Introduction xix
Assessment Test xxviii
Chapter 1 Data Center Networking Principles 1
Data Center Networking Principles 2
The Data Center LAN 2
The Data Center SAN 4
Network Design Using a Modular Approach 4
The Data Center Core Layer 5
The Data Center Aggregation Layer 5
The Data Center Access Layer 6
The Collapsed Core Model 7
FabricPath 8
How Do We Interconnect Data Centers? 11
Virtual Port Channels 12
Understanding Port Channels 17
Going Virtual with Virtual Device Contexts 26
Storage Networking with Nexus 28
Configuring and Verifying Network Connectivity 29
Identifying Control and Data Plane Traffic 29
Data Plane 29
Control Plane 30
Performing the Initial Setup 31
Summary 34
Exam Essentials 34
Written Lab 1 36
Review Questions 37
Chapter 2 Networking Products 41
The Nexus Product Family 43
Nexus Product Family Overview 44
Nexus 7000 Product Family 48
Nexus 5000 Product Family 53
Nexus 2000 Product Family 55
Reviewing the Cisco MDS Product Family 58
MDS 9500 59
MDS 9100/9200 60
Cisco Application Control Engine 60
Summary 60
Exam Essentials 61
Written Lab 2 61
Review Questions 63
Chapter 3 Storage Networking Principles 67
Storage Area Networking 68
Storage Categories 69
Block-Based Storage 70
File-Based Storage 70
Block and File Storage 71
Fibre Channel Networks 72
Describe the SAN Initiator and Target 73
Verify SAN Switch Operations 74
Describe Basic SAN Connectivity 75
Describe Storage Array Connectivity 76
Describe Storage Protection 77
Describe Storage Topologies 78
Point-to-Point 78
Arbitrated Loop 78
Fabric 79
Port Types 80
Storage Systems 81
World Wide Names 82
SAN Boot 83
Verify Name Server Login 84
Describe, Configure, and Verify Zoning 85
Perform Initial MDS Setup 87
Describe, Configure, and Verify VSAN 91
Summary 93
Exam Essentials 93
Written Lab 3 94
Review Questions 96
Chapter 4 Data Center Network Services 101
Data Center Network Services 102
Standard ACE Features for Load Balancing 102
Server Load Balancing Virtual Context and HA 106
Server Load Balancing Management Options 107
Benefits of the Cisco Global Load-Balancing Solution 108
Cisco WAAS Needs and Advantages in the Data Center 109
Summary 109
Exam Essentials 110
Written Lab 4 110
Review Questions 111
Chapter 5 Nexus 1000V 115
Virtual Switches 116
Server Virtualization 117
Network Connectivity 118
Standard Virtual Switch 120
VMware Distributed Virtual Switch 122
Nexus 1000V Switch 124
Nexus 1000V Components 125
Virtual Supervisor Module 125
Virtual Ethernet Module 127
Communication between the VEM and VSM 127
Communication between the VSM and vCenter 128
Port Profiles 129
Installing Nexus 1000V 129
Installation Preparation 130
Nexus 1000V Software 130
Deploying the OVF Template 130
Initial Configuration 133
Verify Installation 134
Summary 138
Exam Essentials 138
Written Lab 5 139
Review Questions 140
Chapter 6 Unified Fabric 145
Unified Fabric 147
FCoE 148
Connectivity Hardware 154
Connecting the Virtual Interface Card to
Nexus 5500UP 155
VN-Tag 155
FEX Configuration 156
Summary 164
Exam Essentials 164
Written Lab 6 166
Review Questions 167
Chapter 7 Cisco UCS Principles 171
Data Center Computing Evolution 174
Network-Centric Computing 175
Fabric Interconnects 177
Server Chassis 180
I/O Modules 181
UCS Servers 181
Extended Memory 181
B-Series Blade Server Models 182
C-Series Rack Servers 182
Interface Cards 183
UCS Connectivity 184
Fabric Interconnect Connectivity 185
Cisco Integrated Management Controller 186
Ethernet Interface Port Personality 187
UCS Discovery Process 187
Summary 188
Exam Essentials 189
Written Lab 7 189
Review Questions 191
Chapter 8 Cisco UCS Configuration 195
UCS Cluster Setup 197
Cabling the Fabric Interconnects 197
Setup Dialog for the Fabric Interconnects 198
Cluster Verification 201
UCS Manager 203
Welcome to the GUI 204
UCS GUI Navigation 205
Finite State Machine 206
Service Profiles 207
Traditional Computing 208
Upgrading or Replacing a Server 208
Stateless Computing 209
Service Profiles 209
Summary 218
Exam Essentials 218
Written Lab 8 219
Chapter 8: Hands-On Labs 219
Review Questions 222
Appendix A Answers to Written Labs 227
Chapter 1: Data Center Networking Principles 228
Chapter 2: Networking Products 228
Chapter 3: Storage Networking Principles 228
Chapter 4: Data Center Network Services 230
Chapter 5: Nexus 1000V 231
Chapter 6: Unified Fabric 231
Chapter 7: Cisco USC Principles 232
Chapter 8: Cisco UCS Configuration 233
Appendix B Answers to Review Questions 235
Chapter 1: Data Center Networking Principles 236
Chapter 2: Networking Products 237
Chapter 3: Storage Networking Principles 238
Chapter 4: Data Center Network Services 239
Chapter 5: Nexus 1000V 240
Chapter 6: Unified Fabric 241
Chapter 7: Cisco USC Principles 242
Chapter 8: Cisco UCS Configuration 243
Index 245
