DCICN – Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN)

  COURSE CONTENT

The Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN) v6.1 is a five-day instructor-led course that introduces you to the primary technologies that are used in the Cisco Data Center You will learn the foundational knowledge, skills, and technologies including network protocols and host-to-host communication, data center networking concepts and technologies, data center storage networking and Cisco UCS architecture.

  WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The primary audience for this course is as follows:

  • Network Administrators
  • Network Engineers
  • Cisco Integrators/Partners
  • Systems Engineers
  • Network Designers
  • Network Managers
  • Consulting Systems Engineers
  • Technical Solutions Architects

  CERTIFICATIONS

This course is part of the following Certifications:

  PREREQUISITES

You should have the following skills and knowledge before attending this course:

  • Good understanding of networking protocols
  • Good understanding of the VMware environment
  • Basic computer literacy
  • Basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows operating systems
  • Basic Internet usage skills

  COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Describe and identify data center network protocols and host-to-host communication
  • Describe basic data center networking concepts and use Cisco Nexus Operating System (Cisco NX-OS) command line interface, implement VLANs, trunks, and port channels
  • Describe advanced data center networking concepts, implement multilayer switching, and perform basic configuration: protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, HSRP); authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) on Cisco NX-OS devices and secure remote administration; and access control lists
  • Describe and compare basic data center storage connectivity options and configure VSANs
  • Describe advanced data center storage and configure zoning, NPV mode and NPIV on Cisco Nexus and Cisco MDS Switches
  • Identify the components of Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS) architecture and use the Cisco UCS Manager GUI
  • Describe the Fibre Channel name server and fabric login (FLOGI) process

  FOLLOW ON COURSES

OUTLINE: Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN)

Module 1: Network Protocols and Host-to-Host Communication

  • LAN
    • Benefits and characteristics
    • Components and functions
  • Ethernet hardware and switches
  • OSI and TCP/IP models
  • IPv4 and IPv6 network layer
    • Function of IP
    • Characteristics of IP
    • Addresses
  • Packet delivery process
  • TCO/IP transport layer

Module 2: Basic Data Center Networking Concepts

  • Data center network architectures
  • Cisco Nexus family and NX-OS
    • Licenses
    • Connectivity tools
  • VLAN
    • Purpose
    • Function
    • Configuring
  • Trunks
  • Redundant switched topologies (STP)
    • Issues
    • Port costs and port roles
    • Benefits of RSTP
    • Benefits of MSTP

Module 3: Advanced Data Center Networking Concepts

  • Routing process on Nexus switches
  • Routing protocols on Nexus switches
  • Layer 3 redundancy
  • Configure user security features
  • ACL
    • Introduction
    • Processing
    • Configuring
    • Object groups

Module 4: Basic Data Center Storage

  • Compare block- and file-based network storage
  • NFS, fibre channel, iSCSI and SCSI
  • Fibre channel storage networking
  • VSANs
    • Configure and manage
    • Best practices

Module 5: Advanced Data Center Storage

  • Initiator and target communication
    • Fibre channel layered model
    • FCNS and FLOGI process
  • Fibre channel zone
    • LUN masking
    • Guidelines
    • Verification
    • Set distribution
    • Read-only zones
    • Recommended practices
  • NPV and NPIV
  • Ethernet enhancements
  • Fibre channel over Ethernet

Module 6: Cisco UCS Architecture

  • Cisco UCS
    • Server components
    • Architecture
    • UCS manager
    • UCS central software
  • Cisco UCS Physical Connectivity for a Fabric Interconnect Cluster
  • UCS Manger interfaces

Labs:

  • Lab 1: Use the DCICN Lab System
  • Lab 2: Explore LAN Communication
  • Lab 3: Explore Protocol Analysis
  • Lab 4: Explore TCP and UDP Communication
  • Lab 5: Explore the Cisco NX-OS Command Line Interface
  • Lab 6: Explore Topology Discovery and Documentation
  • Lab 7: Implement VLANs and Trunks
  • Lab 8: Map a Spanning Tree and Configure Port Channels
  • Lab 9: Implement Multilayer Switching
  • Lab 10: Configure OSPF
  • Lab 11: Configure EIGRP
  • Lab 12: Configure HSRP
  • Lab 13: Configure AAA and Secure Remote Administration
  • Lab 14: Configure ACLs
  • Lab 15: Configure VSANs
  • Lab 16: Validate FLOGI and FCNS
  • Lab 17: Configure Zoning
  • Lab 18: Explore the Cisco UCS Manager GUI
  • Written Lab 19: Calculate Decimal, Binary, and Subnet (Optional)