New Training: Describe ACI Components

In this 7-video skill, CBT Nuggets trainer Jeff Kish explains what Cisco products are used to create an ACI architecture, including Nexus 9300, Nexus 9500, APICs, and transceivers. Watch this new Cisco training.

Learn Cisco with one of these courses:

• Data Center Networking with Cisco Nexus Switches

• Cisco CCNP Data Center

This training includes:

• 7 videos

• 1.1 hours of training

You’ll learn these topics in this skill:

• Intro

• ACI Architecture

• Nexus 9500 Chassis Switches

• Nexus 9500 Line Cards

• Nexus 9300 Fixed-Config Switches

• The Application Policy Infrastructure Controller

• Review and Quiz

A Brief Introduction to Cisco's Application Infrastructure Controller

Cisco is arguably the leader in the software-defined networking world. It's no secret why. Cisco is constantly innovating to make software-defined networks more robust while easier to manage. One of those innovations is the ACI. ACI uses something called an application policy infrastructure controller that makes the software-defined network far easier to manage than the traditional SDN.

In a traditional software-defined network, each node needs to be configured through its command-line interface for updates and management. While this can be done programmatically, this process still incurs some additional overhead and complexity due to that. Instead, the application policy infrastructure controller doesn't decouple the control plane from the data plane. By doing this, each node in the network can be managed and controlled from one central point. This method of controlling the software-defined network has the benefit of creating a more robust and automated network much easier for network engineers.