-
The course teaches data center design using Cisco data center solutions and technologies. Topics covered include network designs using virtualization technologies, Layer 2 and Layer 3 technologies, routing protocols and data center interconnects, as well as storage and SAN designs. You will learn design practices for the Cisco Unified Computing System™ (Cisco UCS®) solution based on Cisco UCS B- and C-Series servers, Cisco UCS Manager and Cisco Unified Fabric. In addition, the areas of application of network management technologies such as Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) and Cisco UCS Director are covered.
-
Course Contents
-
- Describe the Layer 2 forwarding options and protocols used in a data center
- Describe the Layer 3 forwarding options and protocols used in a data center
- Describe the rack design options, traffic patterns, and data center switching layer access, aggregation, and core
- Describe Locator/ID separation protocol
- Design a solution that uses VXLAN for traffic forwarding
- Describe the hardware redundancy options; how to virtualize the network, compute, and storage functions; and virtual networking in the data center
- Describe solutions that use fabric extenders and compare Cisco Adapter FEX with SR-IOV
- Describe security threats and solutions in the data center
- Describe advanced data center security technologies and best practices
- Describe device management and orchestration in the data center
- Describe the storage options for the compute function and the different RAID levels from a high-availability and performance perspective
- Describe Fibre Channel concepts and architecture
- Describe Fibre Channel topologies and industry terms
- Describe FCoE
- Describe security options in the storage network
- Describe the management and automation options for the storage networking infrastructure
- Describe Cisco UCS servers and use cases for various Cisco UCS platforms
- Explain the connectivity options for fabric interconnects for southbound and northbound connections
- Describe the hyperconverged solution and integrated systems
- Describe the systemwide parameters for setting up a Cisco UCS domain
- Describe RBAC and integration with directory servers to control access rights on Cisco UCS Manager
- Describe the pools that may be used in service profiles or service profile templates on Cisco UCS Manager
- Describe the different policies in the service profile
- Describe the Ethernet and Fibre Channel interface policies and additional network technologies
- Describe the advantages of templates and the difference between initial and updated templates
- Describe data center automation tools
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
-
IT professionals with five to eight years of experience:
- Data Center Engineers
- Network Designers
- Network Administrators
- Network Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Consulting Systems Engineers
- Technical Solutions Architects
- Server Administrators
- Network Managers
- Cisco integrators or partners
-
Knowledge Prerequisites
-
You should have the following prior knowledge:
- Implementation of data center networks (Local Area Network (LAN) and Storage Area Network (SAN))
- Basic knowledge of storage solutions in the data center
- Implementation of virtualization solutions in the data centre
- Implementation of the Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS)
- Implementation of automation and orchestration in data centers with a focus on Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) and Cisco UCS Director
- Overview of products from the Cisco Data Center Nexus and Multilayer Director Switch (MDS) families
The following Cisco training courses can help you meet these requirements:
- Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU)
- Implementing and Administering Cisco Networking Technologies (CCNA®)
- Implementing Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)
-
Course Objective
-
This course prepares you for the Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure exam, which is part of the CCNP Data Center® certification and also leads to the Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center Design specialization.
Describing High Availability on Layer 2 |
• Overview of Layer 2 High-Availability Mechanisms |
• Virtual Port Channels |
• Cisco FabricPath |
• Virtual Port Channel+ |
Designing Layer 3 Connectivity |
• First Hop Redundancy Protocols |
• Improve Routing Protocol Performance and Security |
• Enhance Layer 3 Scalability and Robustness |
Designing Data Center Topologies |
• Data Center Traffic Flows |
• Cabling Challenges |
• Access Layer |
• Aggregation Layer |
• Core Layer |
• Spine-and-Leaf Topology |
• Redundancy Options |
Designing Data Center Interconnects with Cisco OTV |
• Cisco OTV Overview |
• Cisco OTV Control and Data Planes |
• Failure Isolation |
• Cisco OTV Features |
• Optimize Cisco OTV |
• Evaluate Cisco OTV |
Describing Locator/ID Separation Protocol |
• Locator/ID Separation Protocol |
• Location Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP) Virtual Machine (VM) Mobility |
• LISP Extended Subnet Mode (ESM) Multihop Mobility |
• LISP VPN Virtualization |
Describing VXLAN Overlay Networks |
• Describe VXLAN Benefits over VLAN |
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 VXLAN Overlay |
• Multiprotocol Border Gateway Protocol (MP-BGP) Ethernet VPN (EVPN) Control Plane Overview |
• VXLAN Data Plane |
Describing Hardware and Device Virtualization |
• Hardware-Based High Availability |
• Device Virtualization |
• Cisco UCS Hardware Virtualization |
• Server Virtualization |
• SAN Virtualization |
• N-Port ID Virtualization |
Describing Cisco FEX Options |
• Cisco Adapter FEX |
• Access Layer with Cisco FEX |
• Cisco FEX Topologies |
• Virtualization-Aware Networking |
• Single Root I/O Virtualization |
• Cisco FEX Evaluation |
Describing Basic Data Center Security |
• Threat Mitigation |
• Attack and Countermeasure Examples |
• Secure the Management Plane |
• Protect the Control Plane |
• RBAC and Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) |
Describing Advanced Data Center Security |
• Cisco TrustSec in Cisco Secure Enclaves Architecture |
• Cisco TrustSec Operation |
• Firewalling |
• Positioning the Firewall Within Data Center Networks |
• Cisco Firepower® Portfolio |
• Firewall Virtualization |
• Design for Threat Mitigation |
Describing Management and Orchestration |
• Network and License Management |
• Cisco UCS Manager |
• Cisco UCS Director |
• Cisco Intersight |
• Cisco DCNM Overview |
Describing Storage and RAID Options |
• Position DAS in Storage Technologies |
• Network-Attached Storage |
• Fibre Channel, FCoE, and Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) |
• Evaluate Storage Technologies |
Describing Fibre Channel Concepts |
• Fibre Channel Connections, Layers, and Addresses |
• Fibre Channel Communication |
• Virtualization in Fibre Channel SAN |
Describing Fibre Channel Topologies |
• SAN Parameterization |
• SAN Design Options |
• Choosing a Fibre Channel Design Solution |
Describing FCoE |
• FCoE Protocol Characteristics |
• FCoE Communication |
• Data Center Bridging |
• FCoE Initialization Protocol |
• FCoE Design Options |
Describing Storage Security |
• Common SAN Security Features |
• Zones |
• SAN Security Enhancements |
• Cryptography in SAN |
Describing SAN Management and Orchestration |
• Cisco DCNM for SAN |
• Cisco DCNM Analytics and Streaming Telemetry |
• Cisco UCS Director in the SAN |
• Cisco UCS Director Workflows |
Describing Cisco UCS Servers and Use Cases |
• Fabric Interconnects and Blade Chassis |
• Cisco UCS B-Series Server Adapter Cards |
• Stateless Computing |
• Cisco UCS Mini |
Describing Fabric Interconnect Connectivity |
• Use of Fabric Interconnect Interfaces |
• VLANs and VSANs in a Cisco UCS Domain |
• Southbound Connections |
• Northbound Connections |
• Disjoint Layer 2 Networks |
• Fabric Interconnect High Availability and Redundancy |
Describing Hyperconverged and Integrated Systems |
• Hyperconverged and Integrated Systems Overview |
• Cisco HyperFlex™ Solution |
• Cisco HyperFlex Scalability and Robustness |
• Cisco HyperFlex Clusters |
• Cluster Capacity and Multiple Clusters on One Cisco UCS Domain |
• External Storage and Graphical Processing Units on Cisco HyperFlex |
• Cisco HyperFlex Positioning |
Describing Cisco UCS Manager Systemwide Parameters |
• Cisco UCS Setup and Management |
• Cisco UCS Traffic Management |
Describing Cisco UCS RBAC |
• Roles and Privileges |
• Organizations in Cisco UCS Manager |
• Locales and Effective Rights |
• Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting |
• Two-Factor Authentication |
• Cisco UCS C-Series Servers |
Describing Pools for Service Profiles |
• Global and Local Pools |
• Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) Suffix and Media Access Control (MAC) Address Pools |
• World Wide Name (WWN) Pools |
• Server and iSCSI Initiator IP Pools |
Describing Policies for Service Profiles |
• Global vs. Local Policies |
• Storage and Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) Policies |
• Boot and Scrub Policies |
• Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) and Maintenance Policies |
Describing Network-Specific Adapters and Policies |
• LAN Connectivity Controls |
• SAN Connectivity Controls |
• Virtual Access Layer |
• Connectivity Enhancements |
Describing Templates in Cisco UCS Manager |
• Cisco UCS Templates |
• Service Profile Templates |
• Network Templates |
• Designing Data Center Automation |
Model-Driven Programmability |
• Cisco NX-API Overview |
• Programmability Using Python |
• Cisco Ansible Module |
• Use the Puppet Agent |
Lab Outline |
• Design Virtual Port Channels |
• Design First Hop Redundancy Protocol (FHRP) |
• Design Routing Protocols |
• Design Data Center Topology for a Customer |
• Design Data Center Interconnect Using Cisco OTV |
• Design Your VXLAN Network |
• Create a Cisco FEX Design |
• Design Management and Orchestration in a Cisco UCS Solution |
• Design a Fibre Channel Network |
• Design and Integrate an FCoE Solution |
• Design a Secure SAN |
• Design Cisco UCS Director for Storage Networking |
• Design a Cisco UCS Domain and Fabric Interconnect Cabling |
• Design a Cisco UCS C-Series Server Implementation |
• Design Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect Network and Storage Connectivity |
• Design Systemwide Parameters in a Cisco UCS Solution |
• Design an LDAP Integration with a Cisco UCS Domain |
• Design Pools for Service Profiles in a Cisco UCS Solution |
• Design Network-Specific Adapters and Policies in a Cisco UCS Solution |

Certification as CCNP Data Center Certification
-
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.

-
The course teaches data center design using Cisco data center solutions and technologies. Topics covered include network designs using virtualization technologies, Layer 2 and Layer 3 technologies, routing protocols and data center interconnects, as well as storage and SAN designs. You will learn design practices for the Cisco Unified Computing System™ (Cisco UCS®) solution based on Cisco UCS B- and C-Series servers, Cisco UCS Manager and Cisco Unified Fabric. In addition, the areas of application of network management technologies such as Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) and Cisco UCS Director are covered.
-
Course Contents
-
- Describe the Layer 2 forwarding options and protocols used in a data center
- Describe the Layer 3 forwarding options and protocols used in a data center
- Describe the rack design options, traffic patterns, and data center switching layer access, aggregation, and core
- Describe Locator/ID separation protocol
- Design a solution that uses VXLAN for traffic forwarding
- Describe the hardware redundancy options; how to virtualize the network, compute, and storage functions; and virtual networking in the data center
- Describe solutions that use fabric extenders and compare Cisco Adapter FEX with SR-IOV
- Describe security threats and solutions in the data center
- Describe advanced data center security technologies and best practices
- Describe device management and orchestration in the data center
- Describe the storage options for the compute function and the different RAID levels from a high-availability and performance perspective
- Describe Fibre Channel concepts and architecture
- Describe Fibre Channel topologies and industry terms
- Describe FCoE
- Describe security options in the storage network
- Describe the management and automation options for the storage networking infrastructure
- Describe Cisco UCS servers and use cases for various Cisco UCS platforms
- Explain the connectivity options for fabric interconnects for southbound and northbound connections
- Describe the hyperconverged solution and integrated systems
- Describe the systemwide parameters for setting up a Cisco UCS domain
- Describe RBAC and integration with directory servers to control access rights on Cisco UCS Manager
- Describe the pools that may be used in service profiles or service profile templates on Cisco UCS Manager
- Describe the different policies in the service profile
- Describe the Ethernet and Fibre Channel interface policies and additional network technologies
- Describe the advantages of templates and the difference between initial and updated templates
- Describe data center automation tools
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
-
IT professionals with five to eight years of experience:
- Data Center Engineers
- Network Designers
- Network Administrators
- Network Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Consulting Systems Engineers
- Technical Solutions Architects
- Server Administrators
- Network Managers
- Cisco integrators or partners
-
Knowledge Prerequisites
-
You should have the following prior knowledge:
- Implementation of data center networks (Local Area Network (LAN) and Storage Area Network (SAN))
- Basic knowledge of storage solutions in the data center
- Implementation of virtualization solutions in the data centre
- Implementation of the Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS)
- Implementation of automation and orchestration in data centers with a focus on Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) and Cisco UCS Director
- Overview of products from the Cisco Data Center Nexus and Multilayer Director Switch (MDS) families
The following Cisco training courses can help you meet these requirements:
- Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU)
- Implementing and Administering Cisco Networking Technologies (CCNA®)
- Implementing Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)
-
Course Objective
-
This course prepares you for the Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure exam, which is part of the CCNP Data Center® certification and also leads to the Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center Design specialization.
Describing High Availability on Layer 2 |
• Overview of Layer 2 High-Availability Mechanisms |
• Virtual Port Channels |
• Cisco FabricPath |
• Virtual Port Channel+ |
Designing Layer 3 Connectivity |
• First Hop Redundancy Protocols |
• Improve Routing Protocol Performance and Security |
• Enhance Layer 3 Scalability and Robustness |
Designing Data Center Topologies |
• Data Center Traffic Flows |
• Cabling Challenges |
• Access Layer |
• Aggregation Layer |
• Core Layer |
• Spine-and-Leaf Topology |
• Redundancy Options |
Designing Data Center Interconnects with Cisco OTV |
• Cisco OTV Overview |
• Cisco OTV Control and Data Planes |
• Failure Isolation |
• Cisco OTV Features |
• Optimize Cisco OTV |
• Evaluate Cisco OTV |
Describing Locator/ID Separation Protocol |
• Locator/ID Separation Protocol |
• Location Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP) Virtual Machine (VM) Mobility |
• LISP Extended Subnet Mode (ESM) Multihop Mobility |
• LISP VPN Virtualization |
Describing VXLAN Overlay Networks |
• Describe VXLAN Benefits over VLAN |
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 VXLAN Overlay |
• Multiprotocol Border Gateway Protocol (MP-BGP) Ethernet VPN (EVPN) Control Plane Overview |
• VXLAN Data Plane |
Describing Hardware and Device Virtualization |
• Hardware-Based High Availability |
• Device Virtualization |
• Cisco UCS Hardware Virtualization |
• Server Virtualization |
• SAN Virtualization |
• N-Port ID Virtualization |
Describing Cisco FEX Options |
• Cisco Adapter FEX |
• Access Layer with Cisco FEX |
• Cisco FEX Topologies |
• Virtualization-Aware Networking |
• Single Root I/O Virtualization |
• Cisco FEX Evaluation |
Describing Basic Data Center Security |
• Threat Mitigation |
• Attack and Countermeasure Examples |
• Secure the Management Plane |
• Protect the Control Plane |
• RBAC and Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) |
Describing Advanced Data Center Security |
• Cisco TrustSec in Cisco Secure Enclaves Architecture |
• Cisco TrustSec Operation |
• Firewalling |
• Positioning the Firewall Within Data Center Networks |
• Cisco Firepower® Portfolio |
• Firewall Virtualization |
• Design for Threat Mitigation |
Describing Management and Orchestration |
• Network and License Management |
• Cisco UCS Manager |
• Cisco UCS Director |
• Cisco Intersight |
• Cisco DCNM Overview |
Describing Storage and RAID Options |
• Position DAS in Storage Technologies |
• Network-Attached Storage |
• Fibre Channel, FCoE, and Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) |
• Evaluate Storage Technologies |
Describing Fibre Channel Concepts |
• Fibre Channel Connections, Layers, and Addresses |
• Fibre Channel Communication |
• Virtualization in Fibre Channel SAN |
Describing Fibre Channel Topologies |
• SAN Parameterization |
• SAN Design Options |
• Choosing a Fibre Channel Design Solution |
Describing FCoE |
• FCoE Protocol Characteristics |
• FCoE Communication |
• Data Center Bridging |
• FCoE Initialization Protocol |
• FCoE Design Options |
Describing Storage Security |
• Common SAN Security Features |
• Zones |
• SAN Security Enhancements |
• Cryptography in SAN |
Describing SAN Management and Orchestration |
• Cisco DCNM for SAN |
• Cisco DCNM Analytics and Streaming Telemetry |
• Cisco UCS Director in the SAN |
• Cisco UCS Director Workflows |
Describing Cisco UCS Servers and Use Cases |
• Fabric Interconnects and Blade Chassis |
• Cisco UCS B-Series Server Adapter Cards |
• Stateless Computing |
• Cisco UCS Mini |
Describing Fabric Interconnect Connectivity |
• Use of Fabric Interconnect Interfaces |
• VLANs and VSANs in a Cisco UCS Domain |
• Southbound Connections |
• Northbound Connections |
• Disjoint Layer 2 Networks |
• Fabric Interconnect High Availability and Redundancy |
Describing Hyperconverged and Integrated Systems |
• Hyperconverged and Integrated Systems Overview |
• Cisco HyperFlex™ Solution |
• Cisco HyperFlex Scalability and Robustness |
• Cisco HyperFlex Clusters |
• Cluster Capacity and Multiple Clusters on One Cisco UCS Domain |
• External Storage and Graphical Processing Units on Cisco HyperFlex |
• Cisco HyperFlex Positioning |
Describing Cisco UCS Manager Systemwide Parameters |
• Cisco UCS Setup and Management |
• Cisco UCS Traffic Management |
Describing Cisco UCS RBAC |
• Roles and Privileges |
• Organizations in Cisco UCS Manager |
• Locales and Effective Rights |
• Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting |
• Two-Factor Authentication |
• Cisco UCS C-Series Servers |
Describing Pools for Service Profiles |
• Global and Local Pools |
• Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) Suffix and Media Access Control (MAC) Address Pools |
• World Wide Name (WWN) Pools |
• Server and iSCSI Initiator IP Pools |
Describing Policies for Service Profiles |
• Global vs. Local Policies |
• Storage and Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) Policies |
• Boot and Scrub Policies |
• Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) and Maintenance Policies |
Describing Network-Specific Adapters and Policies |
• LAN Connectivity Controls |
• SAN Connectivity Controls |
• Virtual Access Layer |
• Connectivity Enhancements |
Describing Templates in Cisco UCS Manager |
• Cisco UCS Templates |
• Service Profile Templates |
• Network Templates |
• Designing Data Center Automation |
Model-Driven Programmability |
• Cisco NX-API Overview |
• Programmability Using Python |
• Cisco Ansible Module |
• Use the Puppet Agent |
Lab Outline |
• Design Virtual Port Channels |
• Design First Hop Redundancy Protocol (FHRP) |
• Design Routing Protocols |
• Design Data Center Topology for a Customer |
• Design Data Center Interconnect Using Cisco OTV |
• Design Your VXLAN Network |
• Create a Cisco FEX Design |
• Design Management and Orchestration in a Cisco UCS Solution |
• Design a Fibre Channel Network |
• Design and Integrate an FCoE Solution |
• Design a Secure SAN |
• Design Cisco UCS Director for Storage Networking |
• Design a Cisco UCS Domain and Fabric Interconnect Cabling |
• Design a Cisco UCS C-Series Server Implementation |
• Design Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect Network and Storage Connectivity |
• Design Systemwide Parameters in a Cisco UCS Solution |
• Design an LDAP Integration with a Cisco UCS Domain |
• Design Pools for Service Profiles in a Cisco UCS Solution |
• Design Network-Specific Adapters and Policies in a Cisco UCS Solution |

Certification as CCNP Data Center Certification
-
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.
