Configuring Catalyst Center & Cisco Spaces Integration

chyan · ‎01-11-2024

Integration Requirement
Overview
Connection Options
Test Methodology
Topology
Workflow Overview
Versions Tested
Cisco Spaces Connector Installation
Installing Cisco Spaces Connector
Cisco Spaces Connector Initial Configuration
Cisco Spaces Connector GUI Configuration
Catalyst Center Map
Cisco Spaces Configuration
Cisco Spaces and Catalyst Center Integration
Cisco Spaces Location Services
Reference

Integration Requirement

Overview

A Single Cisco Spaces tenant can activate multiple Cisco DNA Center nodes. One Catalyst Center can only be integrated with one Cisco Spaces tenant.

For integration to happen, Cisco Spaces SEE license is required. Catalyst Center 2.2.1 brings in native Cisco Spaces integration without requiring any dedicated packages.

When DNA Center and DNA Spaces are integrated, the following interactions are expected:

Maps uploaded from DNA Center to DNA Spaces and visible in DNA Spaces Map service.
Locations need to be created in the location hierarchy using the map uploaded in DNA Spaces
Subsequent changes on the floor plan automatically pushed from DNA Center to Map service.
Calculated locations of endpoints, rogues, interferers, and icap context are continuously streamed from DNA Spaces to DNA Center.

Connection Options

A wireless network infrastructure can be connected to Cisco Spaces using the options below:

This document focuses on integration using Spaces Connector.

Test Methodology

This integration guide is written using the topology, versions, and methodologies mentioned below. The devices tested are inside SDA Fabrics. All the controllers such as DNAC, ISE, WLCs are outside the Fabric in Share Services. ISE, and Cisco Spaces Connector are VMs hosted in VMware ESXi. VCenter is used to manage all the ESXis.

Topology

Workflow Overview

The integration guide is written using the steps following the following workflow. Connections to the Cisco Spaces are made using the Cisco Spaces Connector.

Versions Tested

Cisco Spaces Connector Installation

This section explains the steps needed in deploying Cisco Spaces Connector.

Installing Cisco Spaces Connector

Step 1. Locate the Spaces Connector for VMWare in CCO and download to the local computer.

Step 2. Extracted the downloaded file in the local computer.

Step 3. In VCenter, right click on the ESXi host and select Deploy OVF Template.

Step 4. Select Local file and click Browse.

Step 5. Find the file that was downloaded from CCO and click Open.

Step 6. Click Next.

Step 7. Type in the virtual machine name and click Next.

Step 8. Select the ESXi host resource you want the VM to reside on and click Next.

Step 9. Review the details and click Next.

Step 10. Select the license agreement check mark and click Next.

Step 11. Select the deployment configuration radio button based on the resources required. We will select the Standard (Dual Interface) for this set up.

Step 12. Select the storage inside the ESXi. We will use Thin Provision for this set up. Click Next.

Step 13. Select the virtual switches that the VM is connecting to from the drop down menu and click Next. One switch should face Internet and the other one should face in the internal network in this set up.

Step 14. Click Finish.

Cisco Spaces Connector Initial Configuration

Step 1. Select the newly created VM in VCenter. Right click and turn on the power.

Step 2. Right click on the VM and access the remote console.

Step 3. Login into the console using the default username/password credential of root/root.

Step 4. Type in the desired host name.

Step 5. Type in the first network interface name. Configure IP address, default gateway, and domain name.

Step 6. Type in yes to confirm network setting.

Step 7. Setup time zone accordingly.

Step 8. Type in the NTP server address. Enter the password for user “spacesadmin”. This is the account used for CLI as well as GUI login. The username “root” will no longer be used. The Connector will reboot.

Step 9. When the Connector comes up from reboot, enter the password for “spacesadmin”. Enter IP information for the interface facing the internal work: “connectorctl network config -p ipv4 -i 20.1.1.20/24 -g 20.1.1.254 -o dna.local -d 20.1.1.1 -n SECONDARY.

Step 10. The Connector will reboot. When it comes back up, type in “connector ctl network show” to verify the IP information entered for both interfaces.

Cisco Spaces Connector GUI Configuration

Step 1. Use a browser and connect to the Connector’s IP address. For the first time access, click Advanced and Accept the Risk and Continue.

Step 2. Login with the correct credential.

Step 3. If the Connector needs Proxy to connect to the Internet, click Configure HTTP proxy.

Step 4. Type in the proxy URL and click Save.

Catalyst Center Map

Step 1. Use the browser to access Catalyst Center. From the main menu, go to Design -> Network Hierarchy.

Step 2. Click on the Global site and select Export -> Export Floor Maps.

Step 3. Click Next.

Step 4. Wait for the export to complete.

Cisco Spaces Configuration

Step 1. Use the browser to access the Cisco Spaces https://ciscospaces.io/login. Click Login.

Step 2. Type in the email address of the login credential and click Continue.

Step 3. Select the country. Click Save.

Step 4. On the left menu, navigate to Setup -> Wireless Networks.

Step 5. Click Create Connector.

Step 6. Type in the Spaces Connector name. Leave the Version 3.0 as selected since what it what was installed. Click Save.

Step 7. Click Go to Connector Details Page.

Step 8. Click Generate Token.

Step 9. A Token is generated. Click Copy Token to copy it to the computer memory.

Step 10. Go the GUI of Cisco Spaces Connector. In the Dashboard page, click Configure Token.

Step 11. Paste the Token. Click Configure.

Step 12. After a while the Connector’s Cloud Readability should show as Connected.

Step 13. Click Configure Connector. The status should be Active.

Step 14. Go back to Cisco Spaces. The active Connector should be 1 out of 1.

Note: It is possible that the Connector will go through the upgrade and go down for a few minutes. Will till the Connector is back up before continue with the next step. Click View Connectors to verify.

Step 15. Click Add Connectors.

Step 16. In this set up, there is an AireOS WLC and a 9800 WLC. We will add the AireOS WLC first. Select the Connector just configured from the pull down menu. Fill in the relevant information for the WLC. Click Save and Close.

Step 17. Click Add Controllers to add the 9800 WLC.

Note: It may take a few minutes for the newly added WLC to show as Active.

Step 18. Fill in the information for the 9800 WLC.

Step 19. Screen down to the same screen, the configuration to be put into the WLC is shown. Click on the copy icon. This will copy the config into the computer memory.

Step 20. Access the 9800 WLC CLI. Paste the config into the WLC.

9800-WLC-TX#en
9800-WLC-TX#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
9800-WLC-TX(config)#nmsp enable
9800-WLC-TX(config)#aaa new-model
9800-WLC-TX(config)#username 005056A4B15A mac aaa attribute list cmx_005056A4B15A
9800-WLC-TX(config)#aaa attribute list cmx_005056A4B15A
9800-WLC-TX(config-attr-list)#attribute type password 9cbfaf8e84a3070ca8c78892e03bdaa69c298d40579be37ecfdb269c4182fc61
9800-WLC-TX(config-attr-list)#aaa authorization credential-download wcm_loc_serv_cert local
9800-WLC-TX(config)#

Step 21. Go back to the Cisco Spaces page. Wait a few minutes and verify that all the WLCs are shown as active in the Spaces. Click Import/Sync Maps.

Step 22. Select DNAC V1.3.1 and above. Click Next.

Step 23. Click Click here to upload. Find and upload the map that was exported for Catalyst Center previously. Click Finish.

Step 24. Click Continue.

Step 25. The number of imported building and floors should update accordingly. Click Add Locations.

Step 26. With Yes, Upload Map selected, click Next.

Step 27. Select DNAC v1.3.1 and above. Click Next.

Step 28. Find and upload the map that was exported for Catalyst Center previously. Click Finish.

Step 29. Click Continue.

Step 30. Click Management Maps.

Step 31. Click Finish.

Step 32. Browse the maps to verify all the floor plans and APs are shown correctly.

Step 33. Click Manage Location Hierarchy.

Step 34. Browse the hierarchy to verify all the information are shown correctly.

Step 35. In Cisco Spaces Home page. Verify the number of Locations, APs, etc.

Cisco Spaces and Catalyst Center Integration

Step 1. In the Cisco Spaces page, on the left menu, go to Integration -> Cisco DNA Center.

Step 2. Click Create Token.

Step 3. Type in an instance name and click Next.

Step 4. Click Copy Token to copy the generated token into the computer’s memory.

Step 5. Go the Catalyst Center page. In the main menu, go to Design -> Settings.

Step 6. Select Cisco Spaces/CMX Servers in the left menu. Click Activate.

Step 7. Paste the token into the box. Click Activate.

Step 8. Observe the Cisco Spaces integration steps to proceed. When the integration completes successfully, click Close.

Step 9. The Cisco Spaces should show Activated and the connection status should show Success.

Step 10. In the Catalyst Center page, go to Design -> Network Settings -> Wireless.

Step 11. In the correct hierarchy, click Cisco Spaces/CMX Servers.

Step 12. In the Location Services drop down menu, select the Spaces that was just integrated. Click Save.

Step 13. Go to the Cisco Spaces page and click Integrations. The DNA Center should show as Active.

Cisco Spaces Location Services

Step 1. In the Cisco Spaces home page, click the Detect and Locate tile.

Step 2. Select the correct site and floor. The wireless client(s) should show as green dot(s).

Step 3. Click on the green dot. The details of the specific wireless client show.

Step 4. Go to the Catalyst Center page. In the Design page navigate to the floor that the wireless client resides. The location of this client should show as a green dot.