Corso DCNAUTO – Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions

Day-Zero Provisioning

• Concepts and objectives of Day-Zero Provisioning in Cisco Data Center environments
• Use of PowerOn Auto Provisioning (POAP) on Cisco Nexus devices
• Automated bootstrap of device configuration and initial setup
• Reduction of manual CLI operations during device onboarding
• Validation of provisioning workflows before operational deployment

On-Box Automation with Cisco NX-OS

• Use of on-box automation features available in Cisco NX-OS
• Enabling and using Bash Shell and Guest Shell on Cisco Nexus devices
• Execution of Linux commands inside Guest Shell
• Interaction between Guest Shell, NX-OS, and external services
• Enhancement of operational workflows through local automation capabilities

Cisco Nexus Automation with NX-API CLI

• Introduction to NX-API CLI for Cisco Nexus automation
• Execution of CLI commands through programmable API interfaces
• Use of structured payloads to interact with NX-OS devices
• Automation of configuration and verification tasks through NX-API CLI
• Testing and validation of API calls using NX-API Developer Sandbox

Cisco Nexus Programmability with NX-API REST

• Use of NX-API REST for Cisco Nexus programmability
• Interaction with NX-OS through REST-based API calls
• Construction and management of JSON and XML payloads
• Development of Python scripts to send and validate NX-API REST requests
• Verification of device responses and automation results

Model-Driven Programmability on NX-OS

• Concepts of model-driven programmability in Cisco NX-OS
• Use of NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG data models
• Configuration and verification of network protocols through model-driven APIs
• Construction and validation of Python scripts using NX-OS APIs
• Introduction to structured data formats for automated network configuration

IaC Tools

• Overview of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools for Data Center automation
• Use of Ansible for task-based configuration automation
• Use of Terraform for declarative infrastructure management
• Role of Jinja2 Templates in automated configuration generation
• Selection of IaC tools based on operational and architectural requirements

IaC Lifecycle

• Lifecycle stages of Infrastructure as Code in network automation
• Use of Git and GitHub for version control and change tracking
• Management of configuration files, commits, branches, and repositories
• Review, validation, and deployment of infrastructure changes
• Integration of IaC workflows into Data Center operations

Cisco NX-OS Automation with IaC Tools

• Automation of Cisco NX-OS configurations using Ansible
• Management of Cisco Nexus infrastructure with Terraform
• Generation of reusable configuration templates with Jinja2
• Deployment of consistent configurations across NX-OS devices
• Validation of IaC-driven changes in Cisco Nexus environments

Cisco ACI Automation with IaC Tools

• Automation of Cisco ACI configuration using Ansible and Terraform
• Management of tenants, policies, contracts, and application profiles
• Implementation of NetDevOps workflows for Cisco ACI environments
• Use of reusable code to standardize ACI provisioning
• Validation and troubleshooting of automated ACI configuration changes

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Automation with IaC Tools

• Automation of Cisco Nexus Dashboard and NDFC operations
• Use of NDFC REST APIs for fabric automation tasks
• Creation and management of Data Center fabrics with Ansible
• Deployment and modification of NDFC fabric resources with Terraform
• Integration of Nexus Dashboard automation into operational workflows

Simulation of Data Center Topologies

• Use of Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) for Data Center topology simulation
• Creation of virtual network environments for testing automation workflows
• Simulation of Cisco Data Center network scenarios before production changes
• Use of Cisco ACI Simulator for ACI-related testing and validation
• Reduction of deployment risk through lab-based validation

Network Change Validation with pyATS

• Use of Cisco pyATS and Genie for network validation
• Capture and comparison of network state before and after changes
• Development of automated test cases with pyATS and Python
• Verification of device configuration, operational state, and expected behavior
• Integration of validation checks into automation workflows

Model-Driven Telemetry Implementation

• Concepts of Model-Driven Telemetry in Data Center networks
• Configuration of telemetry subscriptions for real-time operational data
• Collection of structured telemetry from Cisco Nexus devices
• Use of telemetry data for monitoring and operational visibility
• Support for proactive troubleshooting and automation-driven operations

Troubleshoot Infrastructure Automation

• Troubleshooting of Infrastructure as Code and automation workflows
• Identification of errors in scripts, templates, API calls, and tool integrations
• Analysis of failed automation tasks and configuration deployment issues
• Use of logs and validation outputs to isolate root causes
• Improvement of automation reliability through structured troubleshooting

Troubleshoot Container Workloads Connectivity

• Troubleshooting connectivity issues for containerized workloads
• Analysis of network behavior affecting container-based applications
• Verification of routing, switching, policy, and service connectivity
• Identification of problems related to workload placement and network paths
• Support for reliable Data Center connectivity in container environments

AI-Assisted Coding

• Use of AI-assisted coding to support network automation development
• Generation and refinement of scripts, templates, and API calls
• Review of AI-generated code for accuracy, security, and maintainability
• Application of AI tools to accelerate troubleshooting and development tasks
• Validation of AI-assisted outputs before operational use

AI Security Considerations

• Security risks related to AI-assisted automation workflows
• Protection of credentials, sensitive data, and configuration information
• Validation of AI-generated scripts and recommendations
• Mitigation of risks related to inaccurate, unsafe, or exposed outputs
• Governance considerations for AI usage in Data Center automation

AI Agent Integration

• Concepts of AI agent integration in network automation workflows
• Use of AI agents to support operational and automation tasks
• Interaction between AI agents, APIs, telemetry, and network tools
• Correlation of AI insights with automated remediation actions
• Control, validation, and governance of AI-enhanced automation processes

Attività Laboratoriali

• Set Up PowerOn Auto Provisioning on the Cisco Nexus 9000
• Use Bash and Guest Shell on Cisco NX-OS
• Use Python to Enhance CLI Commands
• Make NX-API Calls with NX-API Sandbox
• Configure and Verify NX-OS Using Python
• Set Up API Calls with Bruno
• Use NX-API REST with Python
• Configure and Verify Using NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG
• Construct gRPC Payload
• Track Changes with Git and GitHub
• Use Ansible with Cisco NX-OS
• Use Terraform with Cisco NX-OS
• Generate Configuration Using Jinja2 Templates
• Manage ACI Configuration Using Ansible
• Set Up a New Tenant the NetDevOps Way
• Automate ACI with Terraform
• Automate NDFC with REST API and Python
• Retrieve NX-OS Health Data Using Cisco Nexus Dashboard
• Create NDFC Fabric with Ansible
• Automate NDFC with Terraform
• Explore Cisco Modeling Labs Basics
• Simulate Data Center Network with Cisco Modeling Labs
• Cisco ACI Simulator Installation and Initialization Simulation
• Capture and Compare Network State with pyATS CLI
• Run Network Tests Using pyATS and Python
• Configure a Subscription for Model-Driven Telemetry
• Troubleshoot Infrastructure as Code
• Troubleshoot Linux Container Connectivity
• AI Toolset—Jupyter Notebook
• Al-Driven Monitoring Using Nexus Dashboard Simulation