Cisco Data Centre & Storage

Recommended Cisco learning offerings that the learners may complete to benefit fully from this course, including the following:

• Complete the Data Center Unified Computing Implementation (DCUCI) v4.0 course.

Cisco Data Center Unified Computing System C-Series Troubleshooting (DCUCSCTS) v1.0 is a newly created instructor-led training (ILT) course designed to prepare Cisco Channel Partners, systems engineers, and implementers with the knowledge and hands-on experience to properly install, configure, and troubleshoot UCS C-Series servers operating in standalone mode.

The goal of Cisco Data Center Unified Computing System C-Series Troubleshooting (DCUCSCTS) v1.0 is to enable the UCS Partner to troubleshoot Level 1 and 2 standalone UCS C-Series integration issues.

The student will gain hands-on experience with proper configuration procedures and will become familiar with common troubleshooting scenarios and recommended solutions.

Upon completing this course, the learner will be able to meet these overall objectives:

• Review the UCS C-Series product platform with an emphasis on feature support
• Describe the initial setup, configuration, and connectivity to ensure proper Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC) operation
• Review the UCS C-Series troubleshooting methodology as well as present common configuration challenges
• Describe CIMC utilities that enable performance validation and facilitate data gathering activities for troubleshooting purposes
• Describe the process to download firmware updates by using Host Upgrade Utility (HUU)
• Perform server BIOS updates with various methods
• Describe the correct process to update the server BIOS by using the EFI shell
• Describe the correct process for recovering a UCS C-Series server by using a USB Recovery Module
• Describe the features and benefits of the UCS C-Series P81E Virtual Interface Card (VIC)
• Perform the proper network (LAN) configuration steps for the P81E VIC
• Describe common troubleshooting issues and recommended solutions for the UCS C-Series P81E VIC
• Review the Cisco VIC P81E SAN configuration and vHBA properties
• Describe the Fibre Channel over Ethernet Initialization Protocol (FIP) and validate its proper configuration
• Describe the process for determining P81E configuration-related problems
• Review and introduce the RAID controller options for the UCS C-Series servers
• Introduce the SAS Extender and Expander options for the C-Series servers
  Configure the LSI 1068E, LSI 9261-8i, and the software ICH10R RAID controllers
• Identify the symptoms and recommended solutions of RAID adapter and disk failure modes
• Describe the steps for installing an operating system onto a local disk
• Describe the steps for installing an operating system by using a SAN boot
• Describe the process to download and install additional device drivers after successful OS installation
• Describe common device driver and operating system troubleshooting issues and their recommended solutions
• Execute the password recovery process for UCS C-Series server CIMC and BIOS passwords
• Configure management access to the UCS C-Series server through the LAN on Motherboard and NIC ports
• Configure the UCS C-Series Intelligent Peripheral Management Interface for management access
• Configure the UCS C-Series Serial over LAN service
• Describe the rationale and various components that are required to complete UCS C-Series integration with UCS Manager
• Configure the Fabric Interconnect and Fabric Extender for a UCS C-Series server
• Configure the UCS C-Series server to operate as part of a UCS Manager instance

The course contains these components:

• Course Introduction
• Troubleshooting Methodology
• Configuring Firmware Updates
• Troubleshooting LAN Connectivity
• Troubleshooting SAN Connectivity
• Troubleshooting Local Disk and RAID
• Troubleshooting Operating System Driver Issues
• Troubleshooting Management Access
• Configuring UCS C-Series Integration with UCS Manager