Cisco on Tuesday announced updates to its data-center certification track with a new data and analytics portfolio that readies IT professionals for the modern data-center environment.

The new training focuses on data management and data virtualization, or integrated data management and virtualization, and includes skills and hands-on learning.

Data Management Training includes: Cisco Big Data Analytics, Architecture and Management Training Course – available next month; and Advanced Big Data Analytics, Architecture, Management and Applications Training Course – available in March.

The Data Virtualization Training includes three courses: Cisco Information Server Basic Training Course; Cisco Information Server Administration Training Course; and Cisco Information Server Advanced Training Course. No dates are posted yet for these trainings.{ad}

According to Cisco, the Data and Analytics Training includes:

The vendor also made major updates to the Data Center Certification Track:

Back in November, at Cisco Partner Summit, the vendor named Roland Acra to lead its efforts to build the next generation Data Center. Kicking off his third stint at the company, he was named senior vice president and general manager, Data Center Business Group. Acra is responsible for defining the next phase of Cisco’s data-center strategy and driving development for its data-center portfolio. His group will include all data center switching products — NX2/4/5/6K, NX3K, NX7K, and NX9K, UCS, SAN, and associated products and programs. Cisco also announced plans to consolidate all of the NXOS development team under this group.