Implementing Data Center Networks Using the Cisco Nexus 5000 Switch and 2000 Fabric Extender (IDCN5K)

This course is intended for the following audiences:

• Network Field Engineers
• Network System Engineers
• Data Center Network Designers
• Pre-sales Engineers
• Post-sales Engineers
• Network Administration Personnel

Course attendees should possess an intermediate knowledge of switching, routing and storage architectures and protocols, as well as an understanding of server virtualization techniques.

This highly focused, 3-day course provides a detailed understanding of Cisco's converged SAN/LAN network architecture using Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and Data Center Bridging (DCB) protocols on the Cisco Nexus 5000 and Nexus 2000 platform.

In this course you will learn about the hardware and software architecture of the Nexus 5000 and 2000 switches, and how this architecture deploys congestion management and other QoS characteristics in the FCoE/DCE networks.

This course covers FCoE and DCB/DCE protol design guidelines and configuration details for Cisco's virtualized DCB network enviroment.You will learn how to deploy a highly available and scalable virtualized converged networking infrastructure using Nexus 5000 and Nexus 2000 series switches in switch mode or NPV/NPIV mode of operation using FC, Ethernet and virtual Port channeling, including RSTP and FSFP high availability implementation considerations.

It discusses several design options for modern Data Center access layer architecture, integration of Server Virtualization (ESX), Blade Server and Rack Server into the DC network topology. In addition, QoS, Management, and Monitoring tools for these type of enviroments are discussed.

Course Benefits

• Understand Fibre Channel Protocol Implementation on the Cisco Nexus 5000
• Undertand FCoE and DCB Protocols and their Applicability to a Unified Fabric Environment
• Understand DCB/FCoE Network Design Considerations
• Configure the Nexus 5000 in Converged Network Environments
• Understand the Nexus 5000 System Hardware and Software Architecture
• Review the Nexus 5000 Software Features and Licensing
• Configure Server Connectivity to the FCoE/DCB Network Using Converged Network Adapters
• Understand the Nexus 5000 High-Availability Features
• Configure the Nexus 5000 Management and Monitoring Features
• Understand the Nexus 2000 Hardware Architecture and Operational Features
• Understand the Relationship Between the Nexus 5000 and 2000 Product Families
• Configure Advanced Features Including Congestion Avoidance, Traffic Management, Static and Dynamic Pinning
• Utilize the Fabric and Device Manager Products to Perform Discovery, Configuration, Management and Troubleshooting

Course Lab Exercises

• Nexus 5000 Hardware Discovery and System Management
• Configure the Nexus 5000 for Dual-Homing Using the Virtual Port-Channel Feature
• Configure DCB using the Nexus 5000
• Configure the Nexus 5000 in NPV Mode
• Configure Nexus 5000 Traffic Management and QoS and Monitor FCoE Performance Using Ethanalyzer and SPAN with Wireshark
• Configure Nexus 5000 Security Features