Implementing Data Center Networks

Introduction to data center networks

• Define data center networks
• Discuss common drivers for data center networks
• Distinguish common data center network requirements
• Differentiate data center versus campus networks

Data center network products and technologies

• Introduce HPE Aruba Networking data center products and technologies
• Compare the data center management options and advantages
• Deployment models, products, and technologies
• List and demonstrate connection high availability, fault tolerance and load balancing

Data center network design

• Define requirements for data center network design
• Introduce data center network design
• Describe data center policy design
• Compare the data center management options and advantages
• Demonstrate the supported HPE Aruba Data Center Reference Architectures

Switch provisioning and staging

• Switch staging options
• Manual provisioning
• ZTP provisioning
• Remote management

Layer 2 collapsed core

• Debate the L2 collapsed core solution and advantages
• Describe the components of the solution

Switch virtualization and stacking

• List HPE Aruba Networking switch virtualization and stacking options and their characteristics
• Explain the difference between stacking and virtualization and their use cases on DCN
• Describe HPE Aruba Networking VSX technology
• Explain how VSX could be deployed in a data center
• Examine the usage and benefits of VSX in a data center

Loop prevention

• Link aggregation group (LAG) and multi-chassis LAG
• Load balancing
• Spanning tree protocols
• Redundant network links:
  • Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol
  • Loop protect
  • Rapid Ring Protection Protocol

Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF)

• Describe the concepts behind VRF
• Explain VRF features
• Demonstrate common use cases for VRF
• Configure and maintain an AOS-CX switch running multiple VRFs

Leaf spine networks

• Debate the spine and leaf solution and advantages
• Describe the components of the solution

Virtual Extensible VLAN (VXLAN)

• Describe the VXLAN feature
• Describe basic VXLAN operations
• Describe the MAC learning process in a VXLAN
• Describe virtual VXLAN to physical VLAN network integration
• Explain the basic configuration of a VXLAN tunnel

EVPN

• Introduce EVPN concepts and use cases
• Explain the EVPN configuration process
• Describe EVPN monitoring and troubleshooting
• Optimize the EVPN environment with ARP and ND suppression
• Describe the EVPN fabric configuration steps to handle multicast traffic
• Explain IPv6 EVPN overlay over an IPv4 underlay configuration

Aruba Fabric Composer

• Define the purpose of Aruba Fabric Composer
• Navigate menus and identify icons
• Manage network services using Guided Set Up
• Explain the benefits of integrating Aruba Fabric Composer with VMware vSphere, HPE ILO, and Pensando Policy Service Manager
• Integrate Aruba Fabric Composer with VMware products and solutions
• Integrate Aruba Fabric Composer with HPE iLO to configure, monitor securely, and update your HPE servers
• Integrate Aruba Fabric Composer with Pensando Policy Services Manager to set up policy for securing your network

Securing the data center with the Aruba CX 10000 Switch

• Define and describe 10K Switch features that improve network performance, security and design​
• Manage network services with Aruba Fabric Composer
• Implement policy and network segmentation using Aruba Fabric Composer or Pensando Policy Service Manager
• Utilize analytics gathered by telemetry to view network configuration and view alerts

Data center bridging (DCB)

• Describe DCB and IP ECN
• Configure DCB and IP ECN
• Describe DCB monitoring options

Network Analytics Engine (NAE)

• Describe NAE use cases to monitor and troubleshoot the network.
• Describe NAE agents
• Describe NAE troubleshooting

REST API

• Describe the need for the API
• List the REST API features and functions
• Demonstrate an AOS-CX REST API use case

Aruba Central on Prem (COP)

• Describe COP
• Explain COP use cases for DCN