Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Specialist (FLEXPOD)

FlexPod solutions combine storage, networking, and server components into a flexible architecture that services a variety of business workloads. FlexPod solutions not only speed the deployment of infrastructure and business-critical applications, but also reduce cost, complexity, and risk. We offer two Cisco and NetApp FlexPod certifications: FlexPod Design Specialist and FlexPod Implementation and Administration Specialist.

FlexPod Certification Requirements

The FlexPod Design exam (NS0-173) and the FlexPod Implementation and Administration exam (NS0-174) are each 60-minute exams that test system engineers on their knowledge of the FlexPod solution. These exams test a candidate’s knowledge of the tools and standards for assessing computing solution performance characteristics and requirements. The exams also test a candidate’s knowledge of the hardware components associated with the FlexPod solution and the process for selecting proper hardware for a given set of requirements.

Logos and certificates will be granted to those individuals who achieve FlexPod Specialist certification.

Prerequisites

Candidates for FlexPod® certification should have at least six to 12 months of field experience working with the tools and standards for assessing FlexPod computing solution performance characteristics and requirements. They should also understand the hardware components associated with the Cisco® and NetApp® FlexPod solution and the process for selecting proper hardware for a given set of requirements.

Recommended training for this certification

Training for NS0-173 (FlexPod Design Certification) :

  • Technical Overview of Base FlexPod Technology with Options (WBT)
  • !Designing the FlexPod Solution (FPDESIGN)

Training for NS0-174 (FlexPod Implementation and Administration) :

Exams

NS0-173 Cisco and NetApp FlexPod Design

NS0-173 exam includes 60 test questions, with an allotted time of 60 minutes to complete. In countries where English is not the native language, candidates for whom English is not their first language will be granted a 30-minute extension to the allotted examination completion time.

This exam is available in both English and Simplified Chinese.

The NS0-173 exam covers the following topics:
Compute
  • Hardware components
  • Configuration
  • High availability
  • SAN Boot
  • UCS Manager
Networking
  • Hardware components
  • Configuration
  • High availability
  • SAN Boot
Storage
  • Hardware components
  • Configuration
  • High availability
  • SAN Boot
Virtualization
  • Hypervisor Solutions
  • SAN Boot
Design, Management, and Orchestration Tools