DCFNDU - Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations

Course Description

The Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU) training helps you prepare for entry-level data center roles. In this training, 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 training does not lead directly to a certification exam, but it does cover foundational knowledge that can help you prepare for several Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and other professional-level data center trainings and exams. This training also earns you 25 Continuing Education (CE) credits toward recertification

How You'll Benefit

This training will help you:
Prepare for entry-level job roles in the high-demand area of data center environments
Prepare for trainings that support the CCNP 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
Earn 25 CE credits toward recertification

Who Should Enroll

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

Course Objectives

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 Ethernet port channels and vPCs
Introduce switch virtualization
Introduce machine virtualization
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 Nexus Dashboard
Describe the basic concepts of cloud computing

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are:
Good foundation of networking protocols
Basic knowledge of computer virtualization
Basic computer literacy
Basic knowledge of computer operating systems
Basic internet usage skills

In addition, CCNA-level knowledge is recommended as a prerequisite for success in this certification:
Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)

Course Outline

Describing the Data Center Network Architectures
Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software
Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy
Describing Port Channels and vPCs
Describing Switch Virtualization
Describing Machine Virtualization
Describing Network Virtualization
Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts
Describing the Cisco MDS Family
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 FCoE
Describing Cisco UCS and UCS-X Components
Describing Cisco UCS Manager and Cisco Intersight
Automating the Data Center
Describing Cisco Nexus Dashboard
Describing Cisco ACI
Describing Cloud Computing

Lab Outline

Explore the Cisco NX-OS CLI
Explore Topology Discovery
Configure HSRP
Configure vPCs
Configure VRF
Explore CoPP and Spanning Tree on Cisco Nexus Switches
Install VMware ESXi and vCenter
Configure VSANs
Validate FLOGI and FCNS
Configure Zoning
Review 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