On February 3, 2026, Cisco retired the DevNet brand and replaced it with the Automation track under CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE naming. DevNet Associate became CCNA Automation. DevNet Professional became CCNP Automation. DevNet Expert became CCIE Automation.
If you held an active DevNet certification, it was automatically migrated. No retesting required. If you were studying for DevNet, most of your preparation is still valid with some important updates to review.
What Is the Difference Between DevNet and CCNA Automation?
| Factor | DevNet (Retired) | CCNA Automation (Current) |
| Status | Retired February 3, 2026 | Active — current certification |
| Exam code | 200-901 DEVASC | 200-901 CCNAAUTO |
| Exam name | Developing Applications Using Cisco Platforms | Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms |
| Focus | Application developer who understands networking | Network engineer who masters automation |
| AI content | Minimal | Included throughout |
| Auto-migration | N/A | All active DevNet holders migrated automatically |
| Employer recognition | Often confused with software developer role | Immediately recognized as CCNA-level networking |
The core shift: DevNet was designed to turn network engineers into application developers. CCNA Automation is designed to turn network engineers into automation experts. The audience is the same. The skill emphasis changed.
Was My DevNet Certification Automatically Migrated?
Yes. All active DevNet certifications were automatically migrated to the equivalent Automation certification on February 3, 2026.
| Old Certification | New Certification |
| Cisco Certified DevNet Associate | CCNA Automation |
| Cisco Certified DevNet Professional | CCNP Automation |
| Cisco Certified DevNet Expert | CCIE Automation |
No retesting was required. New digital badges were issued automatically. Your expiration date did not change.
What you should do now:
- Update your LinkedIn headline and certification section to the new Automation title
- Update your resume to use CCNA Automation, CCNP Automation, or CCIE Automation
- Update your Credly profile to display the new badge
- Align your job search terms with current listings that now use Automation rather than DevNet
What Happened to the Specialist Exams?
Four specialist exams were retired on February 2, 2026 with no automatic migration path:
| Exam | What It Covered |
| 300-735 SAUTO | Security automation |
| 300-535 SPAUTO | Service provider automation |
| 300-835 CLAUTO | Collaboration automation |
| 300-910 DEVOPS | DevOps solutions on Cisco platforms |
Important: Unlike DevNet Associate, Professional, and Expert certifications, these specialist exams were NOT automatically migrated. If you held one of these specialist credentials, there is no automatic conversion. You would need to pursue the active CCNP or CCIE Automation track to establish a replacement credential.
What Is CCNA Automation?
CCNA Automation is Cisco’s entry-level automation certification. It replaced DevNet Associate on February 3, 2026.
Exam code: 200-901 CCNAAUTO Exam name: Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms Duration: 120 minutes Cost: $300 USD Validity: 3 years
The exam code 200-901 stayed the same. The exam name, exam topics, and emphasis shifted to reflect a stronger networking engineering focus with AI-integrated automation content added throughout.
What Does CCNA Automation Cover?
| Topic Area | What You Need to Know |
| Software development and design | APIs, Python scripting, REST principles, CRUD operations, data formats (JSON, XML, YAML) |
| APIs and automation | RESTful APIs, authentication methods, status codes, Cisco platform APIs |
| Cisco platforms | Cisco IOS XE, Cisco Meraki, Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco SD-WAN |
| Infrastructure automation | Ansible, Terraform, infrastructure-as-code principles |
| Version control | Git basics including branching, merging, and conflict resolution |
| AI in automation | How AI tools integrate into network automation workflows |
If you were already studying DevNet Associate: Your preparation is largely valid. The exam code is the same and core topics carry forward. The additions are primarily AI-integrated automation content and updated Cisco platform coverage. Review the current 200-901 CCNAAUTO exam blueprint before booking.
What Is CCNP Automation?
CCNP Automation is Cisco’s professional-level automation certification. It replaced DevNet Professional and involves the most significant content change of the entire rebrand.
Core exam: 350-901 AUTOCOR — Designing, Deploying and Managing Network Automation Systems v2.0 Previous core exam: 350-901 DEVCOR (retired February 3, 2026)
What Changed from DEVCOR to AUTOCOR?
This is where the change goes far beyond renaming. Cisco’s own engineering team confirmed the CCNP Automation core exam needed more than a name change.
| Factor | DEVCOR (Old) | AUTOCOR (New) |
| Focus | Application developer building on Cisco platforms | Network engineer deploying and managing automation systems |
| Primary audience | Software developers learning networking | Network engineers mastering automation |
| Domains | 5 domains | 4 domains |
| AI content | Minimal | Integrated throughout all domains |
| Infrastructure focus | Limited | Infrastructure-as-code, digital twins, network validation |
| Cisco platforms tested | Listed broadly | Specific platforms named in exam topics |
AUTOCOR covers: Infrastructure as code, operations automation, AI in automation, Cisco IOS XE, Cisco ACI, Cisco Meraki, Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco ISE, and Webex Messaging.
If you were studying for DEVCOR: Your Python, API, Git, and Cisco platform knowledge carries forward. AUTOCOR builds on that foundation but shifts emphasis toward deploying and operating complete automation systems rather than building standalone applications. If you were close to passing DEVCOR when February 3, 2026 arrived, the deadline for DEVCOR was February 2, 2026. You now need to prepare for AUTOCOR.
What Is CCIE Automation?
CCIE Automation is Cisco’s expert-level automation certification. It replaced DevNet Expert and requires passing a qualifying written exam followed by an eight-hour practical lab exam.
CCIE Automation was automatically issued to all active DevNet Expert holders on February 3, 2026. Candidates pursuing CCIE Automation from scratch follow the CCNP Automation path first, then sit the CCIE qualifying exam and lab.
Why Did Cisco Replace DevNet with Automation?
Cisco made this change for three concrete reasons.
Reason 1: Employer recognition was poor. The DevNet brand was frequently misunderstood by hiring managers as a pure software developer credential. Many organizations did not list DevNet in networking job postings because they associated it with app development rather than network operations. CCNA Automation is immediately understood as a networking certification at the associate level.
Reason 2: Automation is now a core networking skill. When DevNet launched in 2020, network automation was a specialization. By 2026, Gartner forecasts that 75 percent of enterprise network operations will be automated by 2027. Automation is no longer optional for network engineers. Elevating it to CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE level reflects this reality.
Reason 3: The content needed to match actual jobs. The DEVCOR exam was built around software development lifecycle, application security, and building applications on Cisco platforms. Actual job postings for network automation engineers ask for Ansible, Terraform, infrastructure-as-code, and network-specific Python. AUTOCOR directly tests what employers hire for.
Who Should Pursue CCNA Automation?
CCNA Automation is the right certification for:
- Network engineers moving into automation roles. You already understand networks. CCNA Automation validates your ability to automate them.
- Professionals in DevOps-adjacent networking roles. Writing Ansible playbooks, building Python scripts, using Cisco APIs — CCNA Automation directly validates this work.
- Candidates planning to pursue CCNP Automation. CCNA Automation builds the foundation that CCNP builds on. The knowledge gap between starting at CCNP without associate-level automation preparation is significant.
- IT professionals who want to future-proof their skills. Network automation is the direction every enterprise network is heading. Certifying in it now positions you ahead of peers who are still purely CLI-focused.
CCNA Automation is NOT the right starting point for:
- Complete networking beginners. If you do not yet have solid networking fundamentals (routing, switching, IP addressing, protocols), start with CCNA 200-301 first. Our CCNA exam preparation materials are the right starting point.
- Pure software developers with no networking background. The exam assumes network engineering context throughout. Build some networking foundation before attempting CCNA Automation.
How to Prepare for CCNA Automation in 2026
Step 1: Download the current 200-901 CCNAAUTO exam blueprint. This is your definitive guide. Study only what is on the blueprint. The exam name changed from DEVASC to CCNAAUTO. Make sure you are using the current blueprint, not legacy DevNet Associate materials.
Step 2: Build Python skills with a networking focus. You do not need general software developer-level Python. Focus on Python for network automation: making API calls to Cisco platforms, parsing JSON responses, writing simple automation scripts for network tasks, and working with networking libraries like netmiko and nornir.
Step 3: Learn Ansible for network configuration. Ansible has become the dominant tool for network configuration automation in enterprise environments. Understand how to write Ansible playbooks targeting network devices, use Cisco-specific Ansible modules, and manage network inventories.
Step 4: Practice with Cisco platform APIs. Use Cisco DevNet Sandbox, which provides free access to Cisco lab environments, to make real API calls against Cisco Catalyst Center, Cisco Meraki, and Cisco IOS XE devices. Reading about APIs is not the same as using them.
Step 5: Cover AI-integrated automation content. This is the area where older DevNet study materials will leave you underprepared. Study how AI tools are integrated into network automation workflows, how Cisco AI Network Analytics works, and how intent-based networking concepts apply to automation.
Step 6: Use current practice materials. Practice questions built around the legacy DevNet Associate blueprint will not fully align with the current CCNAAUTO exam. Use materials built for the current 200-901 CCNAAUTO objectives. Our Cisco exam preparation materials cover current Cisco exam blueprints.
CCNA Automation vs CCNA Networking: What Is the Difference?
| Factor | CCNA 200-301 | CCNA Automation 200-901 |
| Focus | Networking fundamentals | Network automation and programmability |
| Audience | Anyone entering networking | Network engineers adding automation skills |
| Python required | Basic awareness only | Yes, applied automation scripting |
| Prerequisite | None | Networking fundamentals strongly recommended |
| Cost | $330 | $300 |
| Duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Best for | First Cisco cert in networking | Adding automation skills to networking career |
Do you need CCNA before CCNA Automation? Cisco does not formally require CCNA 200-301 as a prerequisite for CCNA Automation. But the automation exam assumes networking knowledge throughout. Attempting CCNA Automation without networking fundamentals significantly increases difficulty and study time.
How the Automation Track Fits the Broader Cisco Ecosystem
CCNA Automation sits alongside CCNA 200-301 and CCNA Cybersecurity as the three associate-level tracks under the Cisco CCNA brand. All three are equivalent in level. Employers can evaluate candidates across all three using the same associate-level framework.
Above CCNA Automation sits CCNP Automation (AUTOCOR core exam plus concentration exam) and ultimately CCIE Automation for expert-level recognition. This creates a clear progression path from entry through expert in network automation engineering.
The full picture of Cisco’s 2026 certification changes including CyberOps rebranding, CCNP Wireless relaunch, and specialist exam retirements is covered in our Cisco certification changes guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About DevNet vs CCNA Automation
What happened to DevNet certifications in 2026?
DevNet Associate, Professional, and Expert were renamed to CCNA Automation, CCNP Automation, and CCIE Automation on February 3, 2026. All active holders were automatically migrated. No retesting required.
Is DevNet Associate still available?
No. The DevNet Associate exam (200-901 DEVASC) was retired on February 3, 2026. The exam code 200-901 continues as CCNAAUTO with updated naming and content. New candidates register for CCNA Automation, not DevNet Associate.
Do I need to retake my exam after the DevNet to Automation migration?
No. If your DevNet certification was active on February 3, 2026, it was automatically recognized as the equivalent Automation certification. No retesting is required.
What is the exam code for CCNA Automation?
The CCNA Automation exam code is 200-901 CCNAAUTO. The exam code 200-901 is the same as the old DevNet Associate exam but the exam name changed to Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms.
What is the exam code for CCNP Automation?
The CCNP Automation core exam code is 350-901 AUTOCOR. This replaced the old DevNet Professional core exam 350-901 DEVCOR, which was retired on February 3, 2026. AUTOCOR has significantly updated content compared to DEVCOR.
What is the difference between DEVCOR and AUTOCOR?
DEVCOR focused on building applications on Cisco platforms, targeting software developers learning networking. AUTOCOR focuses on designing, deploying, and managing network automation systems, targeting network engineers who master automation. AUTOCOR reduced exam domains from 5 to 4 and added infrastructure-as-code, AI integration, and network-specific automation engineering content.
Can I still use DevNet study materials for CCNA Automation?
Mostly yes for CCNA Automation (200-901). Core topics like Python, REST APIs, data formats, and Cisco platform APIs carry forward. Update your study plan to cover AI-integrated automation content and current Cisco platform names. For CCNP Automation, older DEVCOR materials are less applicable because AUTOCOR has significantly different content emphasis.
How long does CCNA Automation take to complete?
Most candidates with networking experience need 2 to 4 months of focused part-time preparation. Candidates with both networking and Python experience can be ready in 4 to 8 weeks. Complete beginners to both networking and programming will need 6 or more months.
What comes after CCNA Automation?
The natural progression is CCNP Automation (AUTOCOR core exam plus one concentration exam) and then CCIE Automation for expert-level recognition. CCNP Automation concentration exam options include ENAUTO (Enterprise) and DCNAUTO (Data Center).
Is CCNA Automation worth getting in 2026?
Yes. Network automation is becoming a baseline expectation for enterprise network engineers. Certifying in it now positions you ahead of the majority of networking professionals who are still purely CLI-focused. The credential directly signals employer-recognized competency in skills that every modern networking job increasingly requires.
