Course Overview
The Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (DCACI) v1.2 course is designed to teach learners how to implement and manage network solutions using the Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI). This course covers the Cisco ACI fabric infrastructure, including topology, hardware, and basic concepts, as well as the policy model logical constructs, such as tenants and application profiles. Students will learn how to integrate Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) domains, and third-party features, and how to implement external network connectivity. The course also delves into basic packet forwarding mechanisms within ACI, endpoint learning, and the configuration of bridge domains. Additionally, it covers management aspects such as role-based access control (RBAC), monitoring, and out-of-band management. Advanced topics include integrating Layer 4 to Layer 7 services, service appliance insertion, and ACI programmability solutions using Python and REST API, along with orchestration solutions and utilizing the ACI App Center. Hands-on labs provide practical experience, including fabric discovery, enabling inter-EPG connectivity, configuring external connections (L2Out and L3Out), and integrating ACI with VMware vCenter. This comprehensive training prepares network engineers to manage and scale ACI networks effectively, ensuring a deep understanding of the Cisco ACI deployment, management, and troubleshooting.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Understand Cisco ACI concepts, topology, and hardware components, along with fabric discovery and access policies implementation.
- Gain proficiency in implementing logical constructs, including tenants, application profiles, and endpoint groups (EPGs).
- Learn to integrate Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) domains and third-party features within the Cisco ACI environment.
- Master Cisco ACI policy model and logical constructs necessary for application-centric infrastructure deployment.
- Acquire knowledge of basic packet forwarding mechanisms in ACI, including endpoint learning and bridge domain configurations.
- Implement and manage external network connectivity to ACI, including Layer 2 and Layer 3 integrations, packet flows, and service insertions.
- Understand the principles of VMM integration, including VMware vCenter and resolution immediacy settings.
- Explore multipod, multisite, and GOLF interconnections for scalable ACI deployments.
Course Prerequisites
To ensure that you are adequately prepared for the Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (DCACI) v1.2 course and can make the most of the training, the following prerequisites are recommended:
- Basic understanding of networking protocols, routing, and switching principles.
- Familiarity with the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) or Nexus Operating System (NX-OS) and command-line interface (CLI).
- Knowledge of virtualization fundamentals and VMware environments.
- Awareness of basic data center architecture and design related to connectivity, computing, storage, and networking.
- Understanding of the purpose and basic operation of protocols such as VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and Link Aggregation (LACP).
Target Audiance
- Network engineers and architects working on data center infrastructure
- Systems engineers focusing on data center networking solutions
- Data center professionals looking to implement Cisco ACI as part of their network fabric
- IT staff responsible for managing and implementing network and data center infrastructures
- Cisco integrators and partners specializing in data center solutions and network virtualization
- Network designers who need to understand the components and systems of Cisco ACI
- Professionals pursuing the CCNP Data Center certification or any Cisco-related data center certification
- IT consultants who advise on data center architecture and Cisco ACI deployments