Cisco Multilayer Director Switch (MDS) Administration

Outline

Module 1: Cisco MDS Intent-Based SAN Automation

Introduces self-healing SAN operations and AI-powered network automation.

• Lesson 1: Cisco MDS Intent-Based SAN Automation
• Lesson 2: Automated SAN Network Analytics

Module 2: Overview of Cisco MDS SAN Switches

Explores the MDS product line and switch capabilities for modern SAN architectures.

• Lesson 1: Cisco MDS Switching Portfolio Overview
• Lesson 2: MDS 9124V and MDS 9148V Fabric Switches
• Lesson 3: MDS 9700 Series Director-Class Switches
• Lesson 4: Key Features of Cisco MDS Switches
• Lesson 5: High Availability, Reliability, and Redundancy
• Lesson 6: Use Cases for Cisco MDS SAN Switches

Module 3: Cisco (NDFC) Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller Overview

Demonstrates NDFC’s role in automation, analytics, and policy enforcement.

• Lesson 1: NDFC Overview
• Lesson 2: NDFC Architecture & Integration
• Lesson 3: NDFC Connectivity & Deployment
• Lesson 4: Deploying NDFC on ND
• Lesson 5: NDFC VMM Integration
• Lesson 6: Monitoring Fabric and Intended State

Module 4: Cisco Smart Licensing Model

Covers Smart Licensing Policies and transition from traditional licensing.

• Lesson 1: Feature-Based Licensing and On-Demand Port Activation License
• Lesson 2: Smart Licensing Model
• Lesson 3: Smart Software Licensing Model using Policy (SLP)
• Lesson 4: Enabling SLP
• Lesson 5: SLP Deployment Models
• Lesson 6: Example of SLP on 9124V and 9148V
• Lesson 7: Converting Traditional Mode Licenses to Smart Mode
• Lesson 8: SLC Reports and Alerts

Module 5: Designing & Implementing SAN Fabrics 

Focuses on SAN design, VSANs, zoning, and NDFC operations.

• Lesson 1: SAN Fabric Design Principles & Topologies
• Lesson 2: VSANs and Inter-VSAN Routing
• Lesson 3: Use Case and Benefits of Using Multiple VSANs
• Lesson 4: Implementing VSAN Fabric in NDFC
• Lesson 5: Zone, Zonesets and CFS Distribution
• Lesson 6: Configuring Zones, Autozones, Smart Zones and Zonesets in NDFC/CLI
• Lesson 7: Configuring ISL Trunking, Port Channeling and Load-Balancing in NDFC
• Lesson 8: Other NDFC Features: Device Alias, Image Managements, Event Analytics, Programmable Reporting, Alarms, Templates

Module 6: Automated SAN Analytics & Telemetry

Provides insight into SAN performance with telemetry and analytics.

• Lesson 1: SAN Analytics Architecture and Solution Components
• Lesson 2: SAN Fabric Analytics Deployment
• Lesson 3: SAN Analytics Configuration and Verification using NDFC/CLI
• Lesson 4: Core Capabilities and Benefits of SAN Analytics
• Lesson 5: Key Performance Metrics in SAN Analytics/SAN Insights
• Lesson 6: NDI App Integration with Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
• Lesson 7: Use Cases for SAN Analytics/SAN Insights
• Lesson 8: Automated Proactive Fabric Monitoring, Predictive Analytics, Predicting and Avoiding Congestion

Module 7: CLI-based Troubleshooting

Teaches congestion mitigation, DIRL, and FPIN-based acceleration.

• Lesson 1: SAN Analytics & Troubleshooting
• Lesson 2: Automated Detection of SAN Congestion
• Lesson 3: Detection & Alerting of SAN Congestion
• Lesson 4: Automated Alerting of SAN Congestion on MDS using PMON
• Lesson 5: Automated Congestion Prevention
• Lesson 6: Congestion Prevention using DIRL
• Lesson 7: Congestion Prevention using FPIN
• Lesson 8: Troubleshooting SAN Congestion

Module 8: Cisco MDS SAN Security 

Focuses on fabric and link-layer security, TrustSec, and secure boot.

• Lesson 1: Cisco MDS SAN Management Security
• Lesson 2: Fabric Target Access Security
• Lesson 3: Fabric Control Plane Security
• Lesson 4: FC & FCIP Link Security
• Lesson 5: Secure Boot & Anti-Counterfeit Technology
• Lesson 6: Secure Erase

Module 9: SAN/MDS Programmability and Automation

Introduces MDS automation tools including Python, NX-API, and Ansible.

• Lesson 1: MDS 9000 Programmability Options
• Lesson 2: NX-API
• Lesson 3: MDS Python API
• Lesson 4: Cisco MDS SDK
• Lesson 5: Ansible
• Lesson 6: NDFC Automation

Module 10: Appendix FC SAN Concepts 

Provides a foundational overview of SAN protocols and operations.

• Lesson 1: Why FC Today
• Lesson 2: FC SAN Overview
• Lesson 3: FC-0
• Lesson 4: FC-1
• Lesson 5: FC-2
• Lesson 6: Login Parameters, Flow, and Class
• Lesson 7: FC Switch Fabric
• Lesson 8: Error Management
• Lesson 9: FC Zoning Concepts
• Lesson 10: FC SAN Flow Control
• Lesson 11: FC SAN Topology and Port Types
• Lesson 12: FC Services
• Lesson 13: NPV and NPIV
• Lesson 14: Device Alias
• Lesson 15: Port Channel
• Lesson 16: Introduction to SCSI and NVMe

LAB Outline

Lab 1: Connect to the Lab Pod Environment

Lab 2: Introduction to Cisco MDS SAN Switches and Initial Setup

• Task 1: Basic Setup
• Task 2: MDS 9124V & 9148V Configuration

Lab 3A: NDFC SAN Controller

• Tasks: Setup, Integration, Discovery

Lab 3B: NDFC Virtualized Environment Integration

• Tasks: VM Tagging, FPINs, VMware Integration

Lab 4: Cisco Smart Licensing Model

• Tasks: Configuration, Registration, Port Activation, Compliance

Lab 5A: Implementing Fabrics in NDFC

• Tasks: VSAN, Zoning, IVR, Reporting

Lab 5B: AutoZone & Advanced Operations

• Tasks: AutoZone, RBAC, Analytics, Multi-Tenant Design

Lab 6A: VM-Aware Analytics

• Tasks: VM-ID Tagging, FPINs, Segmentation

Lab 6B: Telemetry Streaming

• Tasks: DPI, Data Collection, Insights

Lab 6C: SAN Analytics in NDFC

• Tasks: Flow Analysis, Congestion, Proactive Monitoring

Lab 7A: Guided Remediation

• Tasks: DPI, FPIN, DIRL, Historical Analysis

Lab 7B: Slow Drain Mitigation

Lab 7C: DIRL

Lab 7D: FPIN Integration

Lab 8A: Port-Level Security and Zoning

Lab 8B: Advanced SAN Protection

• Tasks: FC-SP, RBAC, Secure Boot, Monitoring

Lab 9: Automation Techniques

• Task: Configure Embedded Event Manager (EEM)