Implementing Cisco HyperFlex (DCIHX)

Prerequisites:

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

• Cisco CCNA©_-level knowledge about data center architecture and products technologies (network, compute, storage network)
• Familiarity with VMware vCenter and ESXi
• Familiarity with Microsoft Server 2016 and Hyper-V

Recommended Cisco learning offerings that may help you meet these prerequisites:

• Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN) 6.x
• Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies (DCICT) 6.x
• Implementing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing (DCUCI) 6.x

Target Audience:

• Data center engineers
• Cisco integrators and partners

Course Objectives:

After taking this course, you should be able to:

• Describe hyper-convergence, Cisco HyperFlex, and the components of Cisco HyperFlex
• Explain the Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS©_) and what makes it valuable to business
• Describe how Cisco HyperFlex Data Platform (HXDP) and HX maintenance mode work
• Describe the physical components of Cisco HyperFlex
• Install and expand Regular vSphere Cisco HyperFlex
• Manage your Cisco HyperFlex VMware ESXi-based cluster
• Describe how to maintain Cisco HyperFlex
• Design a Cisco HyperFlex solution and explain third-party data restore solutions
• Protect the data on your Cisco HyperFlex cluster using replication and data at rest encryption
• Describe a stretched cluster and how is it different from a standard cluster
• Describe an Edge cluster and how is it different from a standard cluster
• Describe a HyperV-based cluster and how is it different from an ESXi-based cluster
• Design a multi-cloud data center with Cisco HyperFlex
• Perform basic troubleshooting tasks and explain Cisco Intersight
• Explain Cisco HyperFlex releases beyond 3.5(1a)

Course Outline:

Introducing Hyperconvergence and Cisco HyperFlex

• Traditional Data Center Design
• What Is Hyperconvergence?
• What Is Cisco HyperFlex?
• Cisco HyperFlex Primer
• Evolution of Cisco HyperFlex

Describing Cisco UCS: The Foundation of Cisco HyperFlex

• Cisco Server Deployment Models: Standalone Versus Managed
• Cisco UCS Managed Model Benefits
• Cisco UCS M5 Overview
• Cisco UCS M5 Server Types
• Cisco Virtual Interface Cards (VICs) and Their Benefits
• Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects
• Cisco UCS Manager

Describing Cisco HyperFlex Software Components

• Virtual Machine Hypervisor
• Log-Structured File System
• Cisco HyperFlex Snapshots Versus VMware Snapshots
• Cisco HyperFlex Versus Regular Virtualized Server
• Cisco HyperFlex Data Distribution
• Writing and Reading Process
• Data Optimization Overview
• Cisco HyperFlex vs. Other Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions

Describing Cisco HyperFlex Hardware Components

• Introducing Cisco HyperFlex Servers
• Storage Technologies in Cisco HyperFlex
• Storage Components of Cisco HyperFlex Converged Nodes
• Non-Storage Components of Cisco HyperFlex Converged Nodes
• Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects
• Compute-Only Nodes

Installing and Expanding Standard ESXi Cisco HyperFlex

• Installation Summary
• Software Prerequisites
• Hardware Prerequisites
• Cisco HyperFlex Networking
• Required Deployment Information
• Installing Physical Components
• Configure Upstream Switches
• Prepare Fabric Interconnects
• Deploy the Installer Virtual Machine (VM)
• HyperFlex Installation
• Post-Installation Script
• Cluster Expansion
• Additional Installation Options

Managing Cisco HyperFlex in vSphere Environment

• Management Interfaces Overview
• Cisco HyperFlex Plugin for vCenter
• Cisco HyperFlex Connect
• Storage Command Line Interface
• Representational State Transfer (REST) API Overview
• ReadyClones
• Cisco HyperFlex Snapshots

Maintaining Cisco HyperFlex

• Cisco HyperFlex Upgrade Overview
• Cisco HyperFlex Online Upgrade
• Cisco HyperFlex Offline Upgrade
• HX Maintenance Mode
• ESXi Upgrade
• Moving Cisco HyperFlex Storage Cluster to Another vCenter

Designing Cisco HyperFlex

• Cluster Resiliency: VM-Level
• Cluster Resiliency: HXDP-Level
• Cisco HyperFlex Cluster Scalability
• Cluster Capacity
• Multiple Clusters on One Cisco UCS Domain
• Cisco HyperFlex and External Storage
• Licensing Tiers
• Smart Licensing
• Cisco HyperFlex Positioning
• Graphical Processing Units and Cisco HyperFlex

Protecting Your Data

• Disaster Recovery Overview
• Third-Party Data Restore Solutions
• Cisco HyperFlex Native Replication Solution
• Configuring Native Replication
• Protecting Your VMs with Native Replication
• Restoring Your VMs with Native Replication
• Data at Rest Encryption
• D@RE: Remote Key Management

Introducing Stretched Cluster

• Stretched Cluster Overview
• Prerequisites
• Data Distribution
• Datastores and VM Affinity
• Installation Process
• Maintenance and Monitoring

Introducing EDGE Cluster

• Cisco HyperFlex EDGE Cluster Overview
• Prerequisites and Recommendations
• Installation Process
• Management and Monitoring
• Upgrades and Maintenance

Introducing HyperV-Based Standard Cluster

• HyperV-Based Standard Cluster Overview
• Prerequisites and Recommendations
• Preinstallation Tasks
• Installation Process
• Post-Installation Process
• Maintenance and Monitoring

Designing Multicloud Data Center with Cisco HyperFlex

• Cisco UCS Director Overview
• Cisco CloudCenter Overview
• Cisco Workload Optimization Manager (CWOM) Overview
• Cisco HyperFlex with Kubernetes and Cisco Container Platform
• Cisco Intersight Overview
• HyperFlex: Releases Beyond 3.5(1a)

Troubleshooting Cisco HyperFlex

• Troubleshooting Guidelines
• Generating Tech Support Bundles
• Common Troubleshooting Issues

Lab outline

• Investigate Software Components of HyperFlex
• Investigate Cisco UCS Part of HyperFlex
• Install Cisco HyperFlex
• Manage Cisco HyperFlex
• Protect Your HyperFlex VMs
• Install and Manage Stretched Cluster
• Investigate Edge Cluster
• Investigate Hyper-V Cluster
• Investigate Cisco Intersight