Introduction to Cisco Network Programmability («CNPI»)

• Understanding the concepts and tools required for network automation (APIs such as REST, RESTCONF and NETCONF, as well as the tools required in the programming environment)
• Understanding the individual elements and their interrelationships
• Understanding the fundamentals of network programmability and SDN

SDN offers new opportunities in network automation and is changing the way we run networks. The SDN Controller makes it easy to access the network using scripts and programs (Network Programmability). The course provides an easy to understand introduction to the new concepts. In addition to the concepts of SDN, interfaces such as REST and NETCONF, the YANG data model and other elements frequently used in connection with network automation are explained. 

1 SDN – Intro

• How networks can be operated
  • The role of SDN in «Programming the Network» environment
  • Introduction to SDN
• Function blocks of SDN

2 SDN Controller

• OpenDaylight – SDN's university approach
• DNAC – Cisco's implementation of SDN in the campus network
• Cisco DNA – Cisco's SDN implementation for enterprise networks
• ACI – Cisco's implementation of SDN in the Data Center

3 Programming Environment

• Version control
• Programming language
• Operating system

4 SDN and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

• SDN Controller – The heart of SDN
• Communication with users and applications – North bound API
  • REST
  • Encoding (JSON, ...)
  • GUI
• Communication with network components – South bound API
  • RESTCONF
  • NETCONF

5 Data Models

• What is the purpose of data models?
• What is the big advantage of data models?
• YANG – The data model for network components

6 Programming

• Why program?
• Python
• Development Models
  • Agile
  • DevOps

7 Further tasks in the field of «network programmability»

• Network operation
  • Configuration management
• Script and application handling
  • Version control
  • Testing

8 The big picture – Putting all elements together to form a big picture – Hands-On

• Build your own virtual Linux
• XML, Jason encodings
• REST
  • Postman on DNA-C
  • Swagger on DNA-C
• NETCONF
  • On Cat9k
• YANG Explorer
• Git

This course is designed for networkers who want to keep their finger on the pulse and take the step towards network automation and SDN.

Network knowledge from engineering or operation

This course does not include an exam.