Enterprise Design Specialists Say Studying for ENSLD Takes at Least 3 Months
by Ross Heintzkill | Published on January 20, 2023
The Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design is one of the credentials you can earn as you work toward your CCNP Enterprise. It's earned by passing the 300-420 ENSLD exam, but how long does it take to prepare for it?
We polled IT professionals who've already passed the ENSLD through X, LinkedIn, and email to learn how long they needed to study for the exam. If you’re hoping to earn your Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design certification, their responses can help you plan.
What is the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design?
The CCNP Enterprise is one of Cisco's most popular certifications. Earning it requires passing the core exam along with one concentration exam. The Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design is one of eight concentration exams you can take. It's a mid-career certification designed for network engineers, network design engineers, and network architects.
Earning the Enterprise Design Specialist proves that you know how to:
Develop scalable and secure enterprise network architectures
Design advanced routing and addressing solutions
Create solutions for large, multi-site networks
Design network services like QoS and multicast
Implement SDN strategies and automation.
You can earn the Cisco Enterprise Design Specialist at any time, but it's usually earned as one of the concentration exams for people pursuing the CCNP Enterprise. There are no prerequisites, and the 90-minute test covers designing and optimizing enterprise networks. It costs $300 to attempt the 300-420 ENSLD exam.
RELATED: Which CCNP Enterprise Specialty Exam Should I Take?
How Long Does it Take to Study for the CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist?
Preparing for the Enterprise Design Specialist exam is no small feat. We surveyed hundreds of IT professionals to find out how long they needed to study for the ENSLD exam. Out of 145 respondents who said they attempted the ENSLD, a third said they needed more than five months to prepare.
Clearly, the test is demanding, especially for anyone less familiar with enterprise network design concepts. It’s possible to earn your status as a CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist in less time, but it’ll take hands-on practice and high-quality study materials, like an ENSLD online course that’s designed to follow the exam objectives.
More than half (about 60%) of ENSLD-certified pros who answered the survey say they needed over 3 months to feel confident enough for the test. And while a small number of respondents (about 12%) were able to get ready in less than 6 weeks, it seems that a quick turnaround is rare — unless you have a lot of prior experience or specialized knowledge.
The fact that most people needed more than 6 weeks to prep for ENSLD means this exam covers challenging and complex material that requires a deeper dive.
The takeaway from the survey? Expect to spend several months preparing to become a CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist, particularly if network design is a new area for you. The material is tough, and rushing through it likely won’t give you the confidence or skills needed to pass.
What's on the CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist Test?
The CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist exam is ENSLD 300-420, a 90-minute test that covers the design of advanced enterprise networks. Even experienced network engineers will want to take an online Cisco course to help prepare. The test has five sections:
Advanced Addressing and Routing Solutions
Advanced Enterprise Campus Networks
WAN for Enterprise Networks
Network Services
Automation
The main focus of the CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist exam is designing enterprise networks that are secure, stable, and scalable. You'll need to know how to create effective IP addressing plans and routing solutions, using various protocols to ensure that networks can handle growth and traffic efficiently. The exam will also test your knowledge of transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6, which is an important skill for modern networks.
A significant part of the CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist exam is about designing networks for large campuses or multiple sites, emphasizing high availability, security, and simplified management. This includes designing both wired and wireless networks, integrating security protocols, and understanding Cisco’s SD-Access architecture. You'll also need to know how to establish and maintain WAN connectivity.
The CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist exam wraps up with Quality of Service (QoS) and automation. You'll want to practice designing networks that prioritize traffic according to customer needs and using network automation tools to simplify monitoring and updates. You should also understand cloud-based networking and data management. Overall, the exam tests the ability to create resilient, efficient, and secure network designs for complex enterprise environments.
Most people spend between 6 weeks and 5 months preparing for the CCNP Enterprise Design Specialist. Consider taking an online 300-420 ENSLD course, they can be instrumental in shortening that time. Made by experts, the course gives you insight into Cisco’s enterprise design principles as well as practice in virtual sims and practice environments. CBT Nuggets courses focus your study efforts on high-impact areas, making complex concepts easier to grasp quickly, helping you finish faster than 5 months.
Should I Spend 5 Months on the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design?
The Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design is a smart move for anyone with solid networking experience who wants to focus more on design. This cert can open doors to roles like network architect or network design engineer, where you’re crafting high-level strategies instead of handling daily maintenance.
For network admins and engineers looking to pivot into design-focused roles, the investment of a few months of studying is well worth it. This cert not only makes you a Cisco architecture expert but also prepares you to create efficient, secure enterprise networks — giving you a competitive edge against other candidates in the job market. Typically a mid-late career move, getting ENSLD-certified shows you can cover a lot of skills and knowledge while making you an extremely attractive candidate.
RELATED: Is the CCNP Enterprise Worth It?
Prepare for the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design in Under 3 Months
Most people who earned their Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design needed at least 3 months or more to prepare. But there are ways to streamline your study time, including online courses, virtual labs, and practice exams. These tools can help you gain hands-on practice and get certified more quickly.
Use Online Training Resources
While you might be able to gather some free Cisco design training, piecing together content from other sources takes time and research to ensure it’s up-to-date. Investing in an online course is worthwhile, especially one that breaks the material down into modules that align with the exam domains. For example, CBT Nuggets courses structure the training logically around the certification requirements, helping you stay focused on the most relevant design concepts and tools.
Use Virtual Labs
Virtual labs let you work in a controlled Cisco design environment, helping you gain practical experience in network design without the need for physical equipment. With CBT Nuggets’ virtual labs, you’ll get hands-on practice with tools and scenarios you’ll likely face on the certifying exam. More practice can speed up your ENSLD preparation time and build skills that are directly applicable in real-world Cisco design jobs.
Test Yourself Using Practice Exams
Practice exams for Cisco’s Enterprise Design certification can help you clarify the topics you should spend more time on and know where you’re already strong. CBT Nuggets training offers practice exams that help you understand the exam’s format and difficulty.
Pro-tip: Take the ENSLD practice exam before you begin training so you can spot areas for improvement. Spend more time training on your “problem areas” to build confidence and skills. Take another practice exam after you’ve covered the ENSLD course materials. You’ll know if you’re ready for exam day once you feel confident on the practice exams.
Learn From Experts
Find an ENSLD training instructor that fits your learning style. CBT Nuggets courses are led by certified professionals who know the exam material intimately. Trainers like John McGovern, Knox Hutchinson, and Jeff Kish simplify complex topics by using engaging visuals and clear explanations.
If you’re ready to shape the future of enterprise networks, the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Design cert can get you there. It will certainly take some time — many say they need 5 months or more to prepare — but with CBT Nuggets’ ENSLD course, you’ll streamline your prep and feel more confident on exam day.
With step-by-step guidance, virtual labs, and practice tests, CBT Nuggets helps you focus on the skills that matter most. Start building your expertise, and reach your goals faster with a course designed to keep you moving forward.