TYpe of API calls DNAC used while Integrating

[sujanyakj]

When we integrating the Meraki dashboard with DNAC , it will ask Token , So i am assuming its token based authentication using API calls.

Similarly while integrating DNAC with ISE and Efficient IP , it will authenticate using username:password , So i am assuming it as basic authentication via API calls.

Is my understanding is correct , if not please help me with the details. 

[Torbjørn]

You are mostly correct:

DNA Center API authentication works by retrieving an authorization token using basic auth containing username and password. All other API calls are authenticated using an X-Auth-Token header containing the retrieved token. The "Getting started" section of the DNAC API Docs is a good place to start if you wish to start using the DNAC API.

To interact with the Meraki Dashboard API you would use a API Key that you can generate in the web UI: https://documentation.meraki.com/General_Administration/Other_Topics/Cisco_Meraki_Dashboard_API

[sujanyakj]

Hi @Torbjørn ,

Thanks for the response. Does it mean at the API level in the backend both during integration of Meraki, ISE and Efficient IP it will use token based authentication.

[Torbjørn]

Ah okay, I misunderstood your question. When integrating with EfficientIP Solidserver the DNAC will use basic auth against Solidserver. When integrating with ISE the DNAC it will use basic auth against PXgrid and ISE ERS. When integrating with Meraki it will use the API key supplied in a HTTP header.

[sujanyakj]

Hi @Torbjørn ,

Thanks for the response. As for ISE and Efficient IP , DNAC will use basic authentication, does the communication is not secure? .If it is not secure , then is there any other way to  securely integrate the DNAC with ISE and IPAM.

[Torbjørn]

The communication is secured by TLS, provided that Efficient IP Solidserver is set up with HTTPS. There are no other way to set up these integrations AFAIK.