Cisco Data Center Network Manager Release 4.0 [Cisco Data Center Network Manager]

Solution Overview

Cisco® Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) is a Cisco management solution that maximizes overall data center infrastructure uptime and reliability, hence, improving business continuity. Focused on the management requirements of the data center network, Cisco DCNM provides a robust framework and rich feature set that fulfils the routing, switching, and storage administration needs of present and future data centers. In particular, Cisco DCNM automates the provisioning process, proactively monitors the storage area network (SAN) and local area network (LAN) by detecting performance degradation, secures the network, and streamlines the diagnosis of dysfunctional network elements.

Cisco DCNM is a solution designed for Cisco NX-OS operating system-enabled hardware platforms. Cisco NX-OS provides the foundation for the Cisco Nexus product family, including the Cisco Nexus 7000 Series.

Features and Benefits

Cisco DCNM includes the following features:

• Unified management throughout the data center network: Cisco DCNM simplifies the data center operating environment and provides a centralized management application that delivers the capability to be used across the entire data center network infrastructure: core, aggregation, access in particular top-of-rack and blade switches, and storage fabric.

• Inventory: Through the powerful and fully automated discovery capability built into Cisco DCNM, critical data from the network is uploaded into a relational database that models the network. Device details, topology information, and network service settings are stored in this network model and are available for inventory purposes. The user has quick access to information on equipment and other physical assets that constitute the network, such as chassis type, supervisors, line cards, ports, fans, and power supplies. The user also has visibility into the logical resources in use, such as IP addresses, MAC addresses, VLAN IDs, access control lists (ACLs), PortChannels, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) process IDs, and Virtual Route Forwarding (VRF) names. These resources are tracked on a permanent basis; hence, this inventory is a reliable and trustable source of information, easily viewed via the GUI or easily accessed programmatically.

• Configuration validation: Done manually, misconfigurations can happen throughout the entire configuration process leading to sub-optimal operation or even network downtime. Cisco DCNM validates configuration change requests before their deployment. Typically, when configuration data is entered in Cisco DCNM, it is checked for validity and consistency during a preprovisioning step that uses domain rules. Domain rules are Layer 2 and 3 and network security constructs: for example, IP address overlap.This validation step occurs only when the configuration request is deployed, so that the most current network model is the reference for the network feature configuration. The Cisco DCNM configuration engine helps ensure error-free configuration.

• Graphical User Interface (GUI): The Cisco DCNM GUI is built with usability in mind and follows two paradigms (Figure 1):

– Network-feature-centric: Layer 2, layer 3 and network security features are the network entities that the IT staff manipulates the most. Logically arranged, network features are immediately accessible.

– Data-led workflow: The data needed to complete a task is readily available from the main window. Provisioners are automatically in the context of the operating configuration to be accomplished; navigation between windows is minimal. Intuitive drag-and-drop actions ease the configuration process.

Figure 1. Cisco DCNM Configuration Builder

• Topology maps: Cisco DCNM features an accurate graphical representation of the physical network (Figure 2) in a single window. The topology map visualizes devices and links and highlights configuration information such as chassis and ports configuration details as well as status information. The user can modify the topology map icon layout with an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface. A tabular list of the managed devices featuring a search tool helps the user to locate the device of interest. The view is redisplayed with the spotted device in the center of the window and its connected neighbors. Access to related configuration parameters is only a click away.

Figure 2. Cisco DCNM Topology Map

• Application Programmatic Interface (API): Based on industry-standard Web services (using Simple Object Access Protocol [SOAP] and Extensible Markup Language [XML]), Cisco DCNM exposes an API for northbound integration with third-party applications. Web services are structured and allow rapid development of client applications. The use of the Web services API offers several advantages:

– Extensibility: The API helps ensure backward compatibility between releases and greatly decreases the need for sustained engineering effort.

– Interoperability: Most common programming languages can be used to enable application integration.

• Virtualization: Cisco DCNM manages innovative data center features built into the Cisco Nexus 7000 Series and Cisco NX-OS: for example, network virtualization. Cisco NX-OS offers the capability to segment OS and hardware resources into Virtual Device Contexts (VDC) that emulate a virtual device. Each VDC has its own software processes, dedicated hardware resources (interfaces) and an independent highly delineated management environment. Cisco DCNM enables network virtualization by facilitating resource allocation across VDCs and by providing independent management for each VDC. VDC are transparently handled throughout the application: the RBAC model and topology maps are VDC aware.

• Fault management: Network events are collected and displayed in an Event Browser window (Figure 3). Each event is correlated to the network feature it relates to. In addition, per-device filtering and alarm grouping are automatically performed. Color-coded status indicators make critical alarms easy to spot. The overall network health is summarized in a scoreboard-type interface. Alarms and messages can be forwarded to northbound applications.

Figure 3. Cisco DCNM Event Browser

Performance monitoring: Numerous counters measure the traffic traversing the Cisco Nexus 7000 Series platform (Figure 4). When instructed to do so, Cisco DCNM collects port and bandwidth utilization, error count, switched and routed traffic statistics, etc. The polling frequency and duration are user configurable. Real-time and historical performance statistics reports are displayed in chart and graph formats. The values and parameters of each report can be exported as a file (future). Cisco DCNM capacity to produce both real-time and historical performance records provides the network administrators and planners with key information required in today's network environment.

Figure 4. Cisco DCNM Traffic Viewer

• Security: Through role-based access control (RBAC), Cisco DCNM controls network operations by assigning roles to users. A role is a set of credentials such as access rights (read, write, modify, delete, etc.), network feature (SAN, Layer 2 or 3, network security, etc.), and device groups. This granular RBAC mechanism structures access control and allows administrators to customize user access in a very flexible and extensible manner. In addition, Cisco DCNM protects against unauthorized management access with Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol for southbound communications and northbound communications when suited.

Table 1 summarizes the features and benefits of the Cisco DCNM.

Table 1. Features and Benefits

Feature	Benefit
Fiber Channel and Layer 2 and 3 domain awareness	Enables consolidation of administration instruments
Fully automated, high-fidelity network discovery	Provides up-to-date physical and logical inventory information at a glance
Syntax checks performed during the data entry phase, wizards offered for cumbersome configuration processes, and configuration validated against domain rules	Helps ensure accurate and error-free provisioning, identifying most misconfiguration before deployment; greatly simplifies and guides operations, eliminating the need to be a networking expert
Middleware abstracts the network and performs device language mediation	Completely shields users from network changes; IT staff does not need to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the ever-changing device language, and automation of the provisioning process is greatly improved
Proactive measurement of important performance indicators for ongoing network monitoring	Facilitates early detection and prevention of outages, maximizing network availability
Programmatic interface exposed northbound; configuration and traffic statistics information easily accessible through the well-defined and extensible Web services (SOAP and XML) API	Enables easy integration with third-party applications, allowing accurate flow through provisioning and data mining
Network model mimics the network dynamics	Provides accurate stateful Layer 2 and IP topology maps that streamline the troubleshooting process and reduce the Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) (future)

Network Features Management in Release 4.0

Cisco DCNM 4.0 delivers configuration and monitoring of the following features:

• Ethernet switching

– Port and PortChannel

– VLAN and private VLAN (PVLAN)

– Spanning Tree Protocol (Rapid Spanning Tree [RST] Protocol and Multi-Instance Spanning Tree Protocol [MISTP])

• Network security

– ACL

– IEEE 802.1X

– Authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA)

– Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) snooping

– Dynamic Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) inspection

– IP source guard

– Traffic storm control

– Port security

• General

– Virtual Device Context

– Gateway Load Balancing Protocol (GLBP), Object Tracking and Key Chain

– Hardware resource utilization with Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM) statistics

– Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN)

• IP Routing and Multicast (delivered in a future release)

System Compatibility

• Supported OS: Cisco NX-OS Release 4.0

• Supported hardware: Cisco Nexus 7000 Series 10-Slot Chassis

System Specifications

Cisco DCNM is a java based client-server software application allowing the client to be run remotely. The hardware and software requirements for Cisco DCNM client and server are as follows:

• Windows Server Requirements

• OS: Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition Service Pack 1

• RAM: 6 GB

• Number of Processors: 2

• CPU Speed: 3.45 GHz

Linux Server Requirements

• OS: Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS release 4

• RAM: 6 GB

• Number of Processors: 2

• CPU Speed: 3.40 GHz

Client Requirements

• OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2

• RAM: 1 GB

• CPU Speed: 2.16 GHz

Protocols

• Cisco DCNM uses the following standard protocols:

• Secure Shell (SSH)

• HyperText Transport Protocol Secure (HTTPS)

• Remote Method Invocation (RMI)

Licensing

Cisco DCNM is available as one application bundle.

Ordering Information

To place an order, visit the Cisco Ordering Homepage. To download software, visit the Cisco Software Center.

Service and Support

Cisco offers a wide range of services to help accelerate your success deploying and optimizing Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Switches in your data center. Our innovative services are delivered through a unique combination of people, processes, tools, and partners, and are focused on helping you increase operational efficiency and improve your data center network. Cisco Advanced Services use an architecture-led approach to help you align your data center infrastructure to your business goals and provide long-term value. Cisco SMARTnet® Service helps you resolve mission critical problems with direct access anytime to Cisco network experts and award-winning resources. With this service, you can take advantage of the Smart Call Home service capability that offers proactive diagnostics, and real-time alerts on your Cisco Nexus 7000 switches. Spanning the entire network lifecycle, Cisco Services help maximize investment protection, optimize network operations, provide migration support, and strengthen your IT expertise. For more information about Cisco Data Center Services, visit: http://www.cisco.com/go/dcservices.

For More Information

For more information about the Cisco DCNM software, visit the product homepage at: http://www.cisco.com/go/dcnm or contact your local account representative.

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Cisco Data Center Network Manager

Cisco Data Center Network Manager Release 4.0

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