Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU) V1.1

The Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU) V1.1 course helps you prepare for entry-level data center roles. In this course, you will learn the foundational knowledge and skills you need to configure Cisco® data center technologies including: networking, virtualization, storage area networking, and unified computing. You will get an introduction to Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI), automation and cloud computing. You will get hands-on experience with configuring features on Cisco Nexus Operating System (Cisco NX-OS) and Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS).

This course does not lead directly to a certification exam, but it does cover foundational knowledge that can help you prepare for several CCNP and other professional-level data center courses and exams:
Courses                                                                                                                                                  Exams

• Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)                          350-601 Implementing Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)
• Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCID)                                                                            350-610 Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCID)
• Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCIT)                                                                 350-615 Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCIT)
• Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (DCACI)                                                     350-620 Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (DCACI)
• Introducing Cisco NX-OS Switches and Fabrics in the Data Center (DCINX)                                 n/a
• Configuring Cisco Nexus Switches (DCCNX)                                                                                          n/a

How you’ll benefit
This class will help you:

• Prepare for entry-level job roles in the high-demand area of data center environments
• Prepare for courses that support the Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center certification exams
• Gain knowledge and hands-on skills through Cisco’s unique combination of lessons and hands-on practice using enterprise-grade Cisco learning technologies, data center equipment, and software
• This course also earns you 30 Continuing Education (CE) credits towards recertification.

Why Attend With Current Technologies CLC

• Our Instructors are the top 10% rated by Cisco
• Our Lab has a dedicated 1 Gig Fiber Connection for our Labs
• Our Labs run up to Date Code for all our courses

After taking this course, you should be able to:

• Describe the foundations of data center networking
• Describe Cisco Nexus products and explain the basic Cisco NX-OS functionalities and tools
• Describe Layer 3 first-hop redundancy
• Describe Cisco FEX connectivity
• Describe Ethernet port channels and vPCs
• Introduce switch virtualization, machine virtualization, and describe network virtualization
• Compare storage connectivity options in the data center
• Describe Fibre Channel communication between the initiator server and the target storage
• Describe Fibre Channel zone types and their uses
• Describe NPV and NPIV
• Describe data center Ethernet enhancements that provide a lossless fabric
• Describe FCoE
• Describe data center server connectivity
• Describe Cisco UCS Manager
• Describe the purpose and advantages of APIs
• Describe Cisco ACI
• Describe the basic concepts of cloud computing

The primary audience for this course is as follows:

• Data Center Administrators
• Data Center Engineers
• Systems Engineers
• Server Administrators
• Network Managers
• Cisco Integrators and Partners
• Data Center Designers
• Technical Solutions Architects
• Network Architects

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

• Good understanding of networking protocols
• Good understanding of the VMware environment
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows operating systems

These are the recommended Cisco courses that may help you meet these prerequisites:

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

Module 1: Describing the Data Center Network Architectures

• Cisco Data Center Architecture Overview
• Three-Tier Network: Core, Aggregation, and Access

Module 2: Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software

• Cisco Nexus Data Center Product Overview
• Cisco NX-OS Software Architecture

Module 3: Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy

• Default Gateway Redundancy
• Hot Standby Router Protocol

Module 4: Describing Port Channels and vPCs

• Ethernet Port Channels
• Virtual Port Channels

Module 5: Describing Switch Virtualization

• Cisco Nexus Switch Basic Components
• Virtual Routing and Forwarding

Module 6: Describing Machine Virtualization

• Virtual Machines
• Hypervisor

Module 7: Describing Network Virtualization

• Overlay Network Protocols
• VXLAN Overlay

Module 8: Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts

• Storage Connectivity Options in the Data Center
• Fibre Channel Storage Networking

Module 9: Describing Fibre Channel Communication Between the Initiator Server and the Target Storage

• Fibre Channel Layered Model
• FLOGI Process

Module 10: Describing Fibre Channel Zone Types and Their Uses

• Fibre Channel Zoning
• Zoning Configuration

Module 11: Describing Cisco NPV Mode and NPIV

• Cisco NPV Mode
• NPIV Mode

Module 12: Describing Data Center Ethernet Enhancements

• IEEE Data Center Bridging
• Priority Flow Control

Module 13: Describing FCoE

• Cisco Unified Fabric
• FCoE Architecture

Module 14: Describing Cisco UCS Components

• Physical Cisco UCS Components
• Cisco Fabric Interconnect Product Overview

Module 15: Describing Cisco UCS Manager

• Cisco UCS Manager Overview
• Identity and Resource Pools for Hardware Abstraction

Module 16: Using APIs

• Common Programmability Protocols and Methods
• How to Choose Models and Processes
• Automating the Data Center

Module 17: Describing Cisco ACI

• Cisco ACI Overview
• Multitier Applications in Cisco ACI

Module 18: Describing Cloud Computing

• Cloud Computing Overview
• Cloud Deployment Models

LAB Outline

• Explore the Cisco NX-OS CLI
• Explore Topology Discovery
• Configure HSRP
• Configure vPCs
• Configure VRF
• Explore the VDC Elements
• Install 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 Service Profile
• Configure Cisco NX-OS with APIs
• Explore the Cisco UCS Manager XML API Management Information Tree
• Explore Cisco ACI