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

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 via Postman, an amazing device 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 data acquired within the earlier labs. For this lab, we’ll focus on Catalyst Middle configuration and the way Catalyst Middle could be automated to carry out varied features we now have already lined. The lab is meant to assist drive the adoption of Relaxation-API and consists of a number of use circumstances to unravel 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 tips on how to deploy Day 0 templates
3. Day N Templates – dives into Day N template constructs with each common and composite templates and use circumstances
4. Utility Policys – explores Utility Policys and SD-AVC in Catalyst Middle and their use
5. Telemetry – explains tips on how to deploy Telemetry for assurance
6. Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation methods
7. Dynamic Automation – a deployment lab for dynamic automation

Catalyst Middle Relaxation-API Collections

Moreover, we now 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 tips on how to finest use the Relaxation-APIs and increase the knowledge from developer.cisco.com.

On this lab, we’ll frequently add extra use circumstances 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 In upcoming modules, we can even delve into printed and unpublished Relaxation-API and tips on how to uncover and work with these to perform your orchestration wants.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 assistance from 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 gadget 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. 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 methods to indicate the entire artwork of the attainable from Software program-Outlined Networking.

What’s going to I study within the Relaxation-API Orchestration Lab?

That is an enablement-type lab, permitting engineers and designers to succeed in 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 circumstances throughout this lab. We cowl some earlier ideas with an in-depth give attention to broadening their capabilities via 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. 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 by way of 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 units to these websites. These are highly effective examples of what we are able to do, and so they exhibit how shortly we are able to get Catalyst Middle up and operating 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 simple to construct the design and deploy templates the place essential.

You’ll be able to simply add the Public Workspace to Postman by way of the next hyperlink. This can assist you to 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, might be robotically added. (see picture beneath)

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 present a number of collections and an surroundings.

Use Instances

We are going to cowl varied matters in a number of use circumstances primarily based on lab modules to indicate the aptitude and suppleness of the Relaxation-APIs with Catalyst Middle.

The assorted matters/use-cases we’ll contact on and deploy throughout 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 units
4. Automating the Provisioning of Common and Composite Templates to Gadgets
5. Retrieving System Stock info
6. Orchestration of Configuration Archives
7. Retrieving Present Command outcomes from Catalyst Facilities Command Runner

With that, the lab makes use of these matters…

We are going to achieve a sensible understanding of the steps related to using Relaxation-API whereas establishing a Catalyst Middle and an surroundings to assist advanced, superior, common templates to ship gadget configuration throughout these labs. The labs purpose to assist engineers in quickly starting to make use of Catalyst Middle automation and assist them work in 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 circumstances. 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 assist you to use them as you please throughout the time scheduled. As well as, this enables us a spot to begin practising varied 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 via the caveats. Due to this fact, to assist clients within the transition towards automation, we now have 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 recordsdata equipped are for simple import into Catalyst Facilities’ template editor for faster adoption. Lastly, some scripts are ready-made excerpts of code that assist you to 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 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 Setting

To assist clients succeed with Cisco Catalyst Middle automation, it’s possible you’ll 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 assist you to run these labs and provides an surroundings to strive 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 may safely POC/POV strategies and steps with out harming your manufacturing environments. The DCLOUD surroundings additionally negates the necessity for transport tools, lead occasions, and licensing points wanted to maneuver quickly. Please adhere to the perfect practices for the DCLOUD surroundings when utilizing it.

Lab Connectivity

The surroundings permits for a web-based browser consumer for VPN-less connectivity. Moreover, there may be AnyConnect VPN consumer connectivity for many who favor it. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. Moreover, it’s possible you’ll 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 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 perfect 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 required 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 publish on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Could 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 tools throughout the LAB surroundings. Further 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 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 direction of a deployment technique. Moreover, this lab will give clients a everlasting place to check out the configurations for varied use circumstances. Lastly, this surroundings will allow engineers to cut 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 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. Inside 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.

1. Lab 1 Wired Automation – Covers inexperienced and brown subject use circumstances (enable 4.0 hrs)
2. Lab 2 Wi-fi Automation – Covers conventional wi-fi automation (enable 4.0 hrs)
3. Lab 4 Relaxation-API Orchestration – Covers automation of Cisco Catalyst Middle by way of Postman with Relaxation-API (enable 2.0 hrs)
4. Lab 7 CICD Orchestration – Covers Python with JENKINS orchestration by way of REST-API (enable 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, 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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