Certification Details

Certified Data Center Infrastructure Expert (DCIE™)

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Certification Overview

This program is intended for IT professionals who work within or alongside data center environments and are responsible for ensuring and enhancing availability, as well as overall operational efficiency. These individuals may be involved in activities such as designing, building, upgrading, or relocating mission-critical data centers, while maintaining accountability for their performance and reliability.

In modern organizations, IT systems play a central role in delivering essential business services, often directly to customers or end users. Because of this, it is crucial that mission-critical data centers are carefully planned, properly managed, and consistently maintained to achieve high levels of availability and efficiency. However, in practice, many data centers fall short of meeting the expected standards in areas such as uptime, capacity, safety, and operational effectiveness required by the organization.

The Certified Data Center Infrastructure Expert (DCIE™) is a foundational credential awarded by DCQSA to professionals who have demonstrated core competency in project frameworks


Exam Code: DCIE™-001

E-Course Duration: 10 to 15 Hours

Exam Information

The exam comprises of 40 Multiple Choice Questions out of which the candidate needs to score 70% (28 out of 40 correct) to pass the exam.

The total duration of the exam is 1 hour (60 Minutes).

  • The exam is conducted in AI-proctored mode and can be taken anytime, anywhere within an eight-month validity period.
  • Upon purchasing the Premium Package or an Exam Voucher Code, a voucher code with two attempts will be assigned to your login profile under the "My Vouchers" tab. You can then take the exam through the "My Exam(s)" tab in your profile. To take the exam, simply apply the voucher code.

  • The Exam Voucher included in the Premium Package or purchased separately is valid for two (2) attempts. If you are unable to pass the exam within these two attempts, you can purchase a new voucher code, which will grant you an additional two attempts.
  • Kindly Note: The voucher will not be valid for a second attempt if you pass the exam on your first attempt.

The Certified Data-Stream Implementation Pro - CDIP™® Certificate is valid for life.

DCIE™® is Registered Trademark of DCQSA.

Note: Certified Data Center Infrastructure Expert (DCIE™)® Certification has no pre-requisites (Completion of an E-Course is not mandatory from DCQSA), but we highly recommend doing the E-Course as maximum number of questions are drawn from the E-Course in the actual exam.

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Course Outline

Module 1: Power Redundancy in Data Centers

  • Overview of power redundancy concepts
  • Introduction to Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems
  • UPS configuration and design approaches
  • Understanding the concept of “N” capacity
  • Various redundancy models
  • Proper sizing of UPS systems
  • Overview of power supply environments
  • Backup power solutions, including standby generators

Module 2: Power Distribution

  • Introduction to power distribution systems
  • Basics of electrical power transmission
  • Comparing nominal voltage and operating voltage
  • Role and function of transformers
  • Different transformer types
  • Service entrance fundamentals
  • Main electrical distribution panels
  • Facility-level transformers
  • Sub-distribution panels
  • Feeders and their function
  • Branch circuits and outlets

Module 3: Basics of Physical Infrastructure Management

  • Definition and importance of infrastructure management
  • Common challenges in managing physical infrastructure
  • Developing an infrastructure management strategy
  • Key areas of management focus
  • Relevant standards and best practices
  • Different management methodologies
  • Use of element managers
  • Enterprise management systems (EMS)
  • Building management systems (BMS)
  • Integration of infrastructure management systems
  • Role of physical infrastructure element managers

Module 4: Rack Fundamentals

  • Introduction to rack systems
  • The 19-inch rack standard
  • Seismic and earthquake-related considerations
  • Pros and cons of open-frame designs
  • Industry insights and survey findings
  • Total cost of ownership and lifecycle considerations
  • Impact on system availability
  • Maintenance and service considerations
  • MFlexibility and scalability
  • Ease of management
  • Data center floor planning

Module 5: Cooling Systems Overview

  • Introduction to cooling strategies
  • Rack-level cooling solutions
  • Room-based cooling approaches
  • Row-based cooling systems
  • Hybrid cooling designs combining multiple methods
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Target Audience

  • Best suited to Information Technology professionals who possess intermediate to advanced programming, systems administration or relational database skills and are looking to move into the area of Big Data. These include
  • Software Engineers
  • Application Developers
  • IT Architects
  • System Administrators
  • The course can also be of benefit to other professionals, e.g. business analysts, market/data researchers, etc. who possess strong information Technology skills and have a deep interest in Big Data analytics and the benefits it can bring to an organization.

Certified Data Center Infrastructure Expert (DCIE™) are trademarks of DCQSA (Data Center Quality & Standards Association). All rights reserved.