Network Automation using the Contrail Controller (NACC)

Course Level

Network Automation using the Contrail Controller (NACC) is an intermediate-level course.

Intended Audience

This course benefits individuals responsible for working with software-defined networking solutions in data center, service provider, and enterprise network environments.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites for this course are as follows:

• Basic TCP/IP skills;
• General understanding of data center virtualization;
• Basic understanding of the Junos operating system;
• Completion of the Advanced Data Center Switching (ADCX) course or equivalent knowledge; and
• Completion of the Juniper Cloud Fundamentals (JCF) course; and
• Basic knowledge of object-oriented programming and Python scripting is recommended.

Objectives

After successfully completing this course, you should be able to:

• Explain the role of Contrail SDN Controller.
• List available Contrail solutions.
• Describe the purpose of an orchestrator.
• Describe the basics of Kubernetes.
• Identify the function of each of the main OpenStack Projects.
• Describe the purpose of Contrail.
• Explain how the versions of Contrail differ.
• Discuss Contrail related solutions.
• Describe the functions of the Contrail vRouter and Contrail Controller.
• Explain the role of the control, configuration, and analytic nodes.
• Configure and deploy virtual DNS and IPAMs.
• Create virtual networks.
• Create policies to control the flow of traffic.
• Explain the routing behavior of an IP Fabric
• Describe the steps to onboard a Brownfield IP Fabric.
• Describe the steps to onboard a Greenfield IP Fabric.
• Describe the various commands to troubleshoot the onboarding of an IP Fabric.
• Explain the benefits of VXLAN in the data center.
• Describe EVPN signaling for VXLAN.
• Describe how CEM can bridge between a VM and a BMS.
• Implement bridging between VMs and BMSs using VXLAN and EVPN signaling.
• Describe EVPN signaling for VXLAN routing in the Spine.
• Describe how to enable central routing using CEM.
• Describe EVPN signaling for DCI.
• Describe how to enable DCI using CEM.
• Create physical gateways.
• Describe architecture and capabilities of Contrail Security.
• Configure main Contrail Security features.
• Explain the benefits of AppFormix.
• Explain the operation and use of AppFormix.
• Explain how to setup and install AppFormix in different environments.
• Explain the purpose and use of the different AppFormix features.
• Understand the purpose of the Clusters feature.
• Describe how to use the dashboard to examine the state of the network.
• Understand the purpose and use of the Charts feature.
• Explain the benefits of capacity planning.
• Explain how to setup the chargeback functionality.
• Explain how to use AppFormix charts.
• Explain how to use AppFormix heat maps.
• Describe the benefits of reports and service monitoring functionalities.
• Explain the purpose and use of AppFormix alarms.
• Explain the purpose and use of AppFormix Composite Alarms.
• Explain the purpose of JTI.
• Discuss native sensors.
• Explain OpenConfig and gRPC sensors.
• Describe best practices for JTI.
• Explain how to use JTI with AppFormix.

Course Contents

Day 1

Chapter 1: Course Introduction

Chapter 2: SDN and Contrail

• Review of SDN
Contrail Basics Contrail Advantages, Capabilities, and Features Contrail Products and Solutions Contrail Use Cases Contrail Command
• Lab 1: Contrail Command User Interface Walkthrough

Chapter 3: Orchestration Fundamentals

• Orchestrator Overview
• Kubernetes Orchestrator
• OpenStack Orchestrator
• Lab 2: Instantiating Virtual Workloads

Day 2

Chapter 4: Contrail Architecture Fundamentals

• Contrail Architecture Overview
• Contrail Management and Analytics
• Contrail Control Plane Communications
• Contrail Data Plane Communications
• Basic Contrail Troubleshooting
• Lab 3: Exploring and Troubleshooting the Contrail vRouter and SDN Controller

Chapter 5: Contrail Configuration

• Contrail Configuration Methods
• Configuring DNS and IPAM
• Configuring the Metadata Service
• Configuring Virtual Networks
• Configuring Network Policies and Security Groups
• Contrail Configuration API
• Lab 4: Configuring Virtual Networks and Policies

Chapter 6: IP Fabric Automation

• IP Fabric Review
• Greenfield Fabric Automation
• Brownfield Fabric Automation
• Troubleshooting Fabric Automation
• Lab 5: IP Fabric Automation

Day 3

Chapter 7: VM to BMS Bridging

• VXLAN Review
• EVPN Signaling for BMS to BMS VXLAN Forwarding
• Contrail VM to BMS Bridging<./li>
• Server/Instance example
• Virtual Port Groups
• Lab 6: VM to BMS Bridging

Chapter 8: VXLAN Routing

• EVPN Signaling for Central Routing
• Central Routing Example
• EVPN Signaling for Edge Routing
• Edge Routing Example
• Lab 7: VXLAN Routing

Chapter 9: Data Center Interconnect

• DCI Overview
• DCI Options for a VXLAN Overlay using Contrail Automation
• DCI Example using Contrail Automation
• Lab 8: Data Center Interconnect

Day 4

Chapter 10: Interacting with External Networks

• DC Gateway Use Case/LI>
• Implementing a DC Gateway
• Lab 9: Interacting with External Networks

Chapter 11: Fabric Administration

• Generic Device Operations/LI>
• Hitless Fabric Upgrade
• Lab 10: Fabric Administration

Chapter 12: Contrail Security

• The Need for Contrail Security
• Contrail Security Configuration
• Monitoring and Visualization
• Lab 11: Contrail Security

Day 5

Chapter 13: AppFormix Overview

• AppFormix Overview
AppFormix UI and General Settings AppFormix Features Overview: Clusters, Dashboard, Charts, Heat Map, Plan, Reports, Chargeback

Chapter 14: Alarms and Composite Alarms

• Alarms
• Alarms Case Study
• Composite Alarms
• Lab 12: Implementing AppFormix Features

Chapter 15: Junos Telemetry Interface

• JTI Overview
• Native Sensors for JTI
• OpenConfig and gRPC Sensors for JTI
• Lab 13: Implementing JTI with AppFormix