Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions (DCNAUTO)

Course subjects

Course Objectives

• Explain the role of programmability and automation in Cisco data center networks

• Explain the benefits of programmability compared to manual CLI workflows

• Identify data models and data formats (XML, JSON, YAML) used in Cisco automation frameworks

• Use version control systems such as Git for storing and managing configuration files

• Perform day-zero provisioning on Cisco Nexus devices using Power-On Auto Provisioning (POAP)

• Enable and use the Bash shell and Guest Shell on Cisco Nexus devices

• Run Linux commands inside Guest Shell to interact with NX-OS and external services

• Write Python scripts on-box to parse CLI output and enhance operational workflows

• Describe and configure Cisco NX-API CLI and REST interfaces

• Send JSON/XML payloads to NX-API using Python scripts and verify device responses

• Use Cisco NX-API Developer Sandbox for testing and validation

• Implement model-driven programmability using NETCONF/RESTCONF and YANG data models

• Construct and validate Python scripts to configure and verify protocols with NX-OS APIs

• Implement off-box automation with Cisco NX-API CLI/REST, NETCONF/RESTCONF, and YANG models

• Describe Cisco NDFC architecture and automation capabilities

• Use NDFC REST APIs for fabric automation tasks

• Automate fabric provisioning and configuration with Ansible playbooks

• Build and apply Terraform plans for managing data center fabrics with NDFC

• Describe Cisco pyATS and Genie frameworks for network validation

• Build and run pyATS test cases to verify device state before and after automation

• Interpret test results and integrate them into automation workflows

• Describe how AI and ML capabilities are applied in Cisco Data Center automation

• Explain AI-driven monitoring and anomaly detection workflows

• Correlate AI insights with automated remediation actions

Course Outline

• Day-Zero Provisioning

• On-Box Automation with Cisco NX-OS

• Cisco Nexus Automation with NX-API CLI

• Cisco Nexus Programmability with NX-API REST

• Model-Driven Programmability on NX-OS

• IaC Tools

• IaC Lifecycle

• Cisco NX-OS Automation with IaC Tools

• Cisco ACI Automation with IaC Tools

• Cisco Nexus Dashboard Automation with IaC Tools

• Simulation of Data Center Topologies

• Network Change Validation with pyATS

• Model-Driven Telemetry Implementation

• Troubleshoot Infrastructure Automation

• Troubleshoot Container Workloads Connectivity

• AI-Assisted Coding

• AI Security Considerations

• AI Agent Integration

Lab Outline

• 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

• 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