Technical and professionals who implement, configure, support and manage data center environments using Cisco Hyperflex Solutions.

After taking this course, you should be able to:
• Describe hyperconvergence, Cisco HyperFlex, and the components of Cisco HyperFlex;
• Explain the Cisco Unified Computing System™ (Cisco UCS®) and what makes it valuable to business;
• Describe how Cisco HyperFlex Data Platform (HXDP) and HX maintenance mode work;
• Describe the physical components of Cisco HyperFlex;
• Install and expand Regular vSphere Cisco HyperFlex;
• Manage your Cisco HyperFlex VMware ESXi-based cluster;
• Describe how to maintain Cisco HyperFlex;
• Design a Cisco HyperFlex solution and explain third-party data restore solutions;
• Protect the data on your Cisco HyperFlex cluster using replication and data at rest encryption;
• Describe a stretched cluster and how is it different from a standard cluster;
• Describe an Edge cluster and how is it different from a standard cluster;
• Describe a HyperV-based cluster and how is it different from an ESXi-based cluster;
• Design a multicloud datacenter with Cisco HyperFlex;
• Perform basic troubleshooting tasks and explain Cisco Intersight;
• Explain Cisco HyperFlex releases beyond 3.5(1a).

To fully benefit from this course, you should have the following knowledge:
• Knowledge about data center architecture and products technologies (network, compute, storage network);
Familiarity with VMware vCenter and ESXi;
Familiarity with Microsoft Server 2016 and Hyper-V.

Course Introduction
Course Outline
Course Goals & Objectives

Introducing Hyperconvergence and Cisco HyperFlex
Traditional Data Center Design
What Is Hyperconvergence?
What Is Cisco HyperFlex?
Cisco HyperFlex Primer
Evolution of Cisco HyperFlex

Describing Cisco UCS: The Foundation of Cisco HyperFlex
Cisco Server Deployment Models: Standalone Versus Managed
Cisco UCS Managed Model Benefits
Cisco UCS M5 Overview
Cisco UCS M5 Server Types
Cisco Virtual Interface Cards (VICs) and Their Benefits
Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects
Cisco UCS Manager

Describing Cisco HyperFlex Software Components
Virtual Machine Hypervisor
Log-Structured File System
Cisco HyperFlex Snapshots Versus VMware Snapshots
Cisco HyperFlex Versus Regular Virtualized Server
Cisco HyperFlex Data Distribution
Writing and Reading Process
Data Optimization Overview
Cisco HyperFlex vs. Other Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions

Describing Cisco HyperFlex Hardware Components
HX UCS M4 and M5
Introducing Cisco HyperFlex Servers
Storage Technologies in Cisco HyperFlex
Storage Components of Cisco HyperFlex Converged Nodes
Non-Storage Components of Cisco HyperFlex Converged Nodes
Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects3
Compute-Only Nodes

Installing and Expanding Standard ESXi Cisco HyperFlex
Installation Summary
Software Prerequisites
Hardware Prerequisites
Cisco HyperFlex Networking
Required Deployment Information
Installing Physical Components
Configure Upstream Switches
Prepare Fabric Interconnects
Deploy the Installer Virtual Machine (VM)
HyperFlex Installation
Post-Installation Script
Cluster Expanison
Additional Installation Options

Managing Cisco HyperFlex in vSphere Environment
Management Interfaces Overview
Cisco HyperFlex Plugin for vCenter
Cisco HyperFlex Connect
Storage Command Line Interface
Representational State Transfer (REST) API Overview
ReadyClones
Cisco HyperFlex Snapshots

Maintaining Cisco HyperFlex
Cisco HyperFlex Upgrade Overview
Cisco HyperFlex Online Upgrade
Cisco HyperFlex Offline Upgrade
HX Maintenance Mode
ESXi Upgrade
Moving Cisco Hyperflex Storage Cluster to Another vCenter

Designing Cisco HyperFlex
Cluster Resiliency: VM-Level
Cluster Resiliency: HXDP-Level
Cisco HyperFlex Cluster Scalability
Cluster Capacity
Multiple Clusters on One Cisco UCS Domain
Cisco HyperFlex and External Storages
Licensing Tiers
Smart Licensing
Cisco HyperFlex Positioning
Graphical Processing Units and Cisco HyperFlex

Protecting Your Data
Disaster Recovery Overview
Third-Party Data Restore Solutions
Cisco HyperFlex Native Replication Solution
Configuring Native Replication
Protecting Your VMs with Native Replication
Restoring Your VMs with Native Replication
Data at Rest Encryption
D@RE: Remote Key Management

Introducing Stretched Cluster
Stretched Cluster Overview
Prerequisites
Data Distribution
Datastores and VM Affinity
Installation Process
Maintenance and Monitoring
Introducing EDGE Cluster
Cisco HyperFlex EDGE Cluster Overview
Prerequisites and Recommendations
Installation Process
Management and Monitoring
Upgrades and Maintenance

Introducing HyperV-Based Standard Cluster
HyperV-Based Standard Cluster Overview
Prerequisites and Recommendations
Preinstallation Tasks
Installation Process
Post-Installation Process
Maintenance and Monitoring

Designing Multicloud Data Center with Cisco HyperFlex
Cisco UCS Director Overview
Cisco CloudCenter Overview
Cisco Workload Optimization Manager (CWOM) Overview
Design your HyperFlex cluster to run Cisco Container Platform and Kubernetes
Cisco Intersight Overview
HyperFlex: Releases Beyond 4.0(1a)

Introducing Edge Cluster
Describe the Edge cluster and how is it different from a standard cluster
Cisco HyperFlex Edge Cluster Overview
Describe prerequisites and recommendations to deploy your HyperFlex Edge cluster
Deploy Cisco HyperFlex Edge
Manage your Cisco HyperFlex Edge cluster
Upgrade and maintain your Cisco HyperFlex Edge cluster

Troubleshooting Cisco HyperFlex
Troubleshoot any issue that arises on a HyperFlex cluster
Troubleshooting Guidelines
Troubleshoot deployment issues (install, upgrade, expansion)
Generating Tech Support Bundles
Describe how you would collect HyperFlex support bundles
Troubleshoot most common HyperFlex issues


Lab/Practical Outline

Discovery 1: Investigate Software Components of HyperFlex
Discover basic components of standard HyperFlex cluster
Task 1: Explore vCenter
Task 2: Explore HyperFlex Connect

Discovery 2: Investigate Cisco UCS Part of HyperFlex
Discover basic components of standard HyperFlex cluster as related to Cisco UCS
Task 1: Investigate a Server in Cisco UCS Manager
Task 2: Investigate a Fabric Interconnect
Task 3: Investigate a Server Service Profile
Task 4: Investigate a LAN Configuration
Task 5: Investigate an Upstream Switch Configuration

Discovery 3: Install Cisco HyperFlex
Install HyperFlex
Task 1: Get Acquainted with the Virtual Environment
Task 2: Prepare Preinstallation Information
Task 3: Perform Preinstallation Tests
Task 4: Install the Cisco HyperFlex Data Platform
Task 5: Perform Post-Installation Tasks
Task 6: Expand Cluster B
Task 7: Run Postinstall Script Again

Discovery 4: Manage Cisco HyperFlex
Manage a Cisco HyperFlex cluster
Task 1: Review the Status of Cisco HyperFlex Clusters in vCenter
Task 2: Manage Cisco Hyperflex Cluster Using vSphere Client
Task 3: Compare Cisco HyperFlex and vSphere Native Cloning and Snapshotting
Task 4: Manage Cisco Hyperflex Cluster Using HX Connect
Task 5: Connect the HyperFlex Cluster to a remote Syslog Server
Task 6: Explore the Storage Controller CLI
Task 7: Manage the Cisco Hyperflex Cluster Using the REST API

Discovery 5: Protect Your HyperFlex VMs
Protect virtual machines on your HyperFlex cluster using native replication protection mechanisms
Task 1: Configure Replication Network and Pair the Clusters
Task 2: Protect a VM from Cluster B on Cluster A
Task 3: Perform Test Recovery of a VM

Discovery 6: Investigate Stretched Cluster
Discover basic components of stretched HyperFlex cluster
Task 1: Investigate vCenter Configuration
Task 2: Investigate HX Connect Configuration
Task 3: Investigate Both Cisco UCS Managers

Discovery 7: Install and Manage Stretched Cluster
Install and manage stretch cluster
Task 1: Pre-Installation Tasks and Workflow Selection
Task 2: Configure Site A
Task 3: Configure Site B
Task 4: Install the Stretched Cluster
Task 5: Perform Post-Installation Tasks
Task 6: Explore Stretched Cluster Specifics

Discovery 8: Investigate Hyper-V Cluster
Discover basic components of HyperV-based HyperFlex cluster
Task 1: Investigate Cisco UCS Manager of the Hyper-V HyperFlex
Task 2: Investigate the Hyper-V HyperFlex Connect

Discovery 9: Investigate Cisco Intersight
Discover Cisco Intersight
Task 1: Discover Cisco Intersight
Task 2: Explore Administrator Level Features of Intersight

Discovery 10: Investigate HyperFlex Edge
Discover basic components of Edge HyperFlex cluster
Task 1: Investigate vCenter Configuration
Task 2: Investigate Cisco IMC Configuration
Task 3: Investigate the HyperFlex Connect of an Edge Cluster