Are you interested in becoming a certified technician but unsure about how to get started? Get ready to conquer the Cisco 010-151 DCTECH Exam. The IT sector offers abundant job opportunities, but many people miss out on entering this thriving field. While a technical career is attainable for individuals from various backgrounds, it can be challenging to figure out where to begin or how to chart a clear path to a job.
If you’re seeking opportunities in the IT sector, the 010-151 DCTECH exam could be the ideal route for you. Obtaining a Cisco certification holds significant importance, not only for your career prospects but also as a solid foundation. Cisco, a prominent name in the IT industry, offers numerous advantages and a promising career path.
Benefits of Cisco Certified Technician
Becoming a certified Cisco technician proves your expertise and skills in the field. And in the IT sector, holding such certifications always brings fruitful results. In fact, there are several advantages to being a Cisco certified technician:
- Firstly, certification significantly enhances your job prospects.
- Secondly, certification courses lay a strong foundation for candidates.
- Another advantage of being certified is staying current with the latest technologies.
- Lastly, for anyone seeking an IT job, having knowledge of Cisco products becomes a valuable asset.
EXAM OVERVIEW
The 010-151 DCTECH exam is designed for individuals aiming to attain the Cisco Certified Technician credential. This certification, known as CCT Data Center, emphasizes the abilities needed to provide on-site support and manage Cisco Unified Computing Systems and servers. As outlined by Cisco, the Cisco Certified Technician Data Center (CCT Data Center) certification exam assesses candidates on the following tasks:
- Firstly, candidates should possess previous knowledge in on-site support and maintenance of Cisco Unified Computing Systems and servers.
- Next, the candidate should be capable of recognizing components of Cisco Unified Computing System, servers, accessories, cabling, and interfaces.
- Furthermore, they need to have a solid grasp of Cisco UCS and NX-OS operating modes.
- In addition, candidates should be able to identify commonly used software.
- Lastly, proficiency in using the Cisco Graphical User Interface to establish connections and service product components is required.
All Exam Details Here
The 010-151 DCTECH exam serves as an introductory-level test. Candidates are given 90 minutes to complete the exam, during which they must answer approximately 60 to 70 questions. It’s important to note that the exam is conducted solely in the English language.
When preparing for an exam, it’s wise to have a clear understanding of its specifics. Having knowledge of the exam details in advance can help prevent any potential issues. To assist you in this regard, we’ve compiled all the essential information you’ll need before registering for the 010-151 DCTECH exam.
PREREQUISITES
For many tech-related jobs, having a computer science degree isn’t always a must. Even for the entry-level 010-151 DCTECH exam, being a Cisco certified technician doesn’t require a specific technical educational background. As a result, there are no prerequisites needed to take this exam.
EXAM DESCRIPTION– Cisco 010-151 DCTECH
In this part, we’ll provide you with all the essential details about the exam. The 010-151 DCTECH exam assesses a technician’s skills in the following areas:
- Basic configuration of Cisco NX-OS.
- Knowledge of Cisco Data Center products and hardware components, with a focus on Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS).
The syllabus covers handling solution services (hardware break-fix) for Cisco Data Center products. This involves tasks like replacing hardware, backing up and restoring software and configurations. It also encompasses tasks such as ensuring safety and environmental requirements, identifying connection types and cable needs, and performing basic troubleshooting of the physical layer.
QUESTION FORMAT
The 010-151 DCTECH exam comprises around 60 to 70 questions. These questions come in various formats. Here are the types of questions you might encounter:
- Mostly Multiple Choice Questions – You’ll need to pick one or more correct answers from a list of options.
- True or False Questions – You decide whether a statement is true or false.
- Matching Questions – You connect two parts of a sentence, an action with an object, a subject with an object, and similar combinations.
- Fill-in-the-Blank Questions – You’ll either choose or provide the correct word or phrase to complete a sentence with a blank space.
SAMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS
REGISTRATION FEE
For people in the United States, the cost to take the 010-151 DCTECH exam is $125. However, this fee can differ depending on the country you’re in. It’s important to note that taxes are not included in this fee, so it’s a good idea to check with your exam provider to get the exact fee for your location.
Course Outline
Cisco offers a skill outline that outlines the topics you need to study for the 010-151DCTECH exam. These modules are organized in a way that makes it convenient for candidates to cover all the necessary material.
Module 1: Data Center Basics
The very first module covers the base information of the data center.
- First, Describing a data center
- Second, Describing cloud computing
- Third, Describing virtualization (server, network and storage)
- Fourth, Describing PCIe SSDs and NVMe
- Fifth, Describing raid storage
- Sixth, Differentiating between these Layer 2 technologies (Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet)
- seventh, Describing SAN technology (SAN network type)
- Eighth, Describing SAN cabling (FCoE, PCIe)
- Ninth, Describing UTP and connectors
- Tenth, Describing fiber and connectors
- Eleventh, Describing twinaxial and connectors
- Last, Describing SFP and QSFP transceivers
Module 2: Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware
This second module is all about equipment and related hardware in Cisco technologies.
- First, Describing the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) components
- Second, Describing the Cisco UCS B-series Blade servers components and chassis layout
- Third, Describing the Cisco UCS C-series rack mount servers components and chassis layout
- Fourth, Describing Cisco UCS fabric interconnects and fabric extenders
- Fifth, Identifying the Cisco UCS LED and chassis layout
- Sixth, Describing the Cisco UCS network adapters and expansion modules
- Seventh, Describing the Cisco UCS S-series Storage servers components and chassis layout
- Eighth, Describing the Cisco UCS E-series servers components and chassis layout
- After that, Describing the Cisco Nexus switches family components
- Then, Describing Cisco ACI and NX-OS mode
- Then, Describing the Cisco MDS 9700 product family components
- last, Identification of the MDS 9700 Family Storage networking modules
Module 3: Cisco UCS and Cisco NX-OS software operation
Next module is all about software operation.
- First, Describing the Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC)
- Second, Describing the features and functionality of Cisco UCS Manager
- Third, Describing the different command modes for the Cisco NX-OS software
- Determining the current mode of the device
- Verifying the device configuration using and interpreting the basic Cisco NX-OS commands
- Identifying a configuration file from a Cisco device
- Usage of the device file systems, directories, and files
- Performing password recovery on a Cisco NX-OS switch device
Module 4: Service-Related Information
Last but not least, this fourth module is all about service related information.
- Firstly, Using the hardware tools needed for repair
- Secondly, Making a physical connection from laptop to Cisco console port
- Thirdly, Performing installation process steps and expected outcomes
- After that, Performing initial setup tasks
- Service restoration verification
- Performing remedial procedures on Cisco devices
- Up gradation of the BIOS on a Cisco UCS Server Blade with the GUI
- Performing the Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect (FI) upgrade/downgrade procedure
- Firmware Automatic Synchronization
- Upgrading Cisco Integrated Management Controller firmware on a Cisco UCS Server CSeries
- Lastly, Troubleshooting Cisco UCS servers
Scoring process
The passing score for Cisco exams is determined through statistical analysis, and it can vary. After you take the exam, you’ll receive a scorecard that includes your section scores and whether you passed or not. However, Cisco doesn’t publicly announce the passing score since it can change due to possible adjustments in questions and the passing criteria. Now that you’re aware of how scoring works for the 010-151 DCTECH exam, let’s proceed to schedule the exam.
How to schedule the exam?
Cisco provides the flexibility to schedule your exam based on your convenience. It’s not too complicated, so take your time to plan it according to your work schedule. To schedule the exam, just follow these steps:
- Start by logging into your Pearson VUE account.
- Choose “Proctored Exams” and enter the exam code, which is 010-151.
- Then, simply follow the instructions to complete your registration.
Can we retake the exam?
As per Cisco’s retake policy, if you don’t pass the exam and wish to retake it, you must wait for a minimum of 5 business days from the day of your unsuccessful attempt. On the other hand, if you pass the exam and want to take it again, you’ll need to wait at least 180 days with the same exam number.
Exam Re-certification Policy
Recertification holds significance for both candidates and their employers. It signifies that candidates are staying updated with the latest technology trends and are maintaining their skills at the same high level as when they originally passed the certification exam. A noteworthy change from February 24, 2020, is that Cisco has introduced a more flexible approach to recertification. This change is designed to encourage candidates to enhance their skill sets and offers various paths to keep their certifications current. Here are the updates:
- Firstly, all certifications now come with a three-year recertification deadline.
- Secondly, the Continuing Education program is now extended to cover CCNA, Specialist, CCNP, and CCIE certifications.
- Lastly, the maximum point limit for continuing education through Cisco Live activities and content creation, like writing exam questions, has been removed.
Exam Related Queries
Now, let’s delve into the section where we address questions related to the exam. If you have any doubts or questions about the certification exam, there are numerous websites available to assist you. These websites provide a platform for candidates to ask questions and find detailed information about the certification program. The information is gathered from other users and candidates who have experienced the process. Some of the websites that offer such information include Answers.com, Quora, Stack Overflow, and several others.
Preparatory guide: step by step
Remember the saying, “Work smarter, not harder”? Well, that’s exactly what we have in mind. We’ve crafted a study guide that will make acing the exam a breeze. This step-by-step guide outlines all the necessary resources you need to succeed in the 010-151 DCTECH exam.
Importance of official website
It’s important to realize that the Cisco official website is the most reliable source for information about the 010-151DCTECH exam. Your initial and most important action should be to visit the official certification page. All the details about the 010-151DCTECH exam can be found on this official webpage. This includes prerequisites, the roles of a Data Engineer, exam language, registration fees, the exam skill outline, and the recommended learning path – everything you need to know is available on the official site.
Reviewing exam objectives
Moving on, let’s talk about reviewing exam objectives. If this is your first time using a preparation guide, take a moment to feel at ease. This could potentially be the start of your journey to a well-paying job. To keep up this progress, it’s essential to go through all the exam objectives. This step will provide valuable insights, answering questions like what topics are important and what kind of background knowledge would be advantageous.
Training offered
The third step in the preparatory is training offered by Cisco. The training session lasts for about 7 to 8 hours. Additionally, this training program is specifically designed for field support engineers who work with Cisco data center system devices and their operating software. When you purchase this training, it includes a one-year subscription for a single user. This subscription grants access to the most up-to-date information about Cisco products. Moreover, this training course is the official preparation for the CCT Data Center certification exam, known as 010-151 DCTECH.
The training course is divided into different modules. These modules incorporate various elements like text, interactive activities, images, and videos. These elements work together to illustrate the correct procedures for solving common issues. The goal is to enhance the skills of field support engineers and improve their ability to quickly resolve problems.
Study material
While training will encompass many crucial skills you need, let’s not overlook the significance of books and the insights they offer. Books serve as valuable sources of knowledge for understanding the 010-151 DCTECH exam. Here are a couple of recommended books:
- IP Multicast, Volume I: Cisco IP Multicast Networking (Networking Technology) BY Josh Loveless, Ray Blair and Arvind Durai.
- Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) (Data Center): A Complete Reference Guide to the Cisco Data Center Virtualization Server Architecture (Networking Technology) by Silvano Gai, Tommi Salli and Roger Andersson.
Study group and online forums
The next important step involves considering joining a study group or an online forum. With numerous distractions in our surroundings, online forums and study groups can offer significant advantages. However, it’s important to note that this step isn’t mandatory for your preparation. Whether you decide to join a study group or forum depends on your preference. You can choose to join such a group at any point during your preparation. Study groups provide a way to connect with fellow candidates who are on a similar journey. They can be especially helpful when you encounter challenging topics. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make.
Practice your test away
We’ve reached the final step in preparing for the 010-151 DCTECH exam. This step will give you a clear understanding of your areas of focus. Are you prepared to assess yourself? To do this, it’s important to go through sample tests, but only after you’ve covered the entire syllabus. These practice tests are designed to simulate the actual exam environment. You can find practice papers from various sources. Keep in mind that the more you test yourself, the more you’ll improve your skills and readiness. SO START PRACTISING NOW!
Exam tips
Take a moment to gather yourself and control any anxious feelings. Remember, you’ve got this and you’re capable. If you’re still feeling stressed, here are some tips to keep in mind while preparing for the exam:
- Avoid Multitasking: Set up a schedule and stick to it. Focus on one task at a time.
- Set Weekly Goals: Plan what you want to achieve each week and keep track of your progress.
- Find a Quiet Space: Study in an environment with minimal distractions to help you concentrate.
- Take Breaks: It’s okay to take short breaks while studying. You can’t be productive all the time.
- Manage Time: Make the most of your time and stay productive.
- Consider Meditation: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, meditation can help calm your mind.
- Eat Well: Have a nutritious meal before the exam to fuel your brain.
- Prepare for Exam Day: Wake up early, read something brief to get your mind in gear, and be ready for the exam.
Directly from the experts
Keep in mind that creating opportunities is up to you, candidates. We’ve given you all the key information in this article. It’s important to follow the entire preparation guide. Every journey has its challenges, but studying diligently is essential for exam success. This achievement can pave the way for a brighter future and remarkable accomplishments. Stay focused and aim to get certified as soon as you can.
ALL THE BEST!
