CCIE Data Center Mastery: Advanced Configuration and Automation Techniques
You're not just building networks-you're responsible for the backbone of enterprise operations. One misstep, and critical applications fail. Performance degrades. Uptime slips. And your reputation as a top-tier engineer is on the line every single day. The pressure is real. Legacy architectures won't scale. Automation demands exceed traditional skill sets. And your peers are already adopting next-gen frameworks while you're stuck troubleshooting syntax errors and debugging brittle scripts. CCIE Data Center Mastery: Advanced Configuration and Automation Techniques isn't another theory-heavy course. This is your command center for transforming uncertainty into mastery. From day one, you’ll gain battle-tested methodologies that deliver predictable, scalable, production-ready results-exactly what modern data centers demand. Take it from Rafael M., Lead Data Center Engineer at a global financial institution: Before this course, I was spending 12-hour nights automating simple provisioning tasks-with zero repeatability. After completing the modules, I automated full-scale tenant deployments across ACI using intent-driven playbooks. My team cut provisioning time from 5 days to 90 minutes. I was fast-tracked for promotion and finally seen as a strategic enabler, not just an operator. This is your leverage point. The moment you stop reacting and start architecting with precision, confidence, and speed. No more guesswork. No more tribal knowledge gaps. Just clear, repeatable processes that scale with your career. Here’s how this course is structured to help you get there.Course Format & Delivery Details This is a self-paced, on-demand technical mastery program built exclusively for senior network engineers, data center architects, and infrastructure automation leads who need to deliver enterprise-grade solutions-without compromising reliability or velocity. Immediate Online Access, Zero Time Conflicts
Begin exactly when you’re ready. There are no fixed dates, no deadlines, and no time zone constraints. Once enrolled, you gain 24/7 global access to all course materials, structured for maximum retention and real-world application. Designed for Real Engineers, Real Workloads
Most learners implement their first automated workflow within 48 hours of starting. Full mastery of the curriculum-covering advanced ACI policy models, orchestration pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code patterns-is typically achieved in 60–90 hours, depending on prior experience. This isn’t passive learning-it’s accelerated capability deployment. Lifetime Access with Continuous Updates
Technology evolves. Your training shouldn't expire. All content is continuously refreshed to reflect the latest NX-OS, ACI, UCS, and programmable infrastructure changes-automatically included at no extra cost. You’ll always have access to current, production-relevant guidance. Mobile-Friendly, Lab-Ready, Always Available
Access every module, checklist, and configuration template from any device-laptop, tablet, or phone. Study during commutes, reference guides during troubleshooting, or pull up automation patterns mid-incident. Everything is optimized for performance under pressure. Direct Technical Guidance from CCIE-Level Practitioners
You’re not learning from academics-you’re guided by field-deployed CCIEs who’ve architected multi-petabyte environments. Instructor support is available throughout your journey, providing clarification, feedback on design patterns, and expert review of implementation logic-ensuring what you build meets real-world engineering standards. Recognized Certificate of Completion
Upon finishing the program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service. This credential is globally recognised by enterprises, audit teams, and technical hiring managers as a mark of proven, hands-on mastery in advanced data center operations. It signals that you’ve completed a rigorous, outcome-driven course-not just clicked through slides. No Hidden Fees. No Subscriptions. No Surprises.
The price is straightforward and transparent. One payment covers everything: all modules, all updates, all support, and your certificate. No recurring charges. No upsells. No premium tiers. Payment Methods
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal for secure, instant processing-so you can begin immediately. Risk-Free Mastery Guarantee
If, after completing the first three modules, you find the content does not meet your expectations for technical depth, clarity, or real-world relevance, return it within 30 days for a full refund. No questions asked. Your success is the only metric that matters. Enrollment Confirmation & Access
After enrollment, you'll receive a confirmation email. Your access credentials and detailed course instructions will be delivered separately once your materials are prepared for optimal learning consistency. There are no delays, no missing content-just a structured, professional onboarding experience tailored for technical professionals. “Will This Work For Me?” – Objection Overcome
You might be thinking: “I’ve tried other courses, but they didn’t translate to live environments.” Or: “I’m deep in legacy stacks-can I really transition to automation now?” This works even if: - You've been out of hands-on CLI work for years
- Your current role doesn’t involve automation-but you need to prove capability
- You’re overwhelmed by fragmented documentation and inconsistent vendor guidance
- You’re preparing for the CCIE lab and need structured, repeatable workflows
- Your team lacks standardization and you’re the one expected to fix it
This program gives you more than knowledge. It gives you operational leverage, credibility, and a track record of delivery-regardless of your starting point.
Extensive and Detailed Course Curriculum
Module 1: Foundations of Data Center Architecture and CCIE-Level Design Principles - Evolution of the data center: From physical to intent-based infrastructure
- Role of the CCIE in strategic infrastructure planning
- Understanding the Cisco Data Center portfolio: Nexus, ACI, UCS, Intersight
- Differences between traditional and modern operational models
- Designing for resiliency, scalability, and service velocity
- Layering physical, virtual, and logical components in enterprise environments
- Integration of storage, compute, and network fabrics
- Best practices for topology selection: Spine-leaf vs. legacy core-distribution
- Traffic flow analysis in multi-tenant data centers
- Preparing for certification: Mapping exam objectives to real-world tasks
Module 2: Deep Dive into Nexus Switching and Advanced NX-OS Configuration - Mastering NX-OS command-line structure and operational modes
- Configuring and troubleshooting vPCs with role priority and peer keepalive
- Port channel load-balancing algorithms and optimization techniques
- Implementing fabric failover and stateful switchover
- Advanced VLAN and trunking configurations with private VLANs
- Using ERSPAN for cross-fabric monitoring and traffic analysis
- Unicast RPF and its application in security hardening
- Configuring PBR for traffic steering in complex routing scenarios
- OSPF and EIGRP multi-instance routing in data center environments
- BGP best practices for underlay in CLOS architectures
- Route redistribution strategies with administrative distance tuning
- Object tracking and its integration with HSRP and vPC
- Optimizing MTU settings across jumbo frame networks
- NetFlow and SPAN configuration for performance visibility
- Maintenance mode and ISSU planning for zero-downtime upgrades
Module 3: Architecting with Cisco ACI – Policy Model and Object Hierarchy - Understanding the ACI fabric: APIC, spines, leaves, and access policies
- Core concepts: Tenants, VRFs, Bridge Domains, and Subnets
- Application Profiles and Endpoint Groups: Designing for application dependency
- Contracts and Subjects: Building secure, policy-driven communication
- Filters and filter entries: Defining L4-L7 connectivity rules
- Microsegmentation with Application EPGs and contract enforcement
- Context sharing and VRF selection across tenants
- Integrating external Layer 3 connectivity via L3Out
- Configuring static and dynamic path bindings for EPGs
- Multi-Pod and Multi-Site ACI deployment fundamentals
- Using tags and meta attributes for automation tracking
- Policy inheritance and hierarchical enforcement models
- Public and private contract scope: Implications for security and scalability
- Tenant mobility and roaming endpoint policies
- Monitoring policy impact with audit logs and change tracking
Module 4: Advanced ACI Configuration and Troubleshooting - Integrating bare metal servers into ACI via direct attach and vPC
- Deploying virtual machines with VMware DVS and ACI VMM integration
- Configuring floating subnets and shared services across EPGs
- Optimizing QoS policies within the fabric for application prioritization
- Using telemetry policies for real-time sensor-based monitoring
- Advanced troubleshooting with atomic counters and contract denial logging
- Diagnosing misconfigurations using fabric health scores and dashboards
- Recovering from APIC cluster failures and rebuilding consensus
- Policy rollback and snapshot management in production
- Using the REST API to validate policy consistency
- Debugging EPG to interface binding mismatches
- Validating contract scope propagation across leaves
- Handling broadcast, unknown unicast, and multicast (BUM) traffic
- RP configuration for multicast replication in ACI
- Integrating physical firewalls and load balancers via service graphs
Module 5: Cisco UCS Architecture and Server Integration - Understanding the UCS management stack: Fabric Interconnects, IOMs, and CIMC
- MAC, WWN, and UUID pool design for scalable provisioning
- Service Profiles and templates: Building reusable, consistent configurations
- Organizational hierarchies and role-based access control
- Boot policy design: SAN, local disk, and PXE-based options
- Data and operating system vLAN design for VSAN and vMotion
- Integrating Fibre Channel and FCoE storage networks
- Fabric failover and unified port configuration
- Using Identity Pools for infrastructure-as-code deployments
- Configuring maintenance policies for automated firmware upgrades
- Implementing Power Control and dynamic power capping
- KVM console and IPMI integration for remote management
- Monitoring server health with built-in sensors and thresholds
- Stateless computing: Separating identity from hardware
- Integrating UCS with ACI via service graphs and provider EPGs
Module 6: Infrastructure Automation with Python and Ansible - Setting up a local lab environment with GNS3, EVE-NG, and DevNet sandboxes
- Python fundamentals for network automation: Data types, loops, functions
- Using requests and urllib3 to interact with REST APIs
- Authentication and token management for APIC, UCS, and Nexus
- Building modular Python scripts for configuration templating
- Using JSON and XML parsing to extract and manipulate configurations
- Creating reusable functions for common tasks: Interface checks, health polling
- Ansible architecture: Control node, inventory, modules, and playbooks
- Configuring dynamic inventories for multi-device environments
- Writing idempotent playbooks for safe, repeatable execution
- Using Jinja2 templates for device-specific configuration generation
- Error handling and retry strategies in automation workflows
- Integrating with Git for version control and collaboration
- Executing bulk configurations across Nexus switches
- Validating results with assert statements and post-execution checks
Module 7: Programmable Infrastructure and APIs - REST API fundamentals: Endpoints, methods, headers, payloads
- Navigating the APIC REST API for policy creation and monitoring
- Exploring the UCS XML API for server provisioning automation
- Using Postman and curl for API testing and debugging
- Constructing valid XML and JSON payloads for API calls
- Handling session cookies and authentication timeouts
- Rate limiting and API throttling best practices
- Automating tenant provisioning in ACI via direct API calls
- Querying fabric health and endpoint tables programmatically
- Building API wrappers with Python classes
- Monitoring configuration drift with periodic API polling
- Logging and error tracking in programmatic workflows
- Secure credential storage using environment variables and vaults
- Deploying headless scripts for scheduled maintenance tasks
- Using webhooks and telemetry for event-driven automation
Module 8: Model-Driven Programmability and NETCONF/YANG - Introduction to YANG data models and structure theory
- Understanding native YANG models for IOS XR, NX-OS, and IOS XE
- Using YANG Suite for model validation and API exploration
- NETCONF protocol stack: SSH transport, RPC, and notifications
- Establishing NETCONF sessions with Nexus devices
- Executing
, , and operations - Filtering data with subtree and XPath filters
- Building configuration templates using YANG data nodes
- Validating payloads against schema definitions
- Monitoring interface statistics with subscription-based telemetry
- Integrating GNMI for gRPC-based telemetry ingestion
- Comparing NETCONF, RESTCONF, and CLI for automation
- Securing programmable interfaces with RBAC and TLS
- Troubleshooting NETCONF connection failures
- Automating configuration backups with periodic sync
Module 9: Service Insertion and Security Orchestration - Integrating physical and virtual firewalls into ACI service graphs
- Configuring Layer 4-7 service chains with PBR and redirect policies
- Using ACI contracts to enforce security zones
- Deploying cloud-native WAF and DDoS protection via service contracts
- Integrating Cisco Firepower with ACI for context-aware inspection
- Automating security policy distribution using external managers
- Building zero-trust models with microsegmentation and least-privilege access
- Using telemetry to detect anomalous traffic patterns
- Creating dynamic security groups based on endpoint attributes
- Integrating Splunk and SIEM tools with NetOps data sources
- Orchestrating threat response with automated policy updates
- Validating service graph path correctness
- Certificate-based authentication for service endpoints
- High availability for critical inline security appliances
- Performance impact of service chaining and bypass options
Module 10: Automation Pipelines and CI/CD for Network Infrastructure - Designing Git-based workflows for network configuration management
- Branching strategies: Feature, release, and hotfix models
- Using GitLab CI/CD and GitHub Actions for automation pipelines
- Pre-deployment validation: Linting YAML, Jinja2, and JSON
- Automated testing: Simulating configurations with unit and integration tests
- Drafting deployment playbooks with dry-run and preview modes
- Implementing approval gates and peer review workflows
- Progressive rollouts: Canary, blue-green, and rolling strategies
- Integrating monitoring systems for post-deployment validation
- Rollback automation triggered by health check failures
- Compliance as code: Enforcing NIST, CIS, and internal standards
- Generating audit reports from pipeline execution logs
- Scheduling recurring configuration sync jobs
- Building self-healing configurations with health probes
- Documenting pipeline logic for operational transparency
Module 11: Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and Multi-Site Strategies - Comparing options: OTV, VXLAN EVPN, and SD-WAN for DCI
- Designing stretched Layer 2 architectures with caution and control
- ACI Multi-Site architecture: Components and communication flow
- Deploying the Multi-Site Orchestrator and Policy Proxy
- Configuring site memberships and replication modes
- Handling mobility domains and endpoint synchronization
- Traffic flow between sites: Ingress, egress, and transit optimization
- Failover testing and site isolation procedures
- Integrating AWS and Azure via cloud ACI extensions
- Hybrid cloud policy consistency across on-prem and cloud
- DNS integration for global application routing
- Monitoring inter-site latency and packet loss
- Security policy alignment between regions
- Backup and disaster recovery planning with site replication
- Audit and compliance across geographically distributed sites
Module 12: Hands-on Implementation Projects and Certification Prep - Project 1: Automating full ACI tenant deployment with Python and Ansible
- Project 2: Building a self-service portal for developer network onboarding
- Project 3: Migrating legacy VLANs to ACI Bridge Domains with zero downtime
- Project 4: Creating a CI/CD pipeline for Nexus switch configurations
- Project 5: Implementing zero-trust segmentation with dynamic EPGs
- Simulating the CCIE lab exam: Design, deployment, troubleshooting
- Time management and strategy for the 8-hour practical assessment
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them during exam execution
- Validating configuration accuracy with verification checklists
- Performance benchmarking and optimization before submission
- Preparing your technical documentation package
- Reviewing official CCIE scoring rubrics and expectations
- Final readiness checklist: Tools, references, and mindset
- Post-certification career pathways and role advancement
- How to leverage your Certificate of Completion for visibility and credibility
Module 1: Foundations of Data Center Architecture and CCIE-Level Design Principles - Evolution of the data center: From physical to intent-based infrastructure
- Role of the CCIE in strategic infrastructure planning
- Understanding the Cisco Data Center portfolio: Nexus, ACI, UCS, Intersight
- Differences between traditional and modern operational models
- Designing for resiliency, scalability, and service velocity
- Layering physical, virtual, and logical components in enterprise environments
- Integration of storage, compute, and network fabrics
- Best practices for topology selection: Spine-leaf vs. legacy core-distribution
- Traffic flow analysis in multi-tenant data centers
- Preparing for certification: Mapping exam objectives to real-world tasks
Module 2: Deep Dive into Nexus Switching and Advanced NX-OS Configuration - Mastering NX-OS command-line structure and operational modes
- Configuring and troubleshooting vPCs with role priority and peer keepalive
- Port channel load-balancing algorithms and optimization techniques
- Implementing fabric failover and stateful switchover
- Advanced VLAN and trunking configurations with private VLANs
- Using ERSPAN for cross-fabric monitoring and traffic analysis
- Unicast RPF and its application in security hardening
- Configuring PBR for traffic steering in complex routing scenarios
- OSPF and EIGRP multi-instance routing in data center environments
- BGP best practices for underlay in CLOS architectures
- Route redistribution strategies with administrative distance tuning
- Object tracking and its integration with HSRP and vPC
- Optimizing MTU settings across jumbo frame networks
- NetFlow and SPAN configuration for performance visibility
- Maintenance mode and ISSU planning for zero-downtime upgrades
Module 3: Architecting with Cisco ACI – Policy Model and Object Hierarchy - Understanding the ACI fabric: APIC, spines, leaves, and access policies
- Core concepts: Tenants, VRFs, Bridge Domains, and Subnets
- Application Profiles and Endpoint Groups: Designing for application dependency
- Contracts and Subjects: Building secure, policy-driven communication
- Filters and filter entries: Defining L4-L7 connectivity rules
- Microsegmentation with Application EPGs and contract enforcement
- Context sharing and VRF selection across tenants
- Integrating external Layer 3 connectivity via L3Out
- Configuring static and dynamic path bindings for EPGs
- Multi-Pod and Multi-Site ACI deployment fundamentals
- Using tags and meta attributes for automation tracking
- Policy inheritance and hierarchical enforcement models
- Public and private contract scope: Implications for security and scalability
- Tenant mobility and roaming endpoint policies
- Monitoring policy impact with audit logs and change tracking
Module 4: Advanced ACI Configuration and Troubleshooting - Integrating bare metal servers into ACI via direct attach and vPC
- Deploying virtual machines with VMware DVS and ACI VMM integration
- Configuring floating subnets and shared services across EPGs
- Optimizing QoS policies within the fabric for application prioritization
- Using telemetry policies for real-time sensor-based monitoring
- Advanced troubleshooting with atomic counters and contract denial logging
- Diagnosing misconfigurations using fabric health scores and dashboards
- Recovering from APIC cluster failures and rebuilding consensus
- Policy rollback and snapshot management in production
- Using the REST API to validate policy consistency
- Debugging EPG to interface binding mismatches
- Validating contract scope propagation across leaves
- Handling broadcast, unknown unicast, and multicast (BUM) traffic
- RP configuration for multicast replication in ACI
- Integrating physical firewalls and load balancers via service graphs
Module 5: Cisco UCS Architecture and Server Integration - Understanding the UCS management stack: Fabric Interconnects, IOMs, and CIMC
- MAC, WWN, and UUID pool design for scalable provisioning
- Service Profiles and templates: Building reusable, consistent configurations
- Organizational hierarchies and role-based access control
- Boot policy design: SAN, local disk, and PXE-based options
- Data and operating system vLAN design for VSAN and vMotion
- Integrating Fibre Channel and FCoE storage networks
- Fabric failover and unified port configuration
- Using Identity Pools for infrastructure-as-code deployments
- Configuring maintenance policies for automated firmware upgrades
- Implementing Power Control and dynamic power capping
- KVM console and IPMI integration for remote management
- Monitoring server health with built-in sensors and thresholds
- Stateless computing: Separating identity from hardware
- Integrating UCS with ACI via service graphs and provider EPGs
Module 6: Infrastructure Automation with Python and Ansible - Setting up a local lab environment with GNS3, EVE-NG, and DevNet sandboxes
- Python fundamentals for network automation: Data types, loops, functions
- Using requests and urllib3 to interact with REST APIs
- Authentication and token management for APIC, UCS, and Nexus
- Building modular Python scripts for configuration templating
- Using JSON and XML parsing to extract and manipulate configurations
- Creating reusable functions for common tasks: Interface checks, health polling
- Ansible architecture: Control node, inventory, modules, and playbooks
- Configuring dynamic inventories for multi-device environments
- Writing idempotent playbooks for safe, repeatable execution
- Using Jinja2 templates for device-specific configuration generation
- Error handling and retry strategies in automation workflows
- Integrating with Git for version control and collaboration
- Executing bulk configurations across Nexus switches
- Validating results with assert statements and post-execution checks
Module 7: Programmable Infrastructure and APIs - REST API fundamentals: Endpoints, methods, headers, payloads
- Navigating the APIC REST API for policy creation and monitoring
- Exploring the UCS XML API for server provisioning automation
- Using Postman and curl for API testing and debugging
- Constructing valid XML and JSON payloads for API calls
- Handling session cookies and authentication timeouts
- Rate limiting and API throttling best practices
- Automating tenant provisioning in ACI via direct API calls
- Querying fabric health and endpoint tables programmatically
- Building API wrappers with Python classes
- Monitoring configuration drift with periodic API polling
- Logging and error tracking in programmatic workflows
- Secure credential storage using environment variables and vaults
- Deploying headless scripts for scheduled maintenance tasks
- Using webhooks and telemetry for event-driven automation
Module 8: Model-Driven Programmability and NETCONF/YANG - Introduction to YANG data models and structure theory
- Understanding native YANG models for IOS XR, NX-OS, and IOS XE
- Using YANG Suite for model validation and API exploration
- NETCONF protocol stack: SSH transport, RPC, and notifications
- Establishing NETCONF sessions with Nexus devices
- Executing
, , and operations - Filtering data with subtree and XPath filters
- Building configuration templates using YANG data nodes
- Validating payloads against schema definitions
- Monitoring interface statistics with subscription-based telemetry
- Integrating GNMI for gRPC-based telemetry ingestion
- Comparing NETCONF, RESTCONF, and CLI for automation
- Securing programmable interfaces with RBAC and TLS
- Troubleshooting NETCONF connection failures
- Automating configuration backups with periodic sync
Module 9: Service Insertion and Security Orchestration - Integrating physical and virtual firewalls into ACI service graphs
- Configuring Layer 4-7 service chains with PBR and redirect policies
- Using ACI contracts to enforce security zones
- Deploying cloud-native WAF and DDoS protection via service contracts
- Integrating Cisco Firepower with ACI for context-aware inspection
- Automating security policy distribution using external managers
- Building zero-trust models with microsegmentation and least-privilege access
- Using telemetry to detect anomalous traffic patterns
- Creating dynamic security groups based on endpoint attributes
- Integrating Splunk and SIEM tools with NetOps data sources
- Orchestrating threat response with automated policy updates
- Validating service graph path correctness
- Certificate-based authentication for service endpoints
- High availability for critical inline security appliances
- Performance impact of service chaining and bypass options
Module 10: Automation Pipelines and CI/CD for Network Infrastructure - Designing Git-based workflows for network configuration management
- Branching strategies: Feature, release, and hotfix models
- Using GitLab CI/CD and GitHub Actions for automation pipelines
- Pre-deployment validation: Linting YAML, Jinja2, and JSON
- Automated testing: Simulating configurations with unit and integration tests
- Drafting deployment playbooks with dry-run and preview modes
- Implementing approval gates and peer review workflows
- Progressive rollouts: Canary, blue-green, and rolling strategies
- Integrating monitoring systems for post-deployment validation
- Rollback automation triggered by health check failures
- Compliance as code: Enforcing NIST, CIS, and internal standards
- Generating audit reports from pipeline execution logs
- Scheduling recurring configuration sync jobs
- Building self-healing configurations with health probes
- Documenting pipeline logic for operational transparency
Module 11: Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and Multi-Site Strategies - Comparing options: OTV, VXLAN EVPN, and SD-WAN for DCI
- Designing stretched Layer 2 architectures with caution and control
- ACI Multi-Site architecture: Components and communication flow
- Deploying the Multi-Site Orchestrator and Policy Proxy
- Configuring site memberships and replication modes
- Handling mobility domains and endpoint synchronization
- Traffic flow between sites: Ingress, egress, and transit optimization
- Failover testing and site isolation procedures
- Integrating AWS and Azure via cloud ACI extensions
- Hybrid cloud policy consistency across on-prem and cloud
- DNS integration for global application routing
- Monitoring inter-site latency and packet loss
- Security policy alignment between regions
- Backup and disaster recovery planning with site replication
- Audit and compliance across geographically distributed sites
Module 12: Hands-on Implementation Projects and Certification Prep - Project 1: Automating full ACI tenant deployment with Python and Ansible
- Project 2: Building a self-service portal for developer network onboarding
- Project 3: Migrating legacy VLANs to ACI Bridge Domains with zero downtime
- Project 4: Creating a CI/CD pipeline for Nexus switch configurations
- Project 5: Implementing zero-trust segmentation with dynamic EPGs
- Simulating the CCIE lab exam: Design, deployment, troubleshooting
- Time management and strategy for the 8-hour practical assessment
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them during exam execution
- Validating configuration accuracy with verification checklists
- Performance benchmarking and optimization before submission
- Preparing your technical documentation package
- Reviewing official CCIE scoring rubrics and expectations
- Final readiness checklist: Tools, references, and mindset
- Post-certification career pathways and role advancement
- How to leverage your Certificate of Completion for visibility and credibility
- Mastering NX-OS command-line structure and operational modes
- Configuring and troubleshooting vPCs with role priority and peer keepalive
- Port channel load-balancing algorithms and optimization techniques
- Implementing fabric failover and stateful switchover
- Advanced VLAN and trunking configurations with private VLANs
- Using ERSPAN for cross-fabric monitoring and traffic analysis
- Unicast RPF and its application in security hardening
- Configuring PBR for traffic steering in complex routing scenarios
- OSPF and EIGRP multi-instance routing in data center environments
- BGP best practices for underlay in CLOS architectures
- Route redistribution strategies with administrative distance tuning
- Object tracking and its integration with HSRP and vPC
- Optimizing MTU settings across jumbo frame networks
- NetFlow and SPAN configuration for performance visibility
- Maintenance mode and ISSU planning for zero-downtime upgrades
Module 3: Architecting with Cisco ACI – Policy Model and Object Hierarchy - Understanding the ACI fabric: APIC, spines, leaves, and access policies
- Core concepts: Tenants, VRFs, Bridge Domains, and Subnets
- Application Profiles and Endpoint Groups: Designing for application dependency
- Contracts and Subjects: Building secure, policy-driven communication
- Filters and filter entries: Defining L4-L7 connectivity rules
- Microsegmentation with Application EPGs and contract enforcement
- Context sharing and VRF selection across tenants
- Integrating external Layer 3 connectivity via L3Out
- Configuring static and dynamic path bindings for EPGs
- Multi-Pod and Multi-Site ACI deployment fundamentals
- Using tags and meta attributes for automation tracking
- Policy inheritance and hierarchical enforcement models
- Public and private contract scope: Implications for security and scalability
- Tenant mobility and roaming endpoint policies
- Monitoring policy impact with audit logs and change tracking
Module 4: Advanced ACI Configuration and Troubleshooting - Integrating bare metal servers into ACI via direct attach and vPC
- Deploying virtual machines with VMware DVS and ACI VMM integration
- Configuring floating subnets and shared services across EPGs
- Optimizing QoS policies within the fabric for application prioritization
- Using telemetry policies for real-time sensor-based monitoring
- Advanced troubleshooting with atomic counters and contract denial logging
- Diagnosing misconfigurations using fabric health scores and dashboards
- Recovering from APIC cluster failures and rebuilding consensus
- Policy rollback and snapshot management in production
- Using the REST API to validate policy consistency
- Debugging EPG to interface binding mismatches
- Validating contract scope propagation across leaves
- Handling broadcast, unknown unicast, and multicast (BUM) traffic
- RP configuration for multicast replication in ACI
- Integrating physical firewalls and load balancers via service graphs
Module 5: Cisco UCS Architecture and Server Integration - Understanding the UCS management stack: Fabric Interconnects, IOMs, and CIMC
- MAC, WWN, and UUID pool design for scalable provisioning
- Service Profiles and templates: Building reusable, consistent configurations
- Organizational hierarchies and role-based access control
- Boot policy design: SAN, local disk, and PXE-based options
- Data and operating system vLAN design for VSAN and vMotion
- Integrating Fibre Channel and FCoE storage networks
- Fabric failover and unified port configuration
- Using Identity Pools for infrastructure-as-code deployments
- Configuring maintenance policies for automated firmware upgrades
- Implementing Power Control and dynamic power capping
- KVM console and IPMI integration for remote management
- Monitoring server health with built-in sensors and thresholds
- Stateless computing: Separating identity from hardware
- Integrating UCS with ACI via service graphs and provider EPGs
Module 6: Infrastructure Automation with Python and Ansible - Setting up a local lab environment with GNS3, EVE-NG, and DevNet sandboxes
- Python fundamentals for network automation: Data types, loops, functions
- Using requests and urllib3 to interact with REST APIs
- Authentication and token management for APIC, UCS, and Nexus
- Building modular Python scripts for configuration templating
- Using JSON and XML parsing to extract and manipulate configurations
- Creating reusable functions for common tasks: Interface checks, health polling
- Ansible architecture: Control node, inventory, modules, and playbooks
- Configuring dynamic inventories for multi-device environments
- Writing idempotent playbooks for safe, repeatable execution
- Using Jinja2 templates for device-specific configuration generation
- Error handling and retry strategies in automation workflows
- Integrating with Git for version control and collaboration
- Executing bulk configurations across Nexus switches
- Validating results with assert statements and post-execution checks
Module 7: Programmable Infrastructure and APIs - REST API fundamentals: Endpoints, methods, headers, payloads
- Navigating the APIC REST API for policy creation and monitoring
- Exploring the UCS XML API for server provisioning automation
- Using Postman and curl for API testing and debugging
- Constructing valid XML and JSON payloads for API calls
- Handling session cookies and authentication timeouts
- Rate limiting and API throttling best practices
- Automating tenant provisioning in ACI via direct API calls
- Querying fabric health and endpoint tables programmatically
- Building API wrappers with Python classes
- Monitoring configuration drift with periodic API polling
- Logging and error tracking in programmatic workflows
- Secure credential storage using environment variables and vaults
- Deploying headless scripts for scheduled maintenance tasks
- Using webhooks and telemetry for event-driven automation
Module 8: Model-Driven Programmability and NETCONF/YANG - Introduction to YANG data models and structure theory
- Understanding native YANG models for IOS XR, NX-OS, and IOS XE
- Using YANG Suite for model validation and API exploration
- NETCONF protocol stack: SSH transport, RPC, and notifications
- Establishing NETCONF sessions with Nexus devices
- Executing
, , and operations - Filtering data with subtree and XPath filters
- Building configuration templates using YANG data nodes
- Validating payloads against schema definitions
- Monitoring interface statistics with subscription-based telemetry
- Integrating GNMI for gRPC-based telemetry ingestion
- Comparing NETCONF, RESTCONF, and CLI for automation
- Securing programmable interfaces with RBAC and TLS
- Troubleshooting NETCONF connection failures
- Automating configuration backups with periodic sync
Module 9: Service Insertion and Security Orchestration - Integrating physical and virtual firewalls into ACI service graphs
- Configuring Layer 4-7 service chains with PBR and redirect policies
- Using ACI contracts to enforce security zones
- Deploying cloud-native WAF and DDoS protection via service contracts
- Integrating Cisco Firepower with ACI for context-aware inspection
- Automating security policy distribution using external managers
- Building zero-trust models with microsegmentation and least-privilege access
- Using telemetry to detect anomalous traffic patterns
- Creating dynamic security groups based on endpoint attributes
- Integrating Splunk and SIEM tools with NetOps data sources
- Orchestrating threat response with automated policy updates
- Validating service graph path correctness
- Certificate-based authentication for service endpoints
- High availability for critical inline security appliances
- Performance impact of service chaining and bypass options
Module 10: Automation Pipelines and CI/CD for Network Infrastructure - Designing Git-based workflows for network configuration management
- Branching strategies: Feature, release, and hotfix models
- Using GitLab CI/CD and GitHub Actions for automation pipelines
- Pre-deployment validation: Linting YAML, Jinja2, and JSON
- Automated testing: Simulating configurations with unit and integration tests
- Drafting deployment playbooks with dry-run and preview modes
- Implementing approval gates and peer review workflows
- Progressive rollouts: Canary, blue-green, and rolling strategies
- Integrating monitoring systems for post-deployment validation
- Rollback automation triggered by health check failures
- Compliance as code: Enforcing NIST, CIS, and internal standards
- Generating audit reports from pipeline execution logs
- Scheduling recurring configuration sync jobs
- Building self-healing configurations with health probes
- Documenting pipeline logic for operational transparency
Module 11: Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and Multi-Site Strategies - Comparing options: OTV, VXLAN EVPN, and SD-WAN for DCI
- Designing stretched Layer 2 architectures with caution and control
- ACI Multi-Site architecture: Components and communication flow
- Deploying the Multi-Site Orchestrator and Policy Proxy
- Configuring site memberships and replication modes
- Handling mobility domains and endpoint synchronization
- Traffic flow between sites: Ingress, egress, and transit optimization
- Failover testing and site isolation procedures
- Integrating AWS and Azure via cloud ACI extensions
- Hybrid cloud policy consistency across on-prem and cloud
- DNS integration for global application routing
- Monitoring inter-site latency and packet loss
- Security policy alignment between regions
- Backup and disaster recovery planning with site replication
- Audit and compliance across geographically distributed sites
Module 12: Hands-on Implementation Projects and Certification Prep - Project 1: Automating full ACI tenant deployment with Python and Ansible
- Project 2: Building a self-service portal for developer network onboarding
- Project 3: Migrating legacy VLANs to ACI Bridge Domains with zero downtime
- Project 4: Creating a CI/CD pipeline for Nexus switch configurations
- Project 5: Implementing zero-trust segmentation with dynamic EPGs
- Simulating the CCIE lab exam: Design, deployment, troubleshooting
- Time management and strategy for the 8-hour practical assessment
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them during exam execution
- Validating configuration accuracy with verification checklists
- Performance benchmarking and optimization before submission
- Preparing your technical documentation package
- Reviewing official CCIE scoring rubrics and expectations
- Final readiness checklist: Tools, references, and mindset
- Post-certification career pathways and role advancement
- How to leverage your Certificate of Completion for visibility and credibility
- Integrating bare metal servers into ACI via direct attach and vPC
- Deploying virtual machines with VMware DVS and ACI VMM integration
- Configuring floating subnets and shared services across EPGs
- Optimizing QoS policies within the fabric for application prioritization
- Using telemetry policies for real-time sensor-based monitoring
- Advanced troubleshooting with atomic counters and contract denial logging
- Diagnosing misconfigurations using fabric health scores and dashboards
- Recovering from APIC cluster failures and rebuilding consensus
- Policy rollback and snapshot management in production
- Using the REST API to validate policy consistency
- Debugging EPG to interface binding mismatches
- Validating contract scope propagation across leaves
- Handling broadcast, unknown unicast, and multicast (BUM) traffic
- RP configuration for multicast replication in ACI
- Integrating physical firewalls and load balancers via service graphs
Module 5: Cisco UCS Architecture and Server Integration - Understanding the UCS management stack: Fabric Interconnects, IOMs, and CIMC
- MAC, WWN, and UUID pool design for scalable provisioning
- Service Profiles and templates: Building reusable, consistent configurations
- Organizational hierarchies and role-based access control
- Boot policy design: SAN, local disk, and PXE-based options
- Data and operating system vLAN design for VSAN and vMotion
- Integrating Fibre Channel and FCoE storage networks
- Fabric failover and unified port configuration
- Using Identity Pools for infrastructure-as-code deployments
- Configuring maintenance policies for automated firmware upgrades
- Implementing Power Control and dynamic power capping
- KVM console and IPMI integration for remote management
- Monitoring server health with built-in sensors and thresholds
- Stateless computing: Separating identity from hardware
- Integrating UCS with ACI via service graphs and provider EPGs
Module 6: Infrastructure Automation with Python and Ansible - Setting up a local lab environment with GNS3, EVE-NG, and DevNet sandboxes
- Python fundamentals for network automation: Data types, loops, functions
- Using requests and urllib3 to interact with REST APIs
- Authentication and token management for APIC, UCS, and Nexus
- Building modular Python scripts for configuration templating
- Using JSON and XML parsing to extract and manipulate configurations
- Creating reusable functions for common tasks: Interface checks, health polling
- Ansible architecture: Control node, inventory, modules, and playbooks
- Configuring dynamic inventories for multi-device environments
- Writing idempotent playbooks for safe, repeatable execution
- Using Jinja2 templates for device-specific configuration generation
- Error handling and retry strategies in automation workflows
- Integrating with Git for version control and collaboration
- Executing bulk configurations across Nexus switches
- Validating results with assert statements and post-execution checks
Module 7: Programmable Infrastructure and APIs - REST API fundamentals: Endpoints, methods, headers, payloads
- Navigating the APIC REST API for policy creation and monitoring
- Exploring the UCS XML API for server provisioning automation
- Using Postman and curl for API testing and debugging
- Constructing valid XML and JSON payloads for API calls
- Handling session cookies and authentication timeouts
- Rate limiting and API throttling best practices
- Automating tenant provisioning in ACI via direct API calls
- Querying fabric health and endpoint tables programmatically
- Building API wrappers with Python classes
- Monitoring configuration drift with periodic API polling
- Logging and error tracking in programmatic workflows
- Secure credential storage using environment variables and vaults
- Deploying headless scripts for scheduled maintenance tasks
- Using webhooks and telemetry for event-driven automation
Module 8: Model-Driven Programmability and NETCONF/YANG - Introduction to YANG data models and structure theory
- Understanding native YANG models for IOS XR, NX-OS, and IOS XE
- Using YANG Suite for model validation and API exploration
- NETCONF protocol stack: SSH transport, RPC, and notifications
- Establishing NETCONF sessions with Nexus devices
- Executing
, , and operations - Filtering data with subtree and XPath filters
- Building configuration templates using YANG data nodes
- Validating payloads against schema definitions
- Monitoring interface statistics with subscription-based telemetry
- Integrating GNMI for gRPC-based telemetry ingestion
- Comparing NETCONF, RESTCONF, and CLI for automation
- Securing programmable interfaces with RBAC and TLS
- Troubleshooting NETCONF connection failures
- Automating configuration backups with periodic sync
Module 9: Service Insertion and Security Orchestration - Integrating physical and virtual firewalls into ACI service graphs
- Configuring Layer 4-7 service chains with PBR and redirect policies
- Using ACI contracts to enforce security zones
- Deploying cloud-native WAF and DDoS protection via service contracts
- Integrating Cisco Firepower with ACI for context-aware inspection
- Automating security policy distribution using external managers
- Building zero-trust models with microsegmentation and least-privilege access
- Using telemetry to detect anomalous traffic patterns
- Creating dynamic security groups based on endpoint attributes
- Integrating Splunk and SIEM tools with NetOps data sources
- Orchestrating threat response with automated policy updates
- Validating service graph path correctness
- Certificate-based authentication for service endpoints
- High availability for critical inline security appliances
- Performance impact of service chaining and bypass options
Module 10: Automation Pipelines and CI/CD for Network Infrastructure - Designing Git-based workflows for network configuration management
- Branching strategies: Feature, release, and hotfix models
- Using GitLab CI/CD and GitHub Actions for automation pipelines
- Pre-deployment validation: Linting YAML, Jinja2, and JSON
- Automated testing: Simulating configurations with unit and integration tests
- Drafting deployment playbooks with dry-run and preview modes
- Implementing approval gates and peer review workflows
- Progressive rollouts: Canary, blue-green, and rolling strategies
- Integrating monitoring systems for post-deployment validation
- Rollback automation triggered by health check failures
- Compliance as code: Enforcing NIST, CIS, and internal standards
- Generating audit reports from pipeline execution logs
- Scheduling recurring configuration sync jobs
- Building self-healing configurations with health probes
- Documenting pipeline logic for operational transparency
Module 11: Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and Multi-Site Strategies - Comparing options: OTV, VXLAN EVPN, and SD-WAN for DCI
- Designing stretched Layer 2 architectures with caution and control
- ACI Multi-Site architecture: Components and communication flow
- Deploying the Multi-Site Orchestrator and Policy Proxy
- Configuring site memberships and replication modes
- Handling mobility domains and endpoint synchronization
- Traffic flow between sites: Ingress, egress, and transit optimization
- Failover testing and site isolation procedures
- Integrating AWS and Azure via cloud ACI extensions
- Hybrid cloud policy consistency across on-prem and cloud
- DNS integration for global application routing
- Monitoring inter-site latency and packet loss
- Security policy alignment between regions
- Backup and disaster recovery planning with site replication
- Audit and compliance across geographically distributed sites
Module 12: Hands-on Implementation Projects and Certification Prep - Project 1: Automating full ACI tenant deployment with Python and Ansible
- Project 2: Building a self-service portal for developer network onboarding
- Project 3: Migrating legacy VLANs to ACI Bridge Domains with zero downtime
- Project 4: Creating a CI/CD pipeline for Nexus switch configurations
- Project 5: Implementing zero-trust segmentation with dynamic EPGs
- Simulating the CCIE lab exam: Design, deployment, troubleshooting
- Time management and strategy for the 8-hour practical assessment
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them during exam execution
- Validating configuration accuracy with verification checklists
- Performance benchmarking and optimization before submission
- Preparing your technical documentation package
- Reviewing official CCIE scoring rubrics and expectations
- Final readiness checklist: Tools, references, and mindset
- Post-certification career pathways and role advancement
- How to leverage your Certificate of Completion for visibility and credibility
- Setting up a local lab environment with GNS3, EVE-NG, and DevNet sandboxes
- Python fundamentals for network automation: Data types, loops, functions
- Using requests and urllib3 to interact with REST APIs
- Authentication and token management for APIC, UCS, and Nexus
- Building modular Python scripts for configuration templating
- Using JSON and XML parsing to extract and manipulate configurations
- Creating reusable functions for common tasks: Interface checks, health polling
- Ansible architecture: Control node, inventory, modules, and playbooks
- Configuring dynamic inventories for multi-device environments
- Writing idempotent playbooks for safe, repeatable execution
- Using Jinja2 templates for device-specific configuration generation
- Error handling and retry strategies in automation workflows
- Integrating with Git for version control and collaboration
- Executing bulk configurations across Nexus switches
- Validating results with assert statements and post-execution checks
Module 7: Programmable Infrastructure and APIs - REST API fundamentals: Endpoints, methods, headers, payloads
- Navigating the APIC REST API for policy creation and monitoring
- Exploring the UCS XML API for server provisioning automation
- Using Postman and curl for API testing and debugging
- Constructing valid XML and JSON payloads for API calls
- Handling session cookies and authentication timeouts
- Rate limiting and API throttling best practices
- Automating tenant provisioning in ACI via direct API calls
- Querying fabric health and endpoint tables programmatically
- Building API wrappers with Python classes
- Monitoring configuration drift with periodic API polling
- Logging and error tracking in programmatic workflows
- Secure credential storage using environment variables and vaults
- Deploying headless scripts for scheduled maintenance tasks
- Using webhooks and telemetry for event-driven automation
Module 8: Model-Driven Programmability and NETCONF/YANG - Introduction to YANG data models and structure theory
- Understanding native YANG models for IOS XR, NX-OS, and IOS XE
- Using YANG Suite for model validation and API exploration
- NETCONF protocol stack: SSH transport, RPC, and notifications
- Establishing NETCONF sessions with Nexus devices
- Executing
, , and operations - Filtering data with subtree and XPath filters
- Building configuration templates using YANG data nodes
- Validating payloads against schema definitions
- Monitoring interface statistics with subscription-based telemetry
- Integrating GNMI for gRPC-based telemetry ingestion
- Comparing NETCONF, RESTCONF, and CLI for automation
- Securing programmable interfaces with RBAC and TLS
- Troubleshooting NETCONF connection failures
- Automating configuration backups with periodic sync
Module 9: Service Insertion and Security Orchestration - Integrating physical and virtual firewalls into ACI service graphs
- Configuring Layer 4-7 service chains with PBR and redirect policies
- Using ACI contracts to enforce security zones
- Deploying cloud-native WAF and DDoS protection via service contracts
- Integrating Cisco Firepower with ACI for context-aware inspection
- Automating security policy distribution using external managers
- Building zero-trust models with microsegmentation and least-privilege access
- Using telemetry to detect anomalous traffic patterns
- Creating dynamic security groups based on endpoint attributes
- Integrating Splunk and SIEM tools with NetOps data sources
- Orchestrating threat response with automated policy updates
- Validating service graph path correctness
- Certificate-based authentication for service endpoints
- High availability for critical inline security appliances
- Performance impact of service chaining and bypass options
Module 10: Automation Pipelines and CI/CD for Network Infrastructure - Designing Git-based workflows for network configuration management
- Branching strategies: Feature, release, and hotfix models
- Using GitLab CI/CD and GitHub Actions for automation pipelines
- Pre-deployment validation: Linting YAML, Jinja2, and JSON
- Automated testing: Simulating configurations with unit and integration tests
- Drafting deployment playbooks with dry-run and preview modes
- Implementing approval gates and peer review workflows
- Progressive rollouts: Canary, blue-green, and rolling strategies
- Integrating monitoring systems for post-deployment validation
- Rollback automation triggered by health check failures
- Compliance as code: Enforcing NIST, CIS, and internal standards
- Generating audit reports from pipeline execution logs
- Scheduling recurring configuration sync jobs
- Building self-healing configurations with health probes
- Documenting pipeline logic for operational transparency
Module 11: Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and Multi-Site Strategies - Comparing options: OTV, VXLAN EVPN, and SD-WAN for DCI
- Designing stretched Layer 2 architectures with caution and control
- ACI Multi-Site architecture: Components and communication flow
- Deploying the Multi-Site Orchestrator and Policy Proxy
- Configuring site memberships and replication modes
- Handling mobility domains and endpoint synchronization
- Traffic flow between sites: Ingress, egress, and transit optimization
- Failover testing and site isolation procedures
- Integrating AWS and Azure via cloud ACI extensions
- Hybrid cloud policy consistency across on-prem and cloud
- DNS integration for global application routing
- Monitoring inter-site latency and packet loss
- Security policy alignment between regions
- Backup and disaster recovery planning with site replication
- Audit and compliance across geographically distributed sites
Module 12: Hands-on Implementation Projects and Certification Prep - Project 1: Automating full ACI tenant deployment with Python and Ansible
- Project 2: Building a self-service portal for developer network onboarding
- Project 3: Migrating legacy VLANs to ACI Bridge Domains with zero downtime
- Project 4: Creating a CI/CD pipeline for Nexus switch configurations
- Project 5: Implementing zero-trust segmentation with dynamic EPGs
- Simulating the CCIE lab exam: Design, deployment, troubleshooting
- Time management and strategy for the 8-hour practical assessment
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them during exam execution
- Validating configuration accuracy with verification checklists
- Performance benchmarking and optimization before submission
- Preparing your technical documentation package
- Reviewing official CCIE scoring rubrics and expectations
- Final readiness checklist: Tools, references, and mindset
- Post-certification career pathways and role advancement
- How to leverage your Certificate of Completion for visibility and credibility
- Introduction to YANG data models and structure theory
- Understanding native YANG models for IOS XR, NX-OS, and IOS XE
- Using YANG Suite for model validation and API exploration
- NETCONF protocol stack: SSH transport, RPC, and notifications
- Establishing NETCONF sessions with Nexus devices
- Executing
, , and operations - Filtering data with subtree and XPath filters
- Building configuration templates using YANG data nodes
- Validating payloads against schema definitions
- Monitoring interface statistics with subscription-based telemetry
- Integrating GNMI for gRPC-based telemetry ingestion
- Comparing NETCONF, RESTCONF, and CLI for automation
- Securing programmable interfaces with RBAC and TLS
- Troubleshooting NETCONF connection failures
- Automating configuration backups with periodic sync
Module 9: Service Insertion and Security Orchestration - Integrating physical and virtual firewalls into ACI service graphs
- Configuring Layer 4-7 service chains with PBR and redirect policies
- Using ACI contracts to enforce security zones
- Deploying cloud-native WAF and DDoS protection via service contracts
- Integrating Cisco Firepower with ACI for context-aware inspection
- Automating security policy distribution using external managers
- Building zero-trust models with microsegmentation and least-privilege access
- Using telemetry to detect anomalous traffic patterns
- Creating dynamic security groups based on endpoint attributes
- Integrating Splunk and SIEM tools with NetOps data sources
- Orchestrating threat response with automated policy updates
- Validating service graph path correctness
- Certificate-based authentication for service endpoints
- High availability for critical inline security appliances
- Performance impact of service chaining and bypass options
Module 10: Automation Pipelines and CI/CD for Network Infrastructure - Designing Git-based workflows for network configuration management
- Branching strategies: Feature, release, and hotfix models
- Using GitLab CI/CD and GitHub Actions for automation pipelines
- Pre-deployment validation: Linting YAML, Jinja2, and JSON
- Automated testing: Simulating configurations with unit and integration tests
- Drafting deployment playbooks with dry-run and preview modes
- Implementing approval gates and peer review workflows
- Progressive rollouts: Canary, blue-green, and rolling strategies
- Integrating monitoring systems for post-deployment validation
- Rollback automation triggered by health check failures
- Compliance as code: Enforcing NIST, CIS, and internal standards
- Generating audit reports from pipeline execution logs
- Scheduling recurring configuration sync jobs
- Building self-healing configurations with health probes
- Documenting pipeline logic for operational transparency
Module 11: Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and Multi-Site Strategies - Comparing options: OTV, VXLAN EVPN, and SD-WAN for DCI
- Designing stretched Layer 2 architectures with caution and control
- ACI Multi-Site architecture: Components and communication flow
- Deploying the Multi-Site Orchestrator and Policy Proxy
- Configuring site memberships and replication modes
- Handling mobility domains and endpoint synchronization
- Traffic flow between sites: Ingress, egress, and transit optimization
- Failover testing and site isolation procedures
- Integrating AWS and Azure via cloud ACI extensions
- Hybrid cloud policy consistency across on-prem and cloud
- DNS integration for global application routing
- Monitoring inter-site latency and packet loss
- Security policy alignment between regions
- Backup and disaster recovery planning with site replication
- Audit and compliance across geographically distributed sites
Module 12: Hands-on Implementation Projects and Certification Prep - Project 1: Automating full ACI tenant deployment with Python and Ansible
- Project 2: Building a self-service portal for developer network onboarding
- Project 3: Migrating legacy VLANs to ACI Bridge Domains with zero downtime
- Project 4: Creating a CI/CD pipeline for Nexus switch configurations
- Project 5: Implementing zero-trust segmentation with dynamic EPGs
- Simulating the CCIE lab exam: Design, deployment, troubleshooting
- Time management and strategy for the 8-hour practical assessment
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them during exam execution
- Validating configuration accuracy with verification checklists
- Performance benchmarking and optimization before submission
- Preparing your technical documentation package
- Reviewing official CCIE scoring rubrics and expectations
- Final readiness checklist: Tools, references, and mindset
- Post-certification career pathways and role advancement
- How to leverage your Certificate of Completion for visibility and credibility
- Designing Git-based workflows for network configuration management
- Branching strategies: Feature, release, and hotfix models
- Using GitLab CI/CD and GitHub Actions for automation pipelines
- Pre-deployment validation: Linting YAML, Jinja2, and JSON
- Automated testing: Simulating configurations with unit and integration tests
- Drafting deployment playbooks with dry-run and preview modes
- Implementing approval gates and peer review workflows
- Progressive rollouts: Canary, blue-green, and rolling strategies
- Integrating monitoring systems for post-deployment validation
- Rollback automation triggered by health check failures
- Compliance as code: Enforcing NIST, CIS, and internal standards
- Generating audit reports from pipeline execution logs
- Scheduling recurring configuration sync jobs
- Building self-healing configurations with health probes
- Documenting pipeline logic for operational transparency
Module 11: Data Center Interconnect (DCI) and Multi-Site Strategies - Comparing options: OTV, VXLAN EVPN, and SD-WAN for DCI
- Designing stretched Layer 2 architectures with caution and control
- ACI Multi-Site architecture: Components and communication flow
- Deploying the Multi-Site Orchestrator and Policy Proxy
- Configuring site memberships and replication modes
- Handling mobility domains and endpoint synchronization
- Traffic flow between sites: Ingress, egress, and transit optimization
- Failover testing and site isolation procedures
- Integrating AWS and Azure via cloud ACI extensions
- Hybrid cloud policy consistency across on-prem and cloud
- DNS integration for global application routing
- Monitoring inter-site latency and packet loss
- Security policy alignment between regions
- Backup and disaster recovery planning with site replication
- Audit and compliance across geographically distributed sites
Module 12: Hands-on Implementation Projects and Certification Prep - Project 1: Automating full ACI tenant deployment with Python and Ansible
- Project 2: Building a self-service portal for developer network onboarding
- Project 3: Migrating legacy VLANs to ACI Bridge Domains with zero downtime
- Project 4: Creating a CI/CD pipeline for Nexus switch configurations
- Project 5: Implementing zero-trust segmentation with dynamic EPGs
- Simulating the CCIE lab exam: Design, deployment, troubleshooting
- Time management and strategy for the 8-hour practical assessment
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them during exam execution
- Validating configuration accuracy with verification checklists
- Performance benchmarking and optimization before submission
- Preparing your technical documentation package
- Reviewing official CCIE scoring rubrics and expectations
- Final readiness checklist: Tools, references, and mindset
- Post-certification career pathways and role advancement
- How to leverage your Certificate of Completion for visibility and credibility
- Project 1: Automating full ACI tenant deployment with Python and Ansible
- Project 2: Building a self-service portal for developer network onboarding
- Project 3: Migrating legacy VLANs to ACI Bridge Domains with zero downtime
- Project 4: Creating a CI/CD pipeline for Nexus switch configurations
- Project 5: Implementing zero-trust segmentation with dynamic EPGs
- Simulating the CCIE lab exam: Design, deployment, troubleshooting
- Time management and strategy for the 8-hour practical assessment
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them during exam execution
- Validating configuration accuracy with verification checklists
- Performance benchmarking and optimization before submission
- Preparing your technical documentation package
- Reviewing official CCIE scoring rubrics and expectations
- Final readiness checklist: Tools, references, and mindset
- Post-certification career pathways and role advancement
- How to leverage your Certificate of Completion for visibility and credibility