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 intention to grasp the assorted ideas required to assist machine configuration after onboarding. The labs inside this sequence permit to be used within the DCLOUD atmosphere; nevertheless, you might equally make the most of them as a part of a Proof of Idea setup at a buyer’s lab. You might use these procedures to make sure that all the mandatory steps are full earlier than onboarding any units inside Catalyst Middle. These procedures can also assist type 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 the right way 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 the right way to deploy Telemetry for assurance
6. Superior Automation – explores Superior Automation strategies
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 target 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 deal with utilizing common and composite templates inside Catalyst Middle to configure community units in an ongoing method. These labs will undergo the circulation surrounding constructing the supporting settings inside Catalyst Middle to assist DayN configuration. The labs will even help you deploy a template for a Catalyst change by way of Catalyst Middle utilizing DayN workflows as each common templates and composite to deploy intent. To organize the atmosphere, be sure you full the steps outlined in our first, second, and third blogs within the sequence.

What is going to I study within the DayN Templates Labs?

Within the Wired Automation lab, prospects will begin by constructing utilizing each a daily template and composite template. Common templates permit us to construct out advanced 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 modifications that have an effect on a broader set of units. Thus, if we improve one common template utilized to a number of composite templates, we might impact change on a extra complete set of units. This additionally permits us to cut back the duplication of efforts and decrease the administrator’s quantity of effort.

Different concerns encompass the usage of the UI-centric method and the impression that it has on a typical configuration. For instance, a configuration might embody some strains of code, which can be delivered by way of the UI-centric settings. If these Design elements are used, we have to perceive the impression which will have on simplifying our configuration and the way straightforward which will make the community preserve.

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 a daily template might embody the machine’s whole configuration, it’s important to understand that the extra configuration inside a daily template, the more durable 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 total. The Wired Automation lab within the sequence, delves into the sensible utility of the right way to arrange Catalyst Middle to arrange a daily template for DayN supply. It additionally calmly explains a number of the numerous philosophies surrounding how we would deploy configuration.

Composite Templates

Whilst you may suppose to incorporate the whole configuration for a standard community machine, there’s a higher approach. We’re higher served by composite templates for big 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 advanced configuration, retaining them small and making them reusable aids in making ongoing modifications after preliminary deployment. Lastly, within the Wired Automation lab, by way 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 making an attempt numerous ideas coated throughout the Tutorial sections about writing with templates with each Velocity and Jinja2 scripting languages. You’ll find further sources 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 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 Subjects

We are going to achieve 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 intention to help 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 circumstances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to cut 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’ll use JSON information to Import and Export templates to Catalyst Middle to cut back the time required to deploy. This functionality additionally consists of all the weather edited within the type editor, so all the assorted settings are despatched with the logical cli constructs. This leads to a beneficial software for shifting templates from take a look at environments to manufacturing.

Challenge Import and Export

In these labs, we’ll use JSON information to Import and Export whole initiatives. This consists of common templates, composite templates, and settings to Catalyst Middle to cut back the time required to deploy. This functionality additionally consists of all the weather edited within the type editor, so all the assorted settings are despatched with the logical cli constructs. This leads to a useful software for shifting whole initiatives from take a look at 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 modifications that have an effect on a broader set of units. Thus, if we improve one common template utilized to a number of composite templates, we might impact change on a broader set of units. This additionally permits us to cut back the duplication of efforts and decrease 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 cut 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 you might modify them in any solution to assist your use case. We use a layer two trunk throughout a port-channel for connectivity inside our examples. Equally, you may take a look at out different connectivity strategies for layer three routed entry. Additionally, please observe that the examples given could also be used exterior 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 help you use them as you please throughout the time scheduled. As well as, this enables us a spot to start out practising numerous ideas with out worry of impacting manufacturing environments.

Consequently, we hope to demystify a number of the complexities of organising automation and assist information prospects by way of the caveats. Subsequently, to help prospects within the transition towards automation, we now have put collectively a set of small useful labs inside a GitHub repository. On this approach, these self-guided labs present a glimpse into the basics of constructing velocity templates and supply examples that you could 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 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 just discover the knowledge each useful and informative. We hope to present a well-rounded rationalization of automation strategies and ideas you may develop 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 take a look at and check out these labs?

DCLOUD Lab Setting

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 help you run these labs and offers an atmosphere to attempt the assorted code samples. You might 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 transport tools, lead instances, and licensing points wanted to get shifting quickly. Please do adhere to one of the best practices for the DCLOUD atmosphere when utilizing it.

Lab Connectivity

The atmosphere permits to be used with a web-based browser consumer for VPN-less connectivity, entry in addition to AnyConnect VPN consumer connectivity for many who want it. You might 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 workforce or Cisco Accomplice Account Group immediately. 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 atmosphere.

Content material

The Wired Automation lab content material is positioned throughout the present DNAC-TEMPLATES repository to present 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 atmosphere. The repository was featured in a earlier publish on Cisco Blogs about Catalyst Middle Templates earlier in Could 2021.

Extra Data

Catalyst Middle Template Labs

The beforehand named DNAC Template LABS throughout the DNAC-TEMPLATES GitHub repository intention 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 take a look at on tools throughout the LAB atmosphere. Extra data throughout the lab supplies a well-rounded rationalization 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 aim is to be a sensible support for engineers growing a template technique. Secondarily, to help these engineers in quickly adopting Catalyst Middle automation.  Moreover, prospects will achieve a everlasting place to check out the templates and embody configurations for numerous use circumstances. Lastly, this atmosphere will allow engineers to cut back the effort and time wanted to instantiate the community.

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

Catalyst Middle Labs

Please use this menu to navigate the assorted sections of this GitHub repository. Inside the a number of folders are examples and rationalization readme information for reference. There are actually two units of labs, and these are being regularly expanded upon.

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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