The Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU) v1.0 course prepares learners for entry-level positions in data center environments. In this course, you will acquire foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to configure Cisco data center technologies, including networking, virtualization, storage area networking, and unified computing systems. The curriculum provides a comprehensive introduction to Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI), automation, and cloud computing technologies. Hands-on experience with configuring features on Cisco Nexus Operating System (Cisco NX-OS) and Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS) is integrated throughout the course.
Course Objectives:
- Describe the foundational concepts of data center networking
- Describe Cisco Nexus product lines and explain fundamental Cisco NX-OS functionalities and available tools
- Describe Layer 3 first-hop redundancy mechanisms and protocols
- Describe Cisco Fabric Extender (FEX) connectivity options and configurations
- Describe Ethernet port channels and virtual port channel (VPC) implementations
- Introduce concepts of switch virtualization, machine virtualization, and network virtualization
- Compare various storage connectivity options available in the data center
- Describe Fibre Channel communication processes between initiator servers and target storage systems
- Describe various Fibre Channel zone types and their practical uses
- Describe N-Port Virtualization (NPV) and N-Port Identifier Virtualization (NPIV) technologies
- Describe data center Ethernet enhancements that provide lossless fabric capabilities
- Describe Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) technology and implementation
- Describe data center server connectivity options and architectures
- Describe Cisco UCS Manager and its role in unified computing
- Describe the purpose and advantages of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
- Describe Cisco ACI and its benefits
- Describe fundamental concepts of cloud computing and deployment models
Prerequisites:
- Good understanding of networking protocols and their operations
- Good understanding of VMware environments and virtualization technologies
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows operating systems and administration
These Cisco courses are recommended to help you meet these prerequisites:
- Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)
- Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN)
- Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies (DCICT)
Ideal Candidates:
- Data center administrators and operations personnel
- Data center engineers and architects
- Systems engineers and implementation specialists
- Server administrators and support staff
- Network managers and technical leads
- Cisco integrators and partner organizations
Course Outline
Describing the Data Center Network Architectures
- Cisco Data Center Architecture Overview
- Three-Tier Network architecture; Core, Aggregation, and Access layers
- Spine-and-Leaf Network topology and design
- Two-Tier Storage Network architecture
Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software
- Cisco Nexus Data Center Product Overview and capabilities
- Cisco NX-OS Software Architecture and design
- Cisco NX-OS Software CLI Tools for management
- Cisco NX-OS Virtual Routing and Forwarding capabilities
Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy
- Default Gateway Redundancy approaches
- Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) functionality
- Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) implementation
- Gateway Load Balancing Protocol (GLBP) capabilities
- Describing Cisco FEX technology and features
- Server Deployment Models and strategies
- Cisco FEX Technology architecture
- Cisco FEX Traffic Forwarding mechanisms
- Cisco Adapter FEX functionality
Describing Port Channels and VPCs
- Ethernet Port Channels for link aggregation
- Virtual Port Channels and benefits
- Supported VPC Topologies and configurations
Describing Switch Virtualization
- Cisco Nexus Switch Basic Components overview
- Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) concepts
- Cisco Nexus 7000 Virtual Device Contexts (VDCs)
- VDC Types and use cases
- VDC Resource Allocation and management
- VDC Management and administration
Describing Machine Virtualization
- Virtual Machines and hypervisor concepts
- Hypervisor technologies and functionality
- VM Manager and management tools
Describing Network Virtualization
- Overlay Network Protocols and technologies
- Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) Overlay architecture
- VXLAN Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Ethernet VPN (EVPN) Control Plane
- VXLAN Data Plane functionality
- Cisco Nexus 1000VE Series Virtual Switch capabilities
- VMware vSphere Virtual Switches and integration
Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts
- Storage Connectivity Options in the Data Center
- Fibre Channel Storage Networking technology
- Virtual Storage Area Network (VSAN) Configuration and Verification
Describing Fibre Channel Communication Between the Initiator Server and the Target Storage
- Fibre Channel Layered Model architecture
- Fabric Login (FLOGI) Process and flow
- Fibre Channel Flow Control mechanisms
Describing Fibre Channel Zone Types and Their Uses
- Fibre Channel Zoning concepts and types
- Zoning Configuration and implementation
- Zoning Management and administration
Describing Cisco NPV Mode and NPIV
- Cisco NPV Mode architecture and benefits
- NPIV Mode functionality and applications
Describing Data Center Ethernet Enhancements
- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Data Center Bridging standards
- Priority Flow Control mechanisms
- Enhanced Transmission Selection technology
- Data Center Bridging Exchange (DCBX) Protocol
- Congestion Notification and management
Describing FCoE
- Cisco Unified Fabric architecture and benefits
- FCoE Architecture and implementation
- FCoE Initialization Protocol functionality
- FCoE Adapters and hardware
Describing Cisco UCS Components
- Physical Cisco UCS Components overview
- Cisco Fabric Interconnect Product Overview and capabilities
- Cisco I/O Module (IOM) Product Overview and functionality
- Cisco UCS Mini systems and configurations
- Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) Supervisor
- Cisco Intersight management platform
Describing Cisco UCS Manager
- Cisco UCS Manager Overview and functionality
- Identity and Resource Pools for Hardware Abstraction
- Service Profiles and Service Profile Templates
- Cisco UCS Central Overview and centralized management
- Cisco HyperFlex Overview and capabilities
Using APIs
- Common Programmability Protocols and Methods for integration
- How to Choose Models and Processes for API implementation
Describing Cisco ACI
- Cisco ACI Overview and architecture
- Multitier Applications in Cisco ACI design
- Cisco ACI Features and capabilities
- VXLAN in Cisco ACI implementation
- Unicast Traffic in Cisco ACI
- Multicast Traffic in Cisco ACI
- Cisco ACI Programmability and APIs
- Common Programming Tools and Orchestration Options
Describing Cloud Computing
- Cloud Computing Overview and fundamentals
- Cloud Deployment Models; public, private, and hybrid
- Cloud Computing Services and offerings
Lab Outline
- Explore the Cisco NX-OS CLI for command line operations
- Explore Topology Discovery features
- Configure Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP)
- Configure the Cisco Nexus 2000 FEX
- Configure VPCs for link redundancy
- Configure VPCs with Cisco FEX
- Configure Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF)
- Explore the Virtual Device Contexts (VDC) Elements
- Install VMware Elastic Sky X Integrated (ESXi) and vCenter
- Configure VSANs for storage networks
- Validate FLOGI and FCNS operations
- Configure Zoning for storage connectivity
- Configure Unified Ports on a Cisco Nexus Switch and Implement FCoE
- Explore the Cisco UCS Server Environment
- Configure a Cisco UCS Server Profile
- Configure Cisco NX-OS with APIs for automation
- Explore the Cisco UCS Manager XML API Management Information Tree
