Architecting and Designing for FlexPod (FLEX)

This course is specifically designed for Cisco and NetApp Authorized Reseller partners who are planning to sell the FlexPod multi-vendor data center solution. You must be an Authorized Reseller in order to register for this class.

Students are expected to have the following intermediate level knowledge/experience prior to attending:

• Switching
• Routing
• Data Center Architecture and protocols
• VMware ESX Server virtualization and vSphere
• NetApp storage
• Backup and disaster recovery technologies

The Architecting and Designing of FlexPod for VMware course will prepare you to:

• Describe the advantages of using the technologies from each NetApp, Cisco and VMware to construct a high availability solution for shared storage
• Architect and Design the specific configurations as defined in the Sizing guide
• Integrate the components from Cisco, NetApp and VMware to create scalable solutions supporting applications as required by customers in a virtualized environment.

Introduction to FlexPod for VMware

• Define FlexPod architecture
• Define the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) technology
• Explain the benefits of FlexPod as a complete solution for providing highly available services
• Explain the benefits of FlexPod as an end-to-end solution
• Define the FlexPod key differentiators
• Identify key customer objections and how to respond to them

FlexPod for VMware Workload Sizing and Technical Specifications

• Explain the Sizing Guide elements
• Describe the various sizing tools
• Define the key specifications and bill of materials
• Create a FlexPod for VMware including the tool that exists to create the bill of materials, including all cables, etc.

FlexPod for VMware Deployment and Management

• Describe the elements of the Deployment Guide
• Define the scoping and time requirements of a deployment
• Describe NetApp OnCommand Software Suite
• Describe the partner enabled Management Solutions