Cisco Learning and Certifications

Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations Specialization

Cisco Learning and Certifications

Understanding Cisco Data Center Foundations Specialization

Build a Modern Data Center Foundation.

Develop essential skills in Cisco data center tech, networking, and virtualization for your career.

Mai Vang

Instructor: Mai Vang

Access provided by Ministry of Public Administration of Slovenia

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Data Center Architectures: Compare and contrast two-tier, three-tier, and spine-and-leaf network designs.

  • Networking & Virtualization: Develop proficiency in foundational networking concepts and virtualization techniques.

  • Storage & Cloud Integration: Understand the principles of storage connectivity, hyperconverged systems, and cloud interfaces.

  • Practical Configuration: Gain hands-on experience using simulations to configuring Cisco Nexus switches and managing NX-OS functionalities.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
Recently updated!

April 2026

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business
logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from Cisco Learning and Certifications

Specialization - 5 course series

Cisco Data Center Foundations and Switching

Cisco Data Center Foundations and Switching

Course 1, 7 hours

What you'll learn

  • Explore Cisco Nexus data center products and the NX-OS software architecture, including CLI, neighbor discovery, and connectivity tools

  • Understand and configure Layer 3 first-hop redundancy protocols such as HSRP, VRRP, and GLBP to ensure network resilience

  • Learn to implement Ethernet Port Channels and Virtual Port Channels for redundancy, load balancing, and increased bandwidth in data center networks

Skills you'll gain

Category: Network Switches
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Data Centers
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Command-Line Interface
Category: Virtual Networking
Category: Network Planning And Design
Category: Local Area Networks
Category: Scalability
Category: Network Troubleshooting
Category: Virtualization
Cisco Data Center Virtualization

Cisco Data Center Virtualization

Course 2, 7 hours

What you'll learn

  • Explore Cisco Nexus switch management, control planes, and VRF for device segmentation

  • Understand virtualization concepts, hypervisors, and overlay protocols like VXLAN

  • Learn VMware products and network overlays to support high availability and multitenancy

Skills you'll gain

Category: Virtualization
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Virtual Machines
Category: Network Switches
Category: vSphere DRS & HA
Category: Virtual Networking
Category: Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)
Category: Data Centers
Category: Network Administration
Category: Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC)
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Control Panels
Category: Software-Defined Networking
Category: vCenter Server
Category: Routing Protocols
Category: VMware ESX Servers
Category: Network Routing
Category: vSphere Networking and Storage
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Virtualization and Virtual Machines
Cisco Data Center Storage

Cisco Data Center Storage

Course 3, 9 hours

What you'll learn

  • Understand Fibre Channel storage networking concepts, including zoning, NPV/NPIV modes, and FLOGI processes

  • Configure and manage Cisco MDS switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches for Fibre Channel SAN and FCoE architectures

  • Implement FCoE protocols and CNA features for efficient storage and network I/O consolidation

Skills you'll gain

Category: iSCSI Configuration
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: System Configuration
Category: General Networking
Category: Data Centers
Category: Networking Hardware
Category: Network Switches
Category: Data Storage
Category: Data Storage Technologies
Category: Network Protocols
Cisco Unified Computing System

Cisco Unified Computing System

Course 4, 4 hours

What you'll learn

  • Describe and implement Cisco UCS server hardware and connectivity, including service profiles and templates

  • Configure and manage Cisco UCS SAN, RBAC, and external authentication providers

  • Utilize Cisco UCS management tools such as Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco Intersight, and scripting options for monitoring and automation

Skills you'll gain

Category: Networking Hardware
Category: Servers
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Cloud Infrastructure
Category: Hybrid Cloud Computing
Category: IT Automation
Category: Cloud Management
Category: Computing Platforms
Category: Infrastructure Architecture
Category: Computer Hardware
Category: Server Administration
Category: Hardware Architecture
Category: Data Centers
Category: Cloud Deployment
Category: System Configuration
Category: Data Infrastructure
Cisco Data Center Advanced Services

Cisco Data Center Advanced Services

Course 5, 8 hours

What you'll learn

  • Automate data center infrastructure using Cisco NX-OS tools like Nexus API, Python, Ansible, and Terraform

  • Implement Cisco ACI concepts for policy-based automation across physical and virtual environments

  • Manage and monitor data center networks with Cisco Nexus Dashboard and Fabric Controller for agility and scalability

Skills you'll gain

Category: Terraform
Category: Cloud Computing
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Cloud Infrastructure
Category: Data Centers
Category: Application Programming Interface (API)
Category: Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC)
Category: Cloud Services
Category: IT Automation
Category: Cloud Deployment
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Software-Defined Networking
Category: Virtualization
Category: Ansible
Category: Virtual Networking
Category: Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Category: Cloud Computing Architecture
Category: Automation
Category: Network Model

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Mai Vang
Cisco Learning and Certifications
15 Courses3,430 learners

Offered by

Cisco Learning and Certifications

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."