NCDA: NetApp Certified Data Administrator

NetApp Certified Data Administrators have proven skills in performing in-depth support, administrative functions, and performance management for NetApp® data storage controllers running the Data ONTAP® operating system in NFS and Windows® (CIFS) multiprotocol environments. They are able to implement high-availability controller configurations. They also have detailed knowledge of SnapMirror®, SnapRestore®, and SnapVault® technologies, which they use to manage and protect mission-critical data.

NetApp has been in the storage business since 1992 and offers a broad line of products and systems for backup and recovery, traditional and virtualized storage and cloud-based data centers. Although NetApp has some stiff competition — EMC, HP and Hitachi, to name a few — the company understands the value of flexibility and integration with other third-party products. For example, NetApp worked with Cisco to develop FlexPod, which helps customers manage Citrix, Oracle and SAP applications, and NetApp’s hybrid cloud storage integrates with Amazon, Google and Microsoft.

The NetApp Certification Program (NCP) features several certifications within four main tracks: Implementation Engineer, Storage Administrator, Installation Engineer and Converged Infrastructure. All NetApp certifications focus on some aspect of storage hardware or the software that powers these products. The Storage Administrator track includes the NetApp Certified Storage Associate (NCSA) as well as our featured cert, the NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA), which is a professional-level credential.

The NCDA recognizes working knowledge of storage area network (SAN) administration, FCP and iSCSI components and configuration, CIFS and NFS management, data aggregation and deduplication, high availability, data clustering, protocol administration, storage performance and security. Candidates must be able to configure controllers running the NetApp Data ONTAP operating system in NFS and Windows (CIFS) environments, and understand NetApp SnapMirror, SnapRestore and SnapVault technologies.

Candidates must pass one exam but can choose either the NetApp Certified 7-Mode Data Administrator (NS0-155) or NetApp Certified Data Administrator, Clustered Data ONTAP (NS0-157) exam.

NetApp certifications are valid for 27 months, and credential holders must meet recertification requirements during this period to maintain their certifications.

Certification Name

NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA)

Prerequisites & Required Courses:

Recommended: 6 to 12 months of experience implementing and administering NetApp data storage solutions; knowledge of HA controller implementation and configuration, SyncMirror software or clustered Data ONTAP solutions with single- or multi-node configurations.
NetApp training courses are also available.

Number of Exams

One exam (choose from the following):
NS0-155: NetApp Certified 7-Mode Data Administrator (55 to 65 questions, 90 minutes)
NS0-157: NetApp Certified Data Administrator, Clustered Data ONTAP (55 to 65 questions, 90 minutes)

Cost per Exam

$150 USD. Exams administered by Pearson VUE

URL

http://www.netapp.com/us/services-support/university/certification/ncda/

Self-Study Materials

NetApp offers instructor-led and web-based training options for all exams, as well as a certification FAQ. No certification study guides or practice exams were found on the NetApp site or on Amazon.