Network Deployment Automation

[AlexF8901]

Hi,

I am wanting to automate the deployment of configs to fresh out of the box routers without touching said routers. 

My question is how to do this? 

Any explanations into how routers communicate out of the box e.g. tftp and PnP broadcasts would be very helpful. 

I am using Ansible for the automation which requires either an IP or a host name to communicate to a device. 

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Cheers 

[Seb Rupik · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

If you are looking for a solution which allows to to just open a box and connect the device to the network then take a look at APIC-EM. The only requirement is that you take a copy of the device serial number which is used by APIC-EM to provide the correct config and system images.

Sadly APIC-EM has been abandoned by Cisco and version 2 of the product actually became DNA-C, which is a paid for product.

As you point out Ansible needs an IP, so is strictly not a Day0 deployment solution.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/application-policy-infrastructure-controller-enterprise-module/index.html

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/cloud-systems-management/dna-center/index.html

cheers,

Seb.