New to Data Center Track

besine

Hi Guys,

I would like some advice regarding Data Center Track, Actually I have been working on ISP Solutions for many years and now I want to challenge my comfort zone, so I thought that DC would be a great track for future opportunity.

My long term target is to tackle CCIE DC starting from CCNA and CCNP but as you can guess my concern is the lab and practice since DC does not have any link with my daily work.

I would ask you recommendation how I can tackle this track especially CCNP level (books, video, Lab ) ?
if you can give me steps to tackle CCNP would be really helpful as I am planning to start in the upcoming days.

Thanks

d4nz1g

Hi besine! DC is such an exciting track!

If you don't touch any kind of nx-os and ucs gear at your workplace, you will need to use rack rentals or maybe use cisco PEC (for partners only) to explore all the features.
For the Unified Fabric topics on this track, you will have a lot of fun dealing with FC protocols and SAN switching. Honestly, I had such a good time learning those.

The books I recommend are:

http://www.amazon.com/NX-OS-Cisco-Nexus-Switching-Next-Generation/dp/1587143046/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450117744&sr=8-1&keywords=nx+os

Data Center Virtualization Fundamentals: Understanding Techniques and Designs for Highly Efficient Data Centers with Cisco Nexus, UCS, MDS, and Beyond: 9781587143243: Computer Science Books @ Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Storage-Networking-Cookbook-Families/dp/146646318X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450118074&sr=8-1&keywords=storage+networking+cookbook

http://www.amazon.com/Storage-Networking-Protocol-Fundamentals-Vol/dp/1587051605/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450118136&sr=8-1&keywords=storage+networking+protocols

They are kinda outdated (I believe the tests are going to change soon), but all of them give a great foundation on Nexus and MDS platforms.
The second one I mentioned is the one that is the most updated, and it provides a good view of every data center aspect. Not only Nexus and MDS, but ACE, Virtualisation, server hardware, UCS, storage fundamentals, SAN, 1000v, cloud, etc etc etc. A MUST read.

Good luck on this journey mate

besine

Appreciated Padawan for such recommendations, please for CCNP should I tackle Implementation and Design exams or Implementation and Tshoot ? or .... so which exams combination do you recommend ?
also for Lab could you please tell me which rack rental you usually use for practicing configuration ?

Thanks a lot for your advice.

d4nz1g

Well, It depends on you. I am way more comfortable with Tshoot.

I used PEC a lot (4 times/week for like 6 months) and bough IPX vouchers (used like 7-. IPX racks are more flexible, and you can work on several scenarios on a single session.

As I have mentioned, I only tried the Unified Fabric Tshoot track, haven't seen any of UCS stuff (except for VM-FEX and CNA's).