Network provisioning with Cisco Catalyst Center

Cisco Catalyst Center – let’s abandon the hierarchy

One to rule them all – Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly Cisco DNA Center) is a device designed to manage large or distributed networks in many locations. It allows for full, central configuration and control. There is a very high probability that it came from… laziness, as is often the case with automation-based solutions 🙂

What is Digital Network Architecture?

Digital Network Architecture (DNA) is a modern concept and set of solutions that transform the traditional approach to network management, especially for corporate networks. DNA enables full use of digital technologies in the network, introducing automation, security and the ability to adapt to changing business needs.

The main components of Digital Network Architecture / Cisco Catalyst Center are:

1. Automation – Cisco Catalyst Center allows for the automation of network management processes, such as implementations, configurations and updates. This facilitates the work of network engineers, shortening the time needed for implementation and minimizing errors.
2. Security – Cisco Catalyst Center uses advanced security solutions that enable quick response to threats and ongoing monitoring and control of access to network resources.
3. Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence – Cisco Catalyst Center solutions collect and analyze data in real-time, enabling proactive network management and detecting potential issues before they impact end users.
4. Unified Network Infrastructure – Cisco Catalyst Center integrates various network technologies (e.g. LAN, Wi-Fi, SD-WAN) to create a unified, easier-to-manage structure to increase operational efficiency and allow for scaling as business needs grow.
5. Application and Cloud Support – Cisco Catalyst Center is optimized to support cloud applications and solutions, enabling faster service deployment and better quality of service for business-critical applications.

Cisco Catalyst Center is particularly useful for large organizations that need a flexible, scalable and secure network that can adapt to changing business and technology environments.

Defining the Future, or Where Did Cisco Catalyst Center Center Come From?

The Cisco Controller debuted on the market along with the emergence of the term Software-Defined Network or Software-Defined Access. It rejects the previous, hierarchy-based thinking about network design.

The traditional method, based on many layers such as core, distribution and access layer, still works well in many places. However, its imperfection, especially in the case of geographically dispersed networks, is the need for manual configuration and control in each location. This results in the involvement of additional resources in the form of a network administrator.

The main assumption of SDN is that routers, switches, firewalls and other network equipment are only hardware, and the entire control logic is transferred to the software layer. Thanks to this, the whole thing can be managed centrally – from a server or even in the cloud. This simplifies the entire process and minimizes the number of people needed to operate the network.

Automation and provisioning in Cisco Catalyst Center

Central management is one thing, another important feature of Cisco DNA Center is extensive automation.

The network administrator knows and understands perfectly well that configuring a few switches is not a problem, but when there are several hundred of them, it turns into a tedious and time-consuming task. To make their work easier, Cisco engineers reached for automation mechanisms, thanks to which a well-designed and implemented DNA Center system works practically without maintenance. In discovery mode, using the P&P mechanism, it scans and automatically adds devices connected to the network to the inventory.

New network device deployments are typically accomplished in one of two ways:

Network devices can be added and pre-registered in Cisco DNA Center before connecting using one of three methods:

• Single configuration: Each device can be manually added in the Pn tool using the device serial numbers and product IDs.
• Bulk configuration: Bulk addition can be done by importing a CSV file containing the serial numbers, product IDs, and site names of new devices.
• Smart Account: Newly purchased and licensed devices can be added to the P&P inventory directly from the Cisco Smart Account.

Regardless of the type of device delivered, the controller recognizes basic parameters and relieves the operator of tasks such as monitoring hardware assets, privacy policy compliance, software version compliance, updates, and standard file protocols and we can also extract coverage maps from WiFi controllers.

The smallest details in one view

Granular and flexible device configuration capabilities and a powerful assurance module provide visibility and transparency across the entire network infrastructure in one place. This reduces network management complexity, improves network performance, and simplifies troubleshooting, making the network more predictable and efficient.

Configuration templates in Cisco Catalyst Center

For the Cisco DNA solution, there are two configuration templates that allow you to create ready-made plans that are transferred only to our network.

Onboarding Template 2.0

To provide new devices with the basic configuration required to establish connectivity with the rest of the network, we use an onboarding template called “0-Day Configuration”.

In this case, by connecting a “clean” switch, we can implement the appropriate basic configuration such as a user or a given VLAN. Thanks to this, we can start managing the device, to which we will later upload further templates or their other combinations.

At the same time, you can also install the image software update proposed by DNA Center (based on SWIM Golden Image) or, on the contrary, perform a downgrade, in order to maintain a common standard for the entire network in terms of the required system stability functionalities.

Only after implementing the 0-Day Configuration can we apply further configuration using the “Day-N” templates.

SWIM (Software Image Management)

One of the most time-consuming tasks in network operations is managing software on network devices. This requires a lot of effort not only for the updates themselves, but also to maintain and track standard versions and images for each platform. SWIM Golden Image was created to make this easier.

It is an editor-based image that will allow for mass updating of many devices at once at a scheduled and convenient time. DNA Center can automatically use Cisco repositories and continuously monitor the current recommended software versions.

Is it worth implementing Digital Network Architecture in your network?

Cisco DNA Center is a modern solution enabling comprehensive management of corporate networks from a single, central point. Unlike traditional, hierarchical structures, DNA Center allows for simplified implementation, automation and management of devices in large, distributed networks.

Thanks to functionalities such as automatic discovery (provisioning) and configuration of devices, central management of security policies, or real-time data analysis, DNA Center not only increases operational efficiency, but also enables scaling and adaptation to the needs of a dynamically developing business.

Built-in automation and SDN support eliminate the need for manual configuration, accelerating network implementation and minimizing the risk of errors. Cisco DNA Center supports a variety of devices, connecting them into a unified infrastructure that can be managed on a plug&play basis.

Thanks to configuration templates and SWIM functionality, it is possible to quickly implement consistent network settings in many locations.

Cisco Catalyst Center is a future-proof platform that transforms how networks are designed, deployed, and monitored helping organizations effectively manage and secure their infrastructure, regardless of scale and complexity.