Cisco Catalyst Middle Template Labs – DayN Templates, Half 4

Overview

On this episode of our ongoing Catalyst Middle Automation Sequence, our focus is on DayN Automation using Templates for operations and organising a lab or manufacturing atmosphere to allow this functionality. The third and fourth labs within the sequence goal to know the varied ideas required to assist machine configuration after onboarding. The labs inside this sequence permit to be used within the DCLOUD atmosphere; nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll equally make the most of them as a part of a Proof of Idea setup at a buyer’s lab. Chances are you’ll use these procedures to make sure that all the required steps are full earlier than onboarding any gadgets inside Catalyst Middle. These procedures can also assist kind a part of a deployment or implementation.

Inside this sequence, we cowl the next;

1. PnP Preparation – explains the general Plug and Play arrange steps
2. Onboarding Templates – explains in-depth how you 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. Software Policys – explores Software Policys and SD-AVC in Catalyst Middle and their use
5. Telemetry – explains how you can deploy Telemetry for assurance
6. Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation methods
7. Dynamic Automation – a deployment lab for dynamic automation

Every of the Labs builds on the ideas that we cowl within the sequence. These labs have a prerequisite of finishing the earlier two labs. The main focus of the primary three labs is on organising the atmosphere and onboarding the machine utilizing plug and play into Catalyst Middle. The next two labs give attention to utilizing common and composite templates inside Catalyst Middle to configure community gadgets in an ongoing method. These labs will undergo the circulate surrounding constructing the supporting settings inside Catalyst Middle to assist DayN configuration. The labs can even permit you to deploy a template for a Catalyst swap by means of Catalyst Middle utilizing DayN workflows as each common templates and composite to deploy intent. To arrange the atmosphere, be sure to full the steps outlined in our first, second, and third blogs within the sequence.

What is going to I be taught within the DayN Templates Labs?

Within the Wired Automation lab, prospects will begin by constructing utilizing each an everyday template and composite template. Common templates permit us to construct out complicated configurations for deployment. Composite templates permit for the reuse of a number of common templates, which is able to allow us to modularize our code for reuse. Composite templates additionally permit us one place to make adjustments that have an effect on a broader set of gadgets. Thus, if we improve one common template utilized to a number of composite templates, we could impact change on a extra complete set of gadgets. This additionally permits us to scale back the duplication of efforts and reduce the administrator’s quantity of effort.

Different issues encompass using the UI-centric strategy and the impression that it has on a typical configuration. For instance, a configuration may embody some strains of code, which can be delivered by means of the UI-centric settings. If these Design parts are used, we have to perceive the impression which will have on simplifying our configuration and the way simple which will make the community preserve.

Composite Templates add the potential of monitoring sub-components for compliance, and the flexibility to abort the automation if a failure happens.

Common Templates

As an everyday template could embody the machine’s total configuration, it’s important to understand that the extra configuration inside an everyday template, the tougher it could be to fault-find. Moreover, small, succinct configuration examples are simpler to reuse, and this aids us afterward in making small adjustments much less radical total. The Wired Automation lab within the sequence, delves into the sensible utility of how you can arrange Catalyst Middle to organize an everyday template for DayN supply. It additionally calmly explains a few of the numerous philosophies surrounding how we would deploy configuration.

Composite Templates

When you would possibly assume to incorporate your entire configuration for a conventional community machine, there’s a higher method. We’re higher served by composite templates for giant configuration constructs. Once more, this permits for compliance monitoring,  modularization and reuse, and simplification of operations. As well as, whereas we make the most of common templates to use complicated configuration, preserving them small and making them reusable aids in making ongoing adjustments after preliminary deployment. Lastly, within the Wired Automation lab, by means of Composite Templates, we allow you with an instance of a composite template that reuses a number of common templates in its development.

As we be taught extra about constructing templates it is smart to begin attempting numerous ideas lined throughout the Tutorial sections about writing with templates with each Velocity and Jinja2 scripting languages. Yow will discover further assets throughout the GitHub repo right here:

Velocity Language

• Velocity Variables – This part explains Template Variables in depth, and the way and the place to make use of them
• Velocity Scripting – This part will dive into Velocity Language Template Scripting constructs and use instances
• Superior Velocity Scripting – This part will dive into Superior Velocity Language Template examples

Jinja2 Language

• Jinja2 Variables – This part explains Template Variables in depth, and the way and the place to make use of them
• Jinja2 Scripting – This part will dive into Jinja2 Language Template Scripting constructs and use instances
• Superior Jinja2 Scripting – This part will dive into Superior Jinja2 Language Template examples

Lab Matters

We’ll acquire a sensible understanding of the steps related to organising Catalyst Middle and an atmosphere to assist DayN common templates to ship machine configuration throughout these labs. The labs goal to assist engineers in quickly starting utilizing Catalyst Middle automation and assist them work in the direction of a template technique. Moreover, these labs will give prospects a everlasting place to check out the common and composite templates and embody configurations for numerous use instances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

1. Making a DayN Template by importing a JSON file
2. Constructing a Venture by importing a JSON file
3. Designing and modifying a Composite Template sequence.
4. Modifying a Community Profile
5. Provisioning the machine
6. Resyncing the machine

Template Import and Export

In these labs, we’ll use JSON information to Import and Export templates to Catalyst Middle to scale back the time required to deploy. This functionality additionally consists of all the weather edited within the kind editor, so all the varied settings are despatched with the logical cli constructs. This leads to a precious device for transferring templates from check environments to manufacturing.

Venture Import and Export

In these labs, we’ll use JSON information to Import and Export total tasks. This consists of common templates, composite templates, and settings to Catalyst Middle to scale back the time required to deploy. This functionality additionally consists of all the weather edited within the kind editor, so all the varied settings are despatched with the logical cli constructs. This leads to a useful device for transferring total tasks from check environments to manufacturing.

Making a Composite Template

In these labs, we’ll use JSON information to Import composite templates, after which we’ll modify it to incorporate a number of common templates for provisioning. Composite templates permit for the reuse of a number of common templates, which is able to allow us to modularize our code for reuse, thereby utilizing smaller chunks of configuration. Composite templates additionally permit us one place to make adjustments that have an effect on a broader set of gadgets. Thus, if we improve one common template utilized to a number of composite templates, we could impact change on a broader set of gadgets. This additionally permits us to scale back the duplication of efforts and reduce the administrator’s quantity of effort.

Template Examples

On this lab, we offer JSON information, examples of templates that you could be Import to Catalyst Middle to scale back the time required to deploy. This alleviates the guesswork concerned in determining how a variable could be arrange, as all the shape editor components are additionally included throughout the JSON file.

Lab Flexibility

Whereas utilizing these labs it’s possible you’ll modify them in any approach to assist your use case. We use a layer two trunk throughout a port-channel for connectivity inside our examples. Equally, you would check out different connectivity strategies for layer three routed entry. Additionally, please notice that the examples given could also be used outdoors DCLOUD inside a buyer on-prem lab or manufacturing after person modification.

How can I get began?

Inside DCLOUD, a number of sandbox-type labs can be found. These self-contained environments are there to permit you to use them as you please throughout the time scheduled. As well as, this permits us a spot to begin training numerous ideas with out concern of impacting manufacturing environments.

Consequently, 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 put collectively a set of small useful labs inside a GitHub repository. On this method, these self-guided labs present a glimpse into the basics of constructing velocity templates and provide examples which you could obtain and broaden from. As well as, the pattern templates and JSON information provided are for straightforward import into Catalyst Facilities’ template editor for faster adoption. Lastly, some scripts are ready-made excerpts of code that permit you to construct the atmosphere to check.

First, in a sensible lab information, we step-by-step delve into the ideas of constructing templates and methodologies for utilizing each Onboarding and DayN templates. Second, we offer solutions and explanations to lots of the questions that come up throughout automation workshops. Our hope is that you simply discover the knowledge each useful and informative. We hope to present a well-rounded clarification of automation strategies and ideas you may broaden upon for manufacturing functions. Lastly, the Wired Automation lab the DayN Template content material explains the general DayN machine configuration setup steps.

The place can I check and take a look at these labs?

DCLOUD Lab Setting

To assist prospects 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 permit you to run these labs and offers an atmosphere to attempt the varied code samples. Chances are you’ll select to develop and export your code to be used in manufacturing environments. Additionally, this offers 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 tools, lead occasions, and licensing points wanted to get transferring quickly. Please do adhere to the most effective practices for the DCLOUD atmosphere when utilizing it.

Lab Connectivity

The atmosphere permits to be used with a web-based browser shopper for VPN-less connectivity, entry in addition to AnyConnect VPN shopper connectivity for individuals who want it. Chances are you’ll select from labs hosted out of our San Jose Amenities by choosing US West. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. To entry this or some other content material, together with demonstrations, labs, and coaching in DCLOUD please work along with your Cisco Account staff or Cisco Companion Account Workforce instantly. 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 most effective practices of the DCLOUD atmosphere.

Content material

The Wired Automation lab content material is situated throughout the present DNAC-TEMPLATES repository to present a one-stop-shop for all the required instruments, scripts, templates, and code samples. Inside it are six modules, which construct upon the tutorials to check the strategies in a lab atmosphere. The repository was featured in a earlier submit on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Could 2021.

Further Info

Catalyst Middle Template Labs

The beforehand named DNAC Template LABS throughout the DNAC-TEMPLATES GitHub repository goal 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 tools throughout the LAB atmosphere. Further data throughout 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 follow deploying Onboarding, DayN Templates, and Software Coverage automation on each Wired and Wi-fi Platforms.

This lab’s aim is to be a sensible help for engineers creating a template technique. Secondarily, to assist these engineers in quickly adopting Catalyst Middle automation.  Moreover, prospects will acquire a everlasting place to check out the templates and embody configurations for numerous use instances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

Consequently, you’ll acquire expertise in organising Plug and Play onboarding and templates. Moreover, you’ll use superior templating strategies and troubleshooting instruments. These could assist throughout faultfinding to find out what’s failing in a deployment.

Catalyst Middle Labs

Please use this menu to navigate the varied 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 frequently expanded upon.

In conclusion, in the event you discovered this set of labs and repository useful,

please fill in feedback and suggestions on the way it might be improved.

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