Topics
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
● Present the 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 3.5
● Understand the capabilities and functionality of the HyperFlex All-Flash server
platform
● Present the Cisco HyperFlex HX Data Platform hardware components
● Describe the Cisco HyperFlex system architecture
● Understand the advanced storage features and performance enhancements of the
HyperFlex cluster
● Identify the hardware functionality of the Hyperflex HX server nodes
● Describe 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
● Present 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 the software requirements for VMware ESXi
● Describe the physical requirements for successful HX cluster deployment
● Present the network requirements for HX Data Platform installation
● Define the port requirements for VMware ESXi and vCenter
● Identify the HyperFlex external connections
● Provide the deployment information and variables required when using the HX
Data Platform installer
Lesson 5: HyperFlex HX Data Platform Installation Best Practices
● Confirm the configuration requirements of the northbound switches that are
connected to the HyperFlex cluster
● Present the Cisco UCS configuration parameters required for the HyperFlex Data
Installer utility
● Describe the VMware vCenter host, licensing and networking parameters that
support successful of the HX Data Platform
Lesson 6: Installing Cisco HyperFlex Systems Using the HX Installer
● Present the benefits of the HX Data Platform automation function to streamline
Cisco UCS and VMware vCenter configuration
● Describe the HyperFlex factory pre-installed hardware and software options
● Identify the steps required to install, deploy and launch the HX Data Platform
Installer
● Describe HyperFlex cluster creation validation using UCS Manager and VMware
vSphere Client/Web Client
Lesson 7: Post-Installation Requirements for HX Data Platform
● Describe the post installation capabilities of the HX Installer command line
interface
● Present the post install script as a streamlined to perform cluster administrative
functions such as Auto Support, email alerts and password changes
● Identify the HX vSphere Plug-in and the HX Connect utility as two methods to
create and manage HyperFlex cluster datastores
● Explain the use of the HX vSphere Plug-in to create snapshots and ReadyClone VM
clones
Lesson 8: Troubleshooting HX Data Platform Installation and Upgrades
● Present issues that are commonly encountered during HX cluster creation and
upgrade activities
● Describe troubleshooting steps to validate and correct network connectivity
problems due to misconfiguration of VLAN, frame size and quality of service
parameters across vCenter, UCS and northbound switch platforms
● Identify issues that cause virtual machine migration (vMotion) failure
● Present the issues that prevent successful completion of HX cluster and node
upgrades and provide corrective measures to complete the operations
Lesson 9: Upgrading the HX Data Platform
● Present the upgrade features for HX Data Platform v3.5(1a)
● Describe the HX Data Platform upgrade guidelines and recommendations
● Identify the Cisco HX Data Platform upgrade matrix including Cisco UCS manager
and VMware ESXi
● Present the upgrade validations, pre-installation checks and pre-upgrade
procedures
● Describe the process to upgrade the Cisco UCS Infrastructure using UCS Manager
● Describe the process to upgrade the HX Data Platform, Cisco UCS Server and
VMware ESXi using the HX Connect utility
Lesson 10: HyperFlex Stretched Cluster Overview and Configuration
● Introduce the HyperFlex Stretched Cluster architecture and pre-installation
checklist requirements
● Describe the process to download the witness VM installation image file and
complete the configuration and deployment within vCenter
● Present the process to create the Stretched Cluster Sites and run the Configure
Site workflow for Sites A and B
● Explain the required steps to create the HyperFlex Stretched Cluster and run the
Create Stretch Cluster workflow
Lesson 11: HX Data Platform for the Hyper-V Environment
● Describe the hardware, software network services and port requirements that
support the installation of the HX Data Platform for the Hyper-V environment
● Present the guidelines and limitations for creating the HyperFlex cluster using the
HX Data Installer as well as DNS and Active Directory
● Present the process to download the HX Data Installer VM and install the image
onto a Hyper-V server
● Define the steps required to deploy the HyperFlex cluster for Hyper-V using the
HX Data Installer
