Overview
On this episode of our ongoing Catalyst Middle Automation Collection, our focus strikes to Relaxation-APIs and utilizing postman to automate the community. We’ll change our focus from templating to automation via Postman, an incredible device to look at RESTful APIs in a single person 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 focus on Catalyst Middle configuration and the way Catalyst Middle will be automated to carry out varied capabilities we have now already lined. The lab is meant to assist drive the adoption of Relaxation-API and contains a number of use circumstances to unravel frequent orchestration wants when utilizing Catalyst Middle.
Inside this sequence, we cowl the next;
- PnP Preparation – explains the general Plug and Play arrange steps
- Onboarding Templates – explains in-depth find out how to deploy Day 0 templates
- Day N Templates – dives into Day N template constructs with each common and composite templates and use circumstances
- Utility Policys – explores Utility Policys and SD-AVC in Catalyst Middle and their use
- Telemetry – explains find out how to deploy Telemetry for assurance
- Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation strategies
- Dynamic Automation – a deployment lab for dynamic automation
Catalyst Middle Relaxation-API Collections
Moreover, we have now offered 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. “Typically seeing is believing.” We hope these new instruments assist clarify find out 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 might be analyzed and considered in operation for inclusion in no matter automation or orchestration system requires them. In upcoming modules, we can even delve into revealed and unpublished Relaxation-API and find out how to uncover and work with these to perform your orchestration wants.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
- System Discovery – orchestrating system discovery
- Template Deployment – automating template deployment
- Configuration Archive – automating configuration archiving
- Retrieving Community Stock – gathering a community stock
- Operating Present Instructions – gathering present command outcomes
In contrast to most earlier Labs within the sequence, this lab is self-contained and has no dependencies on any earlier labs. Whilst 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 point out the whole artwork of the potential from Software program-Outlined Networking.
What’s going to I be taught 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’ll cowl varied subjects about Relaxation-API logic to unravel a number of use circumstances throughout this lab. We cowl some earlier ideas with an in-depth deal with broadening their capabilities via the artwork of doing and analyzing.
The idea of this lab is so that you can construct the atmosphere 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 strive, modify, and get used to the assorted ideas and approaches.
Strategy
The Lab is constructed for minimal intervention utilizing issues like Relaxation-API run by way of Postman inside a group runner to shortly configure Catalyst Middle. This permits us to deploy Settings, Credentials, Uncover Units, Construct Websites, Buildings, Flooring, and assign the units to these websites. These are highly effective examples of what we are able to do, they usually reveal how shortly we are able to get Catalyst Middle up and operating using Relaxation-API utilizing only one device.
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 obligatory.
You may simply add the Public Workspace to Postman by way of the next hyperlink. It will will let you 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 atmosphere, will probably be robotically added. (see picture under)
Public Catalyst Middle Use-Case API Assortment
We hold Postman Public Workspace updated with the lab in order that the lab helps doc the gathering, and the collections assist drive the lab. Throughout the Workspace are at present a number of collections and an atmosphere.
Use Instances
We’ll cowl varied subjects in a number of use circumstances primarily based on lab modules to point out the aptitude and suppleness of the Relaxation-APIs with Catalyst Middle.
The varied subjects/use-cases we are going to contact on and deploy throughout the lab encompass the next:
- Utilizing Relaxation-API to configure Catalyst Middle Design and Settings utilizing a CSV file
- Automation of assigning Credentials throughout the community
- Orchestrating Discovery to onboard community units
- Automating the Provisioning of Common and Composite Templates to Units
- Retrieving System Stock info
- Orchestration of Configuration Archives
- Retrieving Present Command outcomes from Catalyst Facilities Command Runner
With that, the lab makes use of these subjects…
We’ll achieve a sensible understanding of the steps related to using Relaxation-API whereas establishing a Catalyst Middle and an atmosphere to assist complicated, superior, common templates to ship system configuration throughout these labs. The labs intention to assist engineers in quickly starting to make use of 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 embrace configurations for varied use circumstances. Lastly, this atmosphere 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 will let you use them as you please throughout the time scheduled. As well as, this enables us a spot to begin working towards varied ideas with out worry of impacting manufacturing environments.
In consequence, we hope to demystify a number of the complexities of establishing automation and assist information prospects via the caveats. Due to this fact, to assist prospects within the transition towards automation, we have now put collectively a set of small useful labs inside a GitHub repository. This fashion, these self-guided labs present a glimpse into the basics of constructing velocity templates and provide examples you may obtain and develop 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 will let you construct the atmosphere 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 lots 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 check and take a look at these labs?
DCLOUD Lab Surroundings
To assist prospects succeed with Cisco Catalyst Middle automation, you could 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 will let you run these labs and provides an atmosphere to strive the assorted code samples. You might develop and export your code to be used in manufacturing environments. Additionally, this offers 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 maneuver quickly. Please adhere to the most effective 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 individuals who favor it. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. Moreover, you could select from our RTP Services labs by deciding on US West. To entry this or different content material, demonstrations, and labs in DCLOUD, please straight work along with your Cisco or Accomplice Account Group. 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 most effective practices of the DCLOUD atmosphere.
Content material
The REST-API Orchestration lab content material is positioned throughout the present DNAC-TEMPLATES repository to present a one-stop store for all the mandatory 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 submit on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Might 2021.
Further Data
Catalyst Middle 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 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 throughout the LAB atmosphere. Further info throughout the lab supplies a well-rounded clarification of Automation strategies with Templates. Lastly, the lab permits for patrons to make use of Catalyst Middle workflows to follow deploying Onboarding, DayN Templates, and Utility Coverage automation on each Wired and Wi-fi Platforms.
The purpose of this lab is for it to be a sensible information to assist 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 varied use circumstances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.
In consequence, 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.
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 clarification readme information 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 take care of and contains ideas from the legacy labs in a more recent extra modular format.
- Lab 1 Wired Automation – Covers inexperienced and brown area use circumstances (permit 4.0 hrs)
- Lab 2 Wi-fi Automation – Covers conventional wi-fi automation (permit 4.0 hrs)
- Lab 4 Relaxation-API Orchestration – Covers automation of Cisco Catalyst Middle by way of Postman with Relaxation-API (permit 2.0 hrs)
- Lab 7 CICD Orchestration – Covers Python with JENKINS orchestration by way of REST-API (permit 4.0 hrs)
We’ll share extra labs and content material in an ongoing effort to meet all of your automation wants with Catalyst Middle.
In conclusion, when you discovered this set of labs and repository useful,
please fill in feedback and suggestions on the way it could possibly be improved.
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