Introducing Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switches (DCIMDS)

After taking this course, you should be able to:

• Describe Cisco MDS SAN features and advantages
• Describe fixed and modular platforms
• Describe Cisco MDS architecture and high-availability mechanisms
• Describe technologies used in modern SANs
• Describe SAN management with Cisco DCNM
• Initialize a Cisco MDS switch and add it to DCNM
• Describe key value-add features that distinguish Cisco MDS switches
• Configure basic Cisco MDS features and interfaces using DCNM

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

• Experience managing data center deployments
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of SAN technologies
• Understanding of business and application requirements

2 days – 16 hours

• Describing Cisco MDS Platform
  • Introduction and Advantages of Cisco MDS
  • Fixed Platforms
  • Modular Platforms
• Describing Cisco MDS Architecture
  • Store-and-Forward Architecture
  • High Availability
  • Redundancy
• Describing Storage Technologies
  • Fibre Channel
  • Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) Over Fibre Channel
  • Fibre Channel Over IP
  • Fibre Channel Over Ethernet
• Managing Cisco MDS Switches
  • Cisco Data Center Network Manager
  • Cisco NX-OS CLI
  • Cisco NX-API
• Describing and Using Cisco MDS Key Features
  • Virtual Storage Area Networks (VSANs)
  • Inter-VSAN Routing
  • Port Channels
  • Slow-Drain Device and Path Analysis Using Congestion Control Mechanisms
  • N Port Virtualization (NPV) and N-Port identifier Virtualization (NPIV)
  • Zoning
  • Smart Zoning
  • SAN Analytics and Telemetry Streaming
  • Diagnostics Toolbox
  • SAN Extension
  • Other Differentiator Features

Lab Outline

• Perform Initial MDS Configuration
• Set Up DCNM
• Configure VSANs and Interfaces in Cisco DCNM
• Configure Port Channels in Cisco DCNM
• Configure Device Aliases and Zoning
• Configure SAN Analytics and SAN Telemetry Streaming
• Use CLI for Basic Monitoring