In today’s fast-paced networking world, staying competitive means staying ahead. One of the best ways to future-proof your career is by earning certifications that focus on modern, cloud-driven technologies. Arista Networks certifications are rapidly gaining attention for their industry relevance, practical focus, and clear career benefits. Whether you’re a seasoned network engineer or just starting out, this guide will walk you through arista certification paths, the benefits of certification, and essential tips to succeed.
Certification Paths at Arista Networks
Arista’s certification program is known as the Arista Certified Engineering (ACE) program. It is designed to build expertise in operating Arista’s Extensible Operating System (EOS) and related technologies like automation, cloud networking, and data center architectures. Here’s a breakdown:
1. ACE-A (Associate)
Who it's for: Entry-level network engineers, or those new to Arista technologies.
Focus: Covers EOS basics, Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking, basic network automation, and Arista hardware platforms.
Goal: Build a strong foundation in Arista environments and prepare for more advanced certifications.
2. ACE-P (Professional)
Who it's for: Networking professionals with some Arista experience.
Focus: Advanced Layer 2/Layer 3 technologies, EVPN/VXLAN, CloudVision, automation with Ansible, APIs, telemetry, and monitoring.
Goal: Validate deeper knowledge and skills needed for real-world enterprise and data center deployments.
3. ACE-E (Expert) — Coming Soon
Who it's for: Highly experienced engineers and architects.
Focus: Deep design, deployment, and troubleshooting of large-scale, complex Arista-driven environments.
Goal: Establish expert-level credibility, comparable to high-end certifications like CCIE.
Currently, ACE-A and ACE-P are available, with ACE-E expected soon as the pinnacle of Arista’s program.
Benefits of Arista Certifications
1. Career Opportunities
Arista Networks has strong penetration in major industries like finance, healthcare, technology, and cloud services. Organizations deploying large-scale data center fabrics and cloud-native infrastructures are actively seeking engineers skilled in Arista technology. Certification gives you a significant advantage in this hiring pool.
2. Modern Skillset
The ACE program isn't weighed down by legacy networking protocols. Instead, it’s cloud-first, automation-driven, and highly focused on future technologies like EVPN, VXLAN, and network programmability — giving you a highly relevant skillset.
3. Practical Focus
Unlike some certifications that are heavy on theory, Arista certifications are very hands-on. They test your ability to configure, troubleshoot, and automate real-world Arista environments, ensuring you're job-ready from day one.
4. Competitive Edge
Since Arista certifications are less saturated than more traditional paths like CCNA or JNCIS, holding an ACE cert makes your resume stand out. It shows employers you have specialized, high-demand skills that few others possess.
Tips for Earning Your Arista Certification
1. Use Official Arista Training Materials
Arista provides free training resources on their website, including detailed courseware and video libraries. Start by downloading the official ACE study guides — they are your blueprint to passing.
2. Build a Home Lab
Hands-on practice is crucial. You can access Arista’s vEOS (virtual EOS) images and set up a lab environment using virtualization platforms like VMware or VirtualBox. This allows you to simulate real Arista networks and practice configurations.
3. Master Automation
Arista places a heavy emphasis on network automation. Learn basic scripting with Python, familiarize yourself with Ansible playbooks, and understand how to use APIs to manage devices. These skills are often tested, especially at the ACE-P level.
4. Focus on Key Technologies
Spend extra time mastering technologies like EVPN, VXLAN, BGP-EVPN control planes, and CloudVision. These are core to Arista deployments and are frequently emphasized in both training and exams.
5. Join the Community
Connect with others studying for ACE exams. Platforms like LinkedIn groups, Reddit forums, and Discord channels often have active Arista communities where you can exchange tips, lab ideas, and study materials.
Conclusion
Arista Networks certifications offer an exciting path for networking professionals who want to stay relevant in an evolving industry. Whether you’re aiming for the Associate, Professional, or future Expert level, Arista’s program can open doors to high-paying roles in data centers, cloud providers, and beyond. With the right preparation, hands-on practice, and focus on automation and modern technologies, earning your Arista certification could be a game-changing career move.
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