The Arista certification path is becoming increasingly important for network engineers working with modern data center and cloud networking technologies. Most network engineers are familiar with certification paths from major networking vendors. Programs such as Cisco’s CCNA and CCNP have long been popular among professionals looking to validate their networking knowledge. However, fewer engineers are aware that Arista Networks also offers a structured certification program designed specifically for modern data center and cloud networking environments.
Most network engineers are familiar with certification paths from major networking vendors. Programs such as Cisco’s CCNA and CCNP have long been popular among professionals looking to validate their networking knowledge. However, fewer engineers are aware that Arista Networks also offers a structured certification program designed specifically for modern data center and cloud networking environments.
As Arista switches and EOS (Extensible Operating System) continue to gain adoption in enterprise data centers and hyperscale networks, understanding the Arista certification path can help network engineers expand their expertise beyond traditional vendor ecosystems.
This guide explains the Arista ACE certification program, including its different levels and what engineers can expect from each stage.
Overview of the Arista ACE Certification Program
Arista’s certification program is known as the ACE (Arista Certified Engineering) program. It is designed to validate the skills required to deploy, operate, and troubleshoot modern network infrastructures powered by Arista technologies.
The certification path is structured into several levels:
| Level | Certification |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | ACE Associate |
| Level 3 | Specialist Certifications |
| Level 5 | Professional Certifications |
| Level 7 | ACE Expert |
Unlike many traditional certifications, Arista places a strong emphasis on hands-on skills and practical networking experience.
ACE Associate (Arista Certified Engineering Associate)
The ACE Associate certification is the entry-level credential in the Arista certification program.
This certification introduces engineers to the core networking concepts required to work with Arista devices and the Arista EOS operating system.
Topics typically include:
Basic networking fundamentals
Switching and routing concepts
Arista EOS architecture
Command-line configuration
Network troubleshooting basics
One important difference compared to many traditional certifications is that the ACE Associate exam focuses heavily on practical tasks.
Instead of only answering multiple-choice questions, candidates may need to configure devices and solve real networking scenarios, reflecting real-world operational environments.
Level 3 Specialist Certifications
After achieving the Associate certification, engineers can move forward by choosing a specialist track based on their area of interest.
Arista currently offers several specialist certification tracks:
Data Center
Campus
Automation
Routing
Each track typically contains two specialist certifications, allowing engineers to build deep expertise within a specific networking domain.
Data Center Track
The Data Center specialization focuses on modern data center architectures and large-scale network deployments.
Certifications include:
ACE Data Center Engineering Specialist
ACE Data Center Operations Specialist
These certifications cover topics such as:
Leaf-spine network architectures
EVPN/VXLAN fabrics
High availability designs
Data center switching
Campus Track
The Campus networking track focuses on enterprise campus networks.
Certifications include:
ACE Campus Engineering Specialist
ACE Campus Operations Specialist
Engineers in this track learn about:
Campus network design
Layer 2 and Layer 3 campus switching
Network segmentation
Operational troubleshooting
Automation Track
Automation is becoming increasingly important in modern network environments.
The Automation specialization focuses on building programmable and scalable networks.
Certifications include:
Automation Foundations
Automation Advanced
Topics may include:
Network automation frameworks
API integrations
Python for networking
Infrastructure as code
Level 5 Professional Certifications
After completing both specialist certifications within the same track, engineers can earn a Professional-level certification.
Examples include:
ACE Data Center Professional
ACE Campus Professional
ACE Automation Professional
ACE Routing Professional
This stage ensures engineers develop both design knowledge and operational experience within their chosen specialization.
ACE Expert (Level 7)
At the top of the certification path is the ACE Expert certification.
The expert level is designed for engineers with extensive experience working with complex Arista-based network infrastructures.
Historically, the expert certification has covered multiple networking domains including:
Data center networking
Campus networking
Network automation
Although the expert-level exam structure continues to evolve, it is expected to validate deep technical expertise across multiple networking domains.
What Makes Arista Certifications Different?
One of the most unique aspects of the Arista certification program is its strong focus on hands-on lab exams.
Many certification tracks require engineers to build, configure, and troubleshoot real networking scenarios, closely simulating production network environments.
This approach helps ensure that certified engineers possess practical operational skills rather than theoretical knowledge alone.
For engineers working with technologies such as:
EVPN / VXLAN fabrics
Data center leaf-spine architectures
Network automation
Arista EOS
the ACE certification program provides meaningful validation of their technical capabilities.
Final Thoughts
While Arista certifications may not yet be as widely recognized as traditional networking certifications, the company plays a significant role in modern data center networking.
Organizations operating large-scale infrastructure increasingly rely on Arista technologies for cloud and hyperscale networking environments.
For network engineers interested in automation, data center networking, and modern infrastructure design, exploring the Arista ACE certification path can be a valuable step in advancing their careers.
If you want to learn more about Arista technologies and networking certifications, stay tuned for more networking guides and resources.