Introduction xxx About the Exam xxx CCNA Data Center and the Other CCNA Certifications xxx The Exams That Help You Achieve CCNA Data Center Certification xxxi Types of Questions on the Exams xxxi What''s on the DCICN Exam? xxxii About the Book xxxvi Book Features and Exam Preparation Methods xxxvi Book Organization, Chapters, and Appendixes xxxvii Companion Website xl Pearson IT Certification Practice Test Engine and Questions xli Install the Software xli Activate and Download the Practice Exam xlii Activating Other Exams xlii Assessing Exam Readiness xliii Premium Edition eBook and Practice Tests xliv For More Information xliv Part I Networking Fundamentals 3 CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Nexus Data Center Infrastructure and Architecture 5 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 5 Foundation Topics 8 Evolution of Data Center Architecture 8 Describe the Cisco Nexus Product Family 10 Cisco Nexus 9000 Family 11 Cisco Nexus 7000 and Nexus 7700 Product Family 22 Cisco Nexus 6000 Product Family 42 Cisco Nexus 5500 and Nexus 5600 Product Family 47 Cisco Nexus 5600 Product Family 53 Cisco Nexus 3000 Product Family 57 Cisco Nexus 2000 Fabric Extenders Product Family 62 The Server Evolution 67 Summary 81 Exam Preparation Tasks 82 Review All Key Topics 82 Define Key Terms 83 Chapter 2 The TCP/IP and OSI Networking Models 85 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 85 Foundation Topics 88 Perspectives on Networking 88 TCP/IP Networking Model 89 History Leading to TCP/IP 90 Overview of the TCP/IP Networking Model 91 TCP/IP Application Layer 93 TCP/IP Transport Layer 94 TCP/IP Network Layer 96 TCP/IP Link Layer (Data Link Plus Physical) 100 TCP/IP Model and Terminology 102 OSI Networking Model 104 Comparing OSI and TCP/IP 104 Describing Protocols by Referencing the OSI Layers 105 OSI Layers and Their Functions 105 OSI Layering Concepts and Benefits 107 OSI Encapsulation Terminology 108 Exam Preparation Tasks 109 Review All Key Topics 109 Definitions of Key Terms 109 Chapter 3 Fundamentals of Ethernet LANs 111 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 111 Foundation Topics 114 An Overview of LANs 114 Typical SOHO LANs 114 Typical Enterprise Campus LANs 115 Typical Data Center Ethernet LAN 116 The Variety of Ethernet Physical Layer Standards 117 Consistent Behavior over All Links Using the Ethernet Data Link Layer 118 Building Physical Ethernet Networks with UTP 119 Transmitting Data Using Twisted Pairs 119 Breaking Down a UTP Ethernet Link 120 UTP Cabling Pinouts for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T 122 UTP Cabling Pinouts for 1000BASE-T 125 Sending Data in Ethernet Networks 126 Ethernet Data-Link Protocols 126 Sending Ethernet Frames with Switches and Hubs 130 Traffic Storm Control in Ethernet Networks 133 Exam Preparation Tasks 135 Review All Key Topics 135 Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 135 Definitions of Key Terms 135 Chapter 4 Fundamentals of IPv4 Addressing and Routing 137 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 137 Foundation Topics 140 Overview of Network Layer Functions 140 Network Layer Routing (Forwarding) Logic 140 How Network Layer Routing Uses LANs and WANs 142 IP Addressing and How Addressing Helps IP Routing 143 Routing Protocols 144 IPv4 Addressing 145 Rules for IP Addresses 146 Rules for Grouping IP Addresses 146 IP Subnetting 151 IPv4 Routing 153 IPv4 Host Routing 153 Router Forwarding Decisions and the IP Routing Table 153 IPv4 Routing Protocols 156 Other Network Layer Features 158 Using Names and the Domain Name System 158 The Address Resolution Protocol 159 ICMP Echo and the ping Command 161 Exam Preparation Tasks 162 Review All the Key Topics 162 Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 162 Definitions of Key Terms 162 Part I Review 165 Part II Data Center Nexus Switching and Routing Fundamentals 167 Chapter 5 Installing and Operating Nexus Switches 169 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 169 Foundation Topics 171 Accessing the Cisco Nexus Switch CLI 171 Cisco Nexus Switches and the 5500 Switch 171 Accessing the Cisco NX-OS CLI 171 User Settings 177 The debug and show Commands 181 Introduction to Cisco NX-OS 181 Software Modularity in Cisco NX-OS 182 Service Restart in Cisco NX-OS 183 Software High Availability in Cisco NX-OS 184 Cisco NX-OS Licensing 185 Cisco NX-OS and Cisco IOS Comparison 186 Configuring Cisco NX-OS Software 187 Configuration Submodes and Contexts 187 Storing Switch Configuration Files 189 Copying and Erasing Configuration Files 191 Initial Configuration (Setup Mode) 193 NX-OS Version and Other Reload Facts 194 Exam Preparation Tasks 196 Review All Key Topics 196 Definitions of Key Terms 196 Command References 196 Chapter 6 VLAN and Trunking Concepts 199 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 199 Foundation Topics 202 Virtual LANs and VLAN Trunks 202 Creating Multiswitch VLANs Using Trunking 203 The 802.1Q and ISL VLAN Trunking Protocols 205 Forwarding Data Between VLANs 206 Routing Packets Between VLANs with a Router 207 Routing Packets with a Layer 3 Switch 209 VLAN Trunking Protocol 210 VTP Functions 210 Making VTP Work with VTP Servers and Clients 211 Disabling VTP 214 Summary of VTP Features 215 Exam Preparation Tasks 217 Review All Key Topics 217 Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 217 Definitions of Key Terms 217 Chapter 7 VLAN Trunking and Configuration 219 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 219 Foundation Topics 221 VLAN Configuration and Verification 221 VLAN Guidelines for Cisco Nexus Switches 221 Creating VLANs and Assigning Access VLANs to an Interface 222 VLAN Trunking Configuration and Verification 225 Controlling Which VLANs Can Be Supported on a Trunk 228 VTP Configuration and Verification 232 VTP Features 232 Enabling VTP 232 VTP Features 234 Limiting VTP Using Pruning 235 VTP Pruning 236 Exam Preparation Tasks 237 Review All Key Topics 237 Command Reference to Check Your Memory 237 Chapter 8 Spanning Tree Protocol Concepts 241 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 241 Foundation Topics 244 Spanning Tree Protocol (IEEE 802.1D) 244 The Need for Spanning Tree 244 What IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Does 246 How Spanning Tree Works 248 Influencing and Changing the STP Topology 255 Optional STP Features 259 Port-Channel 260 PortFast 260 BPDU Guard 261 Rapid STP (IEEE 802.1w) 261 RSTP and the Alternate (Root) Port 262 RSTP States and Processes 264 Exam Preparation Tasks 266 Review All the Key Topics 266 Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 266 Definitions of Key Terms 267 Chapter 9 Cisco Nexus Spanning Tree Protocol Implementation 269 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 269 Foundation Topics 272 STP Configuration and Verification 272 Connecting STP Concepts to STP Configuration Options 273 Verifying STP Operation 276 Improving STP Operation 279 Configuring STP Port Costs 279 Configuring Priority to Influence the Root Election 281 Spanning-Tree Port Types 283 Configuring PortFast and BPDU Guard 283 Configuring Port-Channel 285 Troubleshooting Port-Channel 288 Exam Preparation Tasks 292 Review All the Key Topics 292 Definitions of Key Terms 292 Command Reference to Check Your Memory 292 Chapter 10 Configuring Ethernet Switching 297 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 297 Foundation Topics 299 Configuration of Features in Common on All Nexus Switches 299 Securing the Switch CLI 299 Nexus Switch Configuration and Operation 304 Switched Virtual Interface Concept Inside a Switch 305 Configuring IPv4 on a Cisco Nexus Switch 305 Verifying IPv4 on a Switch 306 Configuring Switch Interfaces 306 Securing Unused Switch Interfaces 308 Predicting the Contents of the MAC Address Table 308 Exam Preparation Tasks 311 Review All Key Topics 311 Definitions of Key Terms 311 Command References 311 Part II Review 315 Part III IPv4/IPv6 Subnetting 317 Chapter 11 Perspectives on IPv4 Subnetting 319 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 319 Foundation Topics 322 Introduction to Subnetting 322 Subnetting Defined Through a Simple Example 322 Operational View Versus Design View of Subnetting 323 Analyze Subnetting and Addressing Needs 324 Rules About Which Hosts Are in Which Subnet 324 Subnet Rules with Layer 3 Switches 325 Determine the Number of Subnets 326 Determine the Number of Hosts per Subnet 328 One Size Subnet Fits All (Or Not) 329 Make Design Choices 331 Choose a Classful Network 332 Choose the Mask 335 Build a List of All Subnets 340 Plan the Implementation 341 Assign Subnets to Different Locations 341 Choose Static and Dynamic Ranges per Sub.