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Introduction to Nexus Data Center Infrastructure and Architecture
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Table of Contents
Introduction xxx
About the Exam xxx
CCNA Data Center and the Other CCNA Certifications xxx
The Exams That Help You Achieve CCNA Data Center Certification xxxi
Types of Questions on the Exams xxxi
What's on the DCICN Exam? xxxii
About the Book xxxvi
Book Features and Exam Preparation Methods xxxvi
Book Organization, Chapters, and Appendixes xxxvii
Companion Website xl
Pearson IT Certification Practice Test Engine and Questions xli
Install the Software xli
Activate and Download the Practice Exam xlii
Activating Other Exams xlii
Assessing Exam Readiness xliii
Premium Edition eBook and Practice Tests xliv
For More Information xliv
Part I Networking Fundamentals 3
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Nexus Data Center Infrastructure and Architecture 5
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 5
Foundation Topics 8
Evolution of Data Center Architecture 8
Describe the Cisco Nexus Product Family 10
Cisco Nexus 9000 Family 11
Cisco Nexus 7000 and Nexus 7700 Product Family 22
Cisco Nexus 6000 Product Family 42
Cisco Nexus 5500 and Nexus 5600 Product Family 47
Cisco Nexus 5600 Product Family 53
Cisco Nexus 3000 Product Family 57
Cisco Nexus 2000 Fabric Extenders Product Family 62
The Server Evolution 67
Summary 81
Exam Preparation Tasks 82
Review All Key Topics 82
Define Key Terms 83
Chapter 2 The TCP/IP and OSI Networking Models 85
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 85
Foundation Topics 88
Perspectives on Networking 88
TCP/IP Networking Model 89
History Leading to TCP/IP 90
Overview of the TCP/IP Networking Model 91
TCP/IP Application Layer 93
TCP/IP Transport Layer 94
TCP/IP Network Layer 96
TCP/IP Link Layer (Data Link Plus Physical) 100
TCP/IP Model and Terminology 102
OSI Networking Model 104
Comparing OSI and TCP/IP 104
Describing Protocols by Referencing the OSI Layers 105
OSI Layers and Their Functions 105
OSI Layering Concepts and Benefits 107
OSI Encapsulation Terminology 108
Exam Preparation Tasks 109
Review All Key Topics 109
Definitions of Key Terms 109
Chapter 3 Fundamentals of Ethernet LANs 111
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 111
Foundation Topics 114
An Overview of LANs 114
Typical SOHO LANs 114
Typical Enterprise Campus LANs 115
Typical Data Center Ethernet LAN 116
The Variety of Ethernet Physical Layer Standards 117
Consistent Behavior over All Links Using the Ethernet Data Link Layer 118
Building Physical Ethernet Networks with UTP 119
Transmitting Data Using Twisted Pairs 119
Breaking Down a UTP Ethernet Link 120
UTP Cabling Pinouts for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T 122
UTP Cabling Pinouts for 1000BASE-T 125
Sending Data in Ethernet Networks 126
Ethernet Data-Link Protocols 126
Sending Ethernet Frames with Switches and Hubs 130
Traffic Storm Control in Ethernet Networks 133
Exam Preparation Tasks 135
Review All Key Topics 135
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 135
Definitions of Key Terms 135
Chapter 4 Fundamentals of IPv4 Addressing and Routing 137
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 137
Foundation Topics 140
Overview of Network Layer Functions 140
Network Layer Routing (Forwarding) Logic 140
How Network Layer Routing Uses LANs and WANs 142
IP Addressing and How Addressing Helps IP Routing 143
Routing Protocols 144
IPv4 Addressing 145
Rules for IP Addresses 146
Rules for Grouping IP Addresses 146
IP Subnetting 151
IPv4 Routing 153
IPv4 Host Routing 153
Router Forwarding Decisions and the IP Routing Table 153
IPv4 Routing Protocols 156
Other Network Layer Features 158
Using Names and the Domain Name System 158
The Address Resolution Protocol 159
ICMP Echo and the ping Command 161
Exam Preparation Tasks 162
Review All the Key Topics 162
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 162
Definitions of Key Terms 162
Part I Review 165
Part II Data Center Nexus Switching and Routing Fundamentals 167
Chapter 5 Installing and Operating Nexus Switches 169
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 169
Foundation Topics 171
Accessing the Cisco Nexus Switch CLI 171
Cisco Nexus Switches and the 5500 Switch 171
Accessing the Cisco NX-OS CLI 171
User Settings 177
The debug and show Commands 181
Introduction to Cisco NX-OS 181
Software Modularity in Cisco NX-OS 182
Service Restart in Cisco NX-OS 183
Software High Availability in Cisco NX-OS 184
Cisco NX-OS Licensing 185
Cisco NX-OS and Cisco IOS Comparison 186
Configuring Cisco NX-OS Software 187
Configuration Submodes and Contexts 187
Storing Switch Configuration Files 189
Copying and Erasing Configuration Files 191
Initial Configuration (Setup Mode) 193
NX-OS Version and Other Reload Facts 194
Exam Preparation Tasks 196
Review All Key Topics 196
Definitions of Key Terms 196
Command References 196
Chapter 6 VLAN and Trunking Concepts 199
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 199
Foundation Topics 202
Virtual LANs and VLAN Trunks 202
Creating Multiswitch VLANs Using Trunking 203
The 802.1Q and ISL VLAN Trunking Protocols 205
Forwarding Data Between VLANs 206
Routing Packets Between VLANs with a Router 207
Routing Packets with a Layer 3 Switch 209
VLAN Trunking Protocol 210
VTP Functions 210
Making VTP Work with VTP Servers and Clients 211
Disabling VTP 214
Summary of VTP Features 215
Exam Preparation Tasks 217
Review All Key Topics 217
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 217
Definitions of Key Terms 217
Chapter 7 VLAN Trunking and Configuration 219
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 219
Foundation Topics 221
VLAN Configuration and Verification 221
VLAN Guidelines for Cisco Nexus Switches 221
Creating VLANs and Assigning Access VLANs to an Interface 222
VLAN Trunking Configuration and Verification 225
Controlling Which VLANs Can Be Supported on a Trunk 228
VTP Configuration and Verification 232
VTP Features 232
Enabling VTP 232
VTP Features 234
Limiting VTP Using Pruning 235
VTP Pruning 236
Exam Preparation Tasks 237
Review All Key Topics 237
Command Reference to Check Your Memory 237
Chapter 8 Spanning Tree Protocol Concepts 241
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 241
Foundation Topics 244
Spanning Tree Protocol (IEEE 802.1D) 244
The Need for Spanning Tree 244
What IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Does 246
How Spanning Tree Works 248
Influencing and Changing the STP Topology 255
Optional STP Features 259
Port-Channel 260
PortFast 260
BPDU Guard 261
Rapid STP (IEEE 802.1w) 261
RSTP and the Alternate (Root) Port 262
RSTP States and Processes 264
Exam Preparation Tasks 266
Review All the Key Topics 266
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 266
Definitions of Key Terms 267
Chapter 9 Cisco Nexus Spanning Tree Protocol Implementation 269
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 269
Foundation Topics 272
STP Configuration and Verification 272
Connecting STP Concepts to STP Configuration Options 273
Verifying STP Operation 276
Improving STP Operation 279
Configuring STP Port Costs 279
Configuring Priority to Influence the Root Election 281
Spanning-Tree Port Types 283
Configuring PortFast and BPDU Guard 283
Configuring Port-Channel 285
Troubleshooting Port-Channel 288
Exam Preparation Tasks 292
Review All the Key Topics 292
Definitions of Key Terms 292
Command Reference to Check Your Memory 292
Chapter 10 Configuring Ethernet Switching 297
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 297
Foundation Topics 299
Configuration of Features in Common on All Nexus Switches 299
Securing the Switch CLI 299
Nexus Switch Configuration and Operation 304
Switched Virtual Interface Concept Inside a Switch 305
Configuring IPv4 on a Cisco Nexus Switch 305
Verifying IPv4 on a Switch 306
Configuring Switch Interfaces 306
Securing Unused Switch Interfaces 308
Predicting the Contents of the MAC Address Table 308
Exam Preparation Tasks 311
Review All Key Topics 311
Definitions of Key Terms 311
Command References 311
Part II Review 315
Part III IPv4/IPv6 Subnetting 317
Chapter 11 Perspectives on IPv4 Subnetting 319
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 319
Foundation Topics 322
Introduction to Subnetting 322
Subnetting Defined Through a Simple Example 322
Operational View Versus Design View of Subnetting 323
Analyze Subnetting and Addressing Needs 324
Rules About Which Hosts Are in Which Subnet 324
Subnet Rules with Layer 3 Switches 325
Determine the Number of Subnets 326
Determine the Number of Hosts per Subnet 328
One Size Subnet Fits All (Or Not) 329
Make Design Choices 331
Choose a Classful Network 332
Choose the Mask 335
Build a List of All Subnets 340
Plan the Implementation 341
Assign Subnets to Different Locations 341
Choose Static and Dynamic Ranges per Subnet 342
Exam Preparation Tasks 343
Review All the Key Topics 343
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 343
Definitions of Key Terms 343
Chapter 12 Analyzing Classful IPv4 Networks 345
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 345
Foundation Topics 347
Classful Network Concepts 347
IPv4 Network Classes and Related Facts 347
Actual Class A, B, and C Networks 348
Number of Hosts per Network 350
Deriving the Network ID and Related Numbers 351
Unusual Network IDs and Network Broadcast Addresses 353
Practice with Classful Networks 353
Practice Deriving Key Facts Based on an IP Address 354
Practice Remembering the Details of Address Classes 355
Additional Practice 355
Exam Preparation Tasks 356
Review All Key Topics 356
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 356
Definitions of Key Terms 356
Practice 356
Answers to Earlier Practice Problems 356
Answers to Practice Problem 7 (from Table 12-5) 357
Answers to Practice Problem 8 (from Table 12-5) 358
Answers to Practice Problem 9 (from Table 12-5) 358
Chapter 13 Analyzing Subnet Masks 361
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 361
Foundation Topics 364
Subnet Mask Conversion 364
Three Mask Formats 364
Converting Between Binary and Prefix Masks 365
Converting Between Binary and DDN Masks 365
Converting Between Prefix and DDN Masks 367
Practice Converting Subnet Masks 368
Identifying Subnet Design Choices Using Masks 369
Masks Divide the Subnet's Addresses into Two Parts 370
Masks and the Class Divide Addresses into Three Parts 371
Classless and Classful Addressing 372
Calculations Based on the IPv4 Address Format 372
Practice Analyzing Subnet Masks 374
Exam Preparation Tasks 376
Review All the Key Topics 376
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 376
Definitions of Key Terms 376
Practice 376
Answers to Earlier Practice Problems 377
Chapter 14 Analyzing Existing Subnets 381
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 381
Foundation Topics 384
Defining a Subnet 384
An Example with Network 172.16.0.0 and Four Subnets 384
Subnet ID Concepts 385
Subnet Broadcast Address 386
Range of Usable Addresses 387
Analyzing Existing Subnets: Binary 387
Finding the Subnet ID: Binary 388
Finding the Subnet Broadcast Address: Binary 389
Binary Practice Problems 390
Shortcut for the Binary Process 392
Brief Note About Boolean Math 393
Finding the Range of Addresses 394
Analyzing Existing Subnets: Decimal 394
Analysis with Easy Masks 394
Predictability in the Interesting Octet 395
Finding the Subnet ID: Difficult Masks 396
Finding the Subnet Broadcast Address: Difficult Masks 399
Practice Analyzing Existing Subnets 400
A Choice: Memorize or Calculate 401
Additional Practice 401
Exam Preparation Tasks 402
Review All the Key Topics 402
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 402
Definitions of Key Terms 402
Practice 402
Answers to Earlier Practice Problems 402
Chapter 15 Fundamentals of IP Version 6 407
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 407
Foundation Topics 410
Introduction to IP Version 6 410
The Need and Effect of a New Internet Protocol 410
Introduction to IPv6 Addresses and Prefixes 412
Assigning Unique IPv6 Prefixes Across the Globe 417
IPv6 Addressing and Subnetting 419
Global Unicast Addresses and IPv6 Subnetting 419
Unique Local Unicast Addresses 423
Link Local Addresses 424
IPv6 Multicast Addresses 425
Miscellaneous IPv6 Addresses 426
Implementing IPv6 426
IPv6 Address Assignment 427
IPv6 Transition and Coexistence 431
Exam Preparation Tasks 433
Review All the Key Topics 433
Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 433
Definitions of Key Terms 433