1.

Chapter 1: Virtualization History and Definitions

2. What are the key milestones in the evolution of virtualization technology?
3. Explain the concept of virtual memory and how it contributed to the development
of data center virtualization.
4. How would you classify different virtualization technologies based on the
taxonomy provided in this chapter?
5. Compare and contrast mainframe virtualization with modern virtualization
techniques.
6. What is the impact of Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) on the reliability of
early data center networks?
7. Propose a timeline that includes all major virtualization milestones covered in the
chapter.
8. Chapter 2: Data Center Network Evolution
9. List the different Ethernet media types discussed in this chapter.
10. Describe the evolution of Ethernet protocols from inception to the present day.
11. How would you design a simple data center network topology using the
ANSI/TIA-942 standard?
12. What are the benefits of network virtualization in terms of logical partitioning and
traffic load balancing?
13. Discuss the significance of physical network layout considerations in data center
design.
14. Design an optimized network topology that incorporates the lessons learned in
this chapter.
15. Chapter 3: The Humble Beginnings of Network Virtualization
16. Define VLAN and VRF as discussed in this chapter.
17. Explain the role of VLANs in network partitioning.
18. How would you configure a basic VLAN and assign it to an IP subnet?
19. Compare the concepts of VLAN and VRF in terms of their applications in network
virtualization.
20. What are the effectiveness of private VLANs in enhancing data center security?
21. Design a network segmentation plan using VLANs and VRFs for a medium-sized
data center.
22. Chapter 4: An Army of One: ACE Virtual Contexts
23. What is a load balancer and what are its primary functions?
24. Explain the difference between Layer 4 and Layer 7 load balancing.
25. Discuss the implications of integrating ACE Virtual Contexts into the data center
network.
26. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using ACE Virtual Contexts in a
multitenant data center?
27. Design a load balancing strategy that leverages ACE Virtual Contexts to optimize
traffic management.
28. Chapter 5: Instant Switches: Virtual Device Contexts
29. Define the Virtual Device Context (VDC).
30. Explain why VDCs are important in modern data center networks.
31. How would you allocate resources to a VDC in a Cisco network environment?
32. Compare VDCs with traditional physical switches in terms of flexibility and
scalability.
33. Discuss the security implications of using VDCs in a data center.
34. Propose a security zone strategy using VDCs for a large enterprise data center.
35. Chapter 6: Fooling Spanning Tree
36. What is Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and why is it used?
37. Describe how Virtual PortChannels (vPCs) can optimize link utilization.
38. How would you configure a vPC in a data center switch?
39. Discuss the impact of vPCs on traditional Spanning Tree Protocol operations.
40. What is the effectiveness of using vPCs to avoid Spanning Tree Protocol
limitations?
41. Design a network architecture that maximizes link utilization while ensuring
redundancy using vPCs.
42. Chapter 7: Virtualized Chassis with Fabric Extenders
43. What are Fabric Extenders (FEX) and how do they function?
44. Explain the benefits of using FEX in a data center environment.
45. How would you connect a Fabric Extender to a parent switch?
46. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dual-homed topologies in FEX
deployment.
47. What is the role of FEX in simplifying data center management?
48. Design a mixed access data center architecture using FEX and traditional
switches.
49. Chapter 8: A Tale of Two Data Centers
50. List the three main phases of distributed data center evolution as discussed in
this chapter.
51. Describe the challenges associated with Layer 2 extensions between data
centers.
52. How would you configure an Ethernet extension over MPLS for a data center
interconnection?
53. Compare different methods of extending Layer 2 across data centers, such as
OTV and MPLS.
54. Discuss the effectiveness of active-active data center designs in disaster
recovery scenarios.
55. Design a resilient inter-data center network using the concepts discussed in this
chapter.
56. Chapter 9: Storage Evolution
57. What are the primary types of data center storage devices?
58. Explain how storage evolution has impacted data center architectures.
59. How would you integrate modern storage solutions into an existing data center?
60. Compare traditional SANs with modern storage architectures like NAS and object
storage.
61. Discuss the impact of storage virtualization on data center efficiency.
62. Design a storage strategy for a data center that supports both traditional and
virtualized workloads.
63. Chapter 10: Islands in the SAN
64. What is SAN and what are its key components?
65. Describe the concept of storage partitioning in SAN environments.
66. How would you configure a SAN partition for a new application deployment?
67. Discuss the benefits of using Virtual SANs (VSANs) in a data center
environment.
68. What is the impact of VSANs on data center storage management?
69. Design a SAN architecture that supports multi-tenancy using VSANs.
70. Chapter 11: Secret Identities
71. Define the concept of Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs) in a storage context.
72. Explain how LUNs contribute to storage virtualization.
73. How would you configure LUN masking in a SAN?
74. Compare LUN masking with other security mechanisms in storage environments.
75. Discuss the role of LUNs in maintaining data integrity and security in a SAN.
76. Design a secure storage environment that leverages LUN masking and zoning.
77. Chapter 12: One Cable to Unite Us All
78. What is the Unified Fabric and how does it integrate data center resources?
79. Explain the advantages of using a Unified Fabric in a modern data center.
80. How would you deploy a Unified Fabric in a greenfield data center?
81. Discuss the challenges associated with migrating to a Unified Fabric architecture.
82. What is the impact of Unified Fabric on data center performance and scalability?
83. Propose a migration plan for moving an existing data center to a Unified Fabric
architecture.
84. Chapter 13: Server Evolution
85. What are the key milestones in server evolution discussed in this chapter?
86. Explain how server virtualization has changed the landscape of data center
operations.
87. How would you implement server virtualization in a legacy data center?
88. Compare the benefits of server virtualization with traditional physical server
deployments.
89. Discuss the role of hypervisors in server virtualization and resource
management.
90. Design a server infrastructure that maximizes efficiency using virtualization
technologies.
91. Chapter 14: Changing Personalities
92. What are virtual machines (VMs) and how do they differ from physical servers?
93. Describe the process of migrating a physical server to a virtual machine.
94. How would you configure a virtual machine to optimize its performance?
95. Compare different hypervisor technologies in terms of their features and
performance.
96. Discuss the impact of virtual machine sprawl on data center resources.
97. Design a virtual machine deployment strategy that minimizes sprawl and
maximizes resource utilization.
98. Chapter 15: Transcending the Rack
99. What is a blade server and how does it differ from a traditional rack server?
100. Explain the benefits of using blade servers in a virtualized environment.
101. How would you configure a blade server chassis in a data center?
102. Compare blade servers with traditional rack servers in terms of scalability and
resource efficiency.
103. Discuss the role of blade servers in reducing data center power and cooling
requirements.
104. Design a data center server infrastructure that leverages the benefits of blade
servers.
105. Chapter 16: Moving Targets
106. What is live migration and how does it work in a virtualized environment?
107. Describe the benefits and challenges of live migration in a data center.
108. How would you perform a live migration of a virtual machine with minimal
downtime?
109. Compare live migration techniques across different hypervisor platforms.
110. Discuss the impact of live migration on data center operations and workload
management.
111. Propose a strategy for using live migration to facilitate data center
maintenance without service disruption.
112. Chapter 17: The Virtual Data Center and Cloud Computing
113. What are the key characteristics of a virtual data center as discussed in this
chapter?
114. Explain how cloud computing has transformed the concept of the traditional
data center.
115. How would you migrate a traditional data center to a cloud-based
infrastructure?
116. Compare public, private, and hybrid cloud models in terms of their
applicability to different types of organizations.
117. Discuss the security challenges associated with cloud-based data centers.
118. Design a cloud strategy for an organization looking to move from a traditional
data center to a virtualized, cloud-based environment.