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 are going to change our focus from templating to automation by Postman, an important instrument to look at RESTful APIs in a single person interface. This can be a Self-Paced Standalone Lab, the place we’ll construct upon the foundational information acquired within the earlier labs. For this lab, we’ll consider Catalyst Middle configuration and the way Catalyst Middle could be automated to carry out varied features we’ve got already coated. The lab is meant to assist drive the adoption of Relaxation-API and consists of a number of use instances to unravel widespread 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 the way to 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 the way 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’ve got 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. “Typically seeing is believing.” We hope these new instruments assist clarify the way to greatest use the Relaxation-APIs and increase the data from developer.cisco.com.
On this lab, we’ll frequently add extra use instances to reply particular orchestration wants, however at all times in Postman, the place they might be analyzed and seen in operation for inclusion in no matter automation or orchestration system requires them. In upcoming modules, we may even delve into revealed and unpublished Relaxation-API and the way to uncover and work with these to perform your orchestration wants.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
- Gadget Discovery – orchestrating machine 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
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 don’t have any pre-configuration. It makes use of varied automation strategies to indicate 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 achieve past what they at present perceive by attempting new ideas and pushing the boundaries of automation and orchestration. We are going to cowl varied matters about Relaxation-API 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 by the artwork of doing and inspecting.
The idea of this lab is so that you can construct the surroundings from the bottom up, from Design to Discovery to Template Deployment. Using DCLOUD or the DevNet Sandbox permits a protected 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 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 will do, they usually display how shortly we will get Catalyst Middle up and working using Relaxation-API utilizing only one instrument.
However wait, there may be extra…
We provisioned a comma-separated worth (CSV) file to be used with the Postman collections to make it simple to construct the design and deploy templates the place mandatory.
You’ll be able to simply add the Public Workspace to Postman by way of the next hyperlink. This can help 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 surroundings, can be routinely 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. Throughout the Workspace are at present a number of collections and an surroundings.
Use Instances
We are going to cowl varied matters in a number of use instances primarily based on lab modules to indicate the potential and suppleness of the Relaxation-APIs with Catalyst Middle.
The varied matters/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 Units
- Retrieving Gadget Stock info
- Orchestration of Configuration Archives
- Retrieving Present Command outcomes from Catalyst Facilities Command Runner
With that, the lab makes use of these matters…
We are going to acquire a sensible understanding of the steps related to using Relaxation-API whereas organising a Catalyst Middle and an surroundings to assist complicated, superior, common templates to ship machine 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 varied use instances. Lastly, this surroundings 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 help you use them as you please throughout the time scheduled. As well as, this enables us a spot to begin training varied ideas with out concern of impacting manufacturing environments.
Consequently, we hope to demystify a number of the complexities of organising automation and assist information clients by the caveats. Subsequently, to assist clients within the transition towards automation, we’ve got 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 possibly can obtain and broaden from. As well as, the pattern templates and JSON recordsdata provided are for straightforward import into Catalyst Facilities’ template editor for faster adoption. Lastly, some scripts are ready-made excerpts of code that help you construct the surroundings 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 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 data each useful and informative.
The place can I take a look at and take a look at these labs?
DCLOUD Lab Surroundings
To assist clients 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 help you run these labs and provides an surroundings to attempt the assorted code samples. Chances are you’ll develop and export your code to be used in manufacturing environments. Additionally, this provides you an surroundings the place you possibly can safely POC/POV strategies and steps with out harming your manufacturing environments. The DCLOUD surroundings additionally negates the necessity for delivery tools, lead instances, and licensing points wanted to maneuver quickly. Please adhere to the very best practices for the DCLOUD surroundings when utilizing it.
Lab Connectivity
The surroundings permits for a web-based browser shopper for VPN-less connectivity. Moreover, there may be AnyConnect VPN shopper connectivity for individuals who want it. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. Moreover, you could select from our RTP Services labs by choosing US West. To entry this or different content material, demonstrations, and labs in DCLOUD, please instantly work along with your Cisco or Associate Account Crew. 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 surroundings.
Content material
The REST-API Orchestration lab content material is positioned throughout the present DNAC-TEMPLATES repository to offer 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 surroundings. The repository was featured in a earlier submit on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Might 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 will modify for our use and take a look at on tools throughout the LAB surroundings. Extra info throughout the lab gives 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 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 clients a everlasting place to check out the configurations for varied use instances. Lastly, this surroundings will allow engineers to cut back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.
Consequently, you’ll acquire expertise in organising 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 rationalization readme recordsdata 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 consists of ideas from the legacy labs in a more recent extra modular format.
- Lab 1 Wired Automation – Covers inexperienced and brown subject use instances (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)
We are going to share extra labs and content material in an ongoing effort to satisfy all of your automation wants with Catalyst Middle.
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.
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