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Cisco Certified Specialist Enterprise Design Quick Facts
The Cisco Certified Specialist Enterprise Design certification empowers you to build resilient, scalable, and intelligent enterprise networks. This overview guides you through key exam areas, helping you focus your preparation with confidence and clarity.
How does the Cisco Certified Specialist Enterprise Design certification elevate your networking expertise?
The Cisco Certified Specialist Enterprise Design certification validates your ability to architect efficient enterprise infrastructures that support business growth and innovation. It covers advanced topics such as routing protocols, campus and wide-area network design, quality of service, multicast, and the integration of automation and cloud technologies. Earning this credential demonstrates your capacity to align robust network architectures with evolving enterprise needs, ensuring seamless performance, security, and flexibility.
Who Should Earn the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design Certification?
The Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design certification is perfect for networking professionals passionate about designing robust, scalable, and secure enterprise networks. It’s especially valuable for:
- Network engineers or architects designing complex enterprise environments
- CCNP Enterprise candidates fulfilling their concentration requirements
- IT professionals seeking to formalize their advanced design expertise
- Systems engineers contributing to enterprise network design solutions
- Consultants or integrators responsible for delivering Cisco-based enterprise networks
This certification validates your ability to create advanced enterprise designs that ensure availability, performance, and security—skills highly sought after in modern IT organizations.
What Career Opportunities Open Up with This Cisco Certification?
With this certification, professionals can qualify for roles that focus on network design and enterprise-scale architecture, such as:
- Network Design Engineer
- Enterprise Solutions Architect
- Systems Engineer
- Network Consultant
- Infrastructure Designer
Holding the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design credential also strengthens your path toward the CCNP Enterprise certification, which can further accelerate your career growth and earning potential.
What Exam Code and Version Should You Take?
The current exam for this certification is Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks (300-420 ENSLD) v1.1. This version reflects Cisco’s updated focus on advanced enterprise design, including Software-Defined Access (SD-Access), SD-WAN, IPv6 migration, and modern automation practices. Always prepare with materials specific to ENSLD v1.1 to ensure your knowledge matches the official exam blueprint.
How Many Questions Are on the 300-420 ENSLD Exam?
The Cisco 300-420 ENSLD exam includes 65 questions. These questions are presented in various formats—primarily multiple-choice and multi-select—and may include scenario-based or conceptual design problems. Each question is designed to test your understanding of enterprise-level design, from addressing plans to SD-WAN architecture.
How Long Do You Have to Complete the Exam?
You’ll have 90 minutes to complete the exam. This time frame is well-balanced for experienced candidates and allows ample opportunity to analyze complex network design scenarios carefully. Time management is key—focus on understanding each design question rather than rushing through.
What Is the Passing Score for the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design Exam?
To earn your certification, you’ll need a passing score of 83%. Cisco uses a scaled scoring system, meaning your performance across all domains contributes to this overall score. Taking time to master each blueprint area—especially high-weighted topics like routing and campus design—will improve your chances of success.
How Much Does the ENSLD Certification Exam Cost?
The exam cost is USD $300. Cisco Learning Credits can be applied, offering flexibility for organizations purchasing in bulk. Investing in this exam is an investment in your professional credibility, demonstrating advanced knowledge in enterprise network design—a critical expertise for modern IT roles.
What Languages Is the Exam Available In?
Candidates can take the ENSLD exam in English or Japanese. Cisco regularly evaluates language availability to ensure that global candidates can access certification opportunities easily. Be sure to select your preferred language when registering for the exam through Pearson VUE.
What Certification Path Does the ENSLD Exam Satisfy?
Passing the 300-420 ENSLD exam grants you the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design designation and also counts as one of the concentration exams toward the CCNP Enterprise certification. This makes it an ideal step for professionals advancing from specialist to professional-level Cisco credentials.
How Is the 300-420 ENSLD Exam Structured?
The exam covers theoretical design concepts alongside practical application knowledge. Expect a mix of question types that test your ability to plan, evaluate, and design complex enterprise networks. Topics include advanced routing, campus network high availability, WAN design, and emerging domains like network automation and AI-driven design.
What Domains Are Covered in the Cisco 300-420 ENSLD Exam?
The ENSLD exam blueprint is divided into five key domains:
- Advanced Addressing and Routing Solutions
- Advanced Enterprise Campus Networks
- WAN for Enterprise Networks
- Network Services
- Automation and Artificial Intelligence
Each area is critical to designing a real-world enterprise network that is both secure and highly available.
Are There Any Prerequisites for the 300-420 ENSLD Exam?
There are no formal prerequisites to take the ENSLD exam. However, Cisco recommends that candidates have a strong understanding of enterprise networking concepts and ideally hold a CCNA or equivalent knowledge. Hands-on experience designing enterprise-scale networks will provide a significant advantage.
What Concepts Should You Master Before Taking the Exam?
To be fully prepared, focus on the following core design principles:
- Hierarchical network design models (core, distribution, access)
- Routing protocol scalability and convergence concepts
- IPv6 addressing and migration strategies
- High-availability mechanisms such as FHRP, NSF, and BFD
- Cisco SD-Access and SD-WAN frameworks
- QoS design and network management segmentation
- Automation using YANG, NETCONF, and telemetry
Combining theory with configuration and design practice ensures a strong foundation for test success and real-world application.
How Difficult Is the Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks (ENSLD) Exam?
The ENSLD exam is designed for those with professional-level networking knowledge. It focuses on how to design, rather than configure, enterprise networks. Candidates should understand not just what technologies do, but how and why they are incorporated into scalable enterprise architectures. Engaging with labs, design case studies, and comprehensive Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design practice exams can significantly improve your exam performance.
What Is the Recommended Experience Level?
Cisco recommends candidates have 3 to 5 years of enterprise networking experience prior to attempting the exam. Hands-on familiarity with Cisco technologies, routing protocols, and design tools will help you approach design challenges with confidence and practical insight.
How Long Does the Certification Remain Valid?
The Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design credential is valid for three years. You can maintain your certification by retaking the same exam or earning a higher-level Cisco credential, such as the CCNP Enterprise or CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure.
What Kind of Job Roles Value This Certification?
Employers across industries recognize the Cisco Specialist - Enterprise Design credential as proof of advanced technical planning skills. Top industries hiring for this expertise include:
- Telecommunications and service providers
- Large enterprise IT departments
- Managed service providers (MSPs)
- Government and defense network teams
These roles often involve designing hybrid enterprise environments combining on-premises and cloud-based solutions.
What Are Key Study Areas Within Each Domain?
Within the exam’s five domains, successful candidates often emphasize:
- Deep IPv4/IPv6 design knowledge and route filtering strategies
- Layer 2/3 convergence and campus segmentation
- QoS shaping policies aligned with business application needs
- Multicast design fundamentals for efficient enterprise distribution
- Automation protocols (YANG, RESTCONF, gRPC) for programmable networks
A comprehensive understanding of these topics will help you approach each question logically and effectively.
What Study Materials and Resources Are Recommended?
The best preparation approach is combining self-study, practical experience, and official Cisco training. Cisco’s Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks (ENSLD) course provides an excellent foundation. Supplement with:
- Cisco official learning labs and design guides
- Cisco Press textbooks covering ENSLD blueprint topics
- Design simulation tools to reinforce architectural concepts
- Study groups and community discussions for peer insights
Pairing theoretical study with applied design exercises helps improve retention and real-world design comprehension.
Where Can You Take the ENSLD Exam?
You can take the exam either online through Pearson VUE or at authorized Cisco exam centers. Both formats maintain strict proctoring standards and accessibility for candidates worldwide. Choose the testing method that best fits your schedule and testing environment preferences.
How Do You Register for the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design Exam?
Registration is quick and straightforward:
- Visit your Cisco Certification Account at Pearson VUE
- Locate the 300-420 ENSLD exam
- Choose your preferred testing option (in-person or online)
- Select your date and time
- Complete payment and confirm your booking
You’ll then receive instructions to ensure a smooth testing experience.
What Are the Next Steps After Earning the ENSLD Certification?
After achieving your specialist credential, you can progress to higher Cisco certifications such as:
- CCNP Enterprise (by completing the core exam and ENSLD)
- CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure for expert-level mastery
- Or other Cisco Specialist credentials to broaden your expertise
These pathways allow continuous growth and deeper specialization in enterprise network design and implementation.
Where Can You Find the Official Cisco ENSLD Exam Details?
You can find exam registration details, blueprints, and official Cisco learning resources directly on the official Cisco ENSLD exam page. This page provides the most authoritative and up-to-date information to help you prepare and plan your certification strategy efficiently.
The Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design certification is a powerful step toward mastering enterprise-scale network design and advancing your professional IT credentials. By studying strategically and using hands-on resources, you’ll gain the confidence to design networks that balance performance, security, and scalability—hallmarks of a truly skilled network designer.
