Looking for guidance on how to achieve Huawei HCIA Datacom certification? Then you have come to the right place - we will show you how to become certified in 4 months, even as a beginner.
What is the Huawei HCIA Datacom Certification?
The Huawei HCIA Datacom (Huawei Certified ICT Associate - Datacom) certification is an entry-level certification focusing on basic knowledge and skills in data communication technologies, particularly using Huawei network devices. It is designed for beginners in networking who wish to pursue a career in network engineering. It is also the basis for the next higher level HCIP and HCIE certification.
The HCIA Datacom exam (V1.0) covers the following topics:
- Data communication and network basics
- Build an IP network with interconnection and interworking
- Ethernet switching network construction
- Cyber security infrastructure and network access
- Network services and applications
- WLAN basics
- WAN basics
- Network management and O&M
- IPv6 basics
- SDN and automation basics
The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE Center worldwide without any prerequisites.
Exam Code: H12-811
Exam Format: Single-answer question, Multiple-answer question, True or false, Short response question, Drag and Drop question
Time: 90 minutes
Passing Score/Total Score: 600/1000
Exam Cost: 200 USD
Language: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian, Japanese
After passing the test, the certification is valid for 3 years before recertification is required.
What are the benefits of the HCIA Datacom certification?
As with any certification the Huawei HCIA Dataom certification can demonstrate your computer networking knowledge, skills and expertise to potential employers. Here is a list of some of the benefits of being HCIA certified:
- As a certified engineer you may get more opportunities
- Higher salary
- You are interesting for Huawei partners (they need a certain number of certified people)
- You inspire other engineers (mentor)
- Increased value of skills
- Increased resume value
- It is recognized globally and will enhance your reputation in the Huawei community
- Starting point for higher certifications like HCIP (Huawei Certified ICT Professional) and HCIE (Huawei Certified ICT Expert)
Guideline to the HCIA Datacom certification
There is an official Huawei exam outline that provides an overview of the topics covered in the HCIA Datacom exam. However, this exam outline does not go into depth and does not contain any additional information. Therefore, we have created a special "Netcamp Extended HCIA Datacom Blueprint" that lists the topics in more detail and provides you with additional resources/links for your preparation. This allows you to document your learning process and see what you are missing.
You must have an active membership (monthly or annual) and be logged in to download the Netcamp Extended HCIA Datacom Blueprint.
Download Netcamp Extended HCIA Datacom Blueprint
With our blueprint and the following HCIA Datacom certification guide, it is possible to achieve the Huawei HCIA Datacom certification in just 4 months.
Learn the HCIA Datacom theory
The Netcamp Extended HCIA Datacom Blueprint provides you with a comprehensive list of all the topics covered in the HCIA Datacom exam and their weighting. Based on this, you can define and track your learning path. You can use the resources available in the blueprint or use additional learning materials (e.g. from Huawei directly). As this is primarily a theoretical exam, this is an important part of your preparation.
Enhance your HCIA Datacom knowledge with hands-on labs
The current HCIA Datacom certification does not include practical labs in the exam. So why should I do hands-on labs?
The exam contains various questions that test practical experience. There may be questions with screenshots of commands, questions about which command can be used to display certain information, etc. that require practical knowledge. In addition, the knowledge you learn will also help you in your daily work with Huawei equipment.
If you do not have your own lab to use for hands-on labs and/or are looking for additional guided labs, we have several options for you:
- We have created some Huawei eNSP Labs for you to download and use on your own device. However, the simulator cannot be used for all topics and has not been developed by Huawei for several years. It can also be installed and used on an Azure VM if needed.
- If you want to conduct hands-on labs without restrictions, our physical Huawei Remote Labs is at your disposal. You will have access to the latest hardware to test and practice all kinds of topics.
We have also written an eBook, the HCIA Datacom Command Guide, to help you with your preparations. The book is based on the official Exam Outline of Huawei HCIA Datacom in version 1.0 and contains all the commands of the topics listed there. The book focuses entirely on the CLI commands using configuration examples and verification commands.
This book not only helps you to pass the HCIA Datacom exam but also helps you in your daily work with Huawei equipment and serves as a reference book.
Test your knowledge with the HCIA Datacom Quiz
Our HCIA Datacom Quiz provides a little variety while you work through the theory. As in the real exam, 60 questions are selected from a large pool of questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. To pass, you must answer more than 60% of the questions correctly. The quiz can be taken an unlimited number of times, with questions randomly selected from the pool each time. If you do not have an active membership (monthly or annual) yet, you can take a free HCIA Datacom Demo Quiz with 5 questions. They are not real exam questions or dumps, but are based on the actual HCIA Datacom exam outline and very close to the real exam. Many students have passed the exam with the help of these quizzes.
Register and take the offical HCIA Datacom exam
You can register for the exam directly with Pearson VUE. The exam can be retaken an unlimited number of times, so it is wise to register early and make a first attempt. Experience has shown that many students have passed the exam when they did not feel ready. If you don't pass the first time, book your next exam as soon as possible and work on your weaknesses. Huawei often offers vouchers for the exam, which can be requested from your local Huawei contact. This is another reason to register early for the exam and try it out.
We had students who passed with 605 points and those who passed with over 900 points. In the end, the certificate is the same and nobody asks for the number of points obtained (it is not written anywhere on the certificate).
Once you have passed the test, let us know so that you can be inducted into the Huawei Hall of Fame.
Netcamp HCIA Datacom bundle
We have created an HCIA Datacom All-in-One Bundle to help you focus on your certification. This includes the following:
- Netcamp Extended HCIA Datacom Blueprint as a guide for preparation
- 6-month membership with full access to all Netcamp resources to give you enough time to prepare
- 5 days exclusive access to physical Huawei Remote Lab to enhance your knowledge with hands-on labs (which are also included)
- Get a free copy of the eBook Huawei HCIA Datacom Command Guide (EPUB)
- Access to closed HCIA Datacom support forum on Netcamp where you can ask questions
If you have decided to purchase the bundle, we will contact you upon successful payment to discuss the next steps. The 6-month membership will be activated on your account, access to the support forum will be activated, and you will be able to tell us your preferred dates for accessing the Huawei Remote Lab to fit in with your learning schedule.
The original price would be 363 USD. With the bundle, you save 64 USD and get everything for only 299 USD. Click on the button below to take the first step towards your HCIA Datacom Certification!
Get your HCIA Datacom bundle (299 USD)
Netcamp Training
If self-study is not for you, or you want to have your questions answered directly, then the Netcamp Huawei training might be for you. We offer modular trainings based on your needs as well as the official HCIA Datacom Training (in cooperation with a HALP). The training is conducted by a certified HCIE/HCSI instructor. Contact us if you are interested in on-site training.
Tips for the HCIA Datacom certification
Practice regularly
Experience has shown that it is helpful to work on HCIA preparation on a regular basis. This can be fixed learning days or time slots to ensure continuity. It is also important to review the topics. This way, you do not lose what you have learned.
Make notes
In order to repeat topics later again, it makes sense to make your own notes. There are several ways to do this, whether physically on paper or online (e.g., a dedicated wiki or even just OneNote), so that it can be accessed at any time.
Join HCIA Datacom study groups and ask questions
If you have questions about the HCIA Datacom topics or the exam itself, it is important to have a contact person so that open points can be clarified quickly and preparation can continue efficiently. In a closed forum, we provide such a basis for all students with an active membership (monthly or annual).
HCIA Datacom exam strategies
Based on feedback from students who have taken the HCIA Datacom exam, we have put together the following strategies during the exam:
- Read each question carefully as Huawei exams sometimes include tricky wording (e.g. which answers are not right)
- Use the eliminitation method. For example, if there is only one correct answer (radio button), you can usually eliminate 1-2 answers because they make no sense.
- Keep an eye on the time, as the ~60 questions have to be answered in 90 minutes, and some of the questions are more challenging, involving interpretation of images, configuration templates, text, etc.You can see the remaining time during the exam.
- You can mark questions that you would like to look at again later and can jump back to a previous question at any time. This can be helpful as the answer to a question may be answered in a picture of another question.
- A calculator is available in the exam, but no conversion of DEC, HEX and BIN is possible. Such questions must be solved manually.
