Introducing Cisco Unified Computing System (DCIUCS)

In this Introducing Cisco Unified Computing System course module sequence provides a comprehensive overview of Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) and Cisco HyperFlex technologies, focusing on how server hardware, connectivity, storage, and management abstractions work together to deliver a scalable and resilient data center compute platform. It begins with an examination of Cisco UCS B-Series, C-Series, and S-Series servers, virtual interface cards, and hyperconverged infrastructure concepts, establishing a clear understanding of how traditional and hyperconverged compute models are deployed in modern environments. The curriculum then explores Cisco UCS connectivity, including Fabric Interconnect architecture, end-host mode operation, uplink pinning, and server integration models, while extending these concepts into Cisco HyperFlex and HyperFlex Edge connectivity designs commonly used for virtualization and edge deployments.

The course further emphasizes operational efficiency through detailed coverage of Cisco UCS service profiles and templates, demonstrating how identity abstraction, pools, and policies enable stateless computing and rapid server provisioning. Storage connectivity is addressed through iSCSI implementation on Cisco UCS, highlighting addressing models and supported configurations for block storage access. Lifecycle management is reinforced with structured guidance on firmware updates, including best practices for infrastructure images, host firmware packages, driver updates, and automated upgrade workflows. The module concludes with system protection and recovery concepts through Cisco UCS backup and restore strategies, ensuring configuration resiliency. Hands-on labs reinforce these concepts by guiding learners through UCS Manager navigation, port and VLAN configuration, service profile deployment, iSCSI setup, and backup and restore operations, preparing participants for real-world Cisco UCS and HyperFlex administration.

How you'll benefit
This course will help you:

• Learn how to implement and maintain Cisco UCS servers
• Gain knowledge and skills through Cisco’s unique combination of lessons and hands-on practice using enterprise-grade Cisco learning technologies, data center equipment, and software
• Prepare for data center job roles

After taking this course, you should be able to:

• Describe Cisco UCS server hardware
• Describe Cisco UCS connectivity
• Describe the Cisco HyperFlex Data Platform, its data writing and reading processes, and data optimization
• Describe and configure Cisco UCS service profiles
• Describe and configure Cisco UCS service profile templates
• Describe and implement Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) on Cisco UCS
• Describe and implement Cisco UCS firmware updates
• Describe and implement Cisco UCS backups

• Server Administrators
• Network Engineers
• Systems Engineers
• Consulting Systems Engineers
• Technical Solutions Architects
• Network Administrators
• Storage Administrators
• Network Managers
• Sales Engineers
• Cisco Integrators and Partners

To fully benefit from this course, you should have the following knowledge and skills:

• General knowledge of servers
• Routing and switching
• Storage area networking
• Server virtualization

These Cisco courses are recommended to help you meet these prerequisites:

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA®)
• Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU)
• Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)

Module 1: Describing Cisco UCS Server Hardware

• Cisco UCS B-Series Blade Servers
• Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers
• Cisco UCS S-Series Rack Servers
• Cisco Virtual Interface Cards
• Hyperconvergence Overview
• Cisco HyperFlex HX-Series Servers

Module 2: Describing Cisco UCS Connectivity

• Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect
• Cisco UCS B-Series Connectivity
• Cisco UCS C-Series Connectivity
• Cisco UCS S-Series Connectivity
• Cisco HyperFlex Connectivity Architecture
• Cisco HyperFlex Edge Connectivity
• Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect Ethernet End-Host Mode Compared to Switching Mode
• Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect Uplink Pinning
• Cisco UCS C-Series Integration

Module 3: Describing the Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform

• Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform Software
• Writing Data to Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform
• Reading Data from Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform
• Data Optimization in Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform

Module 4: Configuring Cisco UCS Service Profiles

• Portability Issue with Nonabstracted Identities
• Cisco UCS Service Profile
• Identity Pools
• Server Pools
• IP Pools

Module 5: Configuring Cisco UCS Service Profile Templates

• Service Profile Templates

Module 6: Implementing iSCSI on Cisco UCS

• iSCSI Addressing
• iSCSI Support in Cisco UCS

Module 7: Implementing Cisco UCS Firmware Updates

• Update Cisco UCS C-Series Server Firmware
• Download Tasks for the Infrastructure Image
• Download Tasks for Cisco UCS B-Series Firmware Packages
• Best Practices for Updating Firmware in Cisco UCS Manager
• Firmware Upgrades Using Auto Install
• Capability Catalog Updates
• Host Firmware Packages
• Driver Updates for Operating Systems and Hypervisors

Module 8: Implementing Cisco UCS Backups

• Compare Backup Options in Cisco UCS Manager
• Compare Two Import Types
• Policy Backup

LAB OUTLINE

• Explore Cisco UCS Manager GUI
• Configure Server and Uplink Ports
• Configure VLANs
• Configure Basic Identity Pools
• Configure a Cisco UCS Service Profile Using Pools
• Configure a Service Profile Template
• Configure an iSCSI Service Profile on Cisco UCS
• Perform Backup and Restore Activities