This comprehensive task list covers fundamental Data Center networking, Layer 2 & Layer 3 switching, virtualization, storage, and automation to help you build hands-on expertise for CCNA Data Center certification.
🟢 Section 1: Cisco Data Center Infrastructure & Initial Setup
🔸 Task 1.1 – Understand and document Cisco UCS, Nexus, and MDS product families
🔸 Task 1.2 – Rack and cable a Cisco Nexus switch for Data Center deployment
🔸 Task 1.3 – Perform Initial Setup of Cisco Nexus 9000, 7000, and 5000 series switches
🔸 Task 1.4 – Configure Basic Management Access (SSH, SNMP, and Syslog)
🔸 Task 1.5 – Implement NTP synchronization for Data Center devices
🟢 Section 2: VLANs, Trunking & VXLAN in the Data Center
🔸 Task 2.1 – Create VLANs & assign ports on Nexus switches
🔸 Task 2.2 – Configure 802.1Q trunking between Nexus switches
🔸 Task 2.3 – Deploy VLAN Pruning for efficient traffic flow
🔸 Task 2.4 – Implement VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) for DC virtualization
🔸 Task 2.5 – Verify VXLAN Tunnels & End-to-End Connectivity
🟢 Section 3: Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Optimization
🔸 Task 3.1 – Enable Rapid-PVST+ (Per VLAN Spanning Tree)
🔸 Task 3.2 – Implement MSTP (Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol)
🔸 Task 3.3 – Configure Root Guard, Loop Guard, BPDU Guard & BPDU Filtering
🔸 Task 3.4 – Optimize STP Timers for Faster Convergence
🔸 Task 3.5 – Test Data Center Redundancy by simulating link failures
🟢 Section 4: Layer 2 Redundancy with Cisco Data Center Technologies
🔸 Task 4.1 – Deploy vPC (Virtual Port Channel) for Multi-Homing
🔸 Task 4.2 – Implement FabricPath for loop-free Layer 2 multi-pathing
🔸 Task 4.3 – Configure and troubleshoot HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) for Default Gateway Redundancy
🔸 Task 4.4 – Validate vPC Failover and Load Balancing
🔸 Task 4.5 – Test vPC Peer-Link Failure Scenarios
🟢 Section 5: Layer 3 Routing in the Data Center
🔸 Task 5.1 – Enable Layer 3 Routing on Nexus switches
🔸 Task 5.2 – Configure OSPF & EIGRP in a Data Center environment
🔸 Task 5.3 – Implement BGP Peering on Data Center Switches
🔸 Task 5.4 – Deploy Policy-Based Routing (PBR) for Traffic Control
🔸 Task 5.5 – Troubleshoot Routing Issues in a Multi-Tenant Data Center
🟢 Section 6: Storage Networking with Fibre Channel & FCoE
🔸 Task 6.1 – Configure Fibre Channel (FC) zoning on MDS switches
🔸 Task 6.2 – Implement Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) on Nexus switches
🔸 Task 6.3 – Deploy iSCSI storage connectivity for Data Center servers
🔸 Task 6.4 – Validate SAN Booting & LUN Mappings
🔸 Task 6.5 – Troubleshoot FCoE and Storage Path Failures
🟢 Section 7: Network Security in the Data Center
🔸 Task 7.1 – Implement Port Security & MAC Address Sticky Learning
🔸 Task 7.2 – Deploy DHCP Snooping & Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI)
🔸 Task 7.3 – Configure IP Source Guard for Address Spoofing Protection
🔸 Task 7.4 – Secure Management Access using TACACS+ or RADIUS
🔸 Task 7.5 – Harden Data Center Control Plane (CoPP & Storm Control)
🟢 Section 8: Quality of Service (QoS) for Data Center Traffic
🔸 Task 8.1 – Implement QoS Classification & Marking for Critical Traffic
🔸 Task 8.2 – Configure Priority Queuing for Storage & VoIP Traffic
🔸 Task 8.3 – Deploy Weighted Random Early Detection (WRED) for Congestion Avoidance
🔸 Task 8.4 – Optimize Data Center Traffic with Traffic Shaping & Policing
🔸 Task 8.5 – Validate QoS Policies using Nexus Monitoring Tools
🟢 Section 9: Network Automation & Programmability
🔸 Task 9.1 – Automate VLAN provisioning using Ansible & REST API
🔸 Task 9.2 – Implement Python scripting for Data Center Configuration Management
🔸 Task 9.3 – Configure NETCONF & YANG for Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
🔸 Task 9.4 – Deploy Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) for Data Center Automation
🔸 Task 9.5 – Monitor Nexus Switches using Python & SNMP Scripts
🟢 Section 10: Data Center Monitoring & Troubleshooting
🔸 Task 10.1 – Enable SPAN & ERSPAN for Traffic Analysis
🔸 Task 10.2 – Configure NetFlow for Data Center Traffic Monitoring
🔸 Task 10.3 – Set up SNMPv3 for Secure Network Monitoring
🔸 Task 10.4 – Use show, debug, and traceroute commands for deep troubleshooting
🔸 Task 10.5 – Implement Syslog & NTP for Centralized Logging & Time Sync