The Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) is a certification for expert-level network designers focusing on high-level design solutions for large networks. The practical exam assesses candidates through various design scenarios covering topics such as technology replacement, organizational scaling, and mergers, validating their ability to analyze and optimize network design. Upon successful completion, certified individuals are recognized for their advanced skills in tackling complex network design challenges.

1. Cisco Certified Design Expert
CCDE Practical Exam Overview
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2. AGENDA
01
02
03
04
About Me
About CCDE / Introduction
The Exam Format
4 Types of Design Scenarios
05 4 Areas of Testing
06 2 Types of Progression
07 Type of Questions
08 Learning Resources

3. Arun Goyal CCIE (R&S | SP | DC)
Network Architect with 12+ years of experience in designing solutions for Service Providers, Data Centre, Sports
Institutions, and Major Sporting Events with highly developed presentation and communication skills.
Key Skills and Experience:
• Currently involved as the Lead Network Architect at the SC Technical Delivery Office for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, Qatar
• Worked for 4 Years with largest Cisco Gold Partner in India (Wipro) working on major Service Provider Projects involving
MPLS, Metro-Ethernet deployments.
• Architected complete network and security solution for all entities of Aspire Zone City, including Khalifa International
Stadium, Hammad Aquatic Center, Aspire Dome, Torch Tower Hotel, Anti-Doping Lab (Qatar), Aspetar Hospital, Aspire
Academy.
• Extensive knowledge in Sports centric network designs & deployments for major events (2010 IAAF World Indoor
Championships, 2011 Pan Arab Games, etc.)
• Vendor Management: vendor solution comparison, evaluation, negotiation, and selection
About Me

4. CCDE JourneySince 2008…
October, 2008 2013 - 2017
First Official CCDE Practical
Exam (6 Scenario Format)
held at only 1 Center
– Took 10 weeks of grading to
declare results
250+ Locations
launched for CCDE
Exam and increased
frequency to 4 times a
year. Total CCDE so far
– approx. 350
What is the Cisco Certified Design Expert?
The Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE) is for expert-level network design engineers, expert-level network leads
of IT infrastructure teams, and expert-level network leads of architecture teams working in job roles that require
them to translate business needs, budget, and operational constraints into the design of a converged solution. The
CCDE curriculum prepares designers to develop design solutions at the infrastructure level for large customer
networks. Network engineers holding an active CCDE certification are recognized for their expert-level knowledge
and skills in network infrastructure design. The deep technical networking knowledge that a CCDE brings ensures
that they are well qualified to address the most technically challenging network infrastructure design assignments.
Year 2009
Expanded to 3 Centers
A total of 14 People Passed
CCDE Practical Exam
Year 2010
Expanded to 4 Centers
A total of 13 People Passed
CCDE Practical Exam
Year 2012
CCDE 2.0 (4 Scenario Format).
November 2012 - immediate
scoring launched.
Total of 24 Candidates Passed in
2012. Total CCDE by end of
2012 - 90.
Future
CCDE 3.0 to be
launched and
frequency increases to
5 times a year.

5. The Exam Format
CCDE 2.0 Practical Exam Format
5
Scenarios & Question
4 Scenarios and with 25-30 Questions each.
2 Scenarios before and 2 after lunch.
Time
Total 9 hours including 1 hour lunch break.
4 hours before lunch for first 2 scenarios & 4 hours
after lunch for the next 2 scenarios.
Technology Mix
Each Scenario has a mix of technology spread
to ensure all technologies of the blueprint are
tested
Zero Configuration
The exam does not include any configuration or
related questions/simulations.

6. CCDE Design Scenarios
4 Types of Design Scenarios
6
Merger/Divesture
Two Organizations Merging –
2 Enterprises or 2 Service
Providers.
Candidate should focus on :
a) How to merge/split?
b) Challenges that could occur?
c) Information required to
merge or divest?
d) Implementation Plan?
Replace Technology
Replacing an Organization’s
current network
topology/technology/architecture
Add Technology
Organization adding new
technologies within its
existing network
Candidate should focus on :
a) Understanding existing Network
b) Need of the new Technology
c) Considerations to make for
Integration/migration of old &
new Technologies
d) Future Plans of the Organization
e) Implementation Plan?
Scaling
Organizations growing
organically and have had
little or no prior network
planning.
Candidate should focus on :
a) Issues the organization is facing
b) How to improve current
conditions with minimum
downtime?
c) Business & Tech. Constraints
d) Implementation/Migration Plan
An Organizations selling off a
part of its business to another
organization.
Candidate should focus on :
a) Why the change?
b) What does the organization
what to achieve with the
change?
c) Current Business &
Technology challenges of the
Organization?
d) Future plans?

7. CCDE Areas of Testing
4 Graded Sections
7
12%
Validate & Justify the correct
reasons for choosing a particular
design/technology
13%
The steps and correct order
of implementing the
suggested design/technology
39%
Suggesting the right design
that meets the requirements
of the organization
36%
Knowing what information is
required for a task ? Analyse Network Design
Requirements
Develop Network Designs
Validate & Optimize
Network Design
Implement Network
Design
Every scenario has questions that grade a candidate on all the above 4 grading areas. Candidates should understand these different
areas thoroughly and work towards developing the necessary skills.

8. Analyze Network Design Requirements
Rules for : WHAT do I know already and what more do I need to know?
8
Read background information very thoroughly. Never
Ever ask for information that has already been provided
in the Technical or Functional Background.01
02
03
NEVER ASSUME anything!!
Do NOT Ask information that is :
a) expected from the candidate to provide
b) Well-known technology facts
This is one of the most important skill that a good designer must have. Skimming through tonnes of background information
relatively quick and highlighting only relevant information would be very helpful in these questions.
What do I need to know
Analyse the provided information and
know what information is missing
and is still needed to propose a
solution/design/technology

9. Develop Network Designs
Rules for : DO what is required from me (the Designer)?
9
Read background information & information provided
through emails throughout the exam very thoroughly.01
02
03
Understand the business constraints & keep them
on the top of your mind while designing.
Once again DON’T ASSUME anything. Best Practices
may not meet the business constraints.
This is crux of the CCDE Exam and has the highest weightage of questions. Candidates should read all the provided information
carefully before proposing a design. Best Practices are not always the correct answer.
Develop Network Design
Based on the provided information,
propose & develop network designs
that meet the constraints & limitation
of the organization

10. Validate & Optimize Network Design
Rules for : WHY should I go with this design?
10
Always know the answer to “WHY” you choose a certain
design/technology.01
02
03
The “WHY” must
(a) Be technically correct,
(b) Meet the business constraints/requirements.
Be ready to challenge the organization’s
engineers/designers. Optimize what they suggest.
These questions are mainly branching questions that branch out of “YES/NO”, “TRUE/FALSE” type of questions.
Defend your design! Know WHY you
chose what you suggested.
Validate Network Design
Optimize Network Design
What should I suggest that will
improve the design provided?

11. Implement Network Design
Rules for : HOW do I implement what I designed?
11
Be fully aware of the purpose of the implementation
01
02
03
Keeping the purpose in mind, plan the implementation
with minimum impact
All the steps do not have to be in the same order for
everyone. There could be multiple interchangeable steps.
Although the CCDE exam has no questions on configuration, it does test your skills in implementing designs/technologies.
Implement Network Design
What are the steps (in correct order)
that I must carry out to implement a
design/technology, keeping in mind the
business requirements/constraints.

12. 2 Type of Progression
How do the Scenarios Lead you
12
Scenario
Progression
Current design issue?
Understand the challenges the
business is facing due to the current
design.
Deployment Plan
Suggest Implementation Plan
Additional Requirements
Look into the additional requirements
of the Business and suggest design
changes.
How can I fix it?
Suggest how & what could fix the
design and help the organization meet
its goals.
Business Problem
Understand the provided
business case/plan
Defend & Deploy
Justify WHY you suggested your design
& provide the Implementation plan
Design
Based on the business case/plan &
their constraints, suggest the best
possible design/technology to proceed
Business Constraints
Take a note of the provided
business constraints
Design & Deploy Fix Design Failure

13. Type of Questions
What are the type of questions asked?
Standard MCQ
Standard written-exam style questions with
single or multiple right answers.
Drag & Drop / Label Drag & Drop
Place options in correct order, for example
implementation plan. Place or categorize
options into provided groups.
Tables
Compare and contrast different options, to
determine where to deploy which technology
or feature, or which solutions meet which
requirements
Hotspot
Drag from a set of figures, icons or text and
selectively drop them onto pre-determined
spots on the canvas
Simulation
An evolution of the hotspot, with a more
complex scoring. Example includes placing
the correct device (router/firewall, etc.) or links
at the right place in the provided canvas.
Simulation Type Question

14. Learning Resources
What & from Where should I be studying?
14
Books:
1. CCDE Quick Reference Guide
2. CCDE Study Guide
3. Optimal Routing Design
4. MPLS Fundamentals
5. Definitive MPLS Network Designs
6. MPLS-Enabled Applications
7. End to End QoS Network Design
Cisco Live Videos (Must Watch List in below article)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-ccde-journey-arun-
goyal
Cisco Validated Designs
Online Learning Resources:
http://packetpushers.net
http://lostintransit.se

15. THANK YOU!
Wish you all the best