Cisco Storage Network Design Exam

The Cisco Storage Networking Design Specialist validates an individual's knowledge of selecting and integrating Cisco storage products to design a highly scalable, efficient, high performing storage networking solution based on converged architecture. Cisco Storage Networking Design Specialist professionals understand how to utilize and employ the features and benefits of the Cisco MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Directors and Switches, Cisco MDS 9509 Director Switch, Cisco 9216 Fabric Switch, and Cisco MDS 9120 products to create a high availability storage network design.

Perform a needs analysis that identifies the appropriate Storage Networking topology, protocols, and transport to meet customer's requirements

• Describe the benefits of implementing a Cisco collapsed core SAN network design
• Describe the evolution of SAN topology design
• Evaluate over-subscription ratio for a given design
• Determine if iSCSI is appropriate for design implementation
• Determine SAN Extension requirements for customer solution
• Evaluate deployment opportunities for MDS family
• Evaluate customer's applications requirements
• Evaluate customer's business continuance requirements
• Evaluate customer's backup/replication requirements
• Evaluate customer's high availability requirements
• Evaluate the customer's storage utilization and propose consolidation options
• Evaluate customer's Storage Virtualization implementation strategy
• Evaluate customer's Security requirements

Identify the interoperability requirements of a customers SAN

• Identify and document existing customer infrastructure
• Identify considerations that should be addressed when designing a heterogeneous fabric

Design a solution that addresses a customer's SAN requirements

• Describe value added MDS features that address identified customer needs and requirements
• Determine the appropriate topology for a given implementation
• Select the appropriate protocols for design implementation
• Select appropriate collapsed core design given a set of customer requirements
• Select the appropriate design option given a set of customer requirements including applications like database, mail-server, backup and replication
• Identify characteristics of customer's host operating systems that could impact their SAN design
• Develop a capacity plan for implementing a Cisco SAN solution
• Propose SAN Extension topology, devices, and features appropriate for designed SAN
• Propose alternative protocols, topologies, devices, and features that would improve customer solution
• Design an appropriate management infrastructure
• Determine hardware configurations, power requirements, and environmental considerations to support SAN fabric design
• Select appropriate media solution given a specific topology design

The following courses are recommended training for this exam.

• Cisco MDS Storage Networking Fundamentals (CMSNF)
• Cisco Storage Network Design Essentials (CSDE)

Courses listed are offered by Cisco Learning Partners, the only authorized source for Cisco IT training delivered exclusively by Certified Cisco Instructors. Check the Global Learning Partner Locator for a Cisco Learning Partner near you.

A variety of Cisco Press titles may be available for this exam. These titles can be purchased through the Cisco Marketplace Bookstore, directly from Cisco Press.

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