Automating Cisco Data Center Networking Solutions

Overview

Organisations are increasingly adopting automation to simplify data centre operations, improve consistency, and accelerate service delivery. We believe network automation is essential for modern data centre teams, enabling them to reduce manual effort, minimise configuration errors, and respond more quickly to changing business requirements.

This five-day instructor-led course equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to automate Cisco data centre environments using industry-standard tools and technologies. You'll explore programmability concepts, automation frameworks, APIs, Infrastructure as Code, and model-driven programmability while developing practical skills that can be applied immediately within production environments.

Prerequisites

To gain the maximum benefit from this course, learners should have:

• Good understanding of Ethernet and TCP/IP networking
• Experience working with Cisco Nexus switches and Cisco data centre technologies
• Familiarity with Cisco NX-OS software and basic data centre operations
• Foundational knowledge of Python programming concepts
• Basic understanding of network automation principles and APIs
• Experience with Cisco ACI is beneficial but not essential

Target audience

This course is designed for:

• Network engineers responsible for Cisco data centre infrastructure
• Data centre engineers and administrators
• Systems engineers implementing network automation solutions
• Network architects designing programmable infrastructure
• DevOps engineers working with network automation
• Technical consultants supporting Cisco data centre environments
• IT professionals preparing for the Cisco 300-635 DCNAUTO certification exam

Objectives

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Describe the principles of network programmability and automation within Cisco data centre environments
• Explain how APIs, data models, and automation frameworks support modern infrastructure management
• Configure and use Cisco NX-API, NETCONF, and RESTCONF to automate network operations
• Create and modify Python scripts to automate routine administrative tasks
• Implement Infrastructure as Code using Ansible and Terraform
• Use YANG data models to interact with programmable network devices
• Deploy and manage automation using Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
• Validate and test network configurations using Cisco pyATS
• Apply automation techniques to improve operational efficiency and consistency
• Prepare for the Cisco Implementing Cisco Data Center Automation (300-635 DCNAUTO v2.0) certification exam

Outline

Introduction to Cisco data centre automation This module introduces the principles of network programmability and explains how automation supports modern data centre operations. Topics include:

• The evolution of network automation
• Benefits of programmable infrastructure
• Automation use cases
• Day-zero, day-one, and day-two operations
• Automation architecture and workflows
• Overview of Cisco automation solutions

Understanding APIs and programmability Learn how programmable interfaces enable automated interaction with Cisco platforms. Topics include:

• API fundamentals
• REST architecture
• JSON and XML data formats
• Authentication methods
• Working with REST APIs
• API documentation and testing
• Best practices for API integration

Working with Cisco NX-API Develop practical experience using Cisco NX-API for network automation. Topics include:

• NX-API architecture
• CLI and REST interfaces
• Sending API requests
• Parsing responses
• Automating operational tasks
• Configuration management
• Troubleshooting NX-API communications

Model-driven programmability Explore standards-based programmability using data models and management protocols. Topics include:

• Introduction to YANG
• Understanding data models
• NETCONF fundamentals
• RESTCONF fundamentals
• Configuration management
• Operational data retrieval
• Schema validation
• Best practices for model-driven automation

Python for network automation Build automation scripts using Python to simplify repetitive administrative tasks. Topics include:

• Python fundamentals for network engineers
• Variables and data structures
• Functions and modules
• Working with APIs
• Parsing JSON data
• Error handling
• Building reusable automation scripts
• Automating configuration tasks

Infrastructure as Code with Ansible Learn how Ansible enables consistent and repeatable infrastructure deployment. Topics include:

• Ansible architecture
• Inventory management
• Playbooks
• Roles
• Variables
• Templates
• Automating Cisco Nexus devices
• Configuration validation
• Operational best practices

Infrastructure as Code with Terraform Explore declarative infrastructure deployment using Terraform. Topics include:

• Terraform fundamentals
• Providers
• Resources
• Variables
• State management
• Planning and deployment
• Managing infrastructure lifecycle
• Integrating Terraform into automation workflows

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller Learn how Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller simplifies data centre automation and lifecycle management. Topics include:

• Platform architecture
• Fabric discovery
• Provisioning
• Policy management
• Configuration automation
• Operational monitoring
• Lifecycle management
• Integration with automation tools

Network testing with Cisco pyATS Improve automation reliability through automated testing and validation. Topics include:

• Introduction to pyATS
• Testbed creation
• Test scripting
• Automated verification
• Configuration compliance
• Troubleshooting automated deployments
• Continuous validation
• Reporting

Automation design and operational best practices Bring together the concepts covered throughout the course to design scalable automation solutions. Topics include:

• Automation strategy
• Change management
• Security considerations
• Source control
• Documentation
• CI/CD concepts for network automation
• Scaling automation across large environments
• Operational governance
• Real-world implementation examples

Exams and assessments

Learners reinforce their knowledge through instructor-led discussions, practical exercises, and hands-on lab activities throughout the course. This course prepares learners for the Cisco Implementing Cisco Data Center Automation (300-635 DCNAUTO v2.0) certification exam. The exam is not included with the course unless stated otherwise.

Hands-on learning

This course places a strong emphasis on practical application through instructor-led labs. Learners will:

• Configure programmable Cisco Nexus environments
• Develop Python automation scripts
• Build Ansible playbooks
• Deploy infrastructure using Terraform
• Interact with devices using NX-API, NETCONF, and RESTCONF
• Validate network configurations using Cisco pyATS
• Complete scenario-based exercises reflecting real operational challenges