(DCFNDU) Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations
DCFNDU: Your path to Cisco data center expertise. Develop networking, virtualization, and storage skills on Cisco equipment for advanced certifications.
Duration
5 days
Version
2.0
CE Credits
25
The Cisco Continuing Education Program enables you to renew your certifications while exploring new learning paths and enhancing your skillset. It's a convenient way to stay certified without retaking exams. Click here to learn more.
CLCs
44
Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) are prepaid training vouchers that can be used as investment into your knowledge. You can attend NIL Learning’s trainings and pay with CLCs. Click here to learn more.
By default, our instructors deliver the courses remotely in real time in English. On-premise delivery and other languages available on request.
Dates and Prices
| Date | Language | Location | Price Select currency |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17.11.2025 - 21.11.2025 |
English |
Online, GMT+1 |
2880 € 2910 $ 2510 £ |
Book now |
| All prices exclude VAT. |
All prices exclude VAT.
Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) are prepaid training vouchers that can be used as investment into your knowledge. You can attend NIL Learning’s trainings and pay with CLCs. Click to learn more.
Course Overview
The Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations (DCFNDU) training helps you prepare for entry-level data center roles. In this training, you will learn the foundational knowledge and skills you need to configure Cisco data center technologies, including networking, virtualization, storage area networking, and unified computing. You will get an introduction to Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI), automation and cloud computing. You will get hands-on experience with configuring features on Cisco Nexus Operating System (Cisco NX-OS) and Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS).
This training does not lead directly to a certification exam, but it does cover foundational knowledge that can help you prepare for several Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and other professional-level data center trainings and exams. This training also earns you 25 Continuing Education (CE) credits toward recertification.
This training will help you:
- Prepare for entry-level job roles in the high-demand area of data center environments
- Prepare for trainings that support the CCNP Data Center certification exams
- Gain knowledge and hands-on skills through Cisco’s unique combination of lessons and hands-on practice using enterprise-grade Cisco learning technologies, data center equipment, and software
- Earn 25 CE credits toward recertification
Welcome to Your Path to Mastery!
Hey! Ready to learn and grow? I'm here to help you every step of the way!
Welcome aboard! This course is tailored to empower you with the knowledge and skills you need. We'll make learning engaging and fun, turning your challenges into achievements. Let's get started on your amazing journey!
Robert Lesar
Lead Instructor
Objectives
Gain expert IT skills with NIL Learning: Benefit from our blend of theory and practical experience. Enhance your growth with insights into current and future tech trends. Choose us for cutting-edge Cisco training and more, taught by field-proven experts to maximize your training investment.
- Describe the foundations of data center networking
- Describe Cisco Nexus products and explain the basic Cisco NX-OS functionalities and tools
- Describe Layer 3 first-hop redundancy
- Describe Ethernet port channels and vPCs
- Introduce switch virtualization
- Introduce machine virtualization
- Describe network virtualization
- Compare storage connectivity options in the data center
- Describe Fibre Channel communication between the initiator server and the target storage
- Describe Fibre Channel zone types and their uses
- Describe NPV and NPIV
- Describe data center Ethernet enhancements that provide a lossless fabric
- Describe FCoE
- Describe data center server connectivity
- Describe Cisco UCS Manager
- Describe the purpose and advantages of APIs
- Describe Cisco ACI
- Describe Nexus Dashboard
- Describe the basic concepts of cloud computing
Who should enroll?
- Data Center Designers
- Data Administrators
- Data Center Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Technical Solutions Architects
- Network Architects
- Cisco Integrators and Partners
- Server Administrators
- Network Managers
- Storage Administrators
- Program Managers
- Project Managers
Course benefits:
Get expert knowledge
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Our experiences build your competencies
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Retain the knowledge longer
Our in-depth, non-interrupted learning program ensures you understand the bigger picture and retain the knowledge long term. It also reduces the risk of information loss and confusion.
Learn from the best in Cisco technologies
Our IT consultants-turned-instructors have years of experience and dedicate time to listening and interacting with participants within the course content. Their hands-on project involvement brings practical expertise to our learning programs
Have peace of mind
We deliver on our promise and schedule. Rest assured, our instructors will give you knowledge, information, hints, and practical experiences around specific topics. Based on a global survey conducted by Cisco, NIL Learning instructors enjoy an average score of 4.78 out of 5.
Be ahead of the curve
As Cisco Platinum Learning Partner and technical community member, we create learning content for major technological vendors. NIL Learning is among the first to offer high-quality learning and training courses in Cisco Technologies.
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Course Outline
- Describing the Data Center Network Architectures
- Describing the Cisco Nexus Family and Cisco NX-OS Software
- Describing Layer 3 First-Hop Redundancy
- Describing Port Channels and vPCs
- Describing Switch Virtualization
- Describing Machine Virtualization
- Describing Network Virtualization
- Introducing Basic Data Center Storage Concepts
- Describing the Cisco MDS Family
- Describing Fibre Channel Communication Between the Initiator Server and the Target Storage
- Describing Fibre Channel Zone Types and Their Uses
- Describing Cisco NPV Mode and NPIV
- Describing FCoE
- Describing Cisco UCS and UCS-X Components
- Describing Cisco UCS Manager and Cisco Intersight
- Automating the Data Center
- Describing Cisco Nexus Dashboard
- Describing Cisco ACI
- Describing Cloud Computing
Lab Outline
- Explore the Cisco NX-OS CLI
- Explore Topology Discovery
- Configure HSRP
- Configure vPCs
- Configure VRF
- Explore CoPP and Spanning Tree on Cisco Nexus Switches
- Install VMware ESXi and vCenter
- Configure VSANs
- Validate FLOGI and FCNS
- Configure Zoning
- Review Unified Ports on a Cisco Nexus Switch and Implement FCoE
- Explore the Cisco UCS Server Environment
- Configure a Cisco UCS Service Profile
- Configure Cisco NX-OS with APIs
- Explore the Cisco UCS Manager XML API Management Information Tree
- Explore Cisco ACI
Prerequisite Knowledge
There are no prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are:
- Good foundation of networking protocols
- Basic knowledge of computer virtualization
- Basic computer literacy systems
- Basic knowledge of computer operating systems
- Basic internet usage skills
These are the recommended Cisco courses that may help you meet these prerequisites:
Associated Certifications
- CCNP Data Center
Why NIL?
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Since 1992, NIL has been at the forefront of advanced contributors to strategic partner Cisco technologies, learning curriculum and value-added solutions deployed to clients around the globe.
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Always kept us engaged
He was the best trainer I’ve encountered so far. He answered all my questions in detail. He never allowed our attention to wander. He always kept us engaged in the lesson. Throughout the training, he acted patiently and respectfully.
Instructors have extensive experience and deep knowledge
I am very likely to recommend Cisco Authorized Training to others. The training is delivered by certified instructors who have extensive experience and deep knowledge of Cisco technologies.
The instructor was very well prepared
The instructor was very well prepared, had a lot of practical experience of real-world use of the technology. There were also just 2 of us (trainees) there, which made it easier to address our concerns.
The instructor was well prepared with excellent delivery
The instructor was well prepared with excellent delivery, The instructor was excellent throughout. He was well prepared and clearly knows his subject well.
Feels like we’re on-site
Professional and it feels like we’re on-site… good sessions.