The Reference Guide To Data Center Automation

The Reference Guide to Data Center Automation

Study Guide on Automating and Programming Cisco Data Center Solutions (300-635 DCAUTO) Exam

The Cisco 300-635 DCAUTO certification focuses on automation and programmability within Cisco Data Center technologies, particularly Cisco ACI, NX-OS, and UCS environments. The exam covers fundamental knowledge of Cisco’s Unified Data Center Architecture and dives deep into key components such as the Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC), Leaf and Spine switches in ACI, and the role of Cisco UCS with its management platforms including Cisco Intersight. Central to the certification is understanding the ACI policy model, which uses tenants, bridge domains, and endpoint groups (EPGs) to logically segment and control network traffic. Mastery of the ACI object model and REST API is essential, enabling candidates to programmatically manage and automate network policies. The exam also emphasizes practical skills in NX-OS programmability, contrasting traditional CLI with modern NX-API REST and CLI methods, and highlights the importance of Python scripting alongside NETCONF and RESTCONF protocols. Cisco UCS programmability is explored through UCS Manager’s XML APIs, Cisco Intersight’s cloud-based device management, and the use of Python SDKs and PowerTool for automation. Candidates learn how to automate workflows using DevOps and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Ansible and Terraform, integrating these with CI/CD pipelines and Git for streamlined operations. Advanced scripting techniques cover data extraction, reporting, and building automation scripts across Cisco UCS, ACI, and NX-OS platforms. Monitoring and logging with telemetry, SNMP, and syslog integration into tools like Splunk and Grafana complete the skill set. Overall, the certification equips network professionals to automate and manage modern data center infrastructures efficiently.

Cloud Computing

The complete guide to provisioning and managing cloud-based Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) data center solutions Cloud computing will revolutionize the way IT resources are deployed, configured, and managed for years to come. Service providers and customers each stand to realize tremendous value from this paradigm shift--if they can take advantage of it. Cloud Computing brings together the realistic, start-to-finish guidance they need to plan, implement, and manage cloud solution architectures for tomorrow's virtualized data centers. It introduces cloud "newcomers" to essential concepts, and offers experienced operations professionals detailed guidance on delivering Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). This book's replicable solutions and fully-tested best practices will help enterprises, service providers, consultants, and Cisco partners meet the challenge of provisioning end-to-end cloud infrastructures. Drawing on extensive experience working with leading cloud vendors and integrators, the authors present detailed operations workflow examples, proven techniques for operating cloud-based network, compute, and storage infrastructure; a comprehensive management reference architecture; and a complete case study demonstrating rapid, lower-cost solutions design. Cloud Computing will be an indispensable resource for all network/IT professionals and managers involved with planning, implementing, or managing the next generation of cloud computing services. Venkata (Josh) Josyula, Ph.D., CCIE(R) No. 13518 is a Distinguished Services Engineer in Cisco Services Technology Group (CSTG) and advises Cisco customers on OSS/BSS architecture and solutions. Malcolm Orr, Solutions Architect for Cisco's Services Technology Solutions, advises telecoms and enterprise clients on architecting, building, and operating OSS/BSS and cloud management stacks. He is Cisco's lead architect for several Tier 1 public cloud projects. Greg Page has spent the last eleven years with Cisco in technical consulting roles relating to data center architecture/technology and service provider security. He is now exclusively focused on developing cloud/IaaS solutions with service providers and systems integrator partners. - Review the key concepts needed to successfully deploy clouds and cloud-based services - Transition common enterprise design patterns and use cases to the cloud - Master architectural principles and infrastructure designs for "real-time" managed IT services - Understand the Cisco approach to cloud-related technologies, systems, and services - Develop a cloud management architecture using ITIL, TMF, and ITU-TMN standards - Implement best practices for cloud service provisioning, activation, and management - Automate cloud infrastructure to simplify service delivery, monitoring, and assurance - Choose and implement the right billing/chargeback approaches for your business - Design and build IaaS services, from start to finish - Manage the unique capacity challenges associated with sporadic, real-time demand - Provide a consistent and optimal cloud user experience This book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press(R), which offers networking professionals valuable information for constructing efficient networks, understanding new technologies, and building successful careers. Category: Cloud Computing Covers: Virtualized Data Centers