In the rapidly evolving world of networking, staying ahead means more than just gaining experience—it means validating your expertise with industry-recognized certifications. While Cisco and Juniper have long dominated the networking certification landscape, a new contender has been gaining momentum: Arista Networks. Known for its cutting-edge cloud networking solutions and programmable infrastructure, Arista is making waves in data centers and enterprise networks—and its certifications are quickly becoming a favorite among network engineers. But why exactly are arista certification growing in popularity?
Here’s a detailed look at what’s driving the rise of Arista certifications and why network professionals are taking notice.
1. Industry Shift Toward Cloud Networking and Automation
Traditional networking is transforming. With the growth of cloud computing, software-defined networking (SDN), and network automation, the skills required of a network engineer are also changing. Arista has positioned itself at the forefront of this shift with a strong focus on cloud networking, scalability, and automation via open standards and programmable interfaces.
Unlike some legacy systems, Arista switches run on Extensible Operating System (EOS)—a Linux-based network OS with an open architecture. This enables seamless integration with DevOps tools like Ansible, Python, and Docker, making it highly appealing for network engineers looking to upskill in network programmability and DevOps.
Arista’s certifications reflect this modern approach, preparing engineers for real-world environments where automation and scripting are no longer optional—they’re expected.
2. High Demand for Arista Expertise in Data Centers
Arista’s market share has grown significantly in high-performance data centers, especially among hyperscale cloud providers, financial institutions, and tech-driven enterprises. Major companies such as Microsoft, Meta (Facebook), and Google are known to rely on Arista switches for high-speed, low-latency networking.
As more enterprises adopt Arista gear for their leaf-spine architectures, the demand for engineers who understand Arista’s EOS and automation workflows increases. Arista-certified professionals stand out in job markets that require next-gen networking expertise—particularly in roles focused on data center operations, cloud infrastructure, and network architecture.
3. Hands-On, Practical Focus
One of the key reasons Arista certifications are gaining favor is their emphasis on real-world, hands-on skills. Unlike some certification tracks that lean heavily on theory or rote memorization, Arista encourages deep technical understanding and problem-solving.
The Arista Certified Engineering Associate (ACE-A) and Arista Certified Engineering Professional (ACE-P) levels focus on configuring, troubleshooting, and optimizing Arista-based networks. The exams test practical skills in routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EVPN, VXLAN), network automation, and Linux CLI, giving engineers valuable experience that translates directly to job performance.
For engineers tired of studying hypothetical scenarios and multiple-choice trivia, Arista’s lab-centric approach is a refreshing and career-relevant change.
4. Strong Focus on Network Automation and DevOps Integration
Unlike traditional networking certifications, Arista’s curriculum incorporates automation and scripting from the ground up. Engineers are expected to understand and apply tools like:
- Python scripting
- eAPI (Arista’s JSON-RPC-based API)
- Ansible and other DevOps tools
- Git and CI/CD pipelines
This makes Arista certifications ideal for those aiming to transition into NetDevOps, where the convergence of network engineering and software development is redefining operational efficiency.
As enterprises seek to reduce manual configurations and adopt Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) models, engineers with Arista and automation skills are in high demand.
5. Streamlined and Modern Certification Path
Another advantage of Arista’s certification program is its simplicity and relevance. The ACE (Arista Certified Engineer) program consists of three main levels:
- ACE-A (Associate) – Foundational knowledge of Arista platforms and basic networking.
- ACE-P (Professional) – Advanced configurations, protocols, and automation techniques.
- ACE-E (Expert) – Expert-level design and troubleshooting in large-scale networks.
Compared to some vendors that offer a dizzying array of certifications and specializations, Arista’s focused path makes it easier to plan, study, and progress.
Additionally, the certification materials are open and accessible, with free study guides, labs, and documentation available on Arista’s website. This makes entry into the program more approachable for self-learners and those outside traditional corporate training channels.
6. Career Advantages and Competitive Edge
As Arista becomes more prevalent in enterprise environments, certified professionals gain a competitive edge. Engineers with Arista certifications demonstrate they can work in modern, cloud-scale networks—a key differentiator in job applications and promotions.
Job roles that particularly benefit include:
- Network Automation Engineer
- Data Center Network Engineer
- Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
- DevNet/NetDevOps roles
Moreover, engineers who certify on Arista often receive higher compensation offers, especially when paired with experience in Python, SDN, and cloud infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
Arista certifications are not just a passing trend—they represent the direction in which modern networking is heading. As organizations adopt cloud-first, automation-driven architectures, the need for engineers who understand programmable infrastructure is only growing.
Whether you’re an experienced network engineer seeking to modernize your skills or a new professional aiming to break into cloud and data center networking, Arista certifications offer a forward-looking, practical, and high-demand skill set. In a world that’s rapidly shifting toward intelligent, automated networks, Arista is helping engineers lead the charge—and certification is the first step.
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