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 concept and a 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, i.e. one core layer, distribution on smaller scales and access layer, works well in many places. Its disadvantage is the need for manual configuration and control in each facility. Each should be supervised by a designated administrator.

SDN eliminates this problem thanks to central management.

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 the 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 Catalyst Center is extensive automation.

As a person dealing with networks, I understand that configuring 3 or 4 switches is not a problem, but when there are over 1000 of them, it turns into a tedious and time-consuming task. To make things easier, Cisco engineers turned to automation and designed scripts that make Cisco Catalyst Center virtually plug-and-play. In discovery mode, it scans and automatically adds network-connected devices to the inventory using CDP.

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

Network devices can be added and pre-provisioned in Cisco Catalyst Center Plug&Play before connecting using one of three methods:

• Single configuration: You add each device in the PnP tool using the device’s serial numbers and product IDs.
• Bulk configuration: Bulk additions can be accomplished 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 devices supplied, the controller recognizes basic parameters and relieves the operator of tasks such as checking RAM, software, compliance with privacy policy, software version compliance, updates or standard file protocols. We can also extract heatmaps from WiFi controllers. Although it communicates best with solutions of the same manufacturer, it also connects without any problems to hardware from other vendors.

The DHCP protocol is used for the connection as standard, but DNS can also be used as an alternative. In order for the whole thing to work properly, it is worth restoring them to factory settings before connecting the devices to the network.

The smallest details in one view

Device recognition and an extensive, clear interface provide the solution with transparency and granularity, which gives a lot of design possibilities. Advanced routing and configuration allow you to create a map at the country or region level and at the floor level in a given building. You can also assign a different type of software with different features to a given location. This is significant support for further monitoring of the entire network infrastructure.

Configuration templates in Cisco Catalyst Center

There are two configuration templates for the Cisco Catalyst Center, which allow you to create ready-made plans, transferred only to our network.

Onboarding Template 2.0

To provide new devices with the basic configuration required to establish connection 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 Catalyst Center (based on SWIM Golden Image) or, on the contrary, downgrade if, for example, we care about specific parameters or stability.

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

SWIM Golden Image

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

This is an image created on the basis of the editor, which will allow for mass configuration of many devices at the same time. It includes, among others, routing or advanced configuration. It can be uploaded manually to the Catalyst Center or downloaded as a ready-made template from Cisco resources.

Is it worth implementing Digital Network Architecture in your network?

Cisco Catalyst Center is a modern solution that manages corporate networks from a single, central point. Unlike traditional, hierarchical structures, the Catalyst 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, Cisco Catalyst 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 Catalyst Center supports various devices, combining them into a uniform infrastructure that can be managed practically on a plug&play basis.

Thanks to configuration templates such as Onoarding Template and Golden Image, it is possible to 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.