In this HyperFlex introduction class learners will be introduced to hyper-converged infrastructure and presents the Cisco HyperFlex (HX) hardware and software architecture. We will introduce HX use cases and solutions based on Cisco Validated Designs (CVD) are presented as well as performance advantages of the HX platform over competing vendors. We have an open discussion on pre-installation requirements and best practices.
Prerequisites
The knowledge and skills that the learner should have before attending this course are as follows:
- Familiarity with Cisco Data Center Storage Server/Compute and network Virtualization Infrastructure
- Familiarity withCisco UCS systems
- Basic understanding of Private/Public/Hybrid Cloud infrastructure
- Basic understanding of Data Center management and cloud automation tools.
Course Objectives
After completing this course, the learner will be able to meet these overall objectives:
- Understand the concept of Software Defined Storage in Hyperconvered Infrastructure
- Understand Performance advantages
- Learn about the competitive landscape
- Describe the key features of Cisco HyperFlex Systems
- Describe the Cisco HyperFlex Systems options and bundles
- Discuss the Cisco HyperFlex Systems solution competitive information
- Discuss the Cisco HyperFlex Systems Use Cases
( Day 1 ) Lesson 1: Introduction to Hyper-converged Infrastructure (HCI)
- Identify the components of a Hyper-converged Infrastructure (HCI)
- Understand the challenges that are being addresses by Hyper-converged Infrastructure
- Explain the benefits of an HCI solution
- Compare First Generation HCI solutions with Cisco HyperFlex
- Overview of the key components and physical topology of the Cisco HyperFlex with Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) solution
Lesson 2: Cisco HyperFlex Systems Hardware and Software Architecture
- Present the New Features available with the Cisco HX Release 4x
- Understand the capabilities and functionality of the HyperFlex All-Flash server platform
- Overview of the Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform hardware components
- Discuss the Cisco HyperFlex system architecture
- Understand the advanced storage features and performance enhancements of the HyperFlex cluster
- Discuss the hardware functionality of the Hyperflex HX server nodes
- Review the management and connectivity details for various HyperFlex HX cluster deployments
Lesson 3: Cisco HyperFlex Systems Use Cases, Solutions and Performance
- Introduce the Cisco Validated Design (CVD) guides that are available for the HyperFlex HX Data Platform solution
- Describe the Cisco HyperFlex All-Flash Systems for Deploying Microsoft SQL Server Database validated design details
- Discuss the Cisco HyperFlex M5 All-Flash Hyperconverged System with up to 600 Citrix XenDesktop Users validated design details
- Identify and compare the performance advantages of the Cisco HyperFlex HCI solution with other vendors for Oracle OLTP, SQL Server and mixed workload operating environments
Lesson 4: HyperFlex Pre-installation Requirements
- Review software requirements for VMware ESXi
- Discuss the physical requirements for successful HX cluster
- Discuss the network requirements for HX Data Platform
- Learn about the port requirements for VMware ESXi and vCenter
- Learn to identify the HyperFlex external connections
Lesson 5: HyperFlex HX Data Platform Installation Best Practices
- Understand the requirements of the northbound switches that are connected to the HyperFlex cluster
- Overview of Cisco UCS the HyperFlex Data Installer utility
- Discuss the VMware vCenter host, licensing and networking parameters that support successful of the HX Data Platform
( Day 2 ) Lesson 6: Installing Cisco HyperFlex Systems Using the HX Installer
- Understand the benefits of the HX Data Platform automation function to streamline Cisco UCS and VMware vCenter configuration
- Learn about the HyperFlex factory pre-installed hardware and software options
- Overview of the steps required to install, deploy and launch the HX Data Platform Installer
- Discuss HyperFlex cluster creation validation using UCS Manager and VMware vSphere Client/Web Client
Lesson 7: At a glance, post-Install requirements for HX Data Platform
- At a glance, review the post installation capabilities of the HX Installer command line interface
- Review the post install script as a streamlined to perform cluster administrative functions such as Auto Support, email alerts and password changes
- Discuss the HX vSphere Plug-in and the HX Connect utility as two methods to create and manage HyperFlex cluster datastores
- Learn about the use of the HX vSphere Plug-in to create snapshots and ReadyClone VM clones
Lesson 8: HX Data Platform Upgrades
- Discuss creation and upgrade activities
- Describe the value to validate and correct network connectivity.
- Learn about virtual machines
- Overview of successful completion of HX cluster and node upgrades and provide corrective measures to complete
Lesson 9: Upgrading the HX Data Platform
- Overview of an upgrade and key features for HX Data Platform v4x
- Discuss the HX Data Platform upgrade guidelines and recommendations
- Discuss the Cisco HX Data Platform upgrade matrix including Cisco UCS manager and VMware ESXi
- Overview of upgrade validations, checks and pre-upgrade
- Discuss the value to upgrade the Cisco UCS Infrastructure using UCS Manager
- Describe the value and features to upgrade the HX Data Platform, Cisco UCS Server and VMware ESXi using the HX Connect utility
Lesson 10: HyperFlex Stretched Cluster Overview
- Learn about the HyperFlex Stretched Cluster architecture
- Overview of VM installation image file within vCenter
- Discuss the process to create the Stretched Cluster Sites
Lesson 11: HX Data Platform for the Hyper-V Environment
- Discuss the hardware, software network services and port requirements that support the installation of the HX Data Platform for the Hyper-V environment
- Overview of the guidelines and limitations for creating the HyperFlex cluster
- Learn about the HX Data Installer, VM ,and Hyper-V server
- Discuss the HyperFlex cluster for Hyper-V using the HX Data Installer
( Day 3 ) White boarding, Demonstrations, Use Case and Design Thinking Exercises
The primary audience for this course is as follows:
- Channel Partners
- Sale Engineers needing to position HyperFlex
- Engineers and Architects interested in HyperFlex