Optical Data Center Interconnect (DCI) is a widely deployed architecture that provides high density, layer 1 connectivity between two physically disperse locations. Traditionally, most enterprise network operators lease these services from various service providers, paying a monthly recurring fee based on size and quantity of circuits. Though leased circuits have their benefits, deploying your own DCI network has become a very popular option amongst network operators of all sizes. Cost savings, flexibility of bandwidth growth, security and operational control are some of the reasons driving operators to deploy their own DCI system.

Modern Data Center solutions solve business problems by improving efficiency, reliability, scalability, security and innovation. Robust network, storage and server infrastructure, along with cloud-ready application platforms, enable data-driven decision making, performance optimization, cost control and the creation of new business opportunities. By realizing Modern Data Center solutions, businesses can solve current and future challenges, gain a competitive edge and achieve their goals.

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insights (NDI) is included with all Nexus licensing and is compatible with both ACI and NDFC. The platform offers extensive insights functionality, such as dynamic correlation, impact analysis, proactive alerts, failure prediction and remediation. By leveraging advanced alerting, baselining, correlation, and forecasting algorithms, NDI provides deep insights into network behavior through telemetry data from networking components. This accelerates troubleshooting, rapid root-cause analysis, and early remediation, ensuring compliance with operator intent and simplifying audits. Additionally, it supports multi-site environments, enabling effective monitoring, maintenance and troubleshooting across multiple data center sites. Overall, Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insights enhances network visibility, optimizes performance, and ensures a more reliable and efficient data center operation. This briefing will introduce you to the Nexus Dashboard platform and demonstrate the benefits of NDI.

The most common protocols used in a modern Data Center Network (DCN) are EVPN/VXLAN, while there are many benefits to this underlay/overlay technology, it is extremely complex to implement. Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) can streamline the process for EVPN/VXLAN campus or DCN networks as well as traditional networks. The platform's user-friendly interface and streamlined workflows simplify the process of fabric management, from initial setup to ongoing maintenance. NDFC supports both greenfield and brownfield deployments, allowing for seamless integration with existing fabrics as well as the creation of new ones. By providing a centralized point of control, NDFC reduces the complexity associated with managing multiple fabrics and sites, ensuring that network operations are efficient and straightforward.