Administering Cisco UCS X-Series Solutions with Intersight

Module 1: Intersight Foundations Objective: Gain a foundational understanding of Cisco Intersight architecture and deployment models, and learn to navigate the Intersight storage dashboard

• Lesson 1: Intersight Architecture
• Lesson 2: Flexible Deployment Models
• Lesson 3: Infrastructure Services Licensing
• Lesson 4: Intersight Dashboards

Module 2: Monitoring and Maintaining UCS Infrastructure with Intersight Objective: Develop skills in monitoring UCS device health, managing standalone UCS C-Series servers, and understanding server compatibility and firmware upgrade processes via Intersight.

• Lesson 1: Device Health and Monitoring
• Lesson 2: Standalone Management for UCS C-Series Servers
• Lesson 3: Server Compatibility (HCL), Advisories (CVEs), and Contract Status
• Lesson 4: Firmware Upgrades

Module 3: Operationalizing Cisco Compute Hyperconverged Solutions with Nutanix Objective: Learn to implement and manage Nutanix solutions within Cisco UCS environments using Intersight, focusing on integration in vSphere environments.

• Lesson 1: Implementing Nutanix Solutions in Cisco UCS Environments
• Lesson 2: Managing Cisco Nutanix Solutions in vSphere Environment
• Lesson 3: Migration from HX
• Lesson 4: Use Cases and Workloads

Module 4: Cisco UCS X Series Overview and Configuration Objective: Acquire comprehensive knowledge of Cisco UCS M6, and X Series, including their deployment, power and cooling efficiency, and advanced processor technologies.

• Lesson 1: Cisco UCS X-Series 5th GenerationArchitectureX-Series Fabric Interconnects (Gen 5, Gen 4)Compute X-Series (x210c M6,7, x410c M7)X-Series Direct
• Lesson 2: Power/Cooling EfficiencyCooling Capacity, Airflow, Thermal Policies, Future-Proof Cooling, Power Policies
• Lesson 3: Advanced Processor Technologies in UCS PlatformsIntel 4th Gen Intel Xeon SP Sapphire Rapids, AMD EPYC Processors
• Lesson 4: UCS Compute SeriesArchitecture, GPU Offerings for X-Series7th Generation C245 M8 ServersAdapters and GPU offerings for M8Rack Servers M6, M7 Models GPUsManagement Options for Rack Servers

Module 5: Designing Cisco UCS LAN and SAN Connectivity Objective: Master the design of LAN and SAN connectivity for Cisco UCS, including configuring VSANs and understanding fibre channel switching modes.

• Lesson 1: LAN Connectivity Overview Gen 4/5
• End Host Mode, VLAN Configuration in UCS Manager
• Lesson 2: Configuring Compute Node SAN Connectivity
• Lesson 3: Fibre Channel Switching
• Fibre Channel Operating Modes, EHM and N-Port Virtualization
• Lesson 4: Configuring VSANs in Cisco UCS Manager

Module 6: Configuring Cisco UCS-X in IMM Mode Objective: Understand how to configure Cisco UCS-X in IMM mode, focusing on domain profiles, policy concepts, server profiles, and transition tools.

• Lesson 1: IMM and Domain Profiles
• Lesson 2: Domain Policy Concepts and Usage
• Lesson 3: Cisco Intersight Server Profiles
• Lesson 4: Cisco IMM Transition Tool
• Lesson 5: Thermal and Power Policies in IMM Mode

Module 7: Implementing Cisco UCS-X Firmware Updates Objective: Learn the intricacies of firmware operations in Cisco UCS-X using Intersight, including managing firmware bundles and standalone firmware management.

• Lesson 1: Intersight Platform Firmware Operations Overview
• Lesson 2: Intersight Firmware Bundles
• Lesson 3: Cisco Stand-Alone Firmware Management

Module 8: Intersight Workload Optimizer (IWO) Objective: Gain insights into Intersight Workload Optimizer, its delivery, tiers, and value proposition in UCS environments.

• Lesson 1: Intersight Workload Optimizer Overview
• Lesson 2: IWO Delivery and Tiers
• Lesson 3: IWO Value Proposition and Market

Module 9: AI-Powered Forecasting; Workload and Systems Optimization with IMM and Intersight Objective: Leverage AI-powered tools within Cisco Intersight to forecast IT workload demands and optimize system performance using Integrated Management Module (IMM)

• Lesson 1: Introduction to AI in Cisco Intersight
• Lesson 2: Predictive Analytics and Forecasting
• Lesson 3: Cisco Nvidia Partnership for AI

Module 10: Intersight Cloud Orchestrator (ICO) with Automation Tools Objective: Master ICO for workflow design and execution, emphasizing Terraform, Ansible, Python, and PowerShell.

• Lesson 1: Workflow Designer
• Lesson 2: Validate and Execute Workflows
• Lesson 3: ICO Overview
• Lesson 4: Validate workflow with ICO
• Lesson 3: Advanced Scripting for ICO with Powershell, Python, Terraform and Ansible

Module 11: Intersight API and Advanced Automation Techniques Objective: Achieve proficiency in using Intersight APIs and automation tools, including SDKs, Ansible modules, and practical use case implementations.

• Lesson 1: Intersight API Integration with Automation Tools
• Lesson 2: Developing Custom Automation Solutions with Intersight SDKs
• Lesson 3: Use Case Demonstrations

Lab Outline: Labs are designed to assure learners a whole practical experience, through the following practical activities: Lab 0: Connecting to the Lab Environment

• Basics of accessing and setting up the lab environment for Intersight and IMM exercises.

Lab 1: Exploring Cisco Intersight Interface

• Familiarize with the Intersight dashboard and basic navigation.

Lab 2: Setting Up IMM in Cisco Intersight

• Implement IMM and understand its role in UCS management.

Lab 3: Implementing and Troubleshooting RBAC using the Intersight API

• Setting up role-based access control and integrating with Active Directory using IMM best practices.

Lab 4: Nutanix Integration in Cisco UCS

• Configure and manage Nutanix solutions within a Cisco UCS setup.

Lab 5: Cisco UCS X-Series Configuration with Intersight

• Deploy and configure the UCS X-Series using Intersight, focusing on IMM features.

Lab 6: Designing LAN and SAN Connectivity for UCS

• Set up and validate LAN and SAN connectivity configurations in a UCS environment.

Lab 7: Managing UCS-X in IMM Mode

• Configure and manage UCS-X in IMM mode, including server profiles and policies.

Lab 8: Firmware Management in Cisco UCS-X with Intersight

• Perform firmware updates in UCS-X using Intersight, applying IMM methodologies.

Lab 9: Utilizing Intersight Workload Optimizer (IWO)

• Explore and apply the Intersight Workload Optimizer in UCS management scenarios.

Lab 10: Orchestrating Workflows with Intersight Cloud Orchestrator (ICO)

• Create and manage workflows in ICO, utilizing Terraform and Ansible for automation..

Lab 11: Implementing Automation with Intersight API and Ansible

• Introduce the use of Ansible playbooks for automation in UCS with Nutanix. Provide examples where Ansible can simplify repetitive tasks.

Lab 12: Objective: Using the Intersight API for automation tasks, focusing on Python scripting

• Focus on Python scripting to use the Intersight API for automation, providing use cases such as deploying a Nutanix cluster or performing health check

Lab 13: Troubleshooting Connectivity and Performance in Intersight-Managed UCS Environments

• Techniques for diagnosing and resolving connectivity and performance issues in UCS environments managed by Intersight, with an emphasis on IMM and ICO tools.

Lab 14: AI-Powered Systems Management

• Hands-on lab with scenarios for implementing AI-driven forecasting and optimization.
• Using Intersight and IMM to manage a simulated data center environment.