Cisco Catalyst Middle Template Labs – DayN Templates, Half 4

Overview

On this episode of our ongoing Catalyst Middle Automation Collection, our focus is on DayN Automation using Templates for operations and organising a lab or manufacturing surroundings to allow this functionality. The third and fourth labs within the collection purpose to grasp the varied ideas required to assist machine configuration after onboarding. The labs inside this collection enable to be used within the DCLOUD surroundings; nevertheless, you might 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 mandatory 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 collection, we cowl the next;

1. PnP Preparation – explains the general Plug and Play arrange steps
2. Onboarding Templates – explains in-depth easy methods 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 easy methods to 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 collection. These labs have a prerequisite of finishing the earlier two labs. The main focus of the primary three labs is on organising the surroundings and onboarding the machine utilizing plug and play into Catalyst Middle. The next two labs deal with utilizing common and composite templates inside Catalyst Middle to configure community gadgets in an ongoing method. These labs will undergo the stream surrounding constructing the supporting settings inside Catalyst Middle to assist DayN configuration. The labs can even will let you 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 organize the surroundings, be sure you full the steps outlined in our first, second, and third blogs within the collection.

What is going to I study 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 enable us to construct out complicated configurations for deployment. Composite templates enable for the reuse of a number of common templates, which can allow us to modularize our code for reuse. Composite templates additionally enable us one place to make modifications 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 might embrace some strains of code, which can be delivered by means of the UI-centric settings. If these Design elements are used, we have to perceive the impression that will have on simplifying our configuration and the way straightforward that will make the community keep.

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

Common Templates

As an everyday template could embrace the machine’s complete configuration, it’s important to appreciate that the extra configuration inside an everyday template, the tougher it might be to fault-find. Moreover, small, succinct configuration examples are simpler to reuse, and this aids us in a while in making small modifications much less radical general. The Wired Automation lab within the collection, delves into the sensible software of easy methods to arrange Catalyst Middle to arrange an everyday template for DayN supply. It additionally frivolously explains a few of the numerous philosophies surrounding how we would deploy configuration.

Composite Templates

Whilst you would possibly suppose to incorporate your complete 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 enables 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, protecting them small and making them reusable aids in making ongoing modifications 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 study extra about constructing templates it is sensible to start out attempting numerous ideas coated inside the Tutorial sections about writing with templates with each Velocity and Jinja2 scripting languages. You will discover further assets inside 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 circumstances
• 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 circumstances
• Superior Jinja2 Scripting – This part will dive into Superior Jinja2 Language Template examples

Lab Matters

We are going to acquire a sensible understanding of the steps related to organising Catalyst Middle and an surroundings to assist DayN common templates to ship machine configuration throughout these labs. The labs purpose 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 embrace configurations for numerous use circumstances. Lastly, this surroundings 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 Challenge 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 are going to 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 software for transferring templates from check environments to manufacturing.

Challenge Import and Export

In these labs, we are going to use JSON information to Import and Export complete 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 software for transferring complete tasks from check environments to manufacturing.

Making a Composite Template

In these labs, we are going to use JSON information to Import composite templates, after which we are going to modify it to incorporate a number of common templates for provisioning. Composite templates enable for the reuse of a number of common templates, which can allow us to modularize our code for reuse, thereby utilizing smaller chunks of configuration. Composite templates additionally enable us one place to make modifications 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 is perhaps arrange, as all the shape editor components are additionally included inside the JSON file.

Lab Flexibility

Whereas utilizing these labs you might 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 might check out different connectivity strategies for layer three routed entry. Additionally, please be aware that the examples given could also be used exterior DCLOUD inside a buyer on-prem lab or manufacturing after consumer modification.

How can I get began?

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 inside the time scheduled. As well as, this enables us a spot to start out working towards numerous 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. Due to this fact, 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 supply examples that you would be able to 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 will let you construct the surroundings 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 provide a well-rounded clarification of automation strategies and ideas you possibly can 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 check out these labs?

DCLOUD Lab Surroundings

To assist prospects 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:

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

The DCLOUD labs will let you run these labs and provides an surroundings 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 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 transport gear, lead instances, and licensing points wanted to get transferring quickly. Please do adhere to one of the best practices for the DCLOUD surroundings when utilizing it.

Lab Connectivity

The surroundings permits to be used with a web-based browser consumer for VPN-less connectivity, entry in addition to AnyConnect VPN consumer connectivity for individuals who want it. Chances are you’ll select from labs hosted out of our San Jose Services by deciding on US West. Select the Cisco Enterprise Community Sandbox. To entry this or every other content material, together with demonstrations, labs, and coaching in DCLOUD please work together with your Cisco Account crew or Cisco Accomplice Account Staff straight. 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 surroundings.

Content material

The Wired Automation lab content material is situated inside the current DNAC-TEMPLATES repository to provide a one-stop-shop for all the mandatory instruments, scripts, templates, and code samples. Inside it are six modules, 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 Might 2021.

Further Info

Catalyst Middle Template Labs

The beforehand named DNAC Template LABS inside the DNAC-TEMPLATES GitHub repository purpose to information you thru the everyday 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 are able to modify for our use and check on gear inside the LAB surroundings. Further data inside the lab offers a well-rounded clarification of Automation strategies with Templates. Lastly, the lab permits for purchasers to make use of Catalyst Middle workflows to apply deploying Onboarding, DayN Templates, and Utility Coverage automation on each Wired and Wi-fi Platforms.

This lab’s objective is to be a sensible assist 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 embrace configurations for numerous use circumstances. Lastly, this surroundings will allow engineers to scale back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

In consequence, 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 at the moment are two units of labs, and these are being regularly expanded upon.

In conclusion, if you happen to 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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