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 are going to change our focus from templating to automation by way of Postman, an ideal device to look at RESTful APIs in a single consumer interface. This can be a Self-Paced Standalone Lab, the place we’ll construct upon the foundational data acquired within the earlier labs. For this lab, we’ll focus on Catalyst Middle configuration and the way Catalyst Middle will be automated to carry out numerous capabilities we have now already lined. The lab is meant to assist drive the adoption of Relaxation-API and contains 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 deploy Day 0 templates
- Day N Templates – dives into Day N template constructs with each common and composite templates and use instances
- Software Policys – explores Software Policys and SD-AVC in Catalyst Middle and their use
- Telemetry – explains deploy Telemetry for assurance
- Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation methods
- 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. “Generally seeing is believing.” We hope these new instruments assist clarify greatest use the Relaxation-APIs and increase the knowledge from developer.cisco.com.
On this lab, we’ll frequently add extra use instances to reply particular orchestration wants, however all the time 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 In upcoming modules, we can even delve into printed and unpublished Relaxation-API and uncover and work with these to perform your orchestration wants.
Inside this lab modules, we cowl the next using collections for orchestration with assistance from 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 gadget discovery
- Template Deployment – automating template deployment
- Configuration Archive – automating configuration archiving
- Retrieving Community Stock – gathering a community stock
- Working Present Instructions – gathering present command outcomes
Not like 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 haven’t any pre-configuration. It makes use of numerous automation methods to indicate the whole artwork of the doable from Software program-Outlined Networking.
What is 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 the moment perceive by making an attempt new ideas and pushing the boundaries of automation and orchestration. We are going to 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 deal with broadening their capabilities by way of the artwork of doing and inspecting.
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 attempt, 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 set runner to shortly configure Catalyst Middle. This permits us to deploy Settings, Credentials, Uncover Gadgets, 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 reveal how shortly 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 crucial.
You’ll be able to 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 likely be routinely 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. Inside the Workspace are at the moment a number of collections and an atmosphere.
Use Circumstances
We are going to cowl numerous subjects in a number of use instances primarily based on lab modules to indicate the aptitude and adaptability of the Relaxation-APIs with Catalyst Middle.
The varied subjects/use-cases we’ll contact on and deploy throughout the lab include 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 Gadgets
- Retrieving Machine 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 are going to achieve a sensible understanding of the steps related to using Relaxation-API whereas establishing a Catalyst Middle and an atmosphere to help advanced, superior, common templates to ship gadget 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 world template technique. Moreover, these labs will give clients 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 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 start out training numerous ideas with out worry of impacting manufacturing environments.
Because of this, we hope to demystify a few of the complexities of establishing automation and assist information clients by way of 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. This manner, these self-guided labs present a glimpse into the basics of constructing velocity templates and supply examples you’ll be able to obtain and increase from. As well as, the pattern templates and JSON information provided are for simple 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 resolve numerous use instances. 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 take a look at and check out these labs?
DCLOUD Lab Atmosphere
To assist clients 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 will let you run these labs and provides an atmosphere to attempt the assorted code samples. It’s possible you’ll develop and export your code to be used in manufacturing environments. Additionally, this provides you an atmosphere the place you’ll be able to safely POC/POV strategies and steps with out harming your manufacturing environments. The DCLOUD atmosphere additionally negates the necessity for transport tools, lead occasions, and licensing points wanted to maneuver quickly. Please adhere to one of the best 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 want it. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. Moreover, you might select from our RTP Services labs by choosing US West. To entry this or different content material, demonstrations, and labs in DCLOUD, please straight work along 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 atmosphere.
Content material
The REST-API Orchestration lab content material is positioned throughout the current 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 atmosphere. The repository was featured in a earlier publish on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Could 2021.
Extra Info
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 take a look at on tools throughout the LAB atmosphere. Extra info throughout the lab supplies a well-rounded rationalization 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 Software Coverage automation on each Wired and Wi-fi Platforms.
The aim 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 clients a everlasting place to check out the configurations for numerous use instances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.
Because of this, 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.
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 rationalization readme information for reference. There are actually two units of labs, and these are being frequently expanded upon.
This newer and extra modular lab method 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 subject 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 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 are going to share further labs and content material in an ongoing effort to meet all of your automation wants with Catalyst Middle.
In conclusion, if you happen to discovered this set of labs and repository useful,
please fill in feedback and suggestions on the way it may very well be improved.
We’d love to listen to what you assume. Ask a query or depart a remark under.
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