ACI Implementation (Network Part)

[jay.cruz2739]

Hi,

We are in the process of considering deploying ACI. Would like to seek help with you guys on how can i start on the network side? I have checked all the documents and it seems they are discussing once the network has been set-up. I am looking forward on steps to do on the earliest part (e.g connecting N9K switches, cli confis based configs).

Hope anybody here can help me.

Thank you very much in advance.

[Tomas de Leon]

Jay,

Thank you for reaching out and using the Cisco Support Community for ACI.  This is probably not the best forum for you to discuss design or planning your migration unless you have specific questions in regards to a specific configuration question.

I would suggest reaching out to you Cisco Account Team and have them come in an go over your plans and they can assist with your needs.

I have included some links that might help you with understanding ACI and how it may work in your network.  There are some videos on the N9K.  One thing to remember for ACI, the APIC controllers configure the switches.  The CLI and GUI configuration is performed on the APICs the policy is pushed to the Leaf & Spine switches.

I hope the links help you out

T.

Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure Fundamentals
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/1-x/aci-fundamentals/b_ACI-Fundamentals.html

Fundamentals of ACI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l75B6D9xyMQ

Cisco ACI Overview with Soni Jiandani and Joe Onisick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mG505mWE0Y

Traffic Flows Through the ACI Fabric
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9eZYM7J33s

How Devices Connect to the Fabric: Understanding Cisco ACI Domains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iQvoC9zQ_A

ACI on the Cisco Nexus 9000 - Part-1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xsF0oInsDU

ACI on the Cisco Nexus 9000 - Part-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX1ApsT0aR0

Roy Biegel’s ACI channel on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZWwjNAiUpI&list=PLY-M-dfKubpe3_p4zWFKm32ghagwBJQmB

http://adaptingit.com/where-to-go-for-cisco-aci-information/

Cisco APIC Getting Started Guide
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/1-x/getting-started/b_APIC_Getting_Started_Guide.html

Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC)
Configuration Examples and TechNotes
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/cloud-systems-management/application-policy-infrastructure-controller-apic/products-configuration-examples-list.html

Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC)
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/cloud-systems-management/application-policy-infrastructure-controller-apic/tsd-products-support-series-home.html

Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure - White Papers
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/data-center-virtualization/application-centric-infrastructure/white-paper-listing.html

Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure - Solution Overviews
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/data-center-virtualization/application-centric-infrastructure/solution-overview-listing.html

Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure - Presentations
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/data-center-virtualization/application-centric-infrastructure/presentations-listings.html

ACI Design Guide:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/data-center-virtualization/application-centric-infrastructure/white-paper-c11-731960.html

Whitepapers:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/data-center-virtualization/application-centric-infrastructure/white-paper-listing.html

Training Videos:
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/learning_center/aci-training-videos

APIC Support Page:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/cloud-systems-management/application-policy-infrastructure-controller-apic/tsd-products-support-series-home.html

APIC Troubleshooting Guide:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/1-x/troubleshooting/b_APIC_Troubleshooting.pdf

[jay.cruz2739]

Hi Tomas,

Thank you for sharing the links. Honestly, i have not get the chance to talk with our cisco account team. I am planning to have some due diligence to have atleast a basic understanding with the technology in order to ask the right kind of questions when the consultation commence.

Thank you very much

[Yasir Ashfaque]

Hi,

Actually its very good question,  i had same confusion, let me try to write it in very simple steps.

Basically you just need to connect switches physically and follow the guide lines below, and make sure you boot aci image, and ports are up.

1. Identify your Switches (Which model supports leaf, and which model supports spine)

2. Build your physical topology following three basic guidelines.

    a. spines are not connected to each other
    b. leaves are not connected to each other
    c. leaves are connected to all spines

3. Connect your APIC Controller (Normally there should be three)

4. Configure OOB IP on your controllers, and via console configure your first (primary Controller) with basic information.

   a. TEP Address pool: Every leaf and spine node in the fabric, will be automatically assigned at least             one Tunnel End Point address.

   b. Multicast Address pool: will be used for multicast traffic through the network
   c. VLAN ID: is used for communication inside the fabric infrastructure network

Once APIC GUI Is up, discover all switches, and start deploying your policies :)