Cisco CCNA Data Center Certification

Certification: Cisco CCNA Data Center - Cisco Certified Network Associate Data Center

---

Certification Overview

The Cisco CCNA Data center certification is specifically designed for data center administrators who want to save their valuable time and efforts in successfully managing data centers. The certification training program considers into account all the relevant techniques necessary to formulate an effective management strategy for data centers. This includes efficiently configuring, installing and maintaining the technologies and infrastructures of data centers. This requires competent data center network administrators and the certification looks in developing the human resources required for achieving that specific purpose.

Who needs this certification?

Individuals who have a background in Information Technology and want to see themselves as successful data center administrators must complete this training and achieve the certification.

Benefits

The scope for this certification training program is huge. All the large organizations need efficient data centers to store their data for running the daily operations of the business. This has created demand for skilled data center admins and plenty of job opportunities are available. This is why this certification is vital for achieving the career objectives of potential network administrators.

Associated Exam

Candidates need to appear for two exams. They are: Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking (DCICN) and Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies (DCICT). After completing the exam, candidates are awarded with a certificate if they pass the exams with the minimum amount of marks needed to pass.

Prerequisites

No perquisites are required.

Exam Overview

As mentioned before candidates need to appear for two papers. The syllabus for the first paper includes:

• Describing network functions
• Configuring, verifying and troubleshooting Switch with VLANs
• Configuring interswitch communications with Nexus Switch
• Implementing the concept of IP address
• Configuring and verifying router operations

The first segment looks at how the various devices are grouped together to form a network and describes the running mechanisms behind a network. The second segment looks at the various methods of working with Switches by connecting them to certain networks like VLANs. The next segment follows the same method but for connecting Interswitch communications using a Nexus. The next part looks into detail the concept of IP address for managing the information over other computers or servers. The concept of IP address is very important because it can help you to monitor the usage of large distances. The last part looks at the methods used to configure and verify router operations.

The syllabus for the second part includes:

• Data Center Fundamentals
• Data Center United Fabrics
• Storage Networking
• DC Virtualization
• Unified Computing
• Data Center Network Services

The Data Center Fundamental concepts look at the approaches taken to successfully install and monitor data centers. The basic concepts of Data center are also covered in this part. The Data Center United Fabrics introduces the concepts of FcoE, VIF and FEX products. The storage networking segment deals with SAN switch operations, SAN connectivity, Server logging, zoning and VSAN. The DC virtualization discusses the implications of virtual data centers in an organization. The unified computing concepts are related to connecting distant computers and servers. Finally the Data Center Network Services outlines the basics of server load balancing virtual concepts, Global load balancing solutions and the needs of WAAS in data centers.

A lot of training materials including lab assessment sheets are provided to students by coaching centers and online tuition providers. This materials look to build the critical concepts that are needed by individuals to successfully monitor the data center networks. The syllabus is huge so it is highly recommended that the students do classes regularly in a Cisco certified coaching center. These coaching centers also provide the facility for appearing in practice exams. This is a vital step in the preparation stage.

Validity of Certification

CCNA Data Center certificate is valid for three years and it can be recertified by passing the following exams:

• current Associate-level exam except for ICND1 exam
• current 642-XXX series Professional-level or any 300-XXX series Professional-level or current 642-XXX series Cisco Specialist exam (excluding the Sales Specialist tests or MeetingPlace Specialist test, Implementing Cisco TelePresence Installations (ITI) , Cisco Leading Virtual Classroom Instruction tests, or any 650 series online tests
• current CCIE Written Exam
• current CCDE series Written test OR current CCDE series Practical Exam
• Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview AND the CCAr board review lower certifications

Expert Review

TAlbert Stevens

General Manager, Cisco

New York, USA