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

After you complete this course you will be able to:
* Understand the concept of Software Defined Storage in Hyperconvered Infrastructure;
* Describe the architecture, components, features and operation of Cisco HyperFlex Systems;
* Install, configure, manage, monitor, tune and deploy Cisco HyperFlex Systems;
* Describe the Cisco HyperFlex Systems configuration options and bundles;
* Describe the Cisco HyperFlex Systems solution competitive information;
* Describe the Cisco HyperFlex Systems Use Cases.

To fully benefit from this course, you should have the following knowledge:
* Familiarity with implementation of Cisco Data Center Storage Server/Compute and network Virtualization Infrastructure;
* Familiarity with implementing and configuring of Cisco UCS systems;
* Basic understanding of Private/Public/Hybrid Cloud infrastructure;
* Basic understanding of Data Center management and cloud automation tools.

Course Introduction
Course Outline
Course Goals & Objectives

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
Compare First Generation HCI solutions with Cisco HyperFlex
Present the components and physical topology of the Cisco HyperFlex with Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) solution

Cisco HyperFlex Systems Hardware and Software Architecture
Present the New Features available with the Cisco HX Release 3.5
Understand the capabilities and functionality of the HyperFlex All-Flash server platform
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

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

HyperFlex Pre-installation Requirements
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

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

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

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

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

Upgrading the HX Data Platform
Present the upgrade features for HX Data Platform v3.5(1a)
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

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

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

Labs Outline
Lab 1: Initial Cisco UCS HyperFlex (HX) Hardware Configuration
Lab 2: Initial UCS HyperFlex (HX) Software Installation
Lab 3: Validate UCS HyperFlex Software Installation
Lab 4: Manage UCS HyperFlex Datastores
Lab 5: Provision Virtual Machines
Lab 6: Creating and Managing HyperFlex Ready Clones
Lab 7: Creating and Managing HyperFlex Snapshots
Lab 8: Monitoring and Alerts for HX Systems
Lab 9: Cisco HX Systems CLI
Lab 10: HX Cluster Installation
Lab 11: HX Cluster Replication
Lab 12: UCS Director Integration with HyperFlex
Lab 13: Operation with HyperFlex Connect
Lab 14: Operation with HyperFlex Plugin for vSphere
Lab 15: Create a HyperFlex Stretched Cluster
Lab 16: Manage the HyperFlex Stretched Cluster