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