Network Automation using the Contrail Controller (NACC)

Course Level

Network Automation using Contrail Cloud 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 Juniper Cloud Fundamentals (JCF) course prior to attending this class; 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 definition and main principles of SDN.
• Discuss the NFV framework.
• Explain the role of Contrail SDN Controller.
• List available Contrail solutions.
• Describe the purpose of OpenStack.
• Identify the function of each of the main OpenStack Projects.
• Use the OpenStack CLI.
• Describe OpenStack REST APIs and Python SDK.
• Use OpenStack Heat Orchestration Templates.
• Configure OpenStack using Horizon Web UI and Heat.
• Describe the main features of Contrail.
• Discuss different Contrail use cases.
• Describe Contrail related solutions.
• Describe the functions of the Contrail vRouter.
• Describe the functions of the Contrail SDN Controller.
• Understand containerized Contrail modules.
• Explain the role of different node types in Contrail.
• Use Contrail troubleshooting tools.
• Describe available Contrail configuration methods.
• Configure Contrail Virtual DNS services.
• Create virtual networks.
• Create policies to control the flow of traffic.
• Use Contrail Configuration API.
• Explain how virtual and physical networks can be connected.
• Configure Floating IPs.
• Use physical gateway devices with Contrail.
• Configure physical devices with Device Manager.
• Use simple virtual gateway.
• Explain underlay connectivity without gateway.
• Explain Contrail integration with Kubernetes and OpenShift.
• Use BGP as a Service feature.
• Understand Graceful Restart Capabilities.
• Describe QoS support in Contrail.
• Understand Load Balancing as a Service.
• Describe vRouter support for DPDK, SR-IOV and SmartNICs.
• Understand Contrail Global Controller.
• Describe service chaining within Contrail.
• Understand service chains version 1 and version 2.
• Configure In-Network service chains.
• Configure Transparent service chains.
• Configure Source NAT.
• Use Heat to automate service deployment.
• Understand details of service chain routing.
• Use routing policies.
• Troubleshoot service chains.
• Explain the use of Docker containers in service chains.
• Describe Physical Network Function integration.
• Explain routing traffic from physical network via Contrail service chain.
• Explain the functions of Contrail Analytics.
• Describe how to work with the Monitor workspace.
• Discuss how to run flow queries and examine system logs.
• Use Contrail Analytics API.
• Work with Contrail Alarms.
• Understand how to analyze live traffic with Contrail.
• Describe Underlay Overlay mapping.
• Explain the need for Contrail Security.
• Discuss multidimensional firewall policy configuration.
• Use tags and labels.
• Discuss traffic visualization with Contrail Security.

Course Contents

Day 1

Chapter 1: Course Introduction

Chapter 2: SDN, NFV, and Contrail

• Review of SDN and NFV
• Contrail Solution Overview

Chapter 3: OpenStack Fundamentals

• OpenStack Overview
• OpenStack Projects
• Exploring OpenStack Installation and Using CLI
• Lab 1: Exploring OpenStack with the CLI

Chapter 4: OpenStack Configuration

• OpenStack Interface Options
• Using OpenStack Heat Templates
• OpenStack Configuration
• Lab 2: Configuring OpenStack

Day 2

Chapter 5: Contrail Overview

• Contrail Use Cases
• Contrail Solution Overview
• Contrail Related Solutions

Chapter 6: Contrail Architecture Fundamentals

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

Chapter 7: Contrail Configuration Basics

• Contrail Configuration Methods
• vRouter Services
• Configuring Virtual Networks
• Configuring Network Policies and Security Groups
• Contrail API Python Library
• Lab 4: Virtual Networks and Policies

Chapter 8: Interacting with External Networks

• Connecting Virtual and Physical Networks
• Floating IPs
• Using Device Manager
• Configuring Simple Virtual Gateway
• Underlay Connectivity without Gateway
• Lab 5: Creating Floating IPs and Gateways

Day 3

Chapter 9: Contrail Network Services

• Contrail and Container Networking
• BGP as a Service
• Graceful Restart Capabilities
• Implementing CoS
• Load Balancing as a Service Overview
• vRouter Support for DPDK and SR-IOV
• Contrail Global Controller Overview
• Lab 6: Contrail Network Services

Chapter 10: Contrail Service Chains

• Service Chaining Overview
• In-Network Service Chain and Configuration
• Transparent Service Chain and Configuration
• Configuring Source NAT
• Automating Service Chaining
• Lab 7: Creating Contrail Service Chains

Chapter 11: Advanced Service Chaining

• Advanced Operation
• Service Chain with Docker Containers
• Physical Network Function Integration
• NFV for ISP Case Study
• Lab 8: Advanced Service Chain Operation and Troubleshooting

Day 4

Chapter 12: Contrail Monitoring and Analytics

• Analytics Overview
• Monitor > Infrastructure Workspace
• Monitor > Networking Workspace
• Flow Queries, Logs, and Statistics
• Configuring Contrail Analytics
• Analytics API
• Lab 9: Using Contrail Analytics

Chapter 13: Analyzing Network State and Traffic Flows

• Contrail Alarms
• Analyzing Live Traffic
• Underlay Overlay Mapping

Chapter 14: Contrail Security

• The Need for Contrail Security
• Contrail Security Configuration
• Monitoring and Visualization