Cisco Catalyst Middle Template Labs – Relaxation-APIs – Half 9

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 means of Postman, a terrific software to look at RESTful APIs in a single consumer interface. This can be 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’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 resolve widespread orchestration wants when utilizing Catalyst Middle.

Inside this collection, we cowl the next;

1. PnP Preparation – explains the general Plug and Play arrange steps
2. Onboarding Templates – explains in-depth how one can 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 Middle and their use
5. Telemetry – explains how one can deploy Telemetry for assurance
6. Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation strategies
7. 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 how one 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 In upcoming modules, we may also delve into printed and unpublished Relaxation-API and how one can uncover and work with these to perform your orchestration wants.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;

1. Postman Orientation – orientates you to Postman and helps put together the instruments
2. Constructing Hierarchy – the orchestration of constructing hierarchy
3. Assign Settings and Credentials – assigning settings and credentials
4. System Discovery – orchestrating machine discovery
5. Template Deployment – automating template deployment
6. Configuration Archive – automating configuration archiving
7. Retrieving Community Stock – amassing a community stock
8. Operating Present Instructions – amassing present command outcomes

Not like most earlier Labs within the collection, 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 point out the entire artwork of the doable from Software program-Outlined Networking.

What is 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’ll cowl varied 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 means of the artwork of doing and analyzing.

The idea of this lab is so that you can construct the setting 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 strive, modify, and get used to the varied ideas and approaches.

Method

The Lab is constructed for minimal intervention utilizing issues like Relaxation-API run through Postman inside a group runner to shortly configure Catalyst Middle. This enables 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 will do, they usually exhibit how shortly we will get Catalyst Middle up and operating using Relaxation-API utilizing only one software.

However wait, there’s 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 crucial.

You’ll be able to simply add the Public Workspace to Postman through the next hyperlink. It will 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 setting, can be mechanically added. (see picture beneath)

Public Catalyst Middle Use-Case API Assortment

We preserve 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 setting.

Use Circumstances

We’ll cowl varied 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 include the next:

1. Utilizing Relaxation-API to configure Catalyst Middle Design and Settings utilizing a CSV file
2. Automation of assigning Credentials throughout the community
3. Orchestrating Discovery to onboard community gadgets
4. Automating the Provisioning of Common and Composite Templates to Gadgets
5. Retrieving System Stock data
6. Orchestration of Configuration Archives
7. Retrieving Present Command outcomes from Catalyst Facilities Command Runner

With that, the lab makes use of these subjects…

We’ll acquire a sensible understanding of the steps related to using Relaxation-API whereas organising a Catalyst Middle and an setting 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 direction of a worldwide template technique. Moreover, these labs will give prospects a everlasting place to check out the common and composite templates and embody configurations for varied use instances. Lastly, this setting 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 inside the time scheduled. As well as, this permits us a spot to begin practising varied ideas with out worry of impacting manufacturing environments.

In consequence, we hope to demystify a few of the complexities of organising automation and assist information prospects by means of the caveats. Subsequently, to assist prospects 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 supply examples you’ll be able to 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 help you construct the setting 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 varied use instances. Second, we offer solutions and explanations to lots 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 check and check out 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:

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

The DCLOUD labs help you run these labs and provides an setting to strive the varied code samples. It’s possible you’ll develop and export your code to be used in manufacturing environments. Additionally, this offers you an setting the place you’ll be able to safely POC/POV strategies and steps with out harming your manufacturing environments. The DCLOUD setting additionally negates the necessity for transport gear, lead instances, and licensing points wanted to maneuver quickly. Please adhere to one of the best practices for the DCLOUD setting when utilizing it.

Lab Connectivity

The setting permits for a web-based browser shopper for VPN-less connectivity. Moreover, there’s AnyConnect VPN shopper connectivity for individuals who choose 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 together with your Cisco or Associate Account Staff. 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 one of the best practices of the DCLOUD setting.

Content material

The REST-API Orchestration lab content material is positioned inside the present 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 setting. The repository was featured in a earlier publish on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Might 2021.

Further Info

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 varied 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 check on gear inside the LAB setting. Further data inside the lab offers a well-rounded rationalization of Automation strategies with Templates. Lastly, the lab permits for purchasers 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 direction of a deployment technique. Moreover, this lab will give prospects a everlasting place to check out the configurations for varied use instances. Lastly, this setting will allow engineers to cut back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

In consequence, 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 varied sections of this GitHub repository. Throughout the a number of folders are examples and rationalization readme information for reference. There at the moment are two units of labs, and these are being regularly expanded upon.

This newer and extra modular lab strategy is designed to cope with and consists of ideas from the legacy labs in a more recent extra modular format.

1. Lab 1 Wired Automation – Covers inexperienced and brown discipline use instances (permit 4.0 hrs)
2. Lab 2 Wi-fi Automation – Covers conventional wi-fi automation (permit 4.0 hrs)
3. Lab 4 Relaxation-API Orchestration – Covers automation of Cisco Catalyst Middle through Postman with Relaxation-API (permit 2.0 hrs)
4. 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, 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 suppose. Ask a query or depart a remark beneath.
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