Study Guide Cisco 300-915 DEVIOT Developing Solutions using Cisco IoT and Edge Platforms Exam

1.Overview of the 300-915 DEVIOT Exam

Exam Objectives

The Cisco 300-915 DEVIOT (Developing Solutions using Cisco IoT and Edge Platforms) exam is part of the Cisco Certified DevNet Professional certification track. It validates a candidate’s knowledge and skills in developing Internet of Things (IoT) applications using Cisco IoT and edge computing platforms.

The key objectives include:

Designing, developing, deploying, and debugging edge and fog applications.

Working with Cisco edge platforms such as Cisco IOx, Field Network Director (FND), and Edge Intelligence.

Managing data flow and analytics at the edge.

Ensuring security and connectivity in IoT environments.

Integrating edge applications with enterprise and cloud infrastructures.

The exam focuses on real-world tasks like application lifecycle management, device onboarding, connectivity configuration, and securing IoT networks, all with development tools and DevOps methodologies.

Target Audience

The DEVIOT exam is intended for:

IoT Application Developers: Professionals responsible for building and deploying software on Cisco edge platforms.

Network and System Engineers: Individuals transitioning from traditional IT to operational technology (OT) environments.

DevOps Engineers: Those managing CI/CD processes and infrastructure for edge computing.

Solution Architects and Consultants: Specialists in designing end-to-end IoT solutions leveraging Cisco technology.

Prerequisites:

While there are no formal prerequisites, candidates are recommended to have:

A solid foundation in programming (Python is preferred).

Familiarity with Docker containers and REST APIs.

Knowledge of networking fundamentals (IP routing, NAT, VLANs, VPNs).

Experience with Linux CLI and basic system administration.

Understanding of IoT communication protocols (MQTT, CoAP, etc.).

Exam Format and Structure

Exam Code: 300-915 DEVIOT

Duration: 90 minutes

Type: Proctored, computer-based

Question Types:

Multiple Choice (Single and Multiple Answer)

Drag and Drop

Fill in the Blanks

Simulation-based scenarios

Language: English

Cost: USD $300 (subject to regional pricing)

Delivery: Pearson VUE testing centers or online proctored

Topics Covered (Cisco Blueprint Domains):

Cisco IoT Fundamentals and Architecture

Edge Application Deployment and Lifecycle Management

Connectivity and Device Configuration

Edge Data Handling and Processing

Security Implementation

Integration with Enterprise and Cloud Platforms

Monitoring, Logging, and Troubleshooting

Scoring: Cisco doesn’t publish official passing scores, but candidates typically need around 70% to pass, depending on the exam form.

Key Technologies and Tools

Candidates must be familiar with a variety of Cisco-specific and open-source tools to succeed on the DEVIOT exam:

Cisco Platforms and Tools

Cisco IOx: Framework for deploying and running applications directly on Cisco network hardware (e.g., IR/IE routers).

Cisco Edge Intelligence: Enables rule-based data filtering and flow between edge and cloud.

Cisco Field Network Director (FND): Manages thousands of industrial network devices.

Cisco Industrial Asset Vision (IAV): Sensor monitoring and visibility solution.

Cisco DNA Center: For network automation and assurance in IoT environments.

Development and Deployment Tools

Docker: Container technology used for packaging applications for IOx.

Python: Commonly used for scripting and IoT application development.

REST APIs: Used to interact with Cisco platforms programmatically.

Cisco DevNet: Developer resources, sandboxes, and APIs.

YANG/NETCONF: Used in device configuration and management.

IoT Protocols and Standards

MQTT: Lightweight messaging protocol for small sensors and mobile devices.

CoAP: Designed for constrained devices and networks.

HTTPS/REST: Secure data communication with web services.

Security Tools and Practices

Secure Boot and Trust Anchor Technologies

802.1X and MACsec

Certificate Management

Zero Trust Architecture for IoT

2. IoT Fundamentals

IoT Architecture and Protocols

IoT (Internet of Things) architecture refers to the framework that supports the seamless connection, communication, and management of devices, networks, data, and applications. A robust IoT architecture allows devices (often resource-constrained) to communicate, process data, and interact with cloud or enterprise systems effectively.

The standard layered IoT architecture comprises the following major layers:

1. Perception Layer (Sensing Layer)

This is the physical layer where data originates. It includes sensors, actuators, RFID tags, GPS modules, and embedded systems. Devices in this layer are responsible for detecting and collecting data from the environment, such as temperature, humidity, motion, pressure, light, or location.

This layer faces challenges like low power, limited memory, and constrained processing, which influence the choice of protocols and processing capabilities.

2. Network Layer

The network layer transmits the data collected from the perception layer to processing units or cloud infrastructure. It ensures reliable and secure transmission using both short-range (Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi) and long-range (LoRaWAN, LTE, 5G) communication technologies.

Network infrastructure may use IP-based protocols or specialized ones like 6LoWPAN to support low-power and lossy networks.

3. Edge/Fog Layer

This optional but increasingly critical layer is where edge computing devices process data close to the source. By running analytics at the edge, latency is reduced, and bandwidth is saved. Devices like Cisco IR/IE routers with IOx can run containerized applications to filter, analyze, and forward only meaningful data to the cloud.

Fog computing (coined by Cisco) refers to a distributed approach where computation is spread across network devices from edge to core, offering scalability and reduced latency for real-time applications.

4. Application Layer

This layer delivers services to end users or systems. It includes dashboards, control panels, business intelligence tools, and data integration platforms. Applications vary by industry—smart cities, industrial automation, healthcare monitoring, and transportation are common domains.

5. Business Layer

Often considered part of a more holistic architecture, this layer defines how data is used for decision-making, policy enforcement, monetization, and compliance.

IoT Communication Protocols

IoT devices utilize both standard internet protocols and purpose-built lightweight protocols. These protocols are optimized for low-power, unreliable, and high-latency environments common in IoT deployments.

1. MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport)

MQTT is a publish/subscribe protocol widely used in IoT for telemetry. It’s lightweight, runs over TCP/IP, and uses a broker to facilitate communication between clients.

Advantages: Low overhead, ideal for constrained devices.

Use Cases: Sensor data reporting, remote monitoring, real-time messaging.

MQTT has features like last will and testament (LWT), quality of service (QoS) levels (0, 1, 2), and persistent sessions.

2. CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol)

CoAP is a RESTful protocol that runs over UDP and is optimized for constrained devices and lossy networks.

Advantages: Works well in lossy networks, supports multicast.

Use Cases: Smart home automation, constrained wireless networks.

It mirrors HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) but consumes less bandwidth and supports asynchronous message exchange.

3. HTTP/HTTPS

Traditional web protocols like HTTP and HTTPS are used in IoT for interoperability with web services and APIs. While not lightweight, HTTPS ensures secure transmission of data to cloud servers.

Advantages: Compatibility