This comprehensive task list covers advanced data center networking, Layer 2 & Layer 3 switching, storage networking, automation, and security to help you prepare for CCNP Data Center certification and real-world enterprise deployments.
🟢 Section 1: Advanced Cisco Nexus & UCS Infrastructure
🔸 Task 1.1 – Deploy Cisco Nexus 9000, 7000, 5000 series switches in a multi-tier DC architecture
🔸 Task 1.2 – Configure Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects for Unified Computing
🔸 Task 1.3 – Implement Out-of-Band (OOB) Management with VRF
🔸 Task 1.4 – Configure Redundant Supervisor & Fabric Modules on Nexus 7K
🔸 Task 1.5 – Integrate Nexus switches with VMware vSphere for virtual networking
🟢 Section 2: Advanced VLAN, VXLAN & Fabric Extenders (FEX)
🔸 Task 2.1 – Implement VXLAN with MP-BGP EVPN for multi-tenant segmentation
🔸 Task 2.2 – Deploy Fabric Extender (FEX) for remote switch management
🔸 Task 2.3 – Configure VXLAN Multi-Pod and Multi-Site Connectivity
🔸 Task 2.4 – Tune VXLAN BUM (Broadcast, Unknown Unicast, Multicast) Traffic Handling
🔸 Task 2.5 – Verify VXLAN Anycast Gateway Configuration
🟢 Section 3: Advanced Spanning Tree & Layer 2 Redundancy
🔸 Task 3.1 – Deploy MSTP with per-instance VLAN Mapping
🔸 Task 3.2 – Tune STP Timers & Root Guard for rapid convergence
🔸 Task 3.3 – Configure vPC+ (vPC with FabricPath) for Layer 2 multi-pathing
🔸 Task 3.4 – Optimize Loop Prevention with BPDU Filtering & Loop Guard
🔸 Task 3.5 – Simulate vPC Primary Peer Failure & Recovery Scenarios
🟢 Section 4: Layer 3 Routing & BGP in the Data Center
🔸 Task 4.1 – Implement BGP Peering on Nexus switches for Data Center interconnectivity
🔸 Task 4.2 – Configure BGP Route Reflectors for large-scale deployments
🔸 Task 4.3 – Deploy OSPF & EIGRP for DC Layer 3 Switching
🔸 Task 4.4 – Optimize BGP with Route Maps, Prefix Lists & Communities
🔸 Task 4.5 – Configure Policy-Based Routing (PBR) for traffic engineering
🟢 Section 5: Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure)
🔸 Task 5.1 – Configure Cisco ACI Fabric & APIC Controllers
🔸 Task 5.2 – Deploy EPGs (Endpoint Groups) & Bridge Domains
🔸 Task 5.3 – Implement ACI Contracts & Filters for Network Security
🔸 Task 5.4 – Integrate ACI with External L3 Networks using L3Out
🔸 Task 5.5 – Validate ACI Policy-Based Automation with Python
🟢 Section 6: Storage Networking (FCoE, FC, iSCSI)
🔸 Task 6.1 – Implement Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) on Nexus 5K/7K
🔸 Task 6.2 – Configure FC Zoning on Cisco MDS for SAN isolation
🔸 Task 6.3 – Deploy iSCSI Storage Networking for DC Storage Solutions
🔸 Task 6.4 – Optimize SAN Traffic Flow with QoS & DCB (Data Center Bridging)
🔸 Task 6.5 – Troubleshoot Storage Path Failures & Redundancy Issues
🟢 Section 7: Network Security for Data Centers
🔸 Task 7.1 – Deploy Cisco TrustSec (CTS) for Micro-Segmentation
🔸 Task 7.2 – Implement 802.1X with RADIUS Authentication for NAC
🔸 Task 7.3 – Secure VXLAN deployments with EVPN Route Filtering
🔸 Task 7.4 – Enforce MACSec (802.1AE) Encryption for Data Center Links
🔸 Task 7.5 – Configure CoPP (Control Plane Policing) for CPU Protection
🟢 Section 8: QoS Optimization for Data Center Networks
🔸 Task 8.1 – Implement QoS Classification & Marking for DC Applications
🔸 Task 8.2 – Configure Priority Queuing for VoIP, Video, and Storage Traffic
🔸 Task 8.3 – Deploy Congestion Avoidance using WRED & Tail Drop
🔸 Task 8.4 – Implement Data Center QoS Policies on VXLAN-FabricPath Networks
🔸 Task 8.5 – Monitor QoS Statistics using Nexus CLI & DCNM
🟢 Section 9: Network Automation & Programmability
🔸 Task 9.1 – Automate VXLAN Configuration using Ansible & REST API
🔸 Task 9.2 – Implement Python Scripting for Nexus Configuration Management
🔸 Task 9.3 – Deploy NETCONF & YANG for Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
🔸 Task 9.4 – Monitor Nexus Switches using Telemetry & Streaming APIs
🔸 Task 9.5 – Integrate Cisco ACI with Terraform for Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
🟢 Section 10: Troubleshooting & Network Monitoring
🔸 Task 10.1 – Perform SPAN & ERSPAN for Deep Packet Inspection
🔸 Task 10.2 – Enable NetFlow & sFlow for DC Traffic Analytics
🔸 Task 10.3 – Configure Syslog & SNMPv3 for Centralized Monitoring
🔸 Task 10.4 – Troubleshoot vPC Peer-Link Failures & VXLAN Drop Issues
🔸 Task 10.5 – Use Cisco DCNM (Data Center Network Manager) for Performance Optimization