Expected 500-490 Exam Topics, as suggested by Cisco :

• Module 1: SD-Access Discovery: For Cisco Field Engineers, understanding SD-Access Discovery is essential. This topic covers defining SD-Access, trends, challenges, benefits, and key capabilities, and exploring use cases and buying triggers. Mastering these concepts helps engineers effectively introduce SD-Access to clients, align solutions with their needs, and drive adoption by showcasing its strategic advantages.
• Module 2: SD-Access Design: In the 500-490 exam topic, Cisco Field Engineers must grasp high-level design considerations, including integration with DNA Center, branch design, migration considerations, and data center policy integration. These design principles are crucial for engineers to develop scalable, efficient, and effective SD-Access solutions tailored to client environments and business requirements.
• Module 3: SDA Demonstration: For Cisco Field Engineers, the SDA Demonstration topic focuses on showcasing SD-Access Assurance capabilities. Understanding how to effectively demonstrate these capabilities allows engineers to highlight the reliability and efficiency of SD-Access, thereby addressing client concerns and proving the technology’s value during the sales and implementation process.
• Module 4: SDA Defend: The SDA Defend topic equips Cisco Field Engineers with the skills to differentiate SD-Access from competitors, address potential caveats, and identify key selling points. Mastery in this area ensures engineers can effectively close deals, manage customer expectations, and demonstrate the unique value propositions of SD-Access solutions.
• Module 5: SD-WAN: Discover: In this 500-490 exam topic, Cisco Field Engineers learn about 4D On-Demand Training, customer discovery use cases, trends, challenges, and key capabilities, along with 4D Engagement. This knowledge enables engineers to effectively engage with clients, understand their needs, and present SD-WAN solutions that address specific requirements and drive successful outcomes.
• Module 6: SD-WAN: Design: The topic focuses on high-level design considerations, solution architecture, and reinventing WAN aspects such as security, connectivity, application services, and operations. Cisco Field Engineers need to master these elements to design robust and scalable SD-WAN solutions that meet clients’ evolving network and security needs.
• Module 7: SD-WAN: Demonstration: For Cisco Field Engineers, the SD-WAN Demonstration topic covers demonstrating SD-WAN capabilities, understanding products, licensing, and software, and addressing caveats and key selling points. Effective demonstrations and knowledge in these areas help engineers highlight the benefits of SD-WAN, address client questions, and support successful sales and implementations.
• Module 8: ISE: Discover: The topic involves introducing Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), exploring trends, challenges, benefits, and capabilities, and understanding discovery use cases and buying triggers. This knowledge is crucial for Cisco Field Engineers to effectively present ISE to clients and align its features with their specific network security needs.
• Module 9: ISE: Design: For this 500-490 exam topic, Cisco Field Engineers must understand ISE solutions and architecture, fundamentals, and features such as access control, visibility, guest access, BYOD, and TrustSec. This comprehensive understanding allows engineers to design and implement robust ISE solutions that meet diverse network security and management requirements.
• Module 10: ISE: Demonstration: The topic helps Cisco Field Engineers effectively showcase ISE capabilities, products, software, licensing, and address caveats. Engineers proficient in these areas can provide compelling demonstrations and proof of value, enhancing client understanding and driving successful deployments of ISE solutions.
• Module 11: ISE: Defend: In this topic of the 500-490 exam, Cisco Field Engineers need to articulate ISE competitive advantages and identify key selling points. Mastery in this area ensures engineers can effectively defend ISE against competitors and emphasize its value, helping secure client trust and close sales.