The Implementing Cisco HyperFlex (DCIHX) v1.1 course shows you how to deploy and use the Cisco© HyperFlex data platform to support multi-cloud workloads. You will become familiar with HyperFlex components and learn how to install, design, manage and troubleshoot Cisco HyperFlex to support highly scalable and resilient multi-cloud implementations. You will also gain hands-on experience focused on installation, management, maintenance, and native replication, and you will explore cluster technologies as well as Cisco Intersight.

Prerequisites:
To fully benefit from this course, you should have the following knowledge:
•    Cisco CCNA©_-level knowledge about data center architecture and products technologies
•    (network, compute, storage network)
•    Familiarity with VMware vCenter and ESXi
•    Familiarity with Microsoft Server 2016 and Hyper-V
Recommended Cisco learning offerings that may help you meet these prerequisites:
•    Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN) 6.x
•    Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies (DCICT) 6.x
•    Implementing Cisco Data Center Unified Computing (DCUCI) 6.x
 
Target Audience:
•    Data center engineers
•    Cisco integrators and partners

Course Objectives:
After taking this course, you should be able to:
•    Describe hyper-convergence, Cisco HyperFlex, and the components of Cisco HyperFlex
•    Explain the Cisco Unified Computing System (Cisco UCS©_) and what makes it valuable to business
•    Describe how Cisco HyperFlex Data Platform (HXDP) and HX maintenance mode work
•    Describe the physical components of Cisco HyperFlex
•    Install and expand Regular vSphere Cisco HyperFlex
•    Manage your Cisco HyperFlex VMware ESXi-based cluster
•    Describe how to maintain Cisco HyperFlex
•    Design a Cisco HyperFlex solution and explain third-party data restore solutions
•    Protect the data on your Cisco HyperFlex cluster using replication and data at rest encryption
•    Describe a stretched cluster and how is it different from a standard cluster
•    Describe an Edge cluster and how is it different from a standard cluster
•    Describe a HyperV-based cluster and how is it different from an ESXi-based cluster
•    Design a multi-cloud data center with Cisco HyperFlex
•    Perform basic troubleshooting tasks and explain Cisco Intersight
•    Explain Cisco HyperFlex releases beyond 3.5(1a)

Course Outline:
Introducing Hyperconvergence and Cisco HyperFlex
•    Traditional Data Center Design
•    What Is Hyperconvergence?
•    What Is Cisco HyperFlex?
•    Cisco HyperFlex Primer
•    Evolution of Cisco 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
•    Virtual Machine Hypervisor
•    Log-Structured File System
•    Cisco HyperFlex Snapshots Versus VMware Snapshots
•    Cisco HyperFlex Versus Regular Virtualized Server
•    Cisco HyperFlex Data Distribution
•    Writing and Reading Process
•    Data Optimization Overview
•    Cisco HyperFlex vs. Other Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) Solutions
Describing Cisco HyperFlex Hardware Components
•    Introducing Cisco HyperFlex Servers
•    Storage Technologies in Cisco HyperFlex
•    Storage Components of Cisco HyperFlex Converged Nodes
•    Non-Storage Components of Cisco HyperFlex Converged Nodes
•    Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects
•    Compute-Only Nodes
Installing and Expanding Standard ESXi Cisco HyperFlex
•    Installation Summary
•    Software Prerequisites
•    Hardware Prerequisites
•    Cisco HyperFlex Networking
•    Required Deployment Information
•    Installing Physical Components
•    Configure Upstream Switches
•    Prepare Fabric Interconnects
•    Deploy the Installer Virtual Machine (VM)
•    HyperFlex Installation
•    Post-Installation Script
•    Cluster Expansion
•    Additional Installation Options
Managing Cisco HyperFlex in vSphere Environment
•    Management Interfaces Overview
•    Cisco HyperFlex Plugin for vCenter
•    Cisco HyperFlex Connect
•    Storage Command Line Interface
•    Representational State Transfer (REST) API Overview
•    ReadyClones
•    Cisco HyperFlex Snapshots
Maintaining Cisco HyperFlex
•    Cisco HyperFlex Upgrade Overview
•    Cisco HyperFlex Online Upgrade
•    Cisco HyperFlex Offline Upgrade
•    HX Maintenance Mode
•    ESXi Upgrade
•    Moving Cisco HyperFlex Storage Cluster to Another vCenter
Designing Cisco HyperFlex
•    Cluster Resiliency: VM-Level
•    Cluster Resiliency: HXDP-Level
•    Cisco HyperFlex Cluster Scalability
•    Cluster Capacity
•    Multiple Clusters on One Cisco UCS Domain
•    Cisco HyperFlex and External Storage
•    Licensing Tiers
•    Smart Licensing
•    Cisco HyperFlex Positioning
•    Graphical Processing Units and Cisco HyperFlex
Protecting Your Data
•    Disaster Recovery Overview
•    Third-Party Data Restore Solutions
•    Cisco HyperFlex Native Replication Solution
•    Configuring Native Replication
•    Protecting Your VMs with Native Replication
•    Restoring Your VMs with Native Replication
•    Data at Rest Encryption
•    D@RE: Remote Key Management
Introducing Stretched Cluster
•    Stretched Cluster Overview
•    Prerequisites
•    Data Distribution
•    Datastores and VM Affinity
•    Installation Process
•    Maintenance and Monitoring
Introducing EDGE Cluster
•    Cisco HyperFlex EDGE Cluster Overview
•    Prerequisites and Recommendations
•    Installation Process
•    Management and Monitoring
•    Upgrades and Maintenance
Introducing HyperV-Based Standard Cluster
•    HyperV-Based Standard Cluster Overview
•    Prerequisites and Recommendations
•    Preinstallation Tasks
•    Installation Process
•    Post-Installation Process
•    Maintenance and Monitoring
Designing Multicloud Data Center with Cisco HyperFlex
•    Cisco UCS Director Overview
•    Cisco CloudCenter Overview
•    Cisco Workload Optimization Manager (CWOM) Overview
•    Cisco HyperFlex with Kubernetes and Cisco Container Platform
•    Cisco Intersight Overview
•    HyperFlex: Releases Beyond 3.5(1a)
Troubleshooting Cisco HyperFlex
•    Troubleshooting Guidelines
•    Generating Tech Support Bundles
•    Common Troubleshooting Issues

Lab outline
•    Investigate Software Components of HyperFlex
•    Investigate Cisco UCS Part of HyperFlex
•    Install Cisco HyperFlex
•    Manage Cisco HyperFlex
•    Protect Your HyperFlex VMs
•    Install and Manage Stretched Cluster
•    Investigate Edge Cluster
•    Investigate Hyper-V Cluster
•    Investigate Cisco Intersight