About the course

Cumulus Linux combines the power of Open Networking with a network operating system that runs on industry-standard networking hardware from vendors like Mellanox, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others. Founded by experienced network engineers from Cisco and VMware, Cumulus Networks is building the first Linux operating system for networking hardware and filling a critical gap in software-defined data center tooling. Just as Linux completely changed the economics and innovation on the server side of the data center, Cumulus Linux does the same for the network. It radically reduces the cost and complexity of operating modern data center networks for service providers and enterprises of all sizes.

By providing a software-only solution, Cumulus Linux enables data center switch disaggregation similar to the hardware and software disaggregation of x86 servers.

The course includes both theoretical background and practical demonstrations using both Cumulus VX and physical switches.

Target audience

• Network engineers
• Network administrators

Advantages

The course is designed for network administrators responsible for maintaining the functioning and development of networks. Even for those who are confident in the depth of their knowledge on the designated topics, the course will be useful for its practical classes - after all, it is not always possible to test skills in a production network. If the practical classes of the course are not enough, you can use a separate training, which involves performing exclusively practical laboratory work to improve your own skills.

Course program

Day 1

• Cumulus Linux architecture
• Cumulus Linux Features
• Partner Ecosystem
• Cumulus VX

NCLU command line

• Two types of accounts
• Initial setup: mgmt IP, hostname, timezone, LLDP
• Automation, ZTP
• Port types and their settings
• Loopback, physical ports, bond, bridge
• VLAN, Spanning-tree,
• Routing protocols

MLAG

• About technology
• Topologies
• Setting up MLAG, VRR, etc.

Routing protocols

• BGP: AS, Route-Reflector, unnumbered, unicast

Data Center Architectures

• Traditional
• Modern
• Their limitations/advantages

Image Management

Monitoring

• Monitoring systems
• Managing log files

Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting network interfaces
• Performing network troubleshooting

Labs

• Lab 1: Introduction to CLI, Basic Settings
• Lab 2: Configuring MLAG, VRRP
• Lab 3: Configuring OSPF
• Lab 4: Configuring BGP

Day 2

• VXLAN
• Topologies
• Underlay configuration: BGP, OSPF

Overlay configuration

• Static tunnels
• Symmetric Routing with MLAG
• EVPN Multihoming
• Troubleshooting

Labs

• Lab 5: VXLAN, Static Tunnels
• Lab 6: VXLAN: Symmetric Routing
• Lab 7: VXLAN: EVPN multihoming