CCNA Data Center DCICN 200-150 Official Cert Guide

Chad Hintz, CCIE No. 15729, is a Principal Systems Engineer for the Cisco Commercial East Area focusing on designing enterprise solutions for customers around the Cisco data center technologies. He also holds three CCIEs: Routing and Switching, Security, and Storage. He has more than 15+ years of experience in the industry and has held certifications from Novell, VMware, and Cisco. His focus is working with enterprise/commercial customers to address their challenges with comprehensive end-to-end data center architectures. Chad has been with Cisco for 11 years, and working as a solution architect has provided unique experiences in building these types of solutions. Chad is a regular speaker at Cisco Live and industry conferences on data center technologies. Chad lives near Buffalo, New York, with his wife and two wonderful children, and enjoys coaching youth sports in his spare time. You can reach Chad on Twitter: @chadh0517.   Cesar Obediente, CCIE No. 5620, is a Principal Systems Engineer for Cisco Global Enterprise Segment specializing in the Data Center area, where he helps customers design and build their next-generation data centers. He has been with Cisco Systems for over 17 years, where he began his career in the Technical Assistant Center (TAC) and then moved to the Catalyst 6500 Escalation Business Unit Team, supporting multicast in the Cat6K platform. Cesar is a frequent speaker at Cisco Live and Data Center events. He holds a CCIE in routing and switching and holds a degree in computer engineering from the University of South Florida. You can reach Cesar on Twitter: @cobedien.   Ozden Karakok, CCIE No. 6331, is a technical leader from the Data Center Products and Technologies team in the Technical Assistant Center (TAC). She has been with Cisco Systems for 17 years and specializes in storage area and data center networks. Prior to joining Cisco, Ozden spent five years working for a number of Cisco’s large customers in various telecommunication roles. She is a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert in routing and switching, SNA/IP, and storage. A frequent speaker at Cisco and data center events, she serves as a member of the patent committee at Cisco Services. Ozden holds a degree in computer engineering from Istanbul Bogazici University. Currently, she is focused on application centric infrastructure (ACI) and software-defined storage (SDS). You can reach Ozden on Twitter: @okarakok.

 Introduction xxx

     About the Exam xxx

         CCNA Data Center and the Other CCNA Certifications xxx

         The Exams That Help You Achieve CCNA Data Center Certification xxxi

         Types of Questions on the Exams xxxi

         What’s on the DCICN Exam? xxxii

     About the Book xxxvi

     Book Features and Exam Preparation Methods xxxvi

     Book Organization, Chapters, and Appendixes xxxvii

     Companion Website xl

     Pearson IT Certification Practice Test Engine and Questions xli

     Install the Software xli

     Activate and Download the Practice Exam xlii

     Activating Other Exams xlii

     Assessing Exam Readiness xliii

     Premium Edition eBook and Practice Tests xliv

     For More Information xliv

 Part I Networking Fundamentals 3

 CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Nexus Data Center Infrastructure and Architecture 5

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 5

     Foundation Topics 8

     Evolution of Data Center Architecture 8

     Describe the Cisco Nexus Product Family 10

         Cisco Nexus 9000 Family 11

         Cisco Nexus 7000 and Nexus 7700 Product Family 22

         Cisco Nexus 6000 Product Family 42

         Cisco Nexus 5500 and Nexus 5600 Product Family 47

         Cisco Nexus 5600 Product Family 53

         Cisco Nexus 3000 Product Family 57

     Cisco Nexus 2000 Fabric Extenders Product Family 62

         The Server Evolution 67

     Summary 81

     Exam Preparation Tasks 82

     Review All Key Topics 82

     Define Key Terms 83

 Chapter 2 The TCP/IP and OSI Networking Models 85

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 85

     Foundation Topics 88

     Perspectives on Networking 88

     TCP/IP Networking Model 89

         History Leading to TCP/IP 90

         Overview of the TCP/IP Networking Model 91

         TCP/IP Application Layer 93

         TCP/IP Transport Layer 94

         TCP/IP Network Layer 96

         TCP/IP Link Layer (Data Link Plus Physical) 100

         TCP/IP Model and Terminology 102

     OSI Networking Model 104

         Comparing OSI and TCP/IP 104

         Describing Protocols by Referencing the OSI Layers 105

         OSI Layers and Their Functions 105

         OSI Layering Concepts and Benefits 107

         OSI Encapsulation Terminology 108

     Exam Preparation Tasks 109

     Review All Key Topics 109

     Definitions of Key Terms 109

 Chapter 3 Fundamentals of Ethernet LANs 111

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 111

     Foundation Topics 114

     An Overview of LANs 114

         Typical SOHO LANs 114

         Typical Enterprise Campus LANs 115

         Typical Data Center Ethernet LAN 116

         The Variety of Ethernet Physical Layer Standards 117

         Consistent Behavior over All Links Using the Ethernet Data Link Layer 118

     Building Physical Ethernet Networks with UTP 119

         Transmitting Data Using Twisted Pairs 119

         Breaking Down a UTP Ethernet Link 120

         UTP Cabling Pinouts for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T 122

         UTP Cabling Pinouts for 1000BASE-T 125

     Sending Data in Ethernet Networks 126

         Ethernet Data-Link Protocols 126

         Sending Ethernet Frames with Switches and Hubs 130

         Traffic Storm Control in Ethernet Networks 133

     Exam Preparation Tasks 135

     Review All Key Topics 135

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 135

     Definitions of Key Terms 135

 Chapter 4 Fundamentals of IPv4 Addressing and Routing 137

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 137

     Foundation Topics 140

     Overview of Network Layer Functions 140

         Network Layer Routing (Forwarding) Logic 140

         How Network Layer Routing Uses LANs and WANs 142

         IP Addressing and How Addressing Helps IP Routing 143

         Routing Protocols 144

     IPv4 Addressing 145

         Rules for IP Addresses 146

         Rules for Grouping IP Addresses 146

         IP Subnetting 151

     IPv4 Routing 153

         IPv4 Host Routing 153

         Router Forwarding Decisions and the IP Routing Table 153

     IPv4 Routing Protocols 156

     Other Network Layer Features 158

         Using Names and the Domain Name System 158

         The Address Resolution Protocol 159

         ICMP Echo and the ping Command 161

     Exam Preparation Tasks 162

     Review All the Key Topics 162

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 162

     Definitions of Key Terms 162

 Part I Review 165

 Part II Data Center Nexus Switching and Routing Fundamentals 167

 Chapter 5 Installing and Operating Nexus Switches 169

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 169

     Foundation Topics 171

     Accessing the Cisco Nexus Switch CLI 171

         Cisco Nexus Switches and the 5500 Switch 171

         Accessing the Cisco NX-OS CLI 171

         User Settings 177

         The debug and show Commands 181

     Introduction to Cisco NX-OS 181

         Software Modularity in Cisco NX-OS 182

         Service Restart in Cisco NX-OS 183

         Software High Availability in Cisco NX-OS 184

         Cisco NX-OS Licensing 185

         Cisco NX-OS and Cisco IOS Comparison 186

     Configuring Cisco NX-OS Software 187

         Configuration Submodes and Contexts 187

         Storing Switch Configuration Files 189

         Copying and Erasing Configuration Files 191

         Initial Configuration (Setup Mode) 193

     NX-OS Version and Other Reload Facts 194

     Exam Preparation Tasks 196

     Review All Key Topics 196

     Definitions of Key Terms 196

     Command References 196

 Chapter 6 VLAN and Trunking Concepts 199

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 199

     Foundation Topics 202

     Virtual LANs and VLAN Trunks 202

         Creating Multiswitch VLANs Using Trunking 203

         The 802.1Q and ISL VLAN Trunking Protocols 205

     Forwarding Data Between VLANs 206

         Routing Packets Between VLANs with a Router 207

         Routing Packets with a Layer 3 Switch 209

     VLAN Trunking Protocol 210

         VTP Functions 210

         Making VTP Work with VTP Servers and Clients 211

         Disabling VTP 214

         Summary of VTP Features 215

     Exam Preparation Tasks 217

     Review All Key Topics 217

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 217

     Definitions of Key Terms 217

 Chapter 7 VLAN Trunking and Configuration 219

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 219

     Foundation Topics 221

     VLAN Configuration and Verification 221

         VLAN Guidelines for Cisco Nexus Switches 221

         Creating VLANs and Assigning Access VLANs to an Interface 222

     VLAN Trunking Configuration and Verification 225

         Controlling Which VLANs Can Be Supported on a Trunk 228

     VTP Configuration and Verification 232

         VTP Features 232

         Enabling VTP 232

         VTP Features 234

         Limiting VTP Using Pruning 235

         VTP Pruning 236

     Exam Preparation Tasks 237

     Review All Key Topics 237

     Command Reference to Check Your Memory 237

 Chapter 8 Spanning Tree Protocol Concepts 241

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 241

     Foundation Topics 244

     Spanning Tree Protocol (IEEE 802.1D) 244

         The Need for Spanning Tree 244

         What IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Does 246

         How Spanning Tree Works 248

         Influencing and Changing the STP Topology 255

     Optional STP Features 259

         Port-Channel 260

         PortFast 260

         BPDU Guard 261

     Rapid STP (IEEE 802.1w) 261

         RSTP and the Alternate (Root) Port 262

         RSTP States and Processes 264

     Exam Preparation Tasks 266

     Review All the Key Topics 266

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 266

     Definitions of Key Terms 267

 Chapter 9 Cisco Nexus Spanning Tree Protocol Implementation 269

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 269

     Foundation Topics 272

     STP Configuration and Verification 272

         Connecting STP Concepts to STP Configuration Options 273

         Verifying STP Operation 276

     Improving STP Operation 279

         Configuring STP Port Costs 279

         Configuring Priority to Influence the Root Election 281

         Spanning-Tree Port Types 283

         Configuring PortFast and BPDU Guard 283

         Configuring Port-Channel 285

         Troubleshooting Port-Channel 288

     Exam Preparation Tasks 292

     Review All the Key Topics 292

     Definitions of Key Terms 292

     Command Reference to Check Your Memory 292

 Chapter 10 Configuring Ethernet Switching 297

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 297

     Foundation Topics 299

     Configuration of Features in Common on All Nexus Switches 299

         Securing the Switch CLI 299

     Nexus Switch Configuration and Operation 304

         Switched Virtual Interface Concept Inside a Switch 305

         Configuring IPv4 on a Cisco Nexus Switch 305

         Verifying IPv4 on a Switch 306

         Configuring Switch Interfaces 306

         Securing Unused Switch Interfaces 308

         Predicting the Contents of the MAC Address Table 308

    Exam Preparation Tasks 311

     Review All Key Topics 311

     Definitions of Key Terms 311

     Command References 311

 Part II Review 315

 Part III IPv4/IPv6 Subnetting 317

 Chapter 11 Perspectives on IPv4 Subnetting 319

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 319

     Foundation Topics 322

     Introduction to Subnetting 322

         Subnetting Defined Through a Simple Example 322

         Operational View Versus Design View of Subnetting 323

     Analyze Subnetting and Addressing Needs 324

         Rules About Which Hosts Are in Which Subnet 324

         Subnet Rules with Layer 3 Switches 325

         Determine the Number of Subnets 326

         Determine the Number of Hosts per Subnet 328

         One Size Subnet Fits All (Or Not) 329

     Make Design Choices 331

         Choose a Classful Network 332

         Choose the Mask 335

         Build a List of All Subnets 340

     Plan the Implementation 341

         Assign Subnets to Different Locations 341

         Choose Static and Dynamic Ranges per Subnet 342

     Exam Preparation Tasks 343

     Review All the Key Topics 343

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 343

     Definitions of Key Terms 343

 Chapter 12 Analyzing Classful IPv4 Networks 345

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 345

     Foundation Topics 347

     Classful Network Concepts 347

         IPv4 Network Classes and Related Facts 347

         Actual Class A, B, and C Networks 348

         Number of Hosts per Network 350

         Deriving the Network ID and Related Numbers 351

         Unusual Network IDs and Network Broadcast Addresses 353

     Practice with Classful Networks 353

         Practice Deriving Key Facts Based on an IP Address 354

         Practice Remembering the Details of Address Classes 355

         Additional Practice 355

     Exam Preparation Tasks 356

     Review All Key Topics 356

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 356

     Definitions of Key Terms 356

     Practice 356

     Answers to Earlier Practice Problems 356

         Answers to Practice Problem 7 (from Table 12-5) 357

         Answers to Practice Problem 8 (from Table 12-5) 358

         Answers to Practice Problem 9 (from Table 12-5) 358

 Chapter 13 Analyzing Subnet Masks 361

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 361

     Foundation Topics 364

     Subnet Mask Conversion 364

         Three Mask Formats 364

         Converting Between Binary and Prefix Masks 365

         Converting Between Binary and DDN Masks 365

         Converting Between Prefix and DDN Masks 367

         Practice Converting Subnet Masks 368

     Identifying Subnet Design Choices Using Masks 369

         Masks Divide the Subnet’s Addresses into Two Parts 370

         Masks and the Class Divide Addresses into Three Parts 371

         Classless and Classful Addressing 372

         Calculations Based on the IPv4 Address Format 372

         Practice Analyzing Subnet Masks 374

     Exam Preparation Tasks 376

     Review All the Key Topics 376

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 376

     Definitions of Key Terms 376

     Practice 376

     Answers to Earlier Practice Problems 377

 Chapter 14 Analyzing Existing Subnets 381

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 381

     Foundation Topics 384

     Defining a Subnet 384

         An Example with Network 172.16.0.0 and Four Subnets 384

         Subnet ID Concepts 385

         Subnet Broadcast Address 386

         Range of Usable Addresses 387

     Analyzing Existing Subnets: Binary 387

         Finding the Subnet ID: Binary 388

         Finding the Subnet Broadcast Address: Binary 389

         Binary Practice Problems 390

         Shortcut for the Binary Process 392

         Brief Note About Boolean Math 393

         Finding the Range of Addresses 394

     Analyzing Existing Subnets: Decimal 394

         Analysis with Easy Masks 394

         Predictability in the Interesting Octet 395

         Finding the Subnet ID: Difficult Masks 396

         Finding the Subnet Broadcast Address: Difficult Masks 399

     Practice Analyzing Existing Subnets 400

         A Choice: Memorize or Calculate 401

         Additional Practice 401

     Exam Preparation Tasks 402

     Review All the Key Topics 402

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 402

     Definitions of Key Terms 402

     Practice 402

     Answers to Earlier Practice Problems 402

 Chapter 15 Fundamentals of IP Version 6 407

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 407

     Foundation Topics 410

     Introduction to IP Version 6 410

         The Need and Effect of a New Internet Protocol 410

         Introduction to IPv6 Addresses and Prefixes 412

         Assigning Unique IPv6 Prefixes Across the Globe 417

     IPv6 Addressing and Subnetting 419

         Global Unicast Addresses and IPv6 Subnetting 419

         Unique Local Unicast Addresses 423

         Link Local Addresses 424

         IPv6 Multicast Addresses 425

         Miscellaneous IPv6 Addresses 426

     Implementing IPv6 426

         IPv6 Address Assignment 427

         IPv6 Transition and Coexistence 431

     Exam Preparation Tasks 433

     Review All the Key Topics 433

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 433

     Definitions of Key Terms 433

     Answers to Earlier Practice Problems 433

 Part III Review 437

 Part IV IPv4 Routing 439

 Chapter 16 IPv4 Routing Concepts 441

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 441

     Foundation Topics 443

     IP Routing 443

         IPv4 Routing Process Reference 443

         An Example of IP Routing 446

         Internal Processing on Cisco Routers 450

     Cisco Nexus Switch Operations with Routing 452

     Exam Preparation Tasks 455

     Review All the Key Topics 455

     Definitions of Key Terms 455

 Chapter 17 Cisco Nexus IPv4 Routing Configuration 457

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 457

     Foundation Topics 459

     Configuring Connected Routes on Cisco Nexus Switches 459

         Direct and Local Routes and the ip address Command 459

         Routing Between Subnets on VLANs 461

     Configuring Static Routes 464

         Static Route Configuration 464

         Static Default Routes 466

     Exam Preparation Tasks 467

     Review All the Key Topics 467

     Definitions of Key Terms 467

     Command Reference to Check Your Memory 467

 Chapter 18 IPv4 Routing Protocol Concepts 471

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 471

     Foundation Topics 474

     Introduction to Routing Protocols 474

         History of Interior Gateway Protocols 474

         Comparing IGPs 475

         Distance Vector Basics 477

     RIP Concepts and Operation 481

         Features of Both RIPv1 and RIPv2 481

         Differences Between RIPv1 and RIPv2 482

     EIGRP Concepts and Operation 483

         EIGRP Maintains Neighbor Status Using Hello 483

         EIGRP Topology and the Metric Calculation 484

         EIGRP Convergence 485

         EIGRP Summary 487

     Understanding the OSPF Link-State Routing Protocol 487

         OSPF Comparisons with EIGRP 487

         Building the OSPF LSDB and Creating IP Routes 488

         Scaling OSPF Through Hierarchical Design 491

     Exam Preparation Tasks 494

     Review All the Key Topics 494

     Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 494

     Definitions of Key Terms 494

 Chapter 19 Nexus Routing Protocol Configuration 497

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 497

     Foundation Topics 499

     RIP Version 2 Configuration on NX-OS 502

     EIGRP Configuration on NX-OS 507

     OSPF Configuration on NX-OS 511

     Exam Preparation Tasks 516

     Review All the Key Topics 516

     Definitions of Key Terms 516

     Command Reference to Check Your Memory 516

 Chapter 20 Nexus First-Hop Redundancy Protocols and Configurations 519

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 519

     Foundation Topics 521

     What Is the Default Gateway? 521

     First-Hop Redundancy Protocol 525

         Hot Standby Routing Protocol 525

         Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol 532

         Gateway Load Balancing Protocol 535

         Virtual Port Channel and HSRP 537

     Exam Preparation Tasks 539

     Review All the Key Topics 539

     Command References 539

 Chapter 21 IPv4 Access Control Lists on Cisco Nexus Switches 541

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 541

     Foundation Topics 544

     IPv4 Access Control List Basics 544

         ACL Location and Direction 544

         Matching Packets 545

         Taking Action when a Match Occurs 546

         Types of IP ACLs 546

         List Logic with IP ACLs 547

         Matching Logic and Command Syntax 549

         Matching TCP and UDP Port Numbers 549

         Implementing Cisco Nexus IPv4 ACLs 553

     Practice Cisco Nexus IPv4 ACLs 555

         Practice Building access-list Commands 555

     Authentication, Authorization & Accounting (AAA) Basics 556

     Exam Preparation Tasks 557

     Review All the Key Topics 557

     Definitions of Key Terms 557

     Appendix H Practice Problems 557

     Command Reference to Check Your Memory 558

 Part IV Review 561

 Part V Data Center Storage Technologies 563

 Chapter 22 Introduction to Storage and Storage Networking 565

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 565

     Foundation Topics 568

     What Is a Storage Device? 568

     What Is Storage Area Network? 573

     How to Access a Storage Device 575

         Block-Level Protocols 576

         File-Level Protocols 584

         Putting It All Together 586

     Storage Architectures 587

         Scale-up and Scale-out Storage 587

         Tiered Storage 588

     SAN Design 590

         SAN Design Considerations 592

         SAN Topologies 597

     Fibre Channel 601

         FC-0: Physical Interface 602

         FC-1: Encode/Decode 603

         Fibre Channel Service Classes 606

         FC-3: Common Services 609

         Fibre Channel Addressing 609

         Fibre Channel Link Services 611

         Fibre Channel Fabric Services 613

         FC-4: ULPs—Application Protocols 614

         Fibre Channel—Standard Port Types 615

     Virtual Storage Area Network 617

     Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) 621

     Reference List 624

     Exam Preparation Tasks 625

     Review All Key Topics 625

     Complete Tables and Lists from Memory 627

     Define Key Terms 627

 Chapter 23 Advanced Data Center Storage 629

     “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 630

     Foundation Topics 635

     What Is Storage Virtualization? 635

         How Storage Virtualization Works 636

         Why Storage Virtualization? 636

         What Is Being Virtualized? 637

         Where Does the Storage Virtualization Occur? 655

     Fibre Channel Zoning and LUN Masking 661

         Device Aliases Versus Zone-Based (FC) Aliases 666

     Where Do I Start Configuration? 668

     The Cisco MDS NX-OS Setup Utility—Back to Basics 672

     The Power On Auto Provisioning 681

     Licensing Cisco MDS 9000 Family NX-OS Software Features 682

         License Installation 683

     Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Software Upgrade and Downgrade 689

         Upgrading to Cisco NX-OS on an MDS 9000 Series Switch 691

         Downgrading Cisco NX-OS Release on an MDS 9500 Series Switch 693

     Configuring Interfaces 694

         Graceful Shutdown 695

         Port Administrative Speeds 696

         Frame Encapsulation 696

         Bit Error Thresholds 696

         Local Switching 697

         Dedicated and Shared Rate Modes 697

         Slow Drain Device Detection and Congestion Avoidance 698

         Management Interfaces 700

         VSAN Interfaces 700

     Verify Initiator and Target Fabric Login 703

         VSAN Configuration 704

         Port VSAN Membership 705

     Fibre Channel Zoning 712

         About Smart Zoning 714

         About LUN Zoning and Assigning LUNs to Storage Subsystems 714

         About Enhanced Zoning 715

     VSAN Trunking and Setting Up ISL Port 724

         Trunk Modes 726

         Port Channel Modes 727

     What Is Cisco Unified Fabric? 734

     IEEE Data Center Bridging 740

         Priority-based Flow Control: IEEE 802.1Qbb 742

         Enhanced Transmission Selection: IEEE 802.1Qaz 745

         Data Center Bridging Exchange Protocol: IEEE 802.1Qaz 747

         Congestion Notification: IEEE 802.1Qau 748

     Fibre Channel over Ethernet 749

         FC and FCoE Address Mapping 756

         FCoE VLANs 758

         FCoE Initialization Protocol (FIP) 759

         Virtual Fibre Channel Interfaces 763

         Converged Network Adapter and Unified Ports 766

     FCoE Topologies 770

         Single-Hop FCoE Design 770

         Multihop FCoE 774

         FCoE NPV 777