How is the physical network device hierarchy structured in Cisco DNA Center?
Short answer
C by location
Question
Key Takeaways
The exam tests understanding of Cisco DNA Center's hierarchical model, with the common trap being confusing logical constructs like 'role' or 'organization' with the physical device hierarchy, which is strictly location-based.
In Cisco DNA Center's Design workflow, the physical network device hierarchy is structured by location, representing the geographical layout of the network. Community consensus strongly confirms this as the foundational step before applying network profiles and policies.
Common mistake: Many candidates choose D (by role), mistakenly associating role-based access or device roles with the physical hierarchy, when DNA Center uses location as the primary structural element in the Design workflow.
Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
Cisco DNA Center's Design workflow requires engineers to build a network hierarchy that mirrors the physical geography of the deployment — Global → Country → City → Building → Floor. This location-based hierarchy is the anchor for assigning network profiles, IP pools, and policies. Cisco's official user guide explicitly states that the hierarchy represents geographical locations, making option C the only correct answer.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A (by organization) refers to multi-tenancy or business unit separation, not the physical device hierarchy. Option B (by hostname naming convention) is an administrative practice, not a structural hierarchy within DNA Center. Option D (by role) relates to logical device classification (e.g., access, distribution, core) but does not define the physical hierarchy used in the Design workflow.
Community Comment Notes
All community comments unanimously support option C, with one user providing a direct link to Cisco's official DNA Center 2.3.5 User Guide confirming that the hierarchy represents geographical locations. Commenters also reinforce that 'DNA Center → location' is the key mental model for this topic, helping candidates avoid the distractor of role-based hierarchies.
Official Reference
This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.
Exam Strategy
When you see 'hierarchy' in Cisco DNA Center Design questions, immediately think 'location.' Eliminate options that describe logical or administrative groupings — the Design workflow is geographically anchored.
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 4 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 4
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Mistwalker 👍 1 Answered CC is correct. "You can create a network hierarchy that represents your network's geographical locations." https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/cloud-systems-management/network-automation-and-management/dna-center/2-3-5/user_guide/b_cisco_dna_center_ug_2_3_5/m_design-the-network-hierarchy.html
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teems5uk 👍 1 Answered CIn Cisco DNA Center, the physical network device hierarchy is typically structured by location. Therefore, the correct answer is: C. by location
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chiacche 👍 1 Answered CDNA Center -> location
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Mizuchan 👍 1 Answered CSeems correct
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