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Implementing Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (DCACI)  


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Length: 5 day (40 hours)

 

The DCACI course focuses on the deployment and management of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches operating in ACI mode. It moves away from traditional box-by-box configuration to a centralized, policy-driven automation model using the Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC).

The training is lab-intensive, covering how to build the fabric, define application policies, integrate with virtualized environments (like VMware), and connect to external Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks.

DCACI is a professional-level course. To succeed, you should have the following foundational knowledge:

  • Networking Fundamentals: Strong understanding of protocols, routing (OSPF/BGP), and switching.
  • Cisco Data Center Knowledge: Familiarity with Cisco Nexus switching products and general data center architecture.
  • Virtualization Basics: Basic understanding of hypervisors (VMware vSphere/ESXi) and virtual switches.
  • Recommended Prior Training: * CCNA (Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions).
    • DCFNDU (Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations).

Data Center Engineers & Administrators.

Network Engineers & Architects.

Systems Engineers.

Cisco Integrators and Partners.

Server & Storage Administrators looking to understand how the network interacts with their workloads.

Course objectivesCourse outlines

Course objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

    • Build the Fabric: Perform fabric discovery and initialization of the APIC, Spines, and Leafs.
    • Model Logical Constructs: Create and manage Tenants, VRFs, Bridge Domains, and Endpoint Groups (EPGs).
    • Define Policy: Implement Contracts and Filters to control communication between applications.
    • Connect Externally: Configure L2Out and L3Out to link the ACI fabric to legacy networks and the internet.
    • Integrate Virtualization: Connect the fabric to VMM Domains (VMware vCenter) for automated port-group creation.
    • Manage & Monitor: Utilize ACI health scores, faults, and Nexus Dashboard Insights for proactive troubleshooting.

Course outlines

    • Domain 1: ACI Fabric Infrastructure 
      • Architecture: Hardware topology, Virtual APIC, and the ACI Object Model.
      • Operational Health: Utilizing faults, events, audit logs, and health scores.
      • Policies: Implementing Access Policies (Interface/Switch profiles) and Fabric Policies.
    • Domain 2: ACI Packet Forwarding 
      • Endpoint Learning: Understanding how the fabric learns and tracks MAC/IP addresses.
      • Bridge Domain Knobs: Configuring unicast routing, ARP flooding, and Layer 2 unknown unicast behavior.
    • Domain 3: External Network Connectivity 
      • Layer 2 Out (L2Out): Implementing STP/MCP basics and EPG port bindings to external switches.
      • Layer 3 Out (L3Out): Setting up routing to external routers (excluding complex VRF leaking).
    • Domain 4: Integrations 
      • Virtual Networking: Implementing VMware vCenter DVS and Nutanix VMM integration.
      • Service Graphs: Implementing Layer 4 to Layer 7 service insertion (Firewalls/Load Balancers).
    • Domain 5: ACI Management & Operations 
      • Management: Setting up Out-of-Band (OOB) and In-Band management.
      • Monitoring: Using Syslog, SNMP, and Nexus Dashboard Insights.
      • Security & Maintenance: Implementing RBAC, AAA, snapshots/backups, and performing fabric upgrades.
    • Domain 6: ACI Anywhere 
      • Multi-Pod & Multi-Site: Describing the concepts of stretching the fabric across multiple locations.
      • Remote Leaf: Extending ACI connectivity to small satellite data centers.