Cisco Catalyst Heart Template Labs – Dynamic Automation, Half 8

Overview

On this episode of our ongoing Catalyst Heart Automation Collection, our focus is on utilizing a number of dynamic approaches to automating the community. We’ve beforehand, within the collection, 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 via automation supplied by Catalyst Heart. We’ll automate the entry layer with Dynamic templates, which might auto-provision ports based mostly on PoE occasions. Throughout this lab, we are going to make the most of numerous velocity templates mentioned in Lab 7 to take care of particular use instances in order that Catalyst Heart provisioning can allow these use instances by way of automation. This allows you, the community administrator, with the potential to unravel extra forms of configuration points from Catalyst Heart and to take care of the dynamics of an enterprise community.

In contrast to the earlier Labs within the collection, 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 don’t have any pre-configuration. It makes use of numerous automation methods to point out the whole artwork of the potential in a non-Software program Outlined Entry method.

Inside this collection, we cowl the next;

1. PnP Preparation – explains the general Plug and Play arrange steps
2. Onboarding Templates – explains in-depth deploy Day 0 templates
3. Day N Templates – dives into Day N template constructs with each common and composite templates and use instances
4. Utility Policys – explores Utility Policys and SD-AVC in Catalyst Heart and their use
5. Telemetry – explains deploy Telemetry for assurance
6. Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation methods
7. 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 the Wired Automation lab, and it permits clients to succeed in past what they at the moment perceive by attempting new ideas, actually pushing the boundaries of automation. We’ll cowl numerous matters about template logic to unravel a number of use instances throughout this lab. We cowl some earlier ideas with an in-depth give attention to broadening their capabilities.

The idea of this lab is so that you can construct the atmosphere from Discovery and PnP via to deployment. Permitting a secure place so that you can attempt, modify, and get used to the assorted ideas and approaches.

Method

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 Heart. This enables us to deploy Settings, Credentials, Uncover Gadgets, Construct Websites, Buildings, Flooring, and assign the gadgets to these websites. This can be a highly effective instance of what could be finished, as a result of it demonstrates how shortly you will get Catalyst Heart up and working using Relaxation-API utilizing only one instrument.

For the Microsoft Home windows atmosphere, DNS and DHCP providers are carried out 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 atmosphere.

However wait there’s extra…

Templates

We use templates throughout 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 fully configure the swap in probably the most dynamic means potential permitting for using low-impact mode depending on what kind of system is plugged into the swap. All templates and tasks for Catalyst Heart within the lab are downloaded as JSON information and imported permitting for minimal arrange time.

There are such a lot of superior configurations supplied throughout the lab that point must be spent after set as much as delve into and perceive all of them. Upon getting mastered all these ideas you have to be on the level the place you may take care of most automation duties demanded in fashionable enterprise networks.

Matters

The assorted matters we are going to contact on and deploy throughout the lab encompass the next:

1. Integrating Catalyst Heart and Id Companies Engine by way of PxGrid
2. Utilizing Relaxation-API to configure Catalyst Heart by way of Postman Command Runner
3. Using Discovery to onboard community gadgets
4. Provisioning Common and Composite Templates to Found Gadgets
5. Pattern PowerShell scripts to simplify DHCP and DNS deployment
6. Plug and Play (PnP) Onboarding of Gadgets
7. Common and Composite Templates for Routers and Switches
8. Autoconf and Embedded Occasion Supervisor
9. IBNS 2.0 configuration
10. Working with  Id Service Engine (ISE) Profiling and Insurance policies

Use Instances

We’ll cowl the Matters above in a number of use instances to point out the potential and suppleness of the templating engine inside Catalyst Heart. On this lab we make the most of Velocity language. Equally, we will make the most of the Jinja2 language though not on this lab. These have been the matters within the earlier lab we coated that are related:

1. Renaming interfaces
2. Constructing Stacks
3. Assigning port configuration
4. Autoconf port configuration
5. Non SDA IBNS 2.0 port configuration

With that, the lab makes use of these matters;

We’ll achieve a sensible understanding of the steps related to establishing a Catalyst Heart and an atmosphere to assist advanced, superior, common templates to ship system configuration throughout these labs. The labs goal to assist engineers in quickly starting utilizing Catalyst Heart automation and assist them work in the direction of a world template technique. Moreover, these labs will give clients a everlasting place to check out the common and composite templates and embody configurations for numerous use instances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to cut back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

Extra issues coated 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 gadgets to deploy configuration in an automatic means within the entry layer of a community. Machine classification is enabled while you allow the Autoconf function utilizing the autoconf allow international 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 function 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 not 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 could make use of different strategies to make the interface Dynamic.

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 electronic mail and far 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 affect 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 provide you with many different makes use of for such a function.

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 provide you with many different makes use of for such a function.

IBNS 2.0 Configuration

Whereas not overlaying all of the elements of IBNS 2.0, we cowl the configuration that we could implement with a view to permit for automating host onboarding inside a non-SD-Entry campus community. These ideas whereas not constructed into a proper UI inside Catalyst Heart for legacy networks permit 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 Heart 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 assist you to use them as you please throughout the time scheduled. As well as, this permits us a spot to begin working towards 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 clients via the caveats. Subsequently, to assist clients within the transition towards automation, we have now put collectively a set of small useful labs inside a GitHub repository. On this means, these self-guided labs present a glimpse into the basics of constructing velocity templates and supply examples you can obtain and increase from. As well as, the pattern templates and JSON information equipped are for straightforward import into Catalyst Facilities’ template editor for faster adoption. Lastly, some scripts are ready-made excerpts of code that assist you to construct the atmosphere 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 instances. Second, we offer solutions and explanations to most of the questions that come up throughout automation workshops. We hope that you just discover the knowledge each useful and informative.

The place can I take a look at and check out these labs?

DCLOUD Lab Surroundings

To assist clients succeed with Cisco Catalyst Heart 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:

1. Cisco Enterprise Networks {Hardware} Sandbox West DC
2. Cisco Enterprise Networks {Hardware} Sandbox East DC

The DCLOUD labs assist you to run these labs and provides an atmosphere to attempt the assorted code samples. You could select to develop and export your code to be used in manufacturing environments. Additionally, this provides you an atmosphere the place you may safely POC/POV strategies and steps with out harming your manufacturing environments. The DCLOUD atmosphere additionally negates the necessity for delivery gear, lead instances, and licensing points wanted to get transferring quickly. Please do adhere to the perfect practices for the DCLOUD atmosphere when utilizing it.

Lab Connectivity

The atmosphere permits for a web-based browser shopper for VPN-less connectivity. Moreover, there’s AnyConnect VPN shopper connectivity for many who want it. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. Moreover, chances are you’ll select from our San Jose and RTP Amenities labs by both choosing US East or US West. To entry this or different content material, demonstrations, and labs in DCLOUD, please immediately work along with your Cisco or Accomplice Account Crew. 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 the perfect practices of the DCLOUD atmosphere.

Content material

The Wired Automation labs, Superior Automation module content material is situated throughout 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 atmosphere. The repository was featured in a earlier put up on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Heart Templates earlier in Could 2021.

Extra Data

Catalyst Heart Template Labs

The beforehand named DNAC Template LABS throughout the DNAC-TEMPLATES GitHub repository goals to information you thru the standard 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 will modify for our use and take a look at on gear throughout the LAB atmosphere. Extra info throughout the lab supplies a well-rounded clarification of Automation strategies with Templates. Lastly, the lab permits for purchasers to make use of Catalyst Heart workflows to observe deploying Onboarding, DayN Templates, and Utility Coverage automation on each Wired and Wi-fi Platforms.

The objective of this lab is for it to be a sensible information to assist engineers to quickly start utilizing Catalyst Heart automation and assist them work in the direction of a deployment technique. Moreover, this lab will give clients a everlasting place to check out the configurations for numerous use instances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to cut 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 could assist throughout faultfinding to find out what’s failing in a deployment.

Catalyst Heart Labs

Please use this menu to navigate the assorted sections of this GitHub repository. Throughout the a number of folders are examples and clarification readme information for reference. There at the moment are two units of labs, and these are being frequently expanded upon.

In conclusion, for those who discovered this set of labs and repository useful,

please fill in feedback and suggestions on the way it could possibly be improved.

We’d love to listen to what you suppose. Ask a query or depart a remark beneath.
And keep related with Cisco on social!

Try our Cisco Networking video channel

Subscribe to the Networking weblog

Share: