DCFNDU | Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations
v1.0
What you’ll learn in this course
The Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU) v1.0 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 |
Course duration
- Instructor-led training: 5 days in the classroom with hands-on lab practice
- Virtual instructor-led training: 5 days of web-based classes with hands-on lab practice
-
E-learning: Equivalent of 5 days of instruction with videos, practice, and challenges
How you'll benefit
This course 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
Who should enroll
- Data center administrators
- Data center engineers
- Systems engineers
- Server administrators
- Network managers
- Cisco integrators and partners
Technology areas
Data center
Course details
Objectives
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
Prerequisites
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)
Outline
- Describing the Data Center Network Architectures
- Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software
- Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy
- Describing Cisco FEX
- Describing Port Channels and vPCs
- Describing Switch Virtualization
- Describing Machine Virtualization
- Describing Network Virtualization
- Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts
- 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 Data Center Ethernet Enhancements
- Describing FCoE
- Describing Cisco UCS Components
- Describing Cisco UCS Manager
- Using APIs
- Describing Cisco ACI
- Describing Cloud Computing
Lab outline
- Explore the Cisco NX-OS CLI
- Explore Topology Discovery
- Configure HSRP
- Configure the Cisco Nexus 2000 FEX
- Configure vPCs
- Configure vPCs with Cisco FEX
- Configure VRF
- Explore the VDC Elements
- Install VMware 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 Server Profile
- Configure Cisco NX-OS with APIs
- Explore the Cisco UCS Manager XML API Management Information Tree