Cisco Learning and Certifications

Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations Specialization

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Cisco Learning and Certifications

Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations Specialization

Build a Modern Data Center Foundation.

Develop essential skills in Cisco data center tech, networking, and virtualization for your career.

Mai Vang

Instructor: Mai Vang

Included with Coursera PlusLearn more

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Data Center Architectures: Compare and contrast two-tier, three-tier, and spine-and-leaf network designs.

  • Networking & Virtualization: Develop proficiency in foundational networking concepts and virtualization techniques.

  • Storage & Cloud Integration: Understand the principles of storage connectivity, hyperconverged systems, and cloud interfaces.

  • Practical Configuration: Gain hands-on experience using simulations to configuring Cisco Nexus switches and managing NX-OS functionalities.

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Taught in English
Recently updated!

April 2026

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Specialization - 5 course series

Cisco Data Center Foundations and Switching

Cisco Data Center Foundations and Switching

Course 1, 7 hours

What you'll learn

  • Explore Cisco Nexus data center products and the NX-OS software architecture, including CLI, neighbor discovery, and connectivity tools

  • Understand and configure Layer 3 first-hop redundancy protocols such as HSRP, VRRP, and GLBP to ensure network resilience

  • Learn to implement Ethernet Port Channels and Virtual Port Channels for redundancy, load balancing, and increased bandwidth in data center networks

Skills you'll gain

Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Network Switches
Category: Data Centers
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Network Planning And Design
Category: Local Area Networks
Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: Virtualization
Category: Network Troubleshooting
Category: Virtual Networking
Category: Scalability
Cisco Data Center Virtualization

Cisco Data Center Virtualization

Course 2, 7 hours

What you'll learn

  • Explore Cisco Nexus switch management, control planes, and VRF for device segmentation

  • Understand virtualization concepts, hypervisors, and overlay protocols like VXLAN

  • Learn VMware products and network overlays to support high availability and multitenancy

Skills you'll gain

Category: Virtualization
Category: vSphere DRS & HA
Category: Network Switches
Category: Virtual Machines
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Virtual Networking
Category: Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)
Category: vCenter Server
Category: Network Routing
Category: vSphere Networking and Storage
Category: Network Administration
Category: Data Centers
Category: Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC)
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Virtualization and Virtual Machines
Category: Routing Protocols
Category: VMware ESX Servers
Category: Control Panels
Category: Software-Defined Networking
Category: Network Architecture
Cisco Data Center Storage

Cisco Data Center Storage

Course 3, 9 hours

What you'll learn

  • Understand Fibre Channel storage networking concepts, including zoning, NPV/NPIV modes, and FLOGI processes

  • Configure and manage Cisco MDS switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches for Fibre Channel SAN and FCoE architectures

  • Implement FCoE protocols and CNA features for efficient storage and network I/O consolidation

Skills you'll gain

Category: Data Storage
Category: Network Switches
Category: iSCSI Configuration
Category: Data Storage Technologies
Category: Interoperability
Category: Virtualization
Category: System Configuration
Category: General Networking
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: Data Centers
Category: Network Protocols
Cisco Unified Computing System

Cisco Unified Computing System

Course 4, 4 hours

What you'll learn

  • Describe and implement Cisco UCS server hardware and connectivity, including service profiles and templates

  • Configure and manage Cisco UCS SAN, RBAC, and external authentication providers

  • Utilize Cisco UCS management tools such as Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco Intersight, and scripting options for monitoring and automation

Skills you'll gain

Category: Server Administration
Category: System Configuration
Category: Data Infrastructure
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Deployment
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: Computer Hardware
Category: Servers
Category: Infrastructure Architecture
Category: Data Centers
Category: Hardware Architecture
Category: Computing Platforms
Category: Hybrid Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Management
Category: IT Automation
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Cloud Infrastructure
Cisco Data Center Advanced Services

Cisco Data Center Advanced Services

Course 5, 8 hours

What you'll learn

  • Automate data center infrastructure using Cisco NX-OS tools like Nexus API, Python, Ansible, and Terraform

  • Implement Cisco ACI concepts for policy-based automation across physical and virtual environments

  • Manage and monitor data center networks with Cisco Nexus Dashboard and Fabric Controller for agility and scalability

Skills you'll gain

Category: Data Centers
Category: Virtual Networking
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Cloud Services
Category: Cloud Deployment
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Infrastructure
Category: Ansible
Category: Software-Defined Networking
Category: Virtualization
Category: Application Programming Interface (API)
Category: Terraform
Category: Network Model
Category: Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Category: Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC)
Category: Cloud Computing Architecture
Category: Automation
Category: IT Automation

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Instructor

Mai Vang
Cisco Learning and Certifications
19 Courses9,553 learners

Offered by

Cisco Learning and Certifications

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