CNS is a foundation technology for linking users to networking services and provides the infrastructure for the automated configuration of large numbers of network devices. Many IP networks are quite complex with many devices, and each device must currently be configured individually. When standard configurations do not exist or have been modified, the time involved in initial installation and subsequent upgrading is considerable. The volume of smaller, more standardized, customer networks is also growing faster than the number of available network engineers. Internet service providers (ISPs) now need a method for sending out partial configurations to introduce new services. To address all these issues, CNS has been designed to provide "plug-and-play" network services using a central directory service and distributed agents. CNS features include CNS configuration and event agents and a flow-through provisioning structure. The configuration and event agents use a CNS configuration engine to provide methods for automating initial Cisco IOS device configurations, incremental configurations, and synchronized configuration updates, and the configuration engine reports the status of the configuration load as an event to which a network monitoring or workflow application can subscribe. The CNS flow-through provisioning uses the CNS configuration and event agents to provide an automated workflow, eliminating the need for an on-site technician.
Cisco Configuration Professional Express (Cisco CP Express) is a light weight version of Cisco CP. You can use Cisco CP Express to configure basic security features on the router's LAN and WAN interfaces. Cisco CP Express and a factory default configuration file are installed in Flash memory on routers that are shipped with Cisco CP. You can connect a PC directly to the device, and then use Cisco CP Express to configure LAN and WAN connections, a firewall, Network Address Translation, and make security settings before you place the device on the network in which it will operate. See the Initial Setup section to learn how to do this.
Cisco Prime Infrastructure provides complete lifecycle management of converged wired and wireless networks. It integrates Cisco Prime LAN Management Solutions (LMS) and Cisco Prime Network Control System (NCS) into a single bundle for simplified ordering and license management.
Cisco Prime Infrastructure includes the following two products:
Cisco Prime Network Control System (NCS)
Provide converged user and access management, complete wireless lifecycle management, and integrated configuration and monitoring of branch office routers.
Cisco Prime LAN Management Solution (LMS)
Deliver simplified management of Cisco Borderless Networks and reduce operational costs by aligning network management functionality to the way network operators do their jobs.
