Lab 11 Explore Cisco DC App Center and Cisco ACI Optimize Feature¶
The Cisco DC App Center supports Cisco and Third Party add on applications for ACI and DCNM.
Here are just a few examples of Apps Available for the ACI APIC.
The App Center is a repository of Apps which build upon ACIs capabilities to enhance your Data Center fabric operations.
The App Center is also supports developers who are building new apps to add to the repository.
The Apps available via the App Center can be installed via the App Tab of your APIC GUI.
Before you can download any apps you must sign in and accept the AppCenter EULA.
Lab Goals¶
Familiarize yourself with uploading, installing, and using some handy Cisco and 3rd Party ACI add-on Apps.
Step 1 - Check for Applications
Step 2 - Load App(s)
Step 3 - Use the APIC Managed Object Browser
Step 4 - Explore the Tools in the Base Package - Contract Viewer
Step 5 - Use the Enhanced Endpoint Tracker
Step 7 - Explore Fault Analytics
Step 1 - Check for Applications¶
Navigate to the Apps menu and see if any applications have already been installed
Upload Apps
| App | Developer | Features |
|---|---|---|
| APIC Managed Object Browser (~154KB) | Haystack Networks UK | This application lets you browse the MO tree much like the APIC Object Browser (Visore) but in a graphical form. Minimum ACI Version: 1.0 |
| Contract Viewer | Cisco Systems | The Contract Viewer provides a convenient way for a user to view the traffic flowing between EPGs and their associated contracts. Minimum ACI Version: 2.2(1n) |
| Base Package (~306MB) | Cisco Systems | Cisco Application Base Package is a combination of the following apps: - Search - Improved search features - APIC Postman - create, visualize and analyze the XML/JSON configuration that represents the actual logical model behind the API - Contract Viewer - view the traffic flowing between EPGs and their associated contracts - VisuDash - Customizable Top-n Views Minimum ACI Version: 4.2(1i) |
| Enhanced Endpoint Tracker (~340MB) | Cisco Systems | This application maintains a list and log of endpoints. It is one of the original ACI Apps and is a must have for operations. Minimum ACI Version: 2.1 |
| Fault Analytics | Cisco Systems | Analyze historical Faults and Configuration changes via the Audit Logs Minimum ACI Version: 1.0 |
| Network Assurance Engine (~3.1GB) | Cisco Systems | isco Network Assurance Engine is a comprehensive intent-assurance solution that mathematically verifies the entire data center network for correctnes Minimum ACI Version: 5.0.1 |
Step 2 - Load App¶
If one or more of the Apps have not been loaded follow these steps to upload an app to the APIC.
Step 2.1 Upload Application¶
Navigate to Apps > Apps and click the Upload Application button on the grey menu band.
Click Browse in the Upload App Dialog and go to the file share c:\10.10.1.40Z:\ACI\App-Center and choose the App file (
Click Submit to upload the application
Note: Upload and Installation can take up to 5 minutes
Step 2.2 Enable Application¶
Enable the application by clicking the Enable button.
Step 2.3 Control Access via Security Domain Association¶
Allow access to the security domain all in each case.
Note: You can see how simple it would be to restrict access by creating specific security domains and using them to restrict or allow access.
Step 3 - Use the APIC Managed Object Browser¶
Throughout the labs you have seen diagrams of the MIT and relationships between objects. Understanding these relationships is key to correctly configuring ACI.
We start with the thrid party ACI App APIC Managed Object Browser as its a very lightweight App that provides a graphical view of the MIT.
Step 3.1 Open the APIC Managed Object Browser App
Step 3.2 Drill into MO objects by double clicking to expand and contract.
