Introduction
In APIC 6.0 code the initial setup dialog was reworked and GUI wizard introduced for APIC bootstrap and configuration. But, there is a way to configure Initial setup with JSON string.
Pre-requisites: ACI Initial Setup Knowledge
Requirements: APIC Initial Setup access via CIMC KVM
Components Used: APIC 6.0(x) & JSON string
Note: Prepare your JSON string. Just adjust the values based for your requirements. Needs to be just 1 line.
{"cluster":{"fabricName":"<name>","layer3":false,"fabricId":1,"clusterSize":1,"infraVlan":3967,"gipoPool":"225.0.0.0/15","adminPassword":"<addpassword>"},"nodes":[{"controllerType":"physical","serialNumber":"<addserialnumber>","nodeId":1,"nodeName":"<APICName>","podId":1,"oobNetwork":{"enableIPv4":true,"address4":"<APICAddress/24","gateway4":"<APICGW>"},"cimc":{"address4":"<CIMCAddress>","username":"admin","password":"<addpassword>"}}],"pods":[{"podId":1,"tepPool":"100.0.0.0/16"}]}
Configurations
After you configure CIMC Initial Setup, after a few minutes; you will see a screen as shown below:
APIC Version: 6.0(2a)
Welcome to Cisco APIC Setup Utility
Press Enter Or Input JSON string to bootstrap your APIC node.
Press Enter Or Input JSON string to bootstrap your APIC node
At top-left click the tree lines > File >
Paste Clipboard Text
*Paste JSON string click SEND
If your JSON String are incorrect the APIC will give you an error
If your JSON String are correct you will see: System bootstrapped successfully. if not, just verify your JSON string and send again
Verify
Please wait around 5-10 min and Connect to APIC GUI in your browser. You will see the username and password screen instead the new way to Initial Setup.
Note: If you see the New APIC Cluster Bring Up GUI, just need wait until bootstrap process finish and try again.

