Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks (ENSLD) 300-420

Exam Overview

The 300-420 ENSLD exam (Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks) validates a candidate's knowledge of enterprise design concepts and principles. This concentration exam is part of the CCNP Enterprise certification track and focuses on designing scalable, reliable, and secure enterprise network architectures. The exam tests skills in advanced campus networks, WAN for enterprise networks, and network services.

Exam Topics

Advanced Enterprise Campus Networks (30%)

Design campus networks using hierarchical layers
Design for high availability in campus networks
Design campus networks using Cisco SD-Access
Design Layer 2 and Layer 3 infrastructure
Design IP addressing for the enterprise
Design QoS for the enterprise campus

Advanced Enterprise WAN Networks (25%)

Design WAN transport technologies
Design resilient and highly available enterprise WANs
Design for DMVPN and IPsec VPNs
Design Cisco SD-WAN architecture
Design for enterprise network security

WAN for Branch Networks (20%)

Design branch office solutions and connectivity
Design for branch high availability
Design for Voice and Video in branch networks
Design QoS for branch networks
Design security for branch networks

Network Services (25%)

Design for network management and operations
Design NetFlow and monitoring solutions
Design for multicast services
Design for Quality of Service (QoS)
Design for NTP architecture
Design for external routing and connectivity

Exam Information

Duration: 90 minutes
Number of questions: 55-65
Question types: Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and design scenarios
Passing score: 825/1000
Cost: $400 USD (may vary by region)
Languages available: English and Japanese
Recommended experience: 3-5 years designing enterprise networks

Preparation Resources

Official Cisco ENSLD course
Cisco Press books: "CCNP Enterprise Design ENSLD 300-420 Official Cert Guide"
Cisco Learning Network practice exams
Cisco validated design guides
Enterprise design case studies
Hands-on experience with network design tools

Career Path

The ENSLD certification prepares professionals for roles such as:

Network Architect
Network Designer
Enterprise Network Engineer
Solutions Architect
Network Infrastructure Specialist
IT Consultant

Recertification

This certification is valid for three years. To recertify, candidates must:

Pass any CCNP or CCIE concentration exam, or
Pass the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab exam, or
Earn 80 Continuing Education credits through approved activities

Certification Path

ENSLD is one of the concentration exams for the CCNP Enterprise certification. Candidates pursuing CCNP Enterprise must pass:

Core exam: 350-401 ENCOR (Enterprise Network Core Technologies)
Concentration exam: 300-420 ENSLD (or another concentration exam)

ENSLD also counts as a qualifying exam toward the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure certification, providing a pathway to advanced certification.