Cisco Catalyst Center Template Labs - Rest-APIs - Part 9

[ad_1] Overview On this episode of our ongoing Catalyst Heart Automation Collection , our focus strikes to Relaxation-APIs and utilizing postman to automate the community. We are going to change our focus from templating to automation by means of Postman, an awesome software to look at RESTful APIs in a single consumer interface. It is a Self-Paced Standalone Lab, the place we are going to construct upon the foundational data acquired within the earlier labs. For this lab, we are going to think about Catalyst Heart configuration and the way Catalyst Heart may be automated to carry out varied capabilities we have now already coated. The lab is meant to assist drive the adoption of Relaxation-API and consists of a number of use circumstances to unravel widespread orchestration wants when utilizing Catalyst Heart.

Inside this collection, we cowl the next;

PnP Preparation – explains the general Plug and Play arrange steps Onboarding Templates – explains in-depth tips on how to deploy Day 0 templates Day N Templates – dives into Day N template constructs with each common and composite templates and use circumstances Software Policys – explores Software Policys and SD-AVC in Catalyst Heart and their use Telemetry – explains tips on how to deploy Telemetry for assurance Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation strategies Dynamic Automation – a deployment lab for dynamic automation

Catalyst Heart Relaxation-API Collections Moreover, we have now supplied a Postman Public Workspace the place all of the Relaxation-API Collections are included in order that engineers can quickly entry and arrange their environments. “Generally seeing is believing.” We hope these new instruments assist clarify tips on how to finest use the Relaxation-APIs and increase the knowledge from developer.cisco.com.

On this lab, we are going to frequently add extra use circumstances to reply particular orchestration wants, however at all times in Postman, the place they could be analyzed and seen in operation for inclusion in no matter automation or orchestration system requires them. In upcoming modules, we may even delve into revealed and unpublished Relaxation-API and tips on how to uncover and work with these to perform your orchestration wants.

Inside this lab modules, we cowl the next using collections for orchestration with the help of a comma-separated values (CSV) file;

Postman Orientation – orientates you to Postman and helps put together the instruments Constructing Hierarchy – the orchestration of constructing hierarchy Assign Settings and Credentials – assigning settings and credentials Gadget Discovery – orchestrating gadget discovery Template Deployment – automating template deployment Configuration Archive – automating configuration archiving Retrieving Community Stock – accumulating a community stock Working Present Instructions – accumulating present command outcomes

Not like most earlier Labs within the collection, this lab is self-contained and has no dependencies on any earlier labs. When you can add ideas from Labs 5 and 6 to this lab, it's designed to don't have any pre-configuration. It makes use of varied automation strategies to indicate the entire artwork of the potential from Software program-Outlined Networking.

What's going to I study within the Relaxation-API Orchestration Lab? That is an enablement-type lab, permitting engineers and designers to achieve past what they at present perceive by making an attempt new ideas and pushing the boundaries of automation and orchestration. We are going to cowl varied matters about Relaxation-API logic to unravel a number of use circumstances throughout this lab. We cowl some earlier ideas with an in-depth give attention to broadening their capabilities by means of the artwork of doing and analyzing.

The idea of this lab is so that you can construct the surroundings from the bottom up, from Design to Discovery to Template Deployment. Using DCLOUD or the DevNet Sandbox permits a secure place so that you can attempt, modify, and get used to the assorted ideas and approaches.

Method The Lab is constructed for minimal intervention utilizing issues like Relaxation-API run through Postman inside a group runner to shortly configure Catalyst Heart. This enables us to deploy Settings, Credentials, Uncover Units, Construct Websites, Buildings, Flooring, and assign the gadgets to these websites. These are highly effective examples of what we are able to do, and so they exhibit how shortly we are able to get Catalyst Heart up and operating using Relaxation-API utilizing only one software.

However wait, there's extra… We provisioned a comma-separated worth (CSV) file to be used with the Postman collections to make it straightforward to construct the design and deploy templates the place mandatory.

<img class="wp-image-412969" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/csv.png" alt="CSV" width="800" height="385" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/csv.png 1198w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/csv-300x144.png 300w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/csv-1024x492.png 1024w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/csv-768x369.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"/> Determine 1. CSV File You possibly can simply add the Public Workspace to Postman through the next hyperlink. This can permit you to quickly begin utilizing the Relaxation-API suite created for this lab. Click on the next hyperlink and log into your Postman account, and the workspace, together with the collections and the surroundings, might be routinely added. (see picture under)

Public Catalyst Heart Use-Case API Assortment

<img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-412968" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/Postman-Public-Workspace.png" alt="Postman Public Workspace" width="800" height="396" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/Postman-Public-Workspace.png 3748w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/Postman-Public-Workspace-300x148.png 300w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/Postman-Public-Workspace-1024x507.png 1024w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/Postman-Public-Workspace-768x380.png 768w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/Postman-Public-Workspace-1536x760.png 1536w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2022/08/Postman-Public-Workspace-2048x1013.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"/> Determine 2. Postman Public Workspace We preserve Postman Public Workspace updated with the lab in order that the lab helps doc the gathering, and the collections assist drive the lab. Inside the Workspace are at present a number of collections and an surroundings.

Use Circumstances We are going to cowl varied matters in a number of use circumstances based mostly on lab modules to indicate the aptitude and suppleness of the Relaxation-APIs with Catalyst Heart.

The varied matters/use-cases we are going to contact on and deploy throughout the lab include the next:

Utilizing Relaxation-API to configure Catalyst Heart Design and Settings utilizing a CSV file Automation of assigning Credentials throughout the community Orchestrating Discovery to onboard community gadgets Automating the Provisioning of Common and Composite Templates to Units Retrieving Gadget Stock data Orchestration of Configuration Archives Retrieving Present Command outcomes from Catalyst Facilities Command Runner

With that, the lab makes use of these matters… We are going to acquire a sensible understanding of the steps related to using Relaxation-API whereas establishing a Catalyst Heart and an surroundings to assist advanced, superior, common templates to ship gadget configuration throughout these labs. The labs goal to help engineers in quickly starting to make use of Catalyst Heart automation and assist them work in direction of a world template technique. Moreover, these labs will give prospects a everlasting place to check out the common and composite templates and embrace configurations for varied use circumstances. Lastly, this surroundings will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

Beginning… Inside DCLOUD, a number of sandbox-type labs can be found. These self-contained environments are there to permit you to use them as you please throughout the time scheduled. As well as, this permits us a spot to start out working towards varied ideas with out worry of impacting manufacturing environments.

Consequently, we hope to demystify a number of the complexities of establishing automation and assist information prospects by means of the caveats. Due to this fact, to help prospects within the transition towards automation, we have now put collectively a set of small useful labs inside a GitHub repository. This manner, these self-guided labs present a glimpse into the basics of constructing velocity templates and supply examples you possibly can obtain and develop from. As well as, the pattern templates and JSON recordsdata equipped are for simple import into Catalyst Facilities’ template editor for faster adoption. Lastly, some scripts are ready-made excerpts of code that permit you to construct the surroundings to check.

On this sensible lab, REST-API Orchestration, we step-by-step delve into superior automation strategies and methods to make the most of them to unravel varied use circumstances. Second, we offer solutions and explanations to most of the questions that come up throughout automation workshops. We hope that you simply discover the knowledge each useful and informative.

The place can I check and take a look at these labs? DCLOUD Lab Surroundings To assist prospects succeed with Cisco Catalyst Heart automation, you might make the most of the above labs as they've been designed to work inside DCLOUD’s Cisco Enterprise Networks {Hardware} Sandbox Labs in both:

Cisco Enterprise Networks {Hardware} Sandbox West DC Cisco Enterprise Networks {Hardware} Sandbox East DC

The DCLOUD labs permit you to run these labs and provides an surroundings to attempt the assorted code samples. Chances are you'll develop and export your code to be used in manufacturing environments. Additionally, this offers you an surroundings the place you possibly can safely POC/POV strategies and steps with out harming your manufacturing environments. The DCLOUD surroundings additionally negates the necessity for transport gear, lead occasions, and licensing points wanted to maneuver quickly. Please adhere to one of the best practices for the DCLOUD surroundings when utilizing it.

Lab Connectivity The surroundings permits for a web-based browser consumer for VPN-less connectivity. Moreover, there's AnyConnect VPN consumer connectivity for many who desire it. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. Moreover, you might select from our RTP Amenities labs by choosing US West. To entry this or different content material, demonstrations, and labs in DCLOUD, please instantly work together with your Cisco or Associate Account Group. Your Account groups will schedule the session and share it so that you can use. As soon as booked, observe the information inside GitHub to finish the duties adhering to one of the best practices of the DCLOUD surroundings.

Content material The REST-API Orchestration lab content material is situated throughout the present DNAC-TEMPLATES repository to offer a one-stop store for all the required instruments, scripts, templates, and code samples. Inside it are seven labs, which construct upon the tutorials to check the strategies in a lab surroundings. The repository was featured in a earlier submit on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Heart Templates earlier in Could 2021.

Further Info Catalyst Heart Template Labs The beforehand named DNAC Template LABS throughout the DNAC-TEMPLATES GitHub repository goals to information you thru the everyday steps required to allow the assorted automation duties delivered by Catalyst Heart. This lab will give examples of templates utilized in Catalyst Heart that we are able to modify for our use and check on gear throughout the LAB surroundings. Further data throughout the lab offers a well-rounded clarification of Automation strategies with Templates. Lastly, the lab permits for patrons to make use of Catalyst Heart workflows to follow deploying Onboarding, DayN Templates, and Software Coverage automation on each Wired and Wi-fi Platforms.

The purpose of this lab is for it to be a sensible information to help engineers to quickly start utilizing Catalyst Heart automation and assist them work in direction of a deployment technique. Moreover, this lab will give prospects a everlasting place to check out the configurations for varied use circumstances. Lastly, this surroundings will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

Consequently, you'll acquire expertise in establishing Plug and Play onboarding and templates and using all options. Moreover, you'll use superior templating strategies and troubleshooting instruments. These could assist throughout faultfinding to find out what's failing in a deployment.

New Catalyst Heart Lab Content material Please use this menu to navigate the assorted sections of this GitHub repository. Inside the a number of folders are examples and clarification readme recordsdata for reference. There are actually two units of labs, and these are being frequently expanded upon.

This newer and extra modular lab strategy is designed to cope with and consists of ideas from the legacy labs in a more moderen extra modular format.

Lab 1 Wired Automation – Covers inexperienced and brown subject use circumstances (enable 4.0 hrs) Lab 2 Wi-fi Automation – Covers conventional wi-fi automation (enable 4.0 hrs) Lab 4 Relaxation-API Orchestration – Covers automation of Cisco Catalyst Heart through Postman with Relaxation-API (enable 2.0 hrs) Lab 7 CICD Orchestration – Covers Python with JENKINS orchestration through REST-API (enable 4.0 hrs)