Cisco Data Center Nexus Dashboard Essentials (DCNDE)

The Cisco Data Center Nexus Dashboard Essentials (DCNDE) training teaches you how to install, operate, administer, and automate Cisco Nexus Dashboard, the unified platform for operating modern data center networks. Built on Cisco Nexus Dashboard release 4.2, the platform consolidates the formerly separate fabric controller, insights, and orchestrator services into a single product with one installation, one user interface, and a one-step upgrade.

You will learn what Cisco Nexus Dashboard is made of and why it is used, install it on physical, virtual, and cloud form factors, license and size your deployment, build VXLAN EVPN fabrics, attach endpoints, apply templates and policies, and automate the platform using the REST API, Ansible, and Network as Code. The training is delivered as a modular Learning Path of six tracks and includes hands-on lab activities that run the live software solution. This training also earns you 31 Continuing Education (CE) credits toward recertification.

How You'll Benefit

This training will help you: 

• Gain the needed skills to utilize the Cisco Nexus Dashboard platform
• Boost knowledge for protocols, solutions, and designs to acquire professional-level and expert-level data center roles
• Earn 31 CE credits toward recertification

• Install Cisco Nexus Dashboard on physical nodes
• Install Cisco Nexus Dashboard on a virtualization platform (VMware ESXi and KVM)
• Install Cisco Nexus Dashboard on Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Describe the steps needed to fully bring up a Cisco Nexus Dashboard cluster
• Describe licensing of Cisco Nexus Dashboard and fabrics
• Describe the sizing considerations for Cisco Nexus Dashboard clusters
• Describe the capabilities of Cisco Nexus Dashboard to provision, manage, and analyze network infrastructure (Day 1 and Day 2 functions)
• List the major changes between Cisco Nexus Dashboard releases 3.2 and 4.2
• Review the Cisco Nexus Dashboard graphical user interface
• Configure users, roles, role-based access control (RBAC), and remote authentication
• Describe resource monitoring and reporting in Cisco Nexus Dashboard
• Perform common administration tasks, including creating a technical support bundle and using unified backup
• Describe firmware management for Cisco Nexus Dashboard and switches, and the migration from release 3.2 to 4.2
• Describe the fabric creation process in Cisco Nexus Dashboard
• Create VRFs and networks in a fabric
• Attach endpoints to access and trunk ports, including multi-attach
• Describe the use of templates and policies
• Describe the use of freeform policies
• Review automation options, including the REST API, Ansible, and the Network as Code framework
• Automate switch discovery and onboarding using Power-On Auto Provisioning (POAP)

• Systems Engineers
• Implementation Engineers
• Consulting Engineers
• Data Center Network Administrators
• Data Center Network Operators
• Data Center Architects

There are no prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are:

• Understanding of Cisco routing and switching in a data center
• Familiarity with data center network management and operation
• Basic understanding of VXLAN EVPN concepts

These skills can be found in the following Cisco Learning Offerings:    

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)
• Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)

Course Outline

Module 1: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Physical Node Installation

Module 2: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Virtual Node Installation

Module 3: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Cloud Installation

Module 4: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Licensing Options

Module 5: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Deployment Size

Module 6: Day 1 and Day 2 Functions of Cisco Nexus Dashboard

Module 7: Survey of Changes in Cisco Nexus Dashboard

Module 8: Cisco Nexus Dashboard GUI Overview

Module 9: Users, Roles, RBAC, and Remote Authentication

Module 10: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Resource Monitoring

Module 11: Common Administration Tasks

Module 12: Upgrades and Migration

Module 13: Create a Fabric

Module 14: Create VRFs and Networks

Module 15: Attach Endpoints

Module 16: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Policies and Templates

Module 17: Freeform Policies

Module 18: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Automation Options

Module 19: Automate Switch Discovery with POAP

LAB OUTLINE

• Lab 1: Deploy OVA in ESXi
• Lab 2: Finish the Cluster Bring-Up Procedure
• Lab 3: Explore Cisco Nexus Dashboard GUI
• Lab 4: Add an ACI Fabric
• Lab 5: Configure Remote Authentication
• Lab 6: Create a Tech Support Bundle
• Lab 7: Create a VXLAN Fabric
• Lab 8: Create Networks
• Lab 9: Attach Endpoints
• Lab 10: Apply Freeform Policies
• Lab 11: Create Fabric and Add Switches using Network as Code
• Lab 12: Use POAP to Add Switches to Fabric