1. Core Exam Update Overview

The CCIE EI LAB version has been upgraded from v1.0 to v1.1. This constitutes a minor revision (with overall content adjustments of less than 20%) and utilizes Cisco's newly introduced Agile Revision Process to ensure that exam content remains synchronized with current industry technologies.

Effective February 1, 2026, all global testing centers will fully adopt the new exam content version. SPOTO's course materials and exam question banks have already been updated to reflect this latest version.

Exam Format: There are no structural changes to the exam format; it remains an 8-hour lab-based examination consisting of a Design module (3 hours) and a Deploy/Operate/Optimize module (5 hours), maintaining the original exam workflow and grading criteria.

2. Detailed List of Topic Changes Across Five Key Domains

(1) Network Infrastructure (30%)

Removal of Obsolete Technologies:

VLAN Database and VTP (1.1.c)—reflecting changes in best practices for VLAN management in modern networks.

The entirety of the original task 1.3.d, as well as the fast convergence requirements and IP FRR single-hop features previously found in 1.3.f.

Loop-free Alternate (LFA) in OSPFv2 (1.4.e) and Multipath/Add-path in BGP (1.5.f).

Addition of Practical Features:

Identification of Multichassis EtherChannel use cases (1.1.d)—strengthening capabilities in high-availability data center design.

Inter-VRF route leaking (using Route Maps and VASI) and L3 MTU configuration (1.2)—enhancing routing control capabilities in complex network environments.

OSPFv3 Address Family support (1.4)—adapting to the evolving trends of IPv6 networks.

(2) Software-Defined Infrastructure (25%)

Comprehensive restructuring of SD-Access and SD-WAN task frameworks to provide a clearer knowledge structure:

SD-Access:

Renaming and refining the six sub-tasks: Underlay/Overlay/Fabric Design, Deployment, Border Handoff, and Segmentation; adding new design requirements for "Fabric-in-a-Box".

Expansion of multi-site architectures, adding new border handoff options for SD-WAN Transport and IP Transport.

Strengthening "Assurance" capabilities, adding new monitoring and troubleshooting requirements for Network and Client Health (360).

SD-WAN:

Reorganization of the Controller Architecture (Management/Orchestration/Control Planes), adding new coverage for Cloud Edge deployments (AWS/Azure/Google Cloud).

Expansion of OMP protocol content, adding new features for BGP AS-path propagation and SDA integration.

Refinement of policy classifications: Centralized Policies (Data Policies, Application-Aware Routing Policies, Control Policies) and Localized Policies (Access Lists, Route Policies).

(3) Transport Technologies and Solutions (10%)

Content Streamlining: Removal of static point-to-point GRE tunnels, Extranet route leaking in MPLS VPNs, per-tunnel QoS in DMVPN, and FlexVPN. Low-priority topics, such as use-case identification, have been de-emphasized.

Focus on Core Competencies: Retained commonly used enterprise networking technologies—including basic MPLS operations, L3VPNs, and DMVPN Phase 3 dual-hub troubleshooting—to ensure that exam content remains highly relevant to real-world job tasks.

(4) Infrastructure Security and Services (15%)

Structural Adjustment: Content regarding IEEE 802.1X port authentication has been migrated from this domain to the SD-Access section, better reflecting the modern networking trend of converging identity authentication with software-defined networking.

Other Content: Remains largely unchanged; only minor refinements have been made to specific task descriptions to enhance the clarity of the exam topics.

(5) Infrastructure Automation and Programmability (20%)

New Data Encoding Formats: YAML and the Jinja2 templating engine have been added as core exam topics—joining JSON and XML—to reinforce skills related to automated configuration file generation.

Removal of Obsolete API Interactions: Tasks involving interactions with the Cisco IOS XE API (Task 5.3) have been removed, reflecting the industry trend of network automation shifting toward more centralized controller APIs.

Enhanced Controller API Focus: The scope of exam topics covering interactions with the vManage API and DNA Center API has been expanded to include the use of the Python `requests`library and the Postman tool, covering operations related to both monitoring and configuration endpoints.

3. Software Version Upgrades

Cisco IOS XE: Upgraded from 17.3 to 17.9, supporting new features such as OSPFv3 Address Families and Multi-Chassis EtherChannel.

Cisco SD-WAN: Software updated to version 20.9, accommodating the new controller architecture and OMP protocol features.

Cisco DNA Center: Updated to version 2.3, supporting SD-Access Assurance capabilities and enhanced device discovery and management functions.

Component Removal: No hardware components have been removed; core devices—including the existing Catalyst 9000 series switches and ISR 4000 series routers—remain in place.

4. Recommended Preparation Strategies

(1) Time Planning (8–12 Weeks)

Weeks 1–2: Conduct a comprehensive review of the exam topic change list, identify and mark newly added, removed, or replaced exam objectives, formulate a personalized study plan, and focus specifically on structural changes within SD-Access/SD-WAN and new content in the Automation domain.

Weeks 3–5: Focus on mastering the three key areas of major adjustment; complete at least three full-scale lab practice sessions.

Weeks 6–8: Consolidate your understanding of original core exam topics; conduct full-scope mock exams utilizing the latest software versions.

Weeks 9–12: Intensify training on your identified weak areas; complete at least five full sets of mock lab exercises based on the new exam version to familiarize yourself with the exam pace and time management.

(2) Recommended Resources

Official Resources: Cisco Official CCIE EI v1.1 Exam Blueprint, v1.1 Release Notes, and documentation for Cisco DNA Center 2.3 and SD-WAN 20.9.

Practical Resources: Cisco DevNet Sandbox, Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) version 2.0 or higher.

Training Resources: Select SPOTO training courses that have been updated to version v1.1, with a specific focus on the restructured SD-Access/SD-WAN modules and the newly added Automation content.

Summary: The updates to the CCIE EI LAB v1.1 exam—specifically the changes to the lab scenarios—constitute minor, targeted adjustments. Their primary objective is to retire obsolete technologies, optimize the structure of exam topics, and place greater emphasis on assessing skills that are highly relevant to actual enterprise requirements.

SPOTO’s courses and question banks have all been updated to the latest version, incorporating all new content. We have designed a scientifically structured study plan to ensure you achieve outstanding results in the new version of the exam!