Introducing Cisco NX-OS Switches and Fabrics in the Data Center (DCINX) 1.0

The Introducing Cisco NX-OS Switches and Fabrics in the Data Center (DCINX) v1.0 course gives you a technical overview the Cisco Nexus® Switches key capabilities including platforms, architecture, software, management, and features that contribute to performance, high availability, flexibility, operational simplicity, and investment protection. The course is for technical decision makers and IT professionals who architect, implement, and manage Cisco Nexus switches in data center environments. You will have hands-on practice exploring key features including Virtual Device Contexts (VDC), First Hop Redundancy protocols (FHRPs), and user management.

The Configuring Cisco NX-OS Switches and Fabrics in the Data Center (DCCNX) v1.0 course may also be taken after taking this course to learn how to configure the Cisco Nexus Switches using Cisco® NX-OS.

Objectives

This course will help you:

• Understand the common platform architecture and key features of the Cisco Nexus Series Switches
• Implement data center virtualization and redundancy features using Cisco NX-OS
• Gain introductory-level, hands-on experience using Cisco Nexus Series Switches

After taking this course, you should be able to:

• Identify the platforms that make the Cisco Nexus 7000, 5000, 3000, and 2000 product families
• Implement Cisco Nexus
• Explore Cisco Nexus basic features
• Describe virtual device contexts
• Describe port channels and virtual port channels
• Configure First Hop Redundancy protocols

Prerequisites

To fully benefit from this course, you should have the following knowledge and skills:

• Familiarity with Cisco data center technologies
• Understand networking protocols, routing, and switching
• Understand business and application requirements

These are the recommended Cisco courses that may help you meet these prerequisites:

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA®)
• Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU)
• Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)

Who should attend?

• Solutions architects
• Data center architects
• Network architects
• System engineers
• Data center engineers
• Network engineers
• Technical decision makers
• Presales engineers
• Cisco integrators and partners

Course Outline

Identifying Cisco Nexus Platforms

• Cisco Nexus 7000 and 7700 Series Overview
• Cisco Nexus 5600 Series Overview
• Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Overview
• Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Overview

Implementing Cisco Nexus Platforms

• Cisco Nexus in Data Center Architecture
• Cisco NX-OS Software
• Licensing Model

Managing Cisco Nexus Platforms

• Cisco Nexus Command-line Interface (CLI) and GUI Management Interfaces
• Cisco NX-OS Setup Utility
• PowerOn Auto Provisioning
• Cisco NX-OS User Management
• User Account and Role Configuration

Describing Virtual Device Contexts (VDC)

• Virtual Device Context
• VDC Types
• VDC Resources and Resource Templates

Describing Port Channels and Virtual Port Channels

• Port Channel Operation
• vPC Concept and Benefits
• vPC Architecture
• vPC Control and Data Plane

Configuring First Hop Redundancy Protocols

• Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) Overview
• Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) Overview
• Gateway Load Balancing Protocol (GLBP) Overview

Lab outline

• Explore Cisco Nexus Platforms
• Configure User Management
• Configure VDC and User Management
• Configure and Verify vPC
• Configure FHRP Protocols