Nokia Automation of Optical Networks Lab Exam

Exam name: Automation of Optical Networks Lab Exam 

Exam number: AON-LE

Mandatory prerequisite exams: 

• Nokia Optical Networking Fundamentals (4A0-205)
• Nokia Optical Network Management with WaveSuite NOC (4A0-210)
• Automation of Optical Networks within the Nokia Ecosystem (4A0-215)

Exam duration: 5.5 hours

Number of questions: Practical exam

Language: English

Price: €900

Candidates can use the following self-paced or instructor-led options to prepare for the lab exam:

• Use the self-study materials with My Nokia Optical Lab to complete the exercises or for general practice  
• Attend the following instructor-led hands-on courses:

Recommended mandatory courses:

• Nokia Optical Networking Fundamentals
• Nokia Optical Network Management with WaveSuite NOC
• Automation of Optical Networks within the Nokia Ecosystem

Credit toward certification:

Nokia Certified Optical Network Automation Specialist

What to Expect on the Nokia Optical Network Architect Lab Exam

The Nokia Automation of Optical Networks Lab Exam is a five-and-a-half-hour practical lab exam designed to assess a student’s ability to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the “Automation of Optical Networks within the Nokia Ecosystem” course and the pre-requisite “Optical Network Management with WaveSuite NOC” course. Candidates will be challenged to execute a series of realistic operational tasks using Nokia network elements and WaveSuite applications.  

The exam will cover some of the following key functions: network planning, network slicing, resources’ virtualization, service provisioning, performance analysis and optimization, fault detection, and synchronization management through the WaveSuite ecosystem, with a stronger focus on the WS-NOC component. Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in navigating the platform, executing automation procedures through standard northbound interfaces (for example, T-APIs), and resolving practical network scenarios that reflect real-world operational challenges. 

To register for the Nokia Automation of Optical Networks Lab Exam, candidates must have successfully completed the following prerequisite written exams:  

• Nokia Optical Networking Fundamentals (4A0-205)
• Nokia Optical Network Management with WaveSuite NOC (4A0-210)
• Automation of Optical Networks within the Nokia Ecosystem (4A0-215)

The lab exam covers topics presented in the Optical Network Certification courses corresponding to the written exams listed above. The lab exam consists of two distinct sections, covering the network management system and the main automation features available through the WaveSuite Applications Ecosystem. To pass the exam, the candidate must achieve a score of 80% in each section. The two sections are independent of each other; the candidate may work on any section at any time during the exam session. 

Exam topics

The sections below summarize the exam topics. Candidates should be able to configure and verify all topics and features; however, it is possible that not all topics will be covered in the exam.  

The lab exam covers topics presented in the Optical Network Certification courses corresponding to the written exams listed above. The lab exam consists of two distinct sections, covering the network management system and the main automation features available through the WaveSuite Applications Ecosystem. To pass the exam, the candidate must achieve a score of 80% in each section. The two sections are independent of each other; the candidate may work on any section at any time during the exam session.  
 

1. Network Management

• Determine what should be created to satisfy specific requirements in terms of trails and services, given constraints and features to be provided.
• Create MP and GMPLS-protected services and related infrastructures.
• Enable optical and electrical protection mechanisms.

2. Network Automation

• Perform network synchronization and expansion-related activities, including:
  • WS-P design synchronization with WS-NOC-operated live network
  • Network design and reporting through WS-P
  • Publishing new designs from WS-P to WS-NOC
  • Provisioning trails and services with the flow-through functionality
• Virtualize and slice your network resources with WS-SE, creating sub-tenants, defining Capability Profiles, Locations, and Service specifications; then resell your connectivity.
• Effectively operate the WS-HA application to analyze network KPI trends and statistics, manage TCA profiles and generate fault location reports.
• Perform regular network optimization activities, including:
• Link or channel optimization through WS-O
• Synchronizing the updated live network with the WS-P design
• Create, visualize, and assure network synchronization services with WS-S.
• Configure and operate Advanced Diagnostics tools, including:
  • Dark fibers
  • Automatic OTDR scans (Baseline and Troubleshooting)
  • Automatic report generation
• Exploit the WaveSuite REST API and T-API interfaces to get specific network information and use the embedded WS-RC Swagger UI to automatically provision and commission services on your optical network.

Exam notes and tips

During the exam, candidates will be allowed to consult relevant product manuals for reference. The product manuals will be accessible from the PC used for the exam equipment. No other notes, textbooks course materials, or reference materials are allowed during the exam. Electronic devices, including cell phones, are not allowed in the examination space.  

Here are some tips to help you successfully prepare:

1. Ensure that you completely understand and are familiar with all of the topics in the student guides and labs of the recommended ONC courses in the exam preparation tab.
2. For each exam section, a recommended time, and mark allocation are provided to help you manage your time.
3. If you are unclear about anything in the exam, ask the proctor for clarification. The exam proctor will attempt to clarify anything that may be ambiguous. Do not expect the proctor to provide other information during or after the exam.
4. Be sure to allow yourself adequate time to verify your work on each exam section.
5. Save your work often. Your exam mark will be based on your final submission.  
6. Relax and read each question very carefully. Be thorough in your work but remember to pace yourself appropriately.

The exam pass mark is 80 percent. Candidates must complete some parts of the exam correctly, in order to obtain full marks in later parts of the exam. The candidate must have an adequate level of hands-on experience to maintain a reasonable pace during the exam so that all required tasks can be completed within the allotted time.  

Lab exams are delivered virtually directly through Nokia. To take the exam virtually, you must meet the system requirements below:

Virtual system requirements:

• A webcam and a microphone.
• A computer with a minimum of 4 Mbps end-to-end connection (wired network connections preferred).
• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• Candidates must have administrative privileges on the computer to download two applications, including an ExamPlayer image (17.5 GB), and have at least 60 GB of free hard disk space.
• 12 GB of RAM (6GB dedicated allocated memory for VMware Workstation application).
• Hardware virtualization support at CPU level on the PC (Intel VTx).