What you'll learn

Cisco data center administrators are responsible for deploying, operating, and maintaining data center networking, storage, and computing infrastructure. In this course, Cisco Data Center Core: Configuring and Managing a Cisco Data Center Lab, you will prepare for the Cisco Data Center Core exam certification and gain knowledge needed to assist you in your professional-level data center role. First, you will learn how to configure a high availability layer 2 domain using rapid spanning tree (RSTP) and port channels, and how to configure virtual port channels (vPCs) to provide fault tolerance and high speed links between switches, routers, and computing nodes. Next, you will explore how to provision a Cisco UCS fabric interconnect, as well as server and uplinks ports using Cisco UCS Manager, how to deploy service polices to provision your servers, and how to configure fibre channel on Nexus and MDS switches as well as how to provision VSANs and zoning. You also learn how to use automation software like Bash, Python, and UCS PowerTools to simplify the administration of data center infrastructure. Finally, you will discover how to deploy the overlay protocols OTV and VXLAN on Nexus 7000 and 9000 series switches. When you are finished with this course, you will have a fundamental understanding of what administrators do to provision, manage, and maintain their data center deployments.