E-learning | $0 | 2 hrs |
| Cisco Data Center Unified Computing for Account Managers (DCUCAM v1.1) | E-learning | $0 | 6 hrs |
| Data Center Networking Solution Sales (DCNSS v3.0) | E-learning | $0 | 6 hrs |
| Total: | $295 | 23 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:One qualified individual may fill only the account manager role in up to two architecture specializations. |
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Architecture Systems Engineer
Presales engineer responsible for Data Center Architecture solution planning and design. Possesses both business and technical skills. Understands customer business needs and issues, business process and transformation.
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| There are no prerequisites for this role. | - | - | - |
| Requirements: | |||
| Data Center Architecture Design Specialist | |||
| #650-987 PSDCUCAM Exam Details | Exam | $65 | 75 min |
| #642-357 DCSNS Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 60 min |
| #642-971 DCNID Exam Details or #642-991 DCUFD Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 60 min |
| #642-982 DCUCD v3 Exam Details or #642-993 DCUCD v4 Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 60 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Quickstart for Data Center/Virtualization Architecture | E-learning | $0 | 2 hrs |
| Cisco Data Center Unified Computing for Account Managers (DCUCAM v1.1) | E-learning | $0 | 6 hrs |
| Designing Cisco Storage Networking Solutions (DCSNS v4.0) | E-learning Instructor-led |
$0 $3,195 |
14 hrs 40 hrs |
| Designing Cisco Data Center Network Infrastructure (DCNID) 2.0 or Designing Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric (DCUFD) 3.0 |
E-learning Instructor-led |
$3,295 | 32 hrs |
| Instructor-led | $3,295 | 40 hrs | |
| Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design (DCUCD) v3.0 or v4.0 (to match exam) | V3 Instructor-led V4 Instructor-led |
$3,495 | 40 hrs |
| Total: | $10,500 | 147 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:One qualified individual may fill only the Architecture Systems Engineer (ASE) role in up to two architecture specializations. |
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Field Engineer 1 (Unified Computing)
Post-sales engineer responsible for Data Center Architecture unified computing solutions and considerations.
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| There are no prerequisites for this role. | - | - | - |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Data Center Support for UC Specialist | |||
| #642-983 DCUCI v3 Exam Details or #642-994 v4 Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 60 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
Data Center Unified Computing Implementation (DCUCI) v3 or v4 (to match exam) |
V3 Instructor-led V4 Instructor-led |
$3,495 | 40 hrs |
| Total: | $3,645 | 41 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:The field engineer cannot fill roles in other architecture specializations (Borderless Network or Collaboration); however, one field engineer can fulfill up to 1 additional field engineer role (2 FE roles total) within the Data Center Architecture Specialization. Role sharing in technology specialization(s) has no impact on architecture specialization(s). |
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Field Engineer 2 (Unified Fabric)
Post-sales engineer responsible for Data Center Architecture unified fabric solutions.
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCNP professional-level certification or CCIE Service Provider, CCIE Design, CCIE ISP Dial, CCIE Routing & Switching, CCIE Security, CCIE SNA/IP Integration, CCIE Service Provider Comprehensive, CCIE Storage Networking, CCIE Voice, CCIE WAN Switching, CCIE Wireless, or CCIE SP Operations |
Exam | $300 | 2 hrs |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Data Center UF Support Specialist | |||
| #642-359 ICSNS Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 60 min |
| #642-974 DCNI-2 Exam Details or #642-992 DCUFI Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 60 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Implementing Cisco Storage Networking Solutions (ICSNS) v4.0 | E-learning Instructor-led |
$3,195 | 32 hrs |
| Implementing Advanced Cisco Storage Networking Solutions (IASNS) v4.0 | E-learning Instructor-led |
$3,195 | 32 hrs |
| Implementing Cisco Data Center Network Infrastructure 2 (DCNI-2) 3.0 or Implementing Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric (DCUFI) 4.0 (to match exam) |
Instructor-led | $3,295 | 32 hrs |
| Instructor-led | $3,295 | 40 hrs | |
| Implementing Cisco Data Center Network Infrastructure 1 (DCNI-1) 2.0 | Instructor-led | $3,295 | 32 hrs |
| Total: | $13,580 | 140 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:The field engineer cannot fill roles in other architecture specializations (Borderless Network or Collaboration); however, one field engineer can fulfill up to 1 additional field engineer role (2 FE roles total) within the Data Center Architecture Specialization. Role sharing in technology specialization(s) has no impact on architecture specialization(s). |
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Field Engineer 3 (Application Services):
Post-sales engineer responsible for Data Center Architecture application services.
| Prerequisite: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
CCNA associate-level certification |
Exam | $250 | 2 hrs |
| Requirement(s): | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Data Center AS Support Specialist | |||
| #642-975 DCASI Exam Details | Exam | $150 | 60 min |
| Recommended Training: | Format | Cost (USD) | Duration |
| Implementing Cisco Data Center Application Services (DCASI) 2.0 | E-learning Instructor-led |
$0 $3,295 |
32 hrs 32 hrs |
| Total: | $3,555 | 67 hrs | |
Role Sharing Guidelines:The field engineer cannot fill roles in other architecture specializations (Borderless Network or Collaboration); however, one field engineer can fulfill up to 1 additional field engineer role (2 FE roles total) within the Data Center Architecture Specialization. Role sharing in technology specialization(s) has no impact on architecture specialization(s). |
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Country Requirements:Learn more about Country Groupings |
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Do you currently hold the Unified Computing ATP? See the requirement gaps to achieve the Data Center Architecture specialization.
Your company must be a Cisco Registered Partner before you apply for specialization or certification. Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the "Become a Registered Partner" page if you are new to the Cisco Channel Partner Program and have not registered.
- Verify that the certified individuals fulfilling job roles are allocated to your company with their CSCO testing number. Partner Administrators and internal Cisco employees (associated through the CAM Assignment tool) are able to verify this information using the Partner Self Service tool . (It takes five to ten business days on average for Cisco to receive the exam results data from its respective testing agencies.)
- Complete and submit the Specialization application.
If you encounter any issues in the application or renewal process, please open a case with the Partner Relationship Team.
To renew a specialization:
- Begin the recertification process 90 days before your anniversary date.
- Verify that you are in compliance with the current specialization requirements.
- Submit your application using the Certification and Specialization Application online web tool.
You must meet all requirements to submit your application. If you encounter any issues in the application or renewal process, open a case with the Cisco Partner Relationship Team.
If you fail to submit a recertification application within 10 days after your anniversary date, you will lose your specialization.
Note: If a partner does not remain in compliance with the applicable specialization or certification requirements, Cisco reserves the right to revoke the specialization or certification at any time. Partners must notify Cisco of its non-compliance promptly, but in no event more than thirty (30) days after partner fi rst becomes aware of its non-compliance. Upon receipt of such notice, partner may qualify for an extension of time in which to renew its compliance with the applicable specialization or certification requirements. Partner's failure to provide such notice may disqualify partner from receiving such an extension. If no extension is granted or if partner fails to comply with the certification or specialization requirements by the end of the extension period, Cisco reserves the right to revoke the applicable specialization or certification immediately. Additional information regarding non-compliance may be found in the Audit and Policies Document.