Cisco Catalyst Center Template Labs – Dynamic Automation, Part 8

[ad_1] Overview On this episode of our ongoing Catalyst Middle Automation Sequence , our focus is on utilizing a number of dynamic approaches to automating the community. We now have beforehand, within the sequence, concentrated our efforts on particular ideas regarding automation. Nonetheless, on this Self-Paced Standalone Lab, we are going to begin to mix numerous concepts to present you a extra in-depth have a look at what is feasible by way of automation offered by Catalyst Middle. We are going to automate the entry layer with Dynamic templates, which may auto-provision ports primarily based on PoE occasions. Throughout this lab, we are going to make the most of numerous velocity templates mentioned in Lab 7 to cope with particular use circumstances in order that Catalyst Middle provisioning can allow these use circumstances by way of automation. This permits you, the community administrator, with the potential to unravel extra kinds of configuration points from Catalyst Middle and to cope with the dynamics of an enterprise community.

In contrast to the earlier Labs within the sequence, this lab is a self-contained lab and has no dependencies on any of the earlier labs. When you can add ideas from Labs 5 and 6 to this lab, it's designed to haven't any pre-configuration. It makes use of numerous automation methods to point out the whole artwork of the doable in a non-Software program Outlined Entry strategy.

Inside this sequence, we cowl the next;

PnP Preparation – explains the general Plug and Play arrange steps Onboarding Templates – explains in-depth how you can 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 Middle and their use Telemetry – explains how you can deploy Telemetry for assurance Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation methods Dynamic Automation – a deployment lab for dynamic automation

What's going to I study within the Dynamic Automation Lab? That is an enablement kind module inside th e Wired Automation lab , and it permits prospects to achieve past what they presently perceive by attempting new ideas, actually pushing the boundaries of automation. We are going to cowl numerous matters about template logic to unravel a number of use circumstances throughout this lab. We cowl some earlier ideas with an in-depth concentrate on broadening their capabilities.

The idea of this lab is so that you can construct the setting from Discovery and PnP by way of to deployment. Permitting a protected place so that you can strive, modify, and get used to the assorted ideas and approaches.

Strategy Preparation The Lab is constructed for minimal intervention making use of issues like Relaxation-API run by way of Postman inside a set runner to shortly configure Catalyst Middle. This enables us to deploy Settings, Credentials, Uncover Gadgets, Construct Websites, Buildings, Flooring, and assign the units to these websites. It is a highly effective instance of what could be finished, as a result of it demonstrates how shortly you will get Catalyst Middle up and operating using Relaxation-API utilizing only one software.

For the Microsoft Home windows setting, DNS and DHCP providers are applied utilizing a PowerShell script for pace of implementation. This enables us to shortly add DHCP Scopes and DNS Entries for the required providers within the lab setting.

However wait there may be extra… Templates We use templates inside the lab to configure all of the {hardware} gear, in preparation for the Plug and Play onboarding of the entry swap, after which deploy the DayN Composite template to utterly configure the swap in probably the most dynamic method doable permitting for using low-impact mode depending on what kind of system is plugged into the swap. All templates and initiatives for Catalyst Middle within the lab are downloaded as JSON recordsdata and imported permitting for minimal arrange time.

There are such a lot of superior configurations provided inside the lab that point needs to be spent after set as much as delve into and perceive all of them. After you have mastered all these ideas you ought to be on the level the place you may cope with most automation duties demanded in fashionable enterprise networks.

Matters The assorted matters we are going to contact on and deploy inside the lab include the next:

Integrating Catalyst Middle and Id Providers Engine by way of PxGrid Utilizing Relaxation-API to configure Catalyst Middle by way of Postman Command Runner Using Discovery to onboard community units Provisioning Common and Composite Templates to Found Gadgets Pattern PowerShell scripts to simplify DHCP and DNS deployment Plug and Play (PnP) Onboarding of Gadgets Common and Composite Templates for Routers and Switches Autoconf and Embedded Occasion Supervisor IBNS 2.0 configuration Working with Id Service Engine (ISE) Profiling and Insurance policies

Use Instances We are going to cowl the Matters above in a number of use circumstances to point out the potential and suppleness of the templating engine inside Catalyst Middle. On this lab we make the most of Velocity language. Equally, we are able to make the most of the Jinja2 language though not on this lab. These had been the matters within the earlier lab we lined that are related:

Renaming interfaces Constructing Stacks Assigning port configuration Autoconf port configuration Non SDA IBNS 2.0 port configuration

With that, the lab makes use of these matters; We are going to achieve a sensible understanding of the steps related to establishing a Catalyst Middle and an setting to assist advanced, superior, common templates to ship system configuration throughout these labs. The labs purpose to help engineers in quickly starting utilizing Catalyst Middle automation and assist them work in direction of a worldwide template technique. Moreover, these labs will give prospects a everlasting place to check out the common and composite templates and embody configurations for numerous use circumstances. Lastly, this setting will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

Further issues lined within the lab; Autoconf In these labs, we use Autoconf, an answer that manages port configurations for knowledge or voice VLAN, high quality of service (QoS) parameters, storm management, and MAC-based port safety on finish units to deploy configuration in an automatic method within the entry layer of a community. Gadget classification is enabled whenever you allow the Autoconf characteristic utilizing the autoconf allow world configuration mode command. The system detection acts as an occasion set off, which in flip applies the suitable computerized template to the interface. When the Autoconf characteristic is enabled utilizing the autoconf allow command, the default Autoconf service coverage is utilized to all of the interfaces. For extra details about Autoconf. Autoconf and service-policies at the moment can't co-exist on the identical interface and so for interfaces which have templates statically assigned to the interface with service-policy attachment for authentication we might make use of different strategies to make the interface Dynamic.

Determine 1. Autoconf EEM scripts EEM scripts use some form of occasion to set off them. Throughout the EEM script, you may reconfigure interfaces, ship occasion notifications by way of e-mail and rather more. On this lab we use EEM scripts to reconfigure interfaces on a down occasion to a base closed authentication template, and modify them to low influence mode when a PoE Energy up occasion is detected. The makes use of for such a script are quite a few, and this lab covers one particular use case however an imaginative thoughts can give you many different makes use of for such a characteristic.

Determine 2. EEM Scripts Self-Destructing EEM scripts Self-Destructing EEM scripts are those who delete themselves on termination. Throughout the EEM script, code removes the EEM applet from the configuration, after which writes the configuration to NVRAM. The makes use of for such a script are quite a few, and this lab covers one particular use case however an imaginative thoughts can give you many different makes use of for such a characteristic.

IBNS 2.0 Configuration Whereas not protecting all of the features of IBNS 2.0, we cowl the configuration that we might implement with a purpose to enable for automating host onboarding inside a non-SD-Entry campus community. These ideas whereas not constructed into a proper UI inside Catalyst Middle for legacy networks enable organizations that want to automate their infrastructure the prospect to automate.

The format of the code inside all these sections of the lab is in a straightforward copy-to-paste window permitting you to import them into Catalyst Middle just by pasting them into the editor.

Beginning… Inside DCLOUD, a number of sandbox-type labs can be found. These self-contained environments are there to mean you can use them as you please inside the time scheduled. As well as, this enables us a spot to begin practising numerous ideas with out concern of impacting manufacturing environments.

Consequently, we hope to demystify a few of the complexities of establishing automation and assist information prospects by way of the caveats. Subsequently, to help prospects within the transition towards automation, we've got put collectively a set of small useful labs inside a GitHub repository. On this method, these self-guided labs present a glimpse into the basics of constructing velocity templates and provide examples which you could obtain and broaden from. As well as, the pattern templates and JSON recordsdata equipped are for straightforward import into Catalyst Facilities’ template editor for faster adoption. Lastly, some scripts are ready-made excerpts of code that mean you can construct the setting to check.

Throughout the Wired Automation lab, within the Superior Automation module, we step-by-step delve into superior automation strategies and methods to make the most of them to unravel numerous 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 Middle automation, chances are you'll 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 mean you can run these labs and offers an setting to strive the assorted code samples. You could select to develop and export your code to be used in manufacturing environments. Additionally, this offers you an setting the place you may safely POC/POV strategies and steps with out harming your manufacturing environments. The DCLOUD setting additionally negates the necessity for transport gear, lead occasions, and licensing points wanted to get transferring quickly. Please do adhere to the very best practices for the DCLOUD setting when utilizing it.

Lab Connectivity The setting permits for a web-based browser consumer for VPN-less connectivity. Moreover, there may be AnyConnect VPN consumer connectivity for individuals who choose it. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. Moreover, chances are you'll select from our San Jose and RTP Services labs by both choosing US East or US West. To entry this or different content material, demonstrations, and labs in DCLOUD, please straight work along with your Cisco or Associate Account Workforce. Your Account groups will schedule the session and share it so that you can use. As soon as booked, comply with the information inside GitHub to finish the duties adhering to the very best practices of the DCLOUD setting.

Content material The Wired Automation labs, Superior Automation module content material is situated inside the current DNAC-TEMPLATES repository to present a one-stop-shop 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 setting. The repository was featured in a earlier submit on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Could 2021.

Further Info Catalyst Middle Template Labs The beforehand named DNAC Template LABS inside the DNAC-TEMPLATES GitHub repository goals to information you thru the everyday steps required to allow the assorted automation duties delivered by Catalyst Middle. This lab will give examples of templates utilized in Catalyst Middle that we are able to modify for our use and check on gear inside the LAB setting. Further data inside the lab supplies a well-rounded rationalization of Automation strategies with Templates. Lastly, the lab permits for purchasers to make use of Catalyst Middle 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 Middle 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 numerous use circumstances. Lastly, this setting will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

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

Catalyst Middle Labs Please use this menu to navigate the assorted sections of this GitHub repository. Throughout the a number of folders are examples and rationalization readme recordsdata for reference. There at the moment are two units of labs, and these are being regularly expanded upon.

New Catalyst Middle Lab Content material Please use this menu to navigate the assorted sections of this GitHub repository. Throughout the a number of folders are examples and rationalization readme recordsdata for reference. There at the moment are two units of labs, and these are being regularly expanded upon.

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

Lab 1 Wired Automation – Covers inexperienced and brown area 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 Middle by way of Postman with Relaxation-API (enable 2.0 hrs) Lab 7 CICD Orchestration – Covers Python with JENKINS orchestration by way of REST-API (enable 4.0 hrs)