Overview
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:
- Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR) (exam 350-601)
- Designing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCID) (exam 350-610)
- Troubleshooting Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCIT) (exam 350-615)
- Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (DCACI) (exam 350-620)
- Introducing Cisco NX-OS Switches and Fabrics in the Data Center (DCINX) (n/a)
- Configuring Cisco Nexus Switches (DCCNX) (n/a)
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 attend
- Data center administrators
- Data center engineers
- Systems engineers
- Server administrators
- Network managers
- Cisco integrators and partners
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:
Course 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