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DCFNDU

Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations

Cisco Platinum Learning Business Enablement Logo

In this course, you will learn the fundamental knowledge and skills you need to configure Cisco® Data Center technologies, including: networking, virtualization, storage area networking and unified computing. You will receive an introduction to Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI™), automation and cloud computing. You will gain practical experience with the configuration of functions on the Cisco Nexus® Operating System (Cisco NX-OS) and Cisco Unified Computing System™ (Cisco UCS®).

The training is a good preparation for entry-level tasks in the demanding area of data center environments and also for courses within the CCNP Data Center certification. However, it is not intended for exam preparation.

Course Contents

  • Describing the Data Center Network Architectures
  • Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software
  • Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy
  • Describing Cisco FEX
  • Describing Port Channels and VPCs
  • Describing Switch Virtualization
  • Describing Machine Virtualization
  • Describing Network Virtualization
  • Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts
  • Describing Fibre Channel Communication Between the Initiator Server and the Target Storage
  • Describing Fibre Channel Zone Types and Their Uses
  • Describing Cisco NPV Mode and NPIV
  • Describing Data Center Ethernet Enhancements
  • Describing FCoE
  • Describing Cisco UCS Components
  • Describing Cisco UCS Manager
  • Using APIs
  • Describing Cisco ACI
  • Describing Cloud Computing

E-Book Symbol You will receive the original course documentation from Cisco in English language as a Cisco E-Book. In the Cisco Digital Learning Version, the content of the courseware is integrated into the learning interface instead.

Target Group

  • Data Center Administrators
  • Data Center Engineers
  • Systems Engineers
  • Server Administrators
  • Network Manager
  • Cisco Integrators and Partner

Knowledge Prerequisites

To fully benefit from this course, you should have a good understanding of network protocols, knowledge of a VMware environment and basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows operating systems.

The following courses can support you in gaining these skills:

  • Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA®)
  • Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN)
  • Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies (DCICT)
Describing the Data Center Network Architectures
• Cisco Data Center Architecture Overview
• Three-Tier Network: Core, Aggregation, and Access
• Spine-and-Leaf Network
• Two-Tier Storage Network
 
Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software
• Cisco Nexus Data Center Product Overview
• Cisco NX-OS Software Architecture
• Cisco NX-OS Software CLI Tools
• Cisco NX-OS Virtual Routing and Forwarding
 
Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy
• Default Gateway Redundancy
• Hot Standby Router Protocol
• Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol
• Gateway Load Balancing Protocol
 
Describing Cisco FEX
• Server Deployment Models
• Cisco FEX Technology
• Cisco FEX Traffic Forwarding
• Cisco Adapter FEX
 
Describing Port Channels and VPCs
• Ethernet Port Channels
• Virtual Port Channels
• Supported VPC Topologies
 
Describing Switch Virtualization
• Cisco Nexus Switch Basic Components
• Virtual Routing and Forwarding
• Cisco Nexus 7000 Virtual Device Contexts (VDCs)
• VDC Types
• VDC Resource Allocation
• VDC Management
 
Describing Machine Virtualization
• Virtual Machines
• Hypervisor
• VM Manager
 
Describing Network Virtualization
• Overlay Network Protocols
• Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) Overlay
• VXLAN Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Ethernet VPN (EVPN) Control Plane
• VXLAN Data Plane
• Cisco Nexus 1000VE Series Virtual Switch
• VMware vSphere Virtual Switches
 
Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts
• Storage Connectivity Options in the Data Center
• Fibre Channel Storage Networking
• Virtual Storage Area Network (VSAN) Configuration and Verification
 
Describing Fibre Channel Communication Between the Initiator Server and the Target Storage
• Fibre Channel Layered Model
• Fabric Login (FLOGI) Process
• Fibre Channel Flow Control
 
Describing Fibre Channel Zone Types and Their Uses
• Fibre Channel Zoning
• Zoning Configuration
• Zoning Management
 
Describing Cisco NPV Mode and NPIV
• Cisco NPV Mode
• NPIV Mode
 
Describing Data Center Ethernet Enhancements
• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Data Center Bridging
• Priority Flow Control
• Enhanced Transmission Selection
• Data Center Bridging Exchange (DCBX) Protocol
• Congestion Notification
 
Describing FCoE
• Cisco Unified Fabric
• FCoE Architecture
• FCoE Initialization Protocol
• FCoE Adapters
 
Describing Cisco UCS Components
• Physical Cisco UCS Components
• Cisco Fabric Interconnect Product Overview
• Cisco I/O Module (IOM) Product Overview
• Cisco UCS Mini
• Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) Supervisor
• Cisco Intersight™
 
Describing Cisco UCS Manager
• Cisco UCS Manager Overview
• Identity and Resource Pools for Hardware Abstraction
• Service Profiles and Service Profile Templates
• Cisco UCS Central Overview
• Cisco HyperFlex™ Overview
 
Using APIs
• Common Programmability Protocols and Methods
• How to Choose Models and Processes
 
Describing Cisco ACI
• Cisco ACI Overview
• Multitier Applications in Cisco ACI
• Cisco ACI Features
• VXLAN in Cisco ACI
• Unicast Traffic in Cisco ACI
• Multicast Traffic in Cisco ACI
• Cisco ACI Programmability
• Common Programming Tools and Orchestration Options
 
Describing Cloud Computing
• Cloud Computing Overview
• Cloud Deployment Models
• Cloud Computing Services
 
Lab Outline
• Explore the Cisco NX-OS CLI
• Explore Topology Discovery
• Configure Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP)
• Configure the Cisco Nexus 2000 FEX
• Configure VPCs
• 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
• Validate FLOGI and FCNS
• Configure Zoning
• 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
• Explore the Cisco UCS Manager XML API Management Information Tree

Classroom training

Do you prefer the classic training method? A course in one of our Training Centers, with a competent trainer and the direct exchange between all course participants? Then you should book one of our classroom training dates!

Hybrid training

Hybrid training means that online participants can additionally attend a classroom course. The dynamics of a real seminar are maintained, and the online participants are able to benefit from that. Online participants of a hybrid course use a collaboration platform, such as WebEx Training Center or Saba Meeting. To do this, a PC with browser and Internet access is required, as well as a headset and ideally a Web cam. In the seminar room, we use specially developed and customized audio- and video-technologies. This makes sure that the communication between all persons involved works in a convenient and fault-free way.

Online training

You wish to attend a course in online mode? We offer you online course dates for this course topic. To attend these seminars, you need to have a PC with Internet access (minimum data rate 1Mbps), a headset when working via VoIP and optionally a camera. For further information and technical recommendations, please refer to.

Cisco Digital Learning

This course is available in the Cisco Digital Learning Library. These recently developed, multi-modal training events include HD videos moderated by lecturers with stored searchable text and subtitles, as well as a exercises, labs, and explanatory text and graphics. We provide this offer to you via our myExperTeach learning portal. Effective of the activation of the account, access to the courses will be granted for a duration of 6 months. In the case of packet solutions (Cisco Digital Learning Subscriptions), this time period will amount to 12 months.

Tailor-made courses

You need a special course for your team? In addition to our standard offer, we will also support you in creating your customized courses, which precisely meet your individual demands. We will be glad to consult you and create an individual offer for you.
Request for customized courses
PDF SymbolYou can find the complete description of this course with dates and prices ready for download at as PDF.

In this course, you will learn the fundamental knowledge and skills you need to configure Cisco® Data Center technologies, including: networking, virtualization, storage area networking and unified computing. You will receive an introduction to Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI™), automation and cloud computing. You will gain practical experience with the configuration of functions on the Cisco Nexus® Operating System (Cisco NX-OS) and Cisco Unified Computing System™ (Cisco UCS®).

The training is a good preparation for entry-level tasks in the demanding area of data center environments and also for courses within the CCNP Data Center certification. However, it is not intended for exam preparation.

Course Contents

  • Describing the Data Center Network Architectures
  • Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software
  • Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy
  • Describing Cisco FEX
  • Describing Port Channels and VPCs
  • Describing Switch Virtualization
  • Describing Machine Virtualization
  • Describing Network Virtualization
  • Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts
  • Describing Fibre Channel Communication Between the Initiator Server and the Target Storage
  • Describing Fibre Channel Zone Types and Their Uses
  • Describing Cisco NPV Mode and NPIV
  • Describing Data Center Ethernet Enhancements
  • Describing FCoE
  • Describing Cisco UCS Components
  • Describing Cisco UCS Manager
  • Using APIs
  • Describing Cisco ACI
  • Describing Cloud Computing

E-Book Symbol You will receive the original course documentation from Cisco in English language as a Cisco E-Book. In the Cisco Digital Learning Version, the content of the courseware is integrated into the learning interface instead.

Target Group

  • Data Center Administrators
  • Data Center Engineers
  • Systems Engineers
  • Server Administrators
  • Network Manager
  • Cisco Integrators and Partner

Knowledge Prerequisites

To fully benefit from this course, you should have a good understanding of network protocols, knowledge of a VMware environment and basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows operating systems.

The following courses can support you in gaining these skills:

  • Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA®)
  • Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN)
  • Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies (DCICT)

Describing the Data Center Network Architectures
• Cisco Data Center Architecture Overview
• Three-Tier Network: Core, Aggregation, and Access
• Spine-and-Leaf Network
• Two-Tier Storage Network
 
Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software
• Cisco Nexus Data Center Product Overview
• Cisco NX-OS Software Architecture
• Cisco NX-OS Software CLI Tools
• Cisco NX-OS Virtual Routing and Forwarding
 
Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy
• Default Gateway Redundancy
• Hot Standby Router Protocol
• Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol
• Gateway Load Balancing Protocol
 
Describing Cisco FEX
• Server Deployment Models
• Cisco FEX Technology
• Cisco FEX Traffic Forwarding
• Cisco Adapter FEX
 
Describing Port Channels and VPCs
• Ethernet Port Channels
• Virtual Port Channels
• Supported VPC Topologies
 
Describing Switch Virtualization
• Cisco Nexus Switch Basic Components
• Virtual Routing and Forwarding
• Cisco Nexus 7000 Virtual Device Contexts (VDCs)
• VDC Types
• VDC Resource Allocation
• VDC Management
 
Describing Machine Virtualization
• Virtual Machines
• Hypervisor
• VM Manager
 
Describing Network Virtualization
• Overlay Network Protocols
• Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) Overlay
• VXLAN Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Ethernet VPN (EVPN) Control Plane
• VXLAN Data Plane
• Cisco Nexus 1000VE Series Virtual Switch
• VMware vSphere Virtual Switches
 
Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts
• Storage Connectivity Options in the Data Center
• Fibre Channel Storage Networking
• Virtual Storage Area Network (VSAN) Configuration and Verification
 
Describing Fibre Channel Communication Between the Initiator Server and the Target Storage
• Fibre Channel Layered Model
• Fabric Login (FLOGI) Process
• Fibre Channel Flow Control
 
Describing Fibre Channel Zone Types and Their Uses
• Fibre Channel Zoning
• Zoning Configuration
• Zoning Management
 
Describing Cisco NPV Mode and NPIV
• Cisco NPV Mode
• NPIV Mode
 
Describing Data Center Ethernet Enhancements
• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Data Center Bridging
• Priority Flow Control
• Enhanced Transmission Selection
• Data Center Bridging Exchange (DCBX) Protocol
• Congestion Notification
 
Describing FCoE
• Cisco Unified Fabric
• FCoE Architecture
• FCoE Initialization Protocol
• FCoE Adapters
 
Describing Cisco UCS Components
• Physical Cisco UCS Components
• Cisco Fabric Interconnect Product Overview
• Cisco I/O Module (IOM) Product Overview
• Cisco UCS Mini
• Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) Supervisor
• Cisco Intersight™
 
Describing Cisco UCS Manager
• Cisco UCS Manager Overview
• Identity and Resource Pools for Hardware Abstraction
• Service Profiles and Service Profile Templates
• Cisco UCS Central Overview
• Cisco HyperFlex™ Overview
 
Using APIs
• Common Programmability Protocols and Methods
• How to Choose Models and Processes
 
Describing Cisco ACI
• Cisco ACI Overview
• Multitier Applications in Cisco ACI
• Cisco ACI Features
• VXLAN in Cisco ACI
• Unicast Traffic in Cisco ACI
• Multicast Traffic in Cisco ACI
• Cisco ACI Programmability
• Common Programming Tools and Orchestration Options
 
Describing Cloud Computing
• Cloud Computing Overview
• Cloud Deployment Models
• Cloud Computing Services
 
Lab Outline
• Explore the Cisco NX-OS CLI
• Explore Topology Discovery
• Configure Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP)
• Configure the Cisco Nexus 2000 FEX
• Configure VPCs
• 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
• Validate FLOGI and FCNS
• Configure Zoning
• 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
• Explore the Cisco UCS Manager XML API Management Information Tree

Classroom training

Do you prefer the classic training method? A course in one of our Training Centers, with a competent trainer and the direct exchange between all course participants? Then you should book one of our classroom training dates!

Hybrid training

Hybrid training means that online participants can additionally attend a classroom course. The dynamics of a real seminar are maintained, and the online participants are able to benefit from that. Online participants of a hybrid course use a collaboration platform, such as WebEx Training Center or Saba Meeting. To do this, a PC with browser and Internet access is required, as well as a headset and ideally a Web cam. In the seminar room, we use specially developed and customized audio- and video-technologies. This makes sure that the communication between all persons involved works in a convenient and fault-free way.

Online training

You wish to attend a course in online mode? We offer you online course dates for this course topic. To attend these seminars, you need to have a PC with Internet access (minimum data rate 1Mbps), a headset when working via VoIP and optionally a camera. For further information and technical recommendations, please refer to.

Cisco Digital Learning

This course is available in the Cisco Digital Learning Library. These recently developed, multi-modal training events include HD videos moderated by lecturers with stored searchable text and subtitles, as well as a exercises, labs, and explanatory text and graphics. We provide this offer to you via our myExperTeach learning portal. Effective of the activation of the account, access to the courses will be granted for a duration of 6 months. In the case of packet solutions (Cisco Digital Learning Subscriptions), this time period will amount to 12 months.

Tailor-made courses

You need a special course for your team? In addition to our standard offer, we will also support you in creating your customized courses, which precisely meet your individual demands. We will be glad to consult you and create an individual offer for you.
Request for customized courses

PDF SymbolYou can find the complete description of this course with dates and prices ready for download at as PDF.