Cisco MDS and Nexus Dashboard Workshop (MDS-ND-PW2)
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Overview
Description, Pre requisites -
Content
Lessons, Course Structure
The Cisco 9000 Series Multilayer Director Switch (MDS) has been a main stay of Cisco’s Data Center strategy. It provides Industry leading Storage Area Networking (SAN).
The introduction of Nexus Dashboard (ND) as the management and visibility hub, brings MDS SANs in line with the Cisco unified DC wide control framework. ND brings a number of advanced features that enables better control and visibility into the SAN environment.
As a critical component in the DC, maintaining uptime and achieving a fast resolution to issues has always been key. Now with the introduction of SAN Analytics, predictive insight and pre-emptive control can take SAN stability to the next level.
This training workshop is aimed at bringing to light the key features of MDS Fibre Channel Switches and how they are managed using ND
Course Prerequisites
To fully benefit from this course, you should have the following knowledge and skills:
- Basic understanding of data storage hardware components and protocols, including Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and Fibre Channel
- Basic understanding of network protocols, including Ethernet and IP
Course Objectives
During this course, you will:
- Discover and describe MDS platform of multilayer switches and directors.
- Describe key product features of the MDS platform
- Review Fibre channel operation and Cisco enhancement
- Configure and deploy the Cisco MDS switches and platform features using CLI and ND
- Perform key regular administration tasks
- Overview ND advanced features in SAN Observability and monitoring
- Explore SAN analytics feature
Who should attend?
- Data center systems engineers
- Storage Administrators
- Data center architects
- Technical decision makers
- Cisco integrators and partners
Duration
2 days
Module 1 – MDS overview and refresher
- MDS family of switch overview
- Configuration options overview
Module 2 – Housley Lab overview
- Details of Lab environment and relevant systems used in lab exercises
- UCS Manager overview
- Pure storage Overview
Module 3- Cisco Fibre Channel enhancements
- Cisco Fabric services (CFS)
- VSANS and Trunking
- Port Channels
- Traffic Engineering
Module 4 – ND Fundamentals and Operations
- ND platform and deployment requirements overview
- ND Navigation
- Fabric Setup
- Fabric and Switch Visibility
- Device Manager
- Interface Management
- VSAN management
- Fabric Visibility
- Alias database management
Module 5 – Zoning
- Zoning Overview
- Zoning Configuration
- Zone Changes and Merge considerations
Module 6 – Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR)
- Overview and basic level implementation of IVR
- Configuration tasks are required for Lab environment
Module 7 – Visibility and Performance Monitoring
- System Monitoring Overview
- NDFC Events and Alarms
- Performance Monitoring and Metrics
Module 8 – MDS Telemetry and Analytics Overview
- Overview of Telemetry and SAN Analytics
- SAN Analytics Configuration overview
- Viewing SAN Analytics
Appendix 1 – Standard Fibre Channel Review (optional module)
- Describe the FC layered model
- Explain the Fibre Channel addressing schemes
- Principal Switch role and election
- Explain the function of worldwide names
- Explain the Fabric Shortest Path First protocol used to route FC frames
- Fabric logins
- Fabric services including Name Server
- Port types
- FC requirements of lossless and in order delivery
- COS types
- Zoning overview
- NPV and NPIV
Labs Overview
- Accessing Lab environment
- Nexus Dashboard Overview
- Standard Fibre channel configuration
- Cisco Fibre channel configuration
- ND Operations and configuration
- Zoning configuration
- IVR configuration
- NDFC SAN visibility
- NDFC Analytics using Cisco SAN Insights