350-601 - Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies (DCCOR)

The CCNP Data Center certification requires two exams to be certified: the first required exam is the Data Center CORE technologies, after that you can choose a specialist/specialty.

The Cisco Data Center CORE exam will test your knowledge and skills in quite a few different technologies: typical networking such as routing and switching, Cisco's ACI, Cisco Unified Computing System Compute, Fibre Channel and IP based stroage communication, Automation, and Security.

The Data Center certification requires a LOT of knowledge and experience in terms of systems conectivity, I wouldn't recommend this training or certification until you have a solid grasp on servers, server infrastructure, storage, and of course networking. This exam is huge and requires a lot, it is a difficult exam and should not be attempted without strong consideration and knowledge.

1.1 Apply Routing Protocols
1.2 Apply Switching Protocols: RSTP+, LACP, vPC

1.3 Apply Overlay Protocols: VXLAN EVPN, OTV

1.4 Apply ACI Concepts
  • 1.4a Fabric Setup
  • 1.4b Access Policies
  • 1.4c VMM
  • 1.4d Tenant Policies

1.5 Analyze Packet Flow: Unicast, Multicast, Broadcast

1.6 Analyze Cloud Service & Deployment Models: NIST 800-145

1.7 Describe Software Updates & their Impacts
  • 1.7a Disruptive/Nondisruptive
  • 1.7b EPLD
  • 1.7c Patches

1.8 Implement Network Configuration Management

1.9 Implement Infrastructure Monitoring: NetFlow, SPAN

1.10 Explain Network Assurance Concept: Streaming Telemetry
2.1 Implement Cisco Unified Compute System: Rack Servers

2.2 Implement Cisco Unified Compute System: Blade Chassis
  • 2.2a Initial Setup
  • 2.2b Infrastructure Management
  • 2.2c Network Management: VLANs, Pools/Policies, Templates, QoS
  • 2.2d Storage Management: SAN Connectivity, Fibre Channel Zoning, VSANS, WWN Pools, SAN Policies, Templates
  • 2.2e Server Management: Server Pools & Boot Policies

2.3 Explain HyperFlex Infrastructure Concepts & Benefits: Edge/Hybrid Architecture vs All-Flash

2.4 Describe Firmware & Software Updates and their Impacts on B-Series and C-Series Servers

2.5 Implement Compute Configuration Management: Backup / Restore
2.6 Implement Infrastructure Monitoring: SPAN and Intersight
3.1 Implement Fibre Channel
  • 3.1a Swtich Fabric Initialization
  • 3.1b Port Channels
  • 3.1c FCID
  • 3.1d CFS
  • 3.1e Zoning
  • 3.1f FCNS
  • 3.1g Device Alias
  • 3.1h NPV / NPIV
  • 3.1i VSAN

3.2 Implement FCoE Unified Fabric: FIP / DCB

3.3 Describe NFS & NAS Concepts

3.4 Describe Software Updates and their Impacts: Disruptive/Nondisruptive, EPLD

3.5 Implement Infrastructure Monitoring
4.1 Implement Autmoation & Scripting Tools
  • 4.1a EEM
  • 4.1b Scheduler
  • 4.1c Bash Shell & Guest Shell for NX-OS
  • 4.1d REST API
  • 4.1e JSON & XML Encodings

4.2 Evaluate Autmoation & Orchestration Technologies
  • 4.2a Ansible
  • 4.2b Puppet
  • 4.2c Python
  • 4.2d POAP
  • 4.2e DCNM
  • 4.2f UCSD
  • 4.2g Powershell
5.1 Apply Network Security
  • 5.1a AAA & RBAC
  • 5.1b ACI Contracts & Microsegmentation
  • 5.1c First-Hop Security Features: Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), DHCP Snooping, Port Security
  • 5.1d CoPP

5.2 Apply Compute Security
  • 5.2a AAA & RBAC
  • 5.2b Keychain Authentication

5.3 Apply Storage Security
  • 5.3a AAA & RBAC
  • 5.3b Port Security
  • 5.3c Fabric Binding