The course has been restructured as a lab-centric course, with 2/3 of a student’s overall class time that is expected to be spent performing labs. This timing provides approximately 3-4 hours of lab content and only 2-3 hours of lecture content per ILT class day.
It is expected that technology concepts are off-loaded to prerequisites. The course structure is based on the Cisco Configuration Guides.

Each module, as much as possible, is independent of any other module.
The labs need to be able to be performed by one student configuring a complete pod for virtual training purposes. The labs must be scalable to two people per pod in an ILT delivery.
Each lab exercise is independent of previous labs. There is a requirement for configurations scripts and a reset procedure to establish a given lab’s context before the student performs any lab exercise or activity.
Each lab exercise must be restricted to the student’s own pod environment and be independent of other student pod activities. There are no labs requiring pod-to-pod configuration or cooperation.
Every effort was made to base the DCNX5K v2.0 lab topology on the existing DCNX5K v1.0 lab topology. Using this topology minimizes changes to hardware and software and facilitates Cisco Learning Partner adoption.

Network Administrators
Network Designers
Network Engineers
Systems Engineers
Consulting Systems Engineers
Cisco Integrators/Partners

Module 1: Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches Product Overview

Module 2: Network Feature Configuration on the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches

Module 3: Fibre Channel over Ethernet

Module 4: System Management Features of the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches

DCNX5K Hands-On Lab Exercises

Module 1 Lab 1-1: Initial Switch Configuration

Module 2 Lab 2-1: Configuring Layer 2 Switching Features

Module 2 Lab 2-2: Connecting the Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extender

Module 2 Lab 2-3: Implementing Virtual Port Channels (vPC)

Module 2 Lab 2-4: Configuring QoS

Module 2 Lab 2-5: Troubleshooting Layer 2 Switching

Module 3 Lab 3-1: Implementing FCoE

Module 3 Lab 3-2: Troubleshooting FCoE

Module 3 Lab 3-3: Configuring SAN Switching

Module 3 Lab 3-4: Configuring Cisco NPV Mode on the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches

Module 3 Lab 3-5: Troubleshooting SAN Switching

Module 4 Lab 4-1: Configuring Security Features

Module 4 Lab 4-2: Configuring System Management Features

Module 4 Lab 4-3: Upgrading the Cisco NX-OS Software with ISSU

Attendees should meet the following prerequisites:

Good understanding of networking protocols
Recommended CCNA Certification
Good understanding of the Fibre Channel protocol and the SAN environment
Recommended attendance of a Fibre Channel Protocol class or equivalent experience
Recommended attendance of the Implementing Cisco Storage Network Solutions (ICSNS) class or equivalent experience