Course Description

Course Overview

The Implementing Automation for Cisco Data Center Solutions (DCAUI) 300-625 course is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to implement automation solutions for Cisco data center environments. Participants will learn how to leverage programmability and automation tools to streamline data center operations, enhance scalability, and improve efficiency. The course covers various automation technologies and frameworks, such as Python, RESTful APIs, and Cisco Nexus Data Broker. Hands-on labs and exercises are incorporated to reinforce the concepts taught throughout the course.

Prerequisites

Before enrolling in this course, learners should possess a strong understanding of networking concepts and data center technologies, including Cisco Nexus switches, Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS), and Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI). Familiarity with programming languages, such as Python, and experience with RESTful APIs will also be beneficial.

Methodology

The course follows a blended learning approach, combining instructor-led lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on lab exercises. Participants will have access to virtual lab environments, allowing them to practice configuring and deploying automation solutions using Cisco data center technologies. Real-world use cases and scenarios will be incorporated to provide practical insights into automation implementation.

Course Outline

• Introduction to Automation in the Data Center
• Overview of data center automation
• Benefits and challenges of automation
• Cisco automation solutions and frameworks
• Introduction to Python Programming
• Python fundamentals
• Data types, variables, and operators
• Control structures and loops
• Functions and modules in Python
• Introduction to RESTful APIs
• Understanding RESTful APIs
• Interaction with RESTful APIs using Python
• Authentication and authorization
• Error handling and response parsing
• Automation with Cisco NX-API
• Overview of Cisco NX-API
• Configuring and managing Nexus switches using NX-API
• Automation scripts using NX-API
• Automation with Cisco UCS Manager
• Introduction to Cisco UCS Manager API
• Configuring and managing UCS using API
• Automating UCS operations with Python
• Automation with Cisco ACI
• Introduction to Cisco ACI and its APIs
• Provisioning and managing ACI fabric using APIs
• Automation workflows in ACI
• Cisco Nexus Data Broker Automation
• Introduction to Cisco Nexus Data Broker
• Configuring and managing Data Broker using APIs
• Automation use cases with Data Broker

Outcome

Upon completing the course, learners will be able to:

• Understand the importance of automation in data center environments.
• Utilize Python programming language to automate data center tasks.
• Interact with RESTful APIs to automate interactions with Cisco data center technologies.
• Implement automation solutions using Cisco NX-API, UCS Manager API, ACI APIs, and Nexus Data Broker APIs.
• Improve operational efficiency and scalability through automation.
• Streamline provisioning and management of data center resources.

Labs

• Implement basic Python programs
• Utilize Python libraries for automation tasks
• Configure and manage Nexus switches using NX-API
• Develop automation scripts using NX-API
• Provision and manage UCS resources using UCS Manager API
• Provision and manage ACI fabric using ACI APIs
• Implement automation workflows in ACI
• Configure and manage Nexus Data Broker using APIs
• Implement automation use cases with Data Broker