JCPA study plan

Write and run Python scripts using variables, conditionals, loops, functions, and modules without referencing notes

Parse and generate JSON with the json module, including reading a device inventory file and iterating over its entries

Explain the difference between imperative scripting and declarative automation, listing two tradeoffs of each

Use git init, add, commit, and log to version-control a small Python project

Install and use a virtual environment with pip to manage a requests dependency

Write functions that consume REST responses using the requests library and handle status codes and timeouts

Model network device data as Python dictionaries and serialize it to both JSON and XML

Describe the structure of a YANG module, identifying container, list, leaf, and key statements in a sample model

Convert between JSON and XML representations of the same hierarchical data using Python libraries

Use exception handling to catch and report malformed API responses

Map REST verbs and status codes to CRUD operations on network resources

Compare NETCONF and RESTCONF transports, message framing, and encoding requirements

Construct a NETCONF RPC envelope by hand for get-config and edit-config operations using candidate and running datastores

Send RESTCONF requests with correct headers, media types, and URL paths for a YANG-modeled resource

Interpret a YANG tree diagram and translate it into a valid filter or URL path

Install Junos PyEZ and connect to a device or mock using a device object with credentials and timeout settings

Use PyEZ operational and configuration tables to retrieve structured data and render it as a dictionary

Load, diff, commit, and roll back a configuration change with PyEZ using lock, load, commit_check, and rollback

Write an Ansible playbook that targets Junos devices and applies a configuration snippet

Compare PyEZ, Ansible, and Salt for idempotency, transport, and state management

Build a Jinja2 template that generates a full device configuration from a variables dictionary

Use Jinja2 control structures, filters, and includes to handle per-device variation without copy-paste

Render configurations for at least three devices from a single template and inventory

Implement a pre-change validation step that parses rendered config and rejects missing required sections

Apply a configuration template through PyEZ or Ansible and verify the result with a post-change show command

Explain the difference between polling, streaming telemetry, and SNMP-based collection and when each is appropriate

Configure and consume a gRPC or UDP-based telemetry subscription on Junos, or simulate one with sample data

Write a Python subscriber that receives telemetry data and writes it to a time-series-friendly format

Design an event-driven workflow that triggers a remediation script from an alert condition

Describe how on-box or off-box automation reacts to syslog or event policy triggers

Create a branching workflow with feature branches, pull requests, and merge conflict resolution for automation code

Write a CI pipeline configuration that lints Python, runs unit tests, and validates templates on every push

Add automated config validation as a pipeline gate that fails on schema or syntax errors

Store credentials in environment variables or a secrets manager and remove any hardcoded secrets from repositories

Identify and remediate three common automation security risks, including unencrypted transport and overly broad credentials

Assemble an end-to-end automation workflow that renders config, pushes it, verifies state, and reports results

Complete at least 120 practice questions across all domains and log every missed item by domain

Re-derive weak concepts from the missed-item log until each is explained without notes

Time-box a full-length practice exam under exam conditions

Review the security and CI/CD checklists one final time