Cisco Certified AI Infrastructure Specialist Guide 2026
If you’re aiming to build and run real AI clusters in modern data centers, the Cisco Certified AI Infrastructure Specialist certification is your new launchpad. Officially awarded by passing the 300‑640 DCAI exam, this Specialist slots into the CCNP Data Center track and validates the skills to design, implement, operate, and troubleshoot AI‑ready infrastructure at scale. You can sit the DCAI exam starting February 9, 2026, with testing aligned to Cisco Live Amsterdam.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn exactly what the certification covers, why it matters, how to prepare, and how it boosts your career—especially if you’re a student or early‑career engineer building a future in AI infrastructure.
What Is the Cisco Certified AI Infrastructure Specialist?
The official title is Cisco Certified Specialist – Data Center AI Infrastructure. You earn it by passing the 300‑640 DCAI exam (Implementing Cisco Data Center AI Infrastructure). While Cisco often shortens the name to “AI Infrastructure Specialist” in blogs and pages, remember that “Data Center” is in the official Specialist name.
First date to test: February 9, 2026
Exam length and language: 90 minutes, English
Price: US $300 (eligible for Cisco Learning Credits)
How it fits into CCNP Data Center:
DCAI is a CCNP Data Center concentration exam. Passing it gives you the Specialist certification and also counts as the concentration requirement for CCNP Data Center when paired with the core 350‑601 DCCOR exam.
Actionable takeaway:
Decide early: Do you want just the Specialist badge, or the full CCNP Data Center? If CCNP DC is your goal, plan DCAI + DCCOR from the start.
Why This Certification Matters in 2026
AI is pushing data centers hard—network throughput, lossless transport, GPU cluster design, storage performance, and end‑to‑end observability. Cisco built this certification to meet industry demand for professionals who can make AI perform reliably on Ethernet fabrics at scale.
What sets it apart:
It validates practical skills for high‑performance Ethernet AI networking (RoCEv2, PFC, ECN), telemetry, and automation consistent with Cisco Validated Designs and AI/ML networking blueprints.
It’s aligned with Cisco’s partner ecosystem: the new AI infrastructure certification contributes to the Cisco Partner Value Index in the Cisco 360 Partner Program, signaling real value to employers and partners.
Actionable takeaway:
Use the Specialist to differentiate yourself for roles building lossless Ethernet fabrics for AI clusters—a skill set many teams now lack.
Who Should Take DCAI?
Great fit if you are:
A network or data center engineer moving into AI/ML workloads
A systems/infra engineer helping deploy GPU clusters
A cloud or platform engineer connecting data pipelines to on‑prem AI
A partner/consultant who needs a Cisco‑validated badge in AI infrastructure
Cisco’s messaging emphasizes preparing the workforce and partners to deliver AI at scale on Cisco platforms.
Actionable takeaway:
If your team is planning AI pilots or expanding GPU capacity, position yourself as the “AI fabric” specialist by targeting DCAI.
Prerequisites and Eligibility
Formal prerequisites: None. Like other CCNP‑level concentration exams and CCNP Data Center itself, there are no formal prerequisites (though experience helps).
Recommended background: 3–5 years in data center networking or equivalent, comfort with Nexus/NX‑OS tooling, and basic understanding of AI/ML workloads.
Actionable takeaway:
New to data center? Build fundamentals with DCCOR study resources or the DCAIE foundational path before tackling DCAI.
DCAI Exam: Structure and What’s Covered
Exam code and title:
300‑640 DCAI, Implementing Cisco Data Center AI Infrastructure
Exam logistics:
90 minutes, English, US $300
Core content themes (synthesized from Cisco’s exam description, learning paths, and blogs):
AI/ML workload fundamentals: cluster patterns, model lifecycle basics
High‑performance AI networking on Ethernet:
Lossless fabrics with RoCEv2
PFC/ECN tuning and congestion visibility
Throughput/latency optimization and consistency checks
AI connectivity and transport models: migrating from classic to AI‑optimized architectures
Compute/acceleration knowledge:
GPU/accelerator basics, including MIG/vGPU awareness
UCS/Nexus platform considerations
Storage and data pipelines for AI performance
Operations and AIOps:
Nexus Dashboard Insights (NDI), NDFC
Telemetry and log correlation (e.g., Splunk)
Troubleshooting workflows across network/compute/storage/orchestration
These areas match the outcomes highlighted in Cisco’s official blog on the certification launch and the Cisco U learning path outcomes.
Actionable takeaway:
Print a one‑page “cheat sheet” with RoCEv2, PFC/ECN thresholds, queue mappings, and NDFC/NDI workflows—core topics you’ll likely meet on the exam.
The Official Learning Paths You Should Use
Cisco U offers three aligned paths. They map cleanly to exam topics and together provide a structured study plan:
AI Solutions on Cisco Infrastructure Essentials (DCAIE)
Purpose: Foundations—AI workload essentials, AI transport concepts, connectivity models, and building lossless fabrics
CE credits: 34 (helpful for future recertification)
Why it matters: It’s your base camp for fabric design and performance concepts you’ll be tested on.
Operate & Troubleshoot AI Solutions on Cisco Infrastructure (DCAIAOT)
Purpose: Day‑2 operations—telemetry, timing, log correlation (including Splunk), and troubleshooting playbooks
CE credits: 4
Why it matters: DCAI evaluates your ability to operate and troubleshoot, not just design.
Automate AI Solutions on Cisco Infrastructure (DCAIAA)
Purpose: Automation, “agentic AI” problem‑solving, IaC/Nexus‑as‑Code, orchestration (Intersight)
Why it matters: Automation and AIOps are woven into modern AI infra; you’ll see this perspective in scenario questions.
Actionable takeaway:
Complete DCAIE first, then DCAIAOT, and finally skim DCAIAA for automation/AIOps topics that round out your exam prep.
How Much Does It Cost?
Exam fee: US $300 (standard CCNP concentration pricing).
Paying with Cisco Learning Credits: Accepted for the exam and many official courses.
Training: Cisco U subscription or enterprise training options; pricing varies by organization. Many courses provide CE credits that count toward recertification.
Budget tip:
If your employer uses Cisco Learning Credits, apply them to both your training and your DCAI exam fee.
Actionable takeaway:
Map a budget that includes exam + 1–2 months of Cisco U access. Use CE‑earning courses to get a head start on your three‑year renewal.
Step‑by‑Step Study Plan (8 Weeks)
This plan assumes CCNP‑level data center familiarity. New to DC? Add 2–4 weeks for fundamentals.
Weeks 1–2: Foundations
Start DCAIE. Focus on AI transport, lossless fabrics, congestion signaling, and cluster basics.
Read Cisco’s AI/ML networking blueprint and/or CVD for AI fabrics to see reference architectures and validated settings you can reuse in designs.
Deliverable: Two pages of notes on RoCEv2, PFC/ECN interactions, NDFC baseline templates.
Weeks 3–4: Design to Implementation
Deep‑dive into lossless fabric deployment and migration topics.
Build flash cards for common pitfalls: head‑of‑line blocking, inconsistent queue mapping, microburst behavior, buffer tuning.
Hands‑on idea: If you have lab access, simulate traffic patterns and verify queue counters/ECN marks with NDI visualizations.
Weeks 5–6: Operations and Troubleshooting
Complete DCAIAOT labs. Practice building a troubleshooting tree for:
Performance anomaly (e.g., dropped throughput)
Latency spikes during training jobs
Mis‑tuned PFC thresholds
Storage bottlenecks impacting data loaders
Deliverable: A “runbook” that correlates telemetry, logs (e.g., Splunk), and fabric counters to a likely root cause.
Week 7: Automation and Exam Readiness
Skim DCAIAA. Capture 10–12 key ideas: Nexus‑as‑Code mindset, IaC workflows, where AIOps can accelerate mean‑time‑to‑resolution (MTTR).
Take timed practice questions. Tighten your “cheat sheet.”
Week 8: Final Review
Revisit blueprints/CVDs and ensure you can explain why each design choice supports AI workloads (e.g., RoCEv2 vs. TCP, ECN thresholds).
Check exam policies and confirm your Pearson VUE slot for on/after February 9, 2026.
Actionable takeaway:
Treat your “cheat sheet” and “runbook” like the final deliverables. If you can teach them to a peer, you’re exam‑ready.
Scheduling, Policies, and What to Expect on Test Day
Where to schedule: Pearson VUE via Cisco’s exam portal.
Policies: Review ID requirements, test environment rules, and rescheduling policies in Cisco’s exam overview pages.
First date to test: February 9, 2026 (align your study plan accordingly).
Actionable takeaway:
Book early for your preferred slot around the launch window and verify your name exactly matches your ID to avoid day‑of issues.
Career Value, Use Cases, and ROI
Immediate practical impact:
Build and tune Ethernet fabrics for GPU clusters on Nexus 9000 with lossless networking (RoCEv2), congestion controls, and telemetry—core to production AI training and inference.
Operate and troubleshoot with NDFC/NDI and log correlation workflows to reduce downtime and maintain throughput.
Credential stacking:
Passing DCAI earns the Specialist badge and satisfies the CCNP Data Center concentration requirement. Combine with 350‑601 DCCOR for the full CCNP DC—an efficient upgrade path with one more exam.
Partner and employer benefit:
The certification contributes to the Cisco Partner Value Index, aligning your individual achievement with organizational goals in the Cisco 360 Partner Program.
Actionable takeaway:
If your employer is a Cisco partner, highlight the Partner Value Index contribution in your training proposal—it’s often a decisive budget factor.
Real‑World Scenarios You’ll Be Ready For
Your training job’s throughput plateaus at 40 Gbps on a 100 G link.
Checklist: Verify PFC/ECN settings, confirm queue mappings, inspect congestion counters, validate RoCEv2 default configurations, and review NDI path analytics for hotspots.
Inference latency spikes during peak hours.
Checklist: Inspect buffer utilization, microburst behavior, and NIC pacing; correlate app logs (Splunk) with network telemetry to isolate the bottleneck.
New GPU nodes underperform after a fabric change.
Checklist: Confirm new NDFC templates, ensure policy consistency, validate MTU and flow control end‑to‑end, and test fabric health against the CVD baseline.
Actionable takeaway:
Add these checklists to your ops wiki. Practicing them before the exam cements the troubleshooting flow you’ll need on DCAI.
Don’t Confuse DCAI with These Other Cisco AI Offerings
AITECH (AI Technical Practitioner, 800‑110)
Focus: How to apply AI in workflows and business—not data center infrastructure. Useful for cross‑functional AI literacy, but not a substitute for DCAI.
CCDE Specialist – AI Infrastructure (Design track)
Expert‑level design elective in the CCDE ecosystem. It’s not the same as the CCNP Data Center Specialist and targets different skills and audiences.
Actionable takeaway:
In your resume or LinkedIn, spell out the full official name—“Cisco Certified Specialist – Data Center AI Infrastructure (DCAI)”—to avoid mix‑ups.
Recertification: Keeping Your Skills Fresh
Validity: Cisco professional/specialist certifications are typically valid for three years.
How to renew:
Earn Continuing Education (CE) credits (the DCAIE and DCAIAOT courses themselves grant CE credits),
Retake the exam(s), or
Advance to a higher‑level certification.
Actionable takeaway:
Track your CE credits as you study. If you finish DCAIE (34 CE) and DCAIAOT (4 CE), you’re already banking credits toward your future renewal.
30‑60‑90 Day Action Plan
Days 1–30 (Foundation)
Enroll in DCAIE. Finish the labs and pre/post assessments.
Read the AI/ML networking blueprint and relevant CVDs; map their recommendations to your “cheat sheet”.
Days 31–60 (Practice and Ops)
Complete DCAIAOT. Build your troubleshooting runbook with NDI/NDFC and log correlation steps.
Do weekly 30‑minute drills: pick a symptom, find the most likely root cause using telemetry and counters.
Days 61–90 (Automation and Finalize)
Skim DCAIAA for automation and AIOps.
Take two timed practice sessions per week.
Schedule your exam for on/after February 9, 2026, and do a full policy check.
Actionable takeaway:
Study in 45–60 minute focused blocks. Short, consistent practice beats marathon sessions for long‑term retention.
FAQs
What is the official name of the certification?
Cisco Certified Specialist – Data Center AI Infrastructure. It’s awarded by passing the 300‑640 DCAI exam (Implementing Cisco Data Center AI Infrastructure).
When can I take the DCAI exam?
The first date to test is February 9, 2026, with availability highlighted around Cisco Live Amsterdam.
How much does the DCAI exam cost, and how long is it?
It’s US $300 and 90 minutes long, administered in English.
Does DCAI count toward CCNP Data Center?
Yes. Passing DCAI grants the Specialist badge and satisfies the CCNP Data Center concentration requirement when combined with the 350‑601 DCCOR core exam.
Are there prerequisites?
There are no formal prerequisites (similar to other CCNP‑level concentration exams and CCNP Data Center), but 3–5 years of experience is recommended.
Is DCAI the same as AITECH or the CCDE AI Infrastructure elective?
No. AITECH focuses on AI usage and workflows (not data center infrastructure), and the CCDE AI Infrastructure elective is part of the expert‑level design track, not the CCNP Data Center track.
Conclusion:
If you want to turn AI from buzzword into business outcomes, someone has to build and operate the fabric that makes GPU clusters fly. The Cisco Certified Specialist – Data Center AI Infrastructure (DCAI) is a focused, industry‑aligned way to prove you can do exactly that. Start with DCAIE for foundations, sharpen your troubleshooting with DCAIAOT, sprinkle in automation from DCAIAA, and lock a test date on or after February 9, 2026. Your next AI project—and your career—will thank you for it.