topic Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox in DevNet Sandbox

A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

jokearns1 — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:18:50 GMT

Hi @All
We have some news to share. Please read the message below:

Beginning August 1st, the current Sandbox platform will temporarily transition offline as we build something entirely new from the ground up, a platform designed to deliver a more focused, seamless, and compelling experience for developers at every stage of their journey. We are aiming to have DevNet Sandbox back online early 2027.

Since its launch in 2014, the DevNet Sandbox has been a trusted resource for developers worldwide—providing hands-on access to Cisco technologies for learning, prototyping, and innovation. After more than a decade of serving our vibrant developer community, we're excited to announce that we are embarking on a bold reimagining of the Sandbox experience. Beginning August 1st, the current Sandbox platform will temporarily transition offline as we build something entirely new from the ground up—a platform designed to deliver a more focused, seamless, and compelling experience for developers at every stage of their journey.

Innovation at the Core

This isn't just a refresh—it's a reinvention. We're taking this opportunity to rethink what a modern developer sandbox should look like, how it should function, and what unique value it can deliver. Our team is actively exploring new approaches to orchestration, access, and service delivery that will set the next-generation Sandbox apart. Our goal is to emerge with a platform that not only meets the evolving needs of today's developers but anticipates where the industry is headed—particularly as AI, automation, and programmability continue to reshape how we build and deploy technology.

What to Expect

We're targeting Q1CY27 to begin rolling out the new Sandbox experience, and we'll be engaging our developer community along the way for feedback and early access as components come online. In the interim, we remain committed to supporting critical developer needs on a case-by-case basis. We deeply appreciate the passion and loyalty of the DevNet community, and we can't wait to share what's next. Stay tuned to developer.cisco.com and our community channels for updates as we build the future of DevNet Sandbox together.

DevNet Sandbox Rebuild – Talking Points

DevNet Sandbox is being temporarily taken offline beginning August 1st to undergo a complete rebuild, with the goal of reintroducing a new experience starting in early January.

This is a deliberate reinvention, not just a refresh. We're using this opportunity to reimagine the platform from the ground up—rethinking how developers access, interact with, and benefit from Cisco's technology portfolio.

The new Sandbox will deliver a more focused, seamless, and modern developer experience, designed to align with where the industry is headed—particularly around AI, automation, and programmability.

We remain committed to supporting developers during the transition. Critical needs will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, and we'll engage the community for feedback and early access as new components roll out.

Developers should stay connected via developer.cisco.com and DevNet community channels for updates, timelines, and opportunities to help shape the future of the Sandbox experience.

We are also looking at ways to keep our Always On environments available from August 1st to December. Some of these labs rely on automation to spin up and tear down user credentials. We are investigating at alternatives to this.

Please reply if you have any comments or concerns. If you feel more comfortable reaching out 1-1, please do so on the forum
Also, let us know what you would like to see in the next iteration of Sandbox.
All feedback is good.

Thank you for your continued support,

The Sandbox Team.

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

julian.bendix — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:46:50 GMT

Hello there!

Just asking, there will be no DevNet Sandbox at all for about 4 months?

Thanks and BR Jules

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

mehwish0093 — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:42:43 GMT

at least active some sandbox after august

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

jokearns1 — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:06:29 GMT

Hi Julian,

Correct. There will be no reservation based labs available during this time. The portal will be removed on August 1st so booking a sandbox will not be possible. However, we are looking at ways to keep the Always-On labs available.
We do realise that the timing is inconvenient and we apologise for this. We are currently head down planning the new build.
Reach out 1-1 if you need to discuss a particular need.

Joseph Kearns

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

CKMott — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:04:47 GMT

Thank you for the update. I believe what you're building will benefit all engineers who want to stay active in learning and honing skill sets. In the meantime, is the current OperationHub environment having resource issues?

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

UncleGranpa — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:40:43 GMT

Thanks for the Update

I will say, please keep the Always-On labs available. Currently, there are a couple technologies like Cisco Catalyst Center, which is apart of the CCNP Encor exam topics, specifically, learning it's API and REST response codes, that can't be otherwise reliably lab'd without their availability. I'd imagine it would be a large detriment to Cisco learners working towards CCNP or just understandng the platform.

Thank you,
Yuncle Grandpa

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

julian.bendix — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:32:59 GMT

Understood, thanks for the heads up and clarification! 🙂

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

S2535735 — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 04:20:32 GMT

You stated that it will be down on August 1. As of right now Catalyst 8000 Always-On it is not working. I am getting a login Credential error. I have copied the username and password so I know that it is correct but I still can't login. Can you help me with this? I have an assignment due.

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

Jesus Illescas — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:30:15 GMT

@S2535735 I tested the credentials and are not working for me as well. I will ping the sandbox team to reset it. it would be better in the future to create posts for specific issues so is easier to spot them on the community.

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

jokearns1 — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:37:21 GMT

@S2535735
We are checking this now. These AO labs are full admin so we do get odd config pushed up there which causes issues.

Joe

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

worldwide1 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:59:58 GMT

Hi Julian,

I struggle to appreciate why the new environment can't be developed independently of the current offerings? What happened to high availability and redundancy?

Is making d-Cloud available for those currently without access to d-Cloud a four month alternative?

Finally, the Cisco Catalyst Center prerequisites are difficult meet in one's home lab and, please, provide a temporary solution that will accommodate us on the ENCOR track?

Thanks for any considerations.

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

zolkifle — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:30:57 GMT

Hi,

Because there are only a few days left, I try to use it as often as possible. The last 3 days there was no problem with the VPN, but today, even though I tried many times, it still didn't work.

Please see the picture.

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

jokearns1 — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:39:55 GMT

Hi @All

First, thank you for all your feedback. We appreciate that this is a sensitive subject and that there are many opinions surrounding it.

Since my last message, a few things have changed. We have been working behind the scenes to keep Sandbox available while we migrate to a new system, and we have some good news to share.

Sandbox will remain available beyond August 1, 2026. Private reservation and Always-On labs will continue to operate as normal while we work on the migration to the new platform.

We expect to require a shorter maintenance window of approximately two to three weeks later in the year. However, it will not be the four month down time as originally communicated. We will provide further details as soon as they are available.

The situation has been continually evolving, and we have been doing our best to ensure that the Sandbox community is supported throughout. We will continue to communicate any changes or updates promptly.

Thank you for your patience and continued commitment to the service. Please reach out here or contact us directly if you have any questions.

We will also post this update as a separate community thread to ensure that all members are aware of the news.

Thanks again,

Support

Re: A New Chapter for DevNet Sandbox

jokearns1 — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:41:26 GMT

Hi @zolkifle
We will check this out. Thanks for reporting.

Joe