The Cisco 200-901 DEVASC (Developing Applications and Automating Workflows using Cisco Platforms) course and exam are designed for software developers, network engineers, and automation specialists who want to build and manage applications on Cisco platforms. It is the entry-level certification in the Cisco DevNet certification track, validating foundational knowledge in modern software development and its application to networking.

The course curriculum is a blend of software development principles and network automation, with a strong emphasis on hands-on skills. Key topics covered include:

Software Development and Design: Understanding core software development concepts like data formats (JSON, XML, YAML), software development methods (Agile, Lean, Waterfall), version control with Git, and common design patterns (MVC).
Understanding and Using APIs: Learning how to construct and troubleshoot REST API requests, understanding HTTP response codes, and utilizing various API authentication mechanisms. This also includes an introduction to different API styles (REST vs. RPC) and webhooks.
Cisco Platforms and Development: Describing the capabilities of and using APIs for key Cisco platforms in network management (Meraki, DNA Center), collaboration (Webex), security (Firepower, Umbrella), and compute (UCS Manager, Intersight). It also covers model-driven programmability concepts like YANG, RESTCONF, and NETCONF.
Application Deployment and Security: Exploring different application deployment types (virtual machines, containers, bare metal), understanding the benefits of cloud and edge computing, and learning about key security principles like secret protection and common application security threats (OWASP).
Infrastructure and Automation: Understanding the principles of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and the components of a CI/CD pipeline. The course also covers popular automation tools like Ansible and Terraform, and how to use Python to automate workflows on Cisco platforms.
Network Fundamentals: A foundational understanding of networking concepts such as IP addressing, switching, routing, and network components is also covered to provide context for automation and programmability.

The Cisco 200-901 DEVASC (Developing Applications and Automating Workflows using Cisco Platforms) exam has the following key details:
- Exam Duration: The exam is 120 minutes long.
- Number of Questions: The number of questions can vary, but reports from test-takers often fall in the range of 90 to 105 questions.
- Passing Score: Cisco does not publish a specific passing score, as it can be subject to change. However, based on community reports, a score of approximately 800-850 out of 1000 is generally considered a passing grade.
The exam questions are presented in various formats, including multiple-choice (single and multiple answers), drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blank.

The DevNet Associate certification is ideal for IT professionals and developers looking to acquire the skills to turn manual network operations into dynamic, programmable, and automated solutions.