There are actually many options in actual practice today when it comes to the need for connecting geographically dispersed Data Centers. Obviously, the geographic dispersion is highly favorable for data availability, and the interconnection technology that is chosen should meet the business needs of the organization as well as the generic technology requirements.

This article examines a Cisco solution available in the Nexus line known as Overlay Transport Virtualization or (OTV). The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the technology. Much more detail is provided in the CCIE Data Center Written Bootcamp here at IPexpert.

Many Data Center designers applaud Cisco’s OTV as it is a very clean design. In this solution, Data Center traffic is bridged directly over an IP core with no required intervening technology such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) or pseudowire.

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One of the topics that will be so fun to tackle in Session 2 of the 8 session CCIE Data Center Written Exam Blueprint will be Virtual Device Contexts (VDCs) of the Cisco Nexus 7000 series. Sure, the device can do wonders with the preexisting virtualization technologies like VLANs at Layer 2 and VRFs at Layer 3, but the Cisco Nexus 7000 leaps beyond these capabilities to actually virtualize itself as shown in the diagram here.

The device actually presents its own physical self as multiple logical units – each fully independent (or real close!) of each other.

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Bring Your Own Digital (BYOD) System Design

Attend the BYOD System Design workshop to learn about the design details, best practices, and validation test results provided in the recently published BYOD Cisco Validated Design (CVD). The Cisco BYOD experts team provides all the BYOD design details, best practices and latest validation test results you need when considering this robust architecture.

Designing a SIP Network Trunk

Join Cisco for an overview of SIP trunk benefits and an in-depth discussion of trunk environment planning. You will learn how to design your SIP network for voice, rather than for collaboration, and how Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) provides voice and video connectivity and eases the transition to service provider SIP trunks.

Secure Your Network with the ASA CX Context-Aware Firewall

Cisco’s experts will examine how Cisco’s ASA CX firewall can protect the network, illustrate how traffic flows through the device, and introduce new capabilities. The ASA CX context-aware firewall gives security administrators unprecedented visibility and control over the network. You’ll be able to say “yes” a lot more often, without compromising security.

Cisco has indeed expanded the dates and reach of the popular CCIE Mobile Labs. Some new additions include:

• Johannesburg, South Africa, September 3-7
• Doha, Qatar, September 16-20
• Toronto, Canada, September 17-21

For a complete list of all the new locations and times – visit this link today.

Note that all locations cover Routing and Switching, and some locations also cover Security and Voice. Also notice the important legend at the above link that indicates locations that were canceled due to low enrollment.

One of the technologies that you hear around the Cisco Data Center today is software defined networking or Campus slicing. This demonstration from Cisco Live 2012 San Diego gives our blog readers an excellent sense for this emerging technology. Enjoy!