Implementing Cisco HyperFlex (DCIHX)

Introducing Hyperconvergence and HyperFlex

• Traditional Data Center Design
• What Is Hyperconvergence?
• What Is HyperFlex?
• HyperFlex Primer
• Evolution of 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

• Log-Structured File System
• HyperFlex Snapshots Versus VMware Snapshots
• HyperFlex Versus Regular Virtualized Server
• HyperFlex Replicas
• Writing and Reading Process
• Data Optimization Overview
• HyperFlex vs. Other Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions

Describing Cisco HyperFlex Hardware Components

• HX UCS M4 and M5
• Introducing HyperFlex Converged Nodes
• Hybrid Nodes: HX240M5 and HX220M5
• All-Flash Nodes: HX240M5 and HX220M5
• Difference Between Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) Types of Cache Solid-State Drive (SSD)
• Interconnects with Focus on G3
• Compute-Only Nodes
• CPU Options
• Compatibility: Server Types

Installing Regular ESXi Cisco HyperFlex

• Installation Summary
• Software Prerequisites
• Hardware Prerequisites
• HyperFlex Networking
• Required Deployment Information
• vCenter for HyperFlex
• Installing Physical Components
• Configure Upstream Switches
• Prepare Fabric Interconnects
• Deploy the Installer Virtual Machine (VM)
• HyperFlex Installation
• Post-Installation Tasks
• Add a Converged Node
• Add a Compute-Only Node
• Advanced Installation Option: Nested vCenter

Managing Cisco HyperFlex

• Introduction to Management Options
• vCenter and HyperFlex Plugin
• HyperFlex Connect
• stCLI Command Line Interface
• Representational State Transfer (REST) API
• HyperFlex Clones
• HyperFlex Snapshots

Maintaining Cisco HyperFlex

• Installer Custom Workflow: Use Cases
• HyperFlex Upgrade Considerations
• HyperFlex Online Upgrade
• HyperFlex Offline Upgrade
• ESXi Upgrade
• Moving Storage Cluster to Another vCenter

Designing Cisco HyperFlex

• Cluster Resiliency: VM-Level
• Cluster Resiliency: HXDP-Level
• HyperFlex Cluster Scalability
• Logical Availability Zones
• Cluster Capacity
• Multiple HyperFlex Clusters on One UCS Domain
• Mixing HyperFlex and Non-HyperFlex Servers
• Cisco HyperFlex and External Storages
• Smart Licensing
• Licensing Tiers
• HyperFlex Positioning
• Graphical Processing Units and HyperFlex

Protecting Your Data

• Disaster Recovery (DR)/Replication Overview
• Native Replication: Protect
• Native Replication: Recover
• Data at Rest Encryption

Introducing Stretched Cluster

• Stretched Cluster Overview
• Prerequisites and Recommendations
• Installation Process
• Maintenance and Monitoring

Introducing EDGE Cluster

• EDGE Cluster Overview
• Prerequisites and Recommendations
• Installation Process
• Maintenance and Monitoring

Introducing HyperV-Based Regular Cluster

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

Designing Multicloud Data Center with HyperFlex

• Cisco UCS Director Overview
• Cisco UCS Director: Example Workflow
• Cisco AppDynamics Introduction
• Cisco CloudCenter™ Introduction
• Cisco Workload Optimization Manager (CWOM) Introduction
• Kubernetes and Cisco Container Platform (CCP): Introduction and Use Cases
• Cisco Intersight Overview

Lab outline

• HyperFlex Installation
• Basic HyperFlex Management
• Explore Native Replication
• Deeper Into Management of HX