Overview
On this episode of our ongoing Catalyst Middle Automation Sequence, our focus strikes to Relaxation-APIs and utilizing postman to automate the community. We’ll change our focus from templating to automation by way of Postman, an awesome device 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 focus on Catalyst Middle configuration and the way Catalyst Middle could be automated to carry out numerous features now we have already coated. The lab is meant to assist drive the adoption of Relaxation-API and consists of a number of use instances to resolve 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 how you can deploy Day 0 templates
- Day N Templates – dives into Day N template constructs with each common and composite templates and use instances
- Utility Policys – explores Utility 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
Catalyst Middle Relaxation-API Collections
Moreover, now we have 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 how you can greatest use the Relaxation-APIs and increase the knowledge from developer.cisco.com.
On this lab, we are going to regularly add extra use instances to reply particular orchestration wants, however at all times in Postman, the place they could 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 In upcoming modules, we can even delve into revealed and unpublished Relaxation-API and how you can uncover and work with these to perform your orchestration wants.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
- Machine Discovery – orchestrating system 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 sequence, 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 haven’t any pre-configuration. It makes use of numerous automation methods to point out the entire artwork of the attainable 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 succeed in past what they at the moment perceive by attempting new ideas and pushing the boundaries of automation and orchestration. We’ll cowl numerous subjects about Relaxation-API logic to resolve a number of use instances throughout this lab. We cowl some earlier ideas with an in-depth concentrate on broadening their capabilities by way of 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. The usage of DCLOUD or the DevNet Sandbox permits a secure place so that you can strive, 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 set runner to rapidly configure Catalyst Middle. 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, they usually reveal how rapidly we are able to get Catalyst Middle up and working using Relaxation-API utilizing only one device.
However wait, there may be 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 through the next hyperlink. This can 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, might be mechanically added. (see picture beneath)
Public Catalyst Middle Use-Case API Assortment
We maintain 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 the moment a number of collections and an atmosphere.
Use Circumstances
We’ll cowl numerous subjects in a number of use instances 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 inside 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 gadgets
- Automating the Provisioning of Common and Composite Templates to Units
- Retrieving Machine Stock data
- 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 organising a Catalyst Middle and an atmosphere to assist advanced, 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 the 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 numerous use instances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to cut 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 let you use them as you please inside the time scheduled. As well as, this permits us a spot to start out training numerous ideas with out worry of impacting manufacturing environments.
In consequence, we hope to demystify a number of the complexities of organising automation and assist information prospects by way of the caveats. Subsequently, to assist prospects within the transition towards automation, now we have 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 may obtain and broaden from. As well as, the pattern templates and JSON information equipped are for simple import into Catalyst Facilities’ template editor for faster adoption. Lastly, some scripts are ready-made excerpts of code that 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 resolve numerous use instances. 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 take a look at and take a look at these labs?
DCLOUD Lab Setting
To assist prospects succeed with Cisco Catalyst Middle 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 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 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 occasions, 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 consumer for VPN-less connectivity. Moreover, there may be AnyConnect VPN consumer connectivity for many who choose it. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. Moreover, you might select from our RTP Amenities labs by deciding on US West. To entry this or different content material, demonstrations, and labs in DCLOUD, please instantly work along with your Cisco or Accomplice Account Staff. 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 most effective practices of the DCLOUD atmosphere.
Content material
The REST-API Orchestration lab content material is situated inside the present DNAC-TEMPLATES repository to provide 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 atmosphere. The repository was featured in a earlier put up on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Could 2021.
Extra Data
Catalyst Middle Template Labs
The beforehand named DNAC Template LABS inside 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 take a look at on gear inside the LAB atmosphere. Extra data inside 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 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 Middle automation and assist them work in the direction of a deployment technique. Moreover, this lab will give prospects 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.
In consequence, you’ll achieve expertise in organising 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.
New Catalyst Middle 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 information for reference. There are actually two units of labs, and these are being regularly expanded upon.
This newer and extra modular lab method is designed to take care of and consists of ideas from the legacy labs in a more recent extra modular format.
- Lab 1 Wired Automation – Covers inexperienced and brown discipline use instances (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 through Postman with Relaxation-API (permit 2.0 hrs)
- Lab 7 CICD Orchestration – Covers Python with JENKINS orchestration through 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, should you discovered this set of labs and repository useful,
please fill in feedback and suggestions on the way it may very well be improved.
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