Lesson 1: Introduction to Hyper-converged Infrastructure (HCI)

• Identify the components of a Hyper-converged Infrastructure (HCI)
• Understand the challenges that are being addresses by Hyper-converged Infrastructure
• Explain the benefits of an HCI solution
• Present the components and physical topology of the Cisco HyperFlex with Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) solution

Lesson 2: Cisco HyperFlex Systems Hardware and Software Architecture

• What’s New in HX v4.x
• Describe the Virtualization Platforms options for HypeFlex: VMWare, Hyper-V, Containers with Kubernetes
• Understand the capabilities and functionality of the HyperFlex Hybrid, All-Flash and NVMe server platform
• Describe the HyperFlex HX Compute Only solution
• Describe the HyperFlex HX Edge solution
• Present the Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform hardware components
• Describe the Cisco HyperFlex system architecture
• Understand the advanced storage features and performance enhancements of the HyperFlex cluster
• Identify the hardware functionality of the Hyperflex HX server nodes
• Describe the management and connectivity details for various HyperFlex HX cluster deployments

Lesson 3: Cisco HyperFlex Systems Use Cases, Solutions and Performance

• Introduce the Cisco Validated Design (CVD) guides that are available for the HyperFlex HX Data Platform solution
• Describe the Cisco HyperFlex All-Flash Systems for Deploying Microsoft SQL Server Database validated design details
• Present the Cisco HyperFlex M5 All-Flash Hyperconverged System with up to 600 Citrix XenDesktop Users validated design details
• Identify and compare the performance advantages of the Cisco HyperFlex HCI solution with other vendors for Oracle OLTP, SQL Server and mixed workload operating environments

Lesson 4: HyperFlex Pre-installation Requirements in VMware

• Review the software requirements for VMware ESXi
• Describe the physical requirements for successful HX cluster deployment
• Present the network requirements for HX Data Platform installation
• Define the port requirements for VMware ESXi and vCenter
• Identify the HyperFlex external connections
• Provide the deployment information and variables required when using the HX Data Platform installer

Lesson 5: HyperFlex HX Data Platform Installation Best Practices

• Confirm the configuration requirements of the northbound switches that are connected to the HyperFlex cluster
• Present the Cisco UCS configuration parameters required for the HyperFlex Data Installer utility
• Describe the VMware vCenter host, licensing and networking parameters that support successful of the HX Data Platform

Lesson 6: Installing Cisco HyperFlex Systems Using the HX Installer

• Present the benefits of the HX Data Platform automation function to streamline Cisco UCS and VMware vCenter configuration
• Describe the HyperFlex factory pre-installed hardware and software options
• Identify the steps required to install, deploy and launch the HX Data Platform Installer
• Describe HyperFlex cluster creation validation using UCS Manager and VMware vSphere Client/Web Client
• Review installation procedures using Intersight

Lesson 7: Post-Installation Requirements for HX Data Platform  

• Describe the post installation capabilities of the HX Installer command line interface
• Present the post install script as a streamlined to perform cluster administrative functions such as Auto Support, email alerts and password changes
• Identify the HX vSphere Plug-in and the HX Connect utility as two methods to create and manage HyperFlex cluster datastores
• Explain the use of the HX vSphere Plug-in to create snapshots and ReadyClone VM clones
• Using Cisco Workload Optimization Manager to improve operation.

Lesson 8: Troubleshooting HX Data Platform Installation and Upgrades

• Present issues that are commonly encountered during HX cluster creation and upgrade activities
• Describe troubleshooting steps to validate and correct network connectivity problems due to misconfiguration of VLAN, frame size and quality of service parameters across vCenter, UCS and northbound switch platforms
• Identify issues that cause virtual machine migration (vMotion) failure
• Present the issues that prevent successful completion of HX cluster and node upgrades and provide corrective measures to complete the operations

Lesson 9: Upgrading the HX Data Platform

• Present the upgrade features for HX Data Platform
• Describe the HX Data Platform upgrade guidelines and recommendations
• Identify the Cisco HX Data Platform upgrade matrix including Cisco UCS manager and VMware ESXi
• Present the upgrade validations, pre-installation checks and pre-upgrade procedures
• Describe the process to upgrade the Cisco UCS Infrastructure using UCS Manager
• Describe the process to upgrade the HX Data Platform, Cisco UCS Server and VMware ESXi using the HX Connect utility

Lesson 10: HyperFlex Stretched Cluster Overview and Configuration

• Introduce the HyperFlex Stretched Cluster architecture and pre-installation checklist requirements
• Describe the process to download the witness VM installation image file and complete the configuration and deployment within vCenter
• Present the process to create the Stretched Cluster Sites and run the Configure Site workflow for Sites A and B
• Explain the required steps to create the HyperFlex Stretched Cluster and run the Create Stretch Cluster workflow

Lesson 11: HX Data Platform for the Hyper-V Environment 

• Describe the hardware, software network services and port requirements that support the installation of the HX Data Platform for the Hyper-V environment
• Present the guidelines and limitations for creating the HyperFlex cluster using the HX Data Installer as well as DNS and Active Directory
• Present the process to download the HX Data Installer VM and install the image onto a Hyper-V server
• Define the steps required to deploy the HyperFlex cluster for Hyper-V using the HX Data Installer

Lab Outline:

Labs are designed to assure learners a whole practical experience, through the following practical activities:

• Lab 1: Initial Cisco UCS HyperFlex (HX) Hardware Configuration
• VR-Lab 1: Exploring the virtual reality NterOne ClearConnect VR app
• Lab 2: Initial UCS HyperFlex (HX) Software Installation
• VR-Lab 2: Virtual Classroom exploration design session
• VR-Lab 3: Virtual Classroom exploration of Hyperflex components
• Lab 3: Validate UCS HyperFlex Software Installation
• Lab 4: Manage UCS HyperFlex Datastores
• VR-Lab 4: Virtual Server Room racking exploration
• Lab 5: Provision Virtual Machines
• VR-Lab 5: VR Server Room Fabric Interconnect and TOR switches rack and stack
• Lab 6: Creating and Managing HyperFlex Ready Clones
• Lab 7: Creating and Managing HyperFlex Snapshots
• Lab 8: Monitoring and Alerts for HX Systems
• VR-Lab 6: VR Server Room Hyperflex devices rack and stack
• Lab 9: Cisco HX Systems CLI
• Lab 10: HX Cluster Installation (Hardware Configuration)
• Lab 11: HX Cluster Replication
• VR-Lab 7: VR Server Room TOR switches prep for inter-rack networking
• Lab 12: UCS Director Integration with HyperFlex
• Lab 13: Operation with HyperFlex Connect
• Lab 14: Operation with HyperFlex Plugin for vSphere
• VR-Lab 8: Hyperflex stretched design deployment in VR Server Room
• Lab 15: Create and Manage a HyperFlex Stretched Cluster