44 – The Essentials of DCNM 11

Good day everyone,

I have recorded 6 different modules aimed at giving you a good understanding of the key functions that DCNM 11 offers to manage, automate and operate your data center network.

While waiting for the new version 12 coming soon, this series of modules covers the Essentials of Data Center Network Manager  (DCNM™) version 11.

By “Essentials” the mean is that it covers the most features needed for all enterprises, from small legacy Data Center Network to multiple modern Fabrics or a mix of. This essential series of modules covering DCNM 11 emphases the Classic LAN as well as the VXLAN EVPN Fabric environments. Indeed, any network team can benefit from the advantages of leveraging the same and unique platform to operate a classic based data center network or a modern VXLAN EVPN based fabric or a mixture of the both.

I have developed the content for the lectures on DCNM 11 and 10.1(n) environment.

If you are not yet familiar with DCNM™, you can read previous posts, otherwise, DCNM is the leading Intent-Based Networking solution for Standalone NX-OS based Data Center. It encompasses the comprehensive management solution for all NX-OS network deployments spanning LAN fabrics across all Cisco Nexus Series Switches deployed in Standalone mode using Cisco NX-OS Software, SAN fabrics that rely on Cisco MDS Family, and IP Fabric for Media (IPFM) networking for Broadcaster requirements in the data center. This series focuses on LAN Fabrics.

By listening all of these video modules (preferably, to be viewed in ascending order), you will learn how DCNM 11 offers device management for a large number of equipment’s while proposing a ready-to-use control from a zero-touch deployment to the network fabric control, monitoring and automation capabilities for Cisco Nexus based VXLAN EVPN as well as control and automation for Cisco Nexus Classic LAN infrastructures.

In addition to the 6 modules focusing on DCNM 11, I recorded an extra module 7 giving you a quick overview of the evolution to operate Multi-Site, Multi-Domain and Multi-Cloud in the context of the Standalone NX-OS network environment.

Please enjoy the videos. I hope it will help you to better capture all awesome features that you can leverage using DCNM 11.

  • Module 1 covers the Cisco Intent-Based Networking solution, the evolution, and the requirements with a focus on the network centric approach. What is DCNM 11 and Why DCNM? How DCNM can help the enterprises to address their growing requirements, hence, how it helps to increase their revenue? This module comprises a short description of the DCNM 11 platform including its administration points, and a brief reminder on licensing. Finally, it embraces a generic overview of the DCNM Graphical User Interface to get a little familiar with DCNM 11.

Module 1 includes also a subsidiary section which provides a brief update on VXLAN EVPN allowing everyone to better track different deployments and use cases discussed in all subsequent modules. Indeed DCNM often refers to terminologies used by VXLAN. If you are already familiar with VXLAN EVPN, you can skip this section.

Module 1: There are 5 videos
  • Module 2 describes the concept fabric automation embedded with DCNM 11 Fabric. During this module, you will learn how to automate in few clicks the creation and the deployment from ground up of a VXLAN EVPN Fabric, how to import and operate a Classic LAN in a mixed environment, and how to deploy quickly a solid VXLAN EVPN Multi-site. It comprises the deployment of Networks and VRF, as well as service nodes insertion.
Module 2
  • Module 3 depicts the extension for traditional segmented Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks to the external side of the VXLAN EVPN fabric.
Module 3
  • Module 4 highlights the Policy based templates used by DCNM 11 to automate the deployment of the end-user intent. It includes a series of sections that covers the Freeform Template, the Config Compliance process, Synch interface options as well as the software image management.
Module 4
  • Module 5 covers the fabric programming approaches using Restful API. In addition to the DCNM 11 GUI, the fabric can be fully manageable via the DCNM Restful API using your preferred API management tools. It also comprises the other DCNM interactive API documentation that lets you try out the API calls directly in your web browser.
Module 5
  • Module 6 demonstrates the operation tools embedded with DCNM such as health monitoring, alarming, EndPoint locators, backup and restore, and more.
Module 6
  • Finally, Module 7 discusses about the Evolution to operate Multi-domain and Multi-cloud in the context of the Standalone NX-OS network environment. It gives an overview of Cisco’s strategy offering a common platform supporting day 2 operation tools as well as the orchestrator platform managing Multi-sites, Multi-domain and Multi-cloud environment.​​​​​​​
Module 7
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