[ACI] Need information regarding ACI sandbox account

[Network_Sarovani]

Hi Experts , 

Can someone share the credentials for https://sandboxapicdc.cisco.com ?

2.How many hours will the configuration be retained in Sandbox ?

3.Will Cisco provide dedicated sandbox account ?

4.is there any paid service cisco provided for lab usage ? if yes - How much will it cost and how to buy ?

[Claudia de Luna]

Hi @Network_Sarovani 

If you have a DevNet Account you can get the credentials and instructions by selecting one of the Sandboxes.

The DevNet Team offer an ACI Simulator you can reserve and one that is Always On.  

https://devnetsandbox.cisco.com/RM/Topology?c=a53c0160-233a-41e2-a074-2df499ae88ed

2.  For the Sandbox that you Reserve the maximum lab duration is 6 hours. For the Always on Sandbox, I know the re set it periodically but I'm not sure what the interval is.  I would not expect your configurations to last overnight and certainly be aware that that is a shared resource.

3. The Sandbox you Reserve, yes for the duration.  For the Always on sandbox, No.

4. I'm not aware of a Cisco provided Lab as such but there are Labs you can rent.
https://gratuitous-arp.net/the-hunt-for-a-cisco-aci-lab/

I just rented the NterOne Lab last month.  They are super helpful.
Im not affiliated with any of these, just a user.

[Network_Sarovani]

3. The Sandbox you Reserve, yes for the duration.  For the Always on sandbox, No

which one is better ? Will my configuration retained for a week or month time ?

any tips or tricks on retaining the config ?

[Claudia de Luna]

"Better" will depend on what you are trying to do.

Task	Best Option
ACI Familiarization	Simulator or DevNet
ACI Automation	Simulator or DevNet
ACI Testing to EndPoints or L3Outs to external ethernet devices	Actual ACI Fabric

If you are trying to learn ACI the DevNet Labs are a great start but you will need more because, as you would expect DevNet is focused on learning how to automate ACI.   Learning ACI has two parts, learning the concepts of the fabric and learning how ACI interacts with the classical Ethernet environment.   DevNet labs are a great start for the first one.

https://developer.cisco.com/site/aci/

If you are trying to say model a design or test or keep a configuration for a month then you really need to look at spinning up your own Simulator just as @RedNectar suggested.

You will need a Cisco CCO Account so you can login and go to the Downloads section and download the files. The simulator is big so you will download up to 6 files and then merge them together to get a working OVA image.
You must pay attention to the resource requirements for the Virtual Machine. 

You must also pay attention to the configuration requirements.  Basically except for the management IPs take *all* the defaults and make sure to enable Promiscuous Mode on the vSwitch.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/3-x/simulator/install_vm/b_Cisco_ACI_Simulator_VM_Install_Guide.html

There are good instructions for this entire process just make sure to follow them.

If you are trying to test a design with connections to external devices or test communication between hosts on the fabric or learn how ACI interacts with external network devices  then you will need an actual fabric.  The Simulators are great for familiarizing yourself with the ACI constructs but there is no data plane in the simulators.  

If you want to test an L3Out or an L2 connection to another switch say for migration, you need an actual fabric.

[RedNectar]

Hi @Network_Sarovani

Can someone share the credentials for https://sandboxapicdc.cisco.com ?

As @Claudia de Luna says, to access the Anyconect VPN, you'll get the details in an email when you reserve.

The actual APIC login is well hidden (Hint: It's in the "Getting Started" docs) It is admin/C1sco12345

2.How many hours will the configuration be retained in Sandbox ?

You can reserve the sandbox for 2hrs I believe

3.Will Cisco provide dedicated sandbox account ?

Doubt it. Just download your own simulator if you are that keen

4.is there any paid service cisco provided for lab usage ? if yes - How much will it cost and how to buy ?

Try Cisco Learning Labs I guess.

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[Network_Sarovani]

@RedNectar the video which you created for snapshot in the other question which I posted - is that from devnet sandbox?

which one is good for self learning and labing ...

[Network_Sarovani]

3.Will Cisco provide dedicated sandbox account ?

Doubt it. Just download your own simulator if you are that keen

How please help @RedNectar 

[RedNectar]

Hi @Network_Sarovani ,

1. The video I created was created using the Cisco Devnet simulator
2. You can download the Cisco ACI Simulator here https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286283149/type/286283168/release/5.2(3f) - although this link may not be relevant forever, give that the version number is in the URI.  This link may be more reliable in future. https://lmgtfy.app/?q=download+cisco+aci+simulator

Note that the requirements for running the ACI Simulator are pretty heavy, as explained here: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/3-x/simulator/install_vm/b_Cisco_ACI_Simulator_VM_Install_Guide.html

ACI Simulator Virtual Machine requirements:

Resource	Required for Release 3.1(x)	Required for Release 4.0(x)
vCPU	8	12
Memory	16 GB	24 GB
Hard disk storage	80 GB	100 GB

Unfortunately this doc doesn't say what is needed for v5, but you can be sure it is at LEAST as much as the v4 requirements. I've had NO LUCK using 24GB RAM -  recommend AT LEAST 32G, 48GB is better

The process of actually downloading the simulator is also a long process. SIX HUGE files to download, then you have to join them together as one, as explained here.